How do you tell a neighbor their balcony compost smells without causing a feud?

Hi Danielle! Knock at a neutral time and lead with appreciation, then an I-statement and a specific ask. Example opener: Hey, I'm glad you're composting. When the breeze shifts I'm getting a strong compost smell in my kitchen and I'm a bit sensitive to it. I'm also worried it could draw fruit flies or mice, and I'd love to see if we can tweak the setup so it stays neighbor-friendly. Would you be up for a couple low-effort fixes that cost nothing, and if it helps I can share some dry shredded mail and leaves to use as cover material. If you prefer, we could also sync so scraps get taken out right before pickup day instead of sitting over the weekend. After the chat, send a short friendly text recap so it does not morph in the group chat, and keep HOA out of it unless you have to.

Offer concrete, easy wins they can do today. Have them cover every dump of food scraps with about two inches of dry browns like shredded cardboard, paper, or dead leaves. that cap knocks out odor in minutes and blocks fruit flies. If it smells sweet or rotten, it is too wet, so stir and add more browns until it smells earthy. Ask them to avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods, and to freeze scraps in a bowl or bag until they empty once a day to reduce smell and bugs. Suggest setting the bin on a tray or shallow pan so leachate does not go anaerobic and stink, and empty that tray down a drain every couple of days. A tighter seal helps too, even a plastic bag used as a gasket under the lid, and a quick weekly rinse with a splash of vinegar in water keeps odors down. Pitfalls I have seen are leaving it too wet, not covering with browns, and escalating through the HOA first which makes people defensive. one calm conversation plus a small follow-up usually fixes it. Coordinate with your roommate so you both deliver the same message, and check back in a week with a thank you if it is improved.

Yeah, charming until your place smells like a damp forest floor and fruit flies move in. This usually means their bin is too wet or uncovered, and it costs you peace not them. Knock and go with, "Hey, the breeze keeps pushing strong compost smells into my kitchen, could you keep the lid tight and add dry stuff like paper or leaves, or we can sync a set-out time so it is out less?" One ask, calm tone, then wait.

If I can smell it after a 12 hour shift and three bleach wipes, it is ripe. Lead with praise then pivot: "Love that you are composting, but I am getting strong smells in my kitchen and worry about pests. Could we try freezing scraps before they go out and layering newspaper or dry leaves, or pick a pickup window so it is not marinating all week?" It sounds helpful, not hostile, and costs zero.

Keep it short and specific. "Hey, the compost smell is blowing into our kitchen. Can you keep the lid sealed and add dry material, or limit balcony time to a couple days so we are not getting it daily?" Do not mention the HOA or health, just the effect and the fix, then check back in two days if nothing changes.

God, nothing's more annoying than 'green' neighbors turning the building into a stink bomb without a clue. Just march over and say the compost smell is invading your space and suggest they get a proper sealed bin before pests show up. Offering to swap containers sounds nice but good luck with zero budget. it'll probably just drag things out.

Dealt with my sister's compost pile messing up our shared backyard once, total nightmare. Tell them directly the odor's a problem and could draw bugs or worse. Propose they seal it up or adjust the spot, and leave it at that.

Pulling double shifts leaves me zero patience for funky smells wafting in and so here's a hack: casually mention how you're all for their eco-vibe but the breeze is turning your pad into a funk fest. Suggest a tight lid or some carbon filters with a grin, like 'Wanna team up to keep the flies from throwing a party?' It keeps things light and neighborly without the drama.