How can i plug up the vents?

Question

I live in a townhouse condo, and the lady above me smokes, and it stinks, and that smell travels through the vents. Is there a way i can stop it, plug it up or something?

btw, is this even legal for the venting system? i mean is vents suppose to bring in air from another condo?

Answer 1

definitely talk to management.  Air should not be seeping into your condo from upstairs. It's hard to tell from your question what the vent is for.  If it's in the bath it may be a common exhaust vent -probably should not block.  If it does not blow air out when your AC/heat is on, it's could be a return air vent.  If it's blowing air out when upstairs lady's AC is on, there's a problem.  I would think you should not have common vents with the neighbor due to fire protection codes, but sort it out with management.  Blocking the vent could be OK if there are others on the system to pick up the load.  

Answer 2

You should bring this up to your landlord-meanwhile, you should be able to shut the vents with a lever.