Many residents of 3003 Van Ness have complained about poor ventilation, especially smoke or cooking smells that travel from other apartments to yours even when all windows and doors are closed.

This likely is caused by partially blocked or narrowed air ducts or a systemic weakness in the building’s ventilation system. Equity Residential should be cleaning the system to keep it running properly.

One resident who has complained of poor ventilation was smart enough to take a look for herself. She opened one of the air ducts in her apartment and found what you see below. If air ducts in other apartments are clogged as badly as this one and if the clog extends into the shafts and the system as a whole, it could explain the problems residents are having with second-hand smoke and smells.