How to Deal with Noisy Neighbors
How High Decibel is Your Space?
While considering rent, architectural details, and cool factor, check for warning signs of noisy living.
• Visit the apartment at different times of day. What’s irenic Monday afternoons may be hopping on Saturday nights, especially in the parking lot or around the pool.
• Get a second opinion. Ask residents about their experiences. Do a little profiling, too. How young are most of your neighbors? Are there many pets? Children? Cover bands?
• Look for quality construction. Are the walls thick or paper-thin? How plush is the carpet? Although you can add throw rugs and thermal drapes for extra insulation, start with the best foundation you can afford.
• Check out the floor plan. Would your TV or dryer back up to your bedroom? Does the balcony overlook a busy street?
• Where in the complex are you located? If your place is in proximity to any of the following, expect some ambient noise: stairwell, elevator, parking garage, gym or community space, laundry room, pool, or pretty much anywhere else where people want to hang and have fun.
• Where in the city is it? Expect some sleepless nights if you are in the zone of any of these: clubs, bars, restaurants, buses, trains, airports, freeways, police stations, fire departments, high schools, arenas or stadiums, or “cruising strips.”
Most of these factors have nothing to do with the character of your neighbors, just the culture of the neighborhood. Yet those who can live easily above a strip of nightclubs are probably more likely to stay up and get down themselves.
If you are kept sleepless by some inconsiderate partiers, dog owners, or wannabe drummers once you’ve settled in, try to keep your anger in check. Temper your actions to preserve future friendships.
How do You Address Pumped Up Volume?
• Weigh your situation against the norm. If you work the graveyard shift, your neighbors shouldn’t have to tiptoe around during the day while you sleep in. If you have an infant, the rest of the renters probably won’t stop partying at 8 pm so that you can rock her asleep. Be reasonable.
• Talk to your neighbor. Unless it’s excruciating and sustained sound, give each a neighbor one get-out-of-jail-free card. We’re all entitled to a little fun. You’re also entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of our homes. Tell them in person, calmly and specifically, what the offense was and how it affected you. Use concretes like: “You consistently play music at high volume after midnight on weekdays. It makes it very difficult to sleep.” Instead of: “You’re always really loud!” Address your neighbor during the infraction, or as soon after as possible. Then give them a chance to mend their ways.
• Warn them in writing. If the noise continues, leave a letter that cautions, not threatens, that you will contact the management office if the situation doesn’t improve.
• Speak with other neighbors. Your landlord will be more prone to act if several of you are frustrated.
• Review your contract. See what you promised to do to be accommodating to others – they had to sign it, too. If you must move, you may not be liable for breaking your lease agreement if the landlord hasn’t protected your tenant rights.
• Speak with your landlord. Document in detail. The landlord should take over the negotiations from here. Hopefully, you’ll get some peace.
• Research the local noise ordinances. Find out what the city finds a public disturbance. (You may be entitled to restitution.)
• Call the police. You’ve tried to be nice. Now let the big dogs get involved.
Be a good neighbor yourself… invest in quality headphones.
