Bane of inconsiderate neighbours

I REFER to “How to treat neighbours from hell” ( The Star, Oct

9).

I empathise with the writer because I also had an upstairs neighbour who gave me hell.

He would stay up until 4am to 5am daily. Though he didn’t run around, the noise from his heavy footsteps and the dragging of chairs or other objects was enough to wake me up. Thank God he moved out three years ago.

I count myself lucky that the new owners are very considerate and understanding. To ensure that their downstairs neighbours wouldn’t be disturbed by the noise of furniture when dragged, all their chairs are fitted with leg socks, demonstrating good neighbourliness.

I can’t say the same for my immediate neighbours, two heavy smokers,

Every so often, they would go out on their balcony and puff away. I’ve asked them on many occasions to smoke in the area fronting the common corridor as all doors and windows in that part of the block would normally be closed. My requests went unheeded.

Due to prolonged exposure to their second-hand smoke, my wife’s bronchiectasis has become worse.

I pleaded with them, citing my wife’s medical condition but my neighbour said she was not doing anything wrong as she was smoking on her own balcony.

I hope that relevant by-laws could be passed to give management bodies more clout to act against errant residents.

STEVEN CHAI Penang