Brick is porous so yes odor can get through. Is the wall finished with
drywall? Was it caulked below the baseboard? The most likely places to
check would be at electrical fixtures and switches etc. Do you have a common
attic? Odors going up from their kitchen lights into the attic and down
through your fixtures. Does their kitchen stove have an exhaust fan vented
to the outside? Just some thoughts, I don't live in a semi.

"Frank H" wrote in message
.. .
In the basement of our 80ish-year-old semi-detached house, we can often
smell what the neighbours on the other side are cooking in their main
floor kitchen. There is no known opening between the 2 sides of the
house, so I'm wondering how the smells are reaching us. Through the brick
wall? Anyone have any ideas or experience with this? Thought I'd ask
here before starting inquiries next door.

Thanks in advance,
- Frank