Engine Work in Townhouse Garage Ok?
 

Hi guys,

I got a serious question about people working in their garage tuning their engine in a townhouse complex. My neighbour seems to be doing this every few days and I noticed exhaust smell coming into my townhouse. I have a 1yr old baby as well, so I'm quite concerned.

Before I go talk to him, are there any laws or regulations against this in a townhouse complex? I can understand that working on your engine is fine in a detached house where you're pretty far away from neighbours, but this is a townhouse complex.

Any advice? Thanks.

Call your strata.
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Talk to your neighbour first before going to strata.

Read your strata bylaws/rules.

i would do this. if you guys can work out a deal, it would make both parties much happier and not bitter

I don't understand, what is he doing to be idling that long that exhaust fumes come into your home. When I'm working on my truck I rarely have it running while working.

And if he is idling non stop in his garage I wouldn't be to worried, won't be long before he passes out from lack of oxygen.
Posted via RS Mobile

Thanks for the advice so far.

I do plan on talking to him at some point. Just that I'd like to know what the rules/laws are regarding this outside of strata rules. Is there some law against idling near residential areas or near windows/doorways? Doing my research, so I can talk facts to him if things don't go smoothly.

I'm not sure what he's doing in his garage, but I keep hearing engine reving for like 15-30min. I'm guessing he has a fan blowing the exhaust out of his garage, so that he can do this for hours. Unfortunately, my windows, entrance and garage are right beside his garage.

Idling isn't illegal, the only thing I think you could pin on him would be working on his car based on strata rules (idk). I know that I can't work on our truck in the parking garage, possible fire hazard.

Otherwise, if all he's doing is running it in his garage, there's nothing that can be done legally.

I would just cut the shit and go straight to strata……people that don't have the fucken common sense to not pollute a complex in which other people live in shouldn't have any warning given to them.

My neighbour was having bon fires in his backyard and not only burning wood but burning plastic and other smelly shit. It came to a point where i couldn't go and chill on my deck on summer nights because of it. So i called the fire department and told them about it and they came charged him and he got rid of the bon fire. ( i live in a single house but they're built quite close to each other)

Yeah, unfortunately extended idling isn't exactly against the law, and I doubt any strata would create a bylaw for it. Assuming working on vehicles is allowed by strate, the best thing you can do is ask him to keep the idling to a minimum and if he says no and keeps it up, just make sure your windows are all shut.

But I agree... wtf is he doing that requires extended periods of idling?

according to my strata laws, engine/car maintenance can only be done within the garage not on common grounds such as infront of the garage (the driveway in a complex) so as long as his car is in the garage he should be good. The only thing he would get is a noise violation if its after dark.

talk to him, the baby card always beats anything else. worst case scenario, you make him buy a hose for that exhaust pipe and vent it somewhere else.

^^^ this. Just buy a cheap exhaust hose and have him run it away from your windows.
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talk to strata

Must be running multiple seafoams !

you got a carbon monoxide detector?

I can't think of a whole lot of work you could do in a garage where the engine running is needed... My guess is he is warming up his car. Maybe ask him to do it outside...?

Most strata bylaws prohibit automotive repair work within the Strata Lot even if it's private property.

Bunch of sneaky coward rats in this thread.

Talk to him first and foremost, you know, like a man. And don't come at him all aggravated either. Approach him about it in a calm and civilized manner.

When my neighbors at my old place called bylaw on me without talking to me first, bylaw officer showed up and it turned out I wasn't breaking any bylaws, I deliberately made things worse for their efforts.

Ask him if he can do this b/c you are concerned about the exhaust coming into your unit.

Run to your local sport chek to get a Tapout shirt. Make sure you wear it when you're ready to make death threats.

the up front approach doesn't always work. a friend tried the "calm and civilized" approach with his t/h neighbor who decided to smoke out the complex by seafoaming his engine and was met with profanity. later someone reported him to the strata but because my friend saw him first the neighbor blamed him instead and made his life a living hell :(

your baby wont die, this is a car forum

Correlation = Fubar

I'd just let him know about the exhaust fumes going into your place.

If he's a dick about it, walk away. Let your strata know he's being an issue and see what they can dig up.

Worst case, your windows will be staying closed.