[LuxLiving]

Could you negotiate with your landlord?

"I'd like to stay and I know it's more convenient for you if you don't have to find another tenant but this smoking that 3B does bothers me - Or, do you think you could provide me with an air purifier that I can leave when I move out but would let me stay? I'll provide all my own filters if you can handle the purchase - then I think maybe I could manage the rent increase. If not, maybe you could come down on the rent because of all this second-hand smoke??"

Actually I'd rework this and ask for the second-hand smoke decrease in rent first and if that didn't work I'd ask for them to purchase a purifier. I'd write out my request carefully and then I'd practice in the mirror. But at least I'd try. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing deal here. You might try visiting with the landlord to figure out why they are increasing the rents just now. Perhaps it's the utilities going up and you and other tenants could cut back some on your useage...or maybe the rent rolls of other bldgs. seem to be collecting bigger dollars and you can POLITELY list out why they get those bigger rents - maybe laundry facilities are better, parking lot lighting in place there, security gates, etc. "We don't have any of those things, so could we just split the difference and call it even?"

Worth a shot.