In Poland, there are more and more cases where Order services interventions are the consequence of notifications from neighbours. 1 example of specified situations is complaints about smokers on balconies. The problem that may seem trivial is becoming an crucial point of dispute, especially in large cities.
Can you smoke on the balcony? Law and regulations
According to Polish law, balcony is part of private property and the owner has the right to usage it in a way he considers appropriate. However, in situations where the actions of 1 individual affect the comfort of another residents, the substance ceases to be unambiguous.
The most controversy is caused by cigaret smoke, which can enter neighbors' apartments through open windows. Building law and environmental government do not straight regulate the issue of smoking on balconies, which means that each case can be dealt with individually.
Mandate for disorderly conduct
In 1 of the Warsaw blocks, there was late an intervention of the municipal defender after the notification that the resident regularly smoked cigarettes on the balcony. The neighbour who reported the problem argued that the smoke was entering his apartment, causing discomfort and wellness risk. After the interview, the City defender imposed a fine of 500 PLN A individual who smokes.
However, it is worth noting that the fine was not issued for smoking on the balcony itself, but for disorderly conduct that may arise from excessive smoke and negative impact on another residents.
What do the neighbors say? expanding number of notifications
The number of reports on smoking on balconies has increased importantly in fresh months. According to Warsaw City defender data, only in 2024 was reported above 300 reports related to the burdensome behaviour of neighbours, including smoking on balconies.
Residents emphasize that the problem increases in warm months erstwhile windows stay open. For people with allergies or young children, cigaret smoke can be peculiarly burdensome.
“I can’t air an flat due to the fact that I can odor the smoke from the next balcony. I tried talking, but my neighbour ignored me. I had no choice but to study the substance to the city guard," says 1 of the residents of Warsaw Wola.
How to avoid conflicts between neighbors?
Experts advise you to effort and talk to your neighbour before reporting the substance to the applicable services. In many cases A quiet conversation and an explanation of the problem can bring better results than the intervention of the city police.
Some housing communities introduce regulations prohibiting smoking on balconies. Although specified government has no legal power, it can be an effective tool in the fight against burdensome behaviour.
Mandates for another burdensome behaviour
Smoking on the balcony is not the only reason for disputes between neighbors. Reports of loud events, walking dogs into the community without cleaning up after them or even watering flowers in a way that causes the balconies to flood lower floors.
In 2024 in Warsaw was exhibited over 1200 fines for disorderly conduct in multi-family buildings. The amount of specified mandates may scope 500 PLNand in case of repeated incidents, the case may go to court.
Although smoking on the balcony is allowed, it is worth remembering the neighbors and avoiding activities that may be burdensome for them. Conflicts of this kind frequently end in intervention by the law enforcement services, and even in mandates, which only makes relations between residents worse. Conversation and common respect can be the best solution in specified situations.
Continued here:
A smoking ticket on the balcony? Neighbors study more and more
