A major issue of concern for many tenants living in an apartment
building is the hassle of dealing with the noisy habits of others. Whether your
neighbors are frequently throwing loud parties, blasting music, fighting, or
stomping around their unit like a herd of elephants, thin walls often do little
to shield your ears from the intrusive sounds. Handling noise complaints with
your neighbors can be a touchy subject, so you will want to approach the matter
as amicably as possible in order to bring about a peaceful resolution. This
guide will give you some helpful tips on how to resolve your conflict with the
boisterous residents.
The Wall Knock
This universally-understood signal is often the
first indication given to declare annoyance with a neighbor's noise-making. You
are curled up in bed after a hard day's work, slowly drifting off into a
much-deserved sleep. Suddenly, your upstairs neighbor begins working out to an
aerobics DVD in their living room above you and it sounds as if the ceiling is
going to come crashing down onto your bed.
Already warm and comfy under
your covers, the last thing you feel like doing is getting dressed and going
upstairs to ask them to schedule their workout for an earlier hour. The simplest
solution? A polite tap on the ceiling with a broom to let them know their
activity is intruding on your slumber.
For a reasonable and considerate
neighbor, a knock on the wall or ceiling will be respected as a courteous
request to cease their excessive noise-making. As long as you don't rudely slam
your fist against the wall in retaliation to the loud volume of their television
or stereo, it is unlikely that your message will go unheeded. However, sometimes
no matter how diplomatic you remain, you will encounter an especially stubborn
neighbor that may need a bit more coaxing to see your side of the situation.
That is when you have to take the next step.
Talk it Out
A little communication always goes a long way. The
best way to resolve a problem is usually to have a face-to-face dialogue with
your neighbor in a mature and polite fashion. This way, your grievance cannot be
ignored and you will have the opportunity to work out a compromise that suits
both of your needs.
For example, if your neighbor has a penchant for
playing guitar into the wee hours of the morning when you need your rest for
work, you may want to suggest a plan to accommodate your sleep as well as his
hobby. Knock on his door and cordially let him know that his music keeps you up
at night. Rather than telling him to "cut out that racket when I'm trying to
sleep," you can graciously let him know that while you don't mind the sound of
him practicing, you would appreciate it if he could do so at an earlier hour. He
will likely respect that you approached him in such a diplomatic manner, and be
more than willing to compromise.
Contact the Landlord
Unfortunately, there are cases of belligerent neighbors that will
listen to no polite requests or subtle taps on their wall. You should only
contact the landlord if you have already tried to reason with your neighbor
yourself--many times the issue can be resolved with a pain-free, polite
conversation. However, if your neighbor has disregarded your requests and
continues to be loud, inconsiderate and disruptive, then it's perfectly
appropriate to lodge a complaint with your landlord.
Most landlords will
notify the tenant that there has been an anonymous complaint and to keep their
noise level at a reasonable minimum. The letter will often make reference to any
clause in the lease that references noise regulations or the right to a renter's
enjoyment of "peace and quiet" to remind them that they are in violation of the
terms. This can be an effective tactic to scare your noisy neighbor into silent
submission.
Just remember to make sure that your neighbor is actually in
violation of noise limits before making a complaint. Making noise during the day
is permitted, and the hour when it becomes unacceptable may vary depending on
your building. If your neighbor is vacuuming at 8 p.m., they are likely within
their right to do so. Also, the noise should be excessive and intrusive--soft
music or a television set at a reasonable volume doesn't warrant a formal
complaint.
Call the Cops
If you are a dealing with a particularly
uncooperative and unruly neighbor, you may opt to resort to drastic measures.
Calling the police with a noise complaint is a quick solution to the problem
once all else has failed. You should never begin with this tactic--your
neighbors can easily start right back up once the police are gone, and the
matter will remain unresolved. Only after attempting to address the issue with
your neighbor directly should you involve law enforcement.
However, if
someone is being disorderly, dangerous, or violent, it is important to call the
police immediately. If you suspect instances of domestic violence, robbery,
physical altercation, or drunken hostility, you should never investigate on your
own or attempt to intervene. In circumstances such as these, it is imperative
that you inform the authorities and let them handle the situation for the safety
and security of everyone in the building.
Sound-Proof Your Apartment
Let's face it--you're never going to
be able to keep all of your neighbors hushed to your liking. Many apartments
have thin walls, and are not built with the proper materials to be sound-proof.
If you relish your peace and quiet, it may be optimum to be a bit proactive
about it, and take steps to make your apartment as impenetrable to sound as you
can.
You can hang sound-absorbent panels on your walls to soak up some of
the unwanted noise, or even fashion your own out of corkboard wrapped in fabric.
Choosing material in an aesthetic print can even add to the decor in your home,
not unlike having a decorative tapestry. Heavy area rugs on your floors will
help to restrict some of the sounds you hear from your downstairs neighbors, and
neoprene seals applied to the doorjamb edges will keep out the late-night
hallway chatter and laughter of your younger neighbors when they return home
from the bars at 2 a.m.
Other Tips
- Be considerate of kids. When it comes to children, they can make more
noise than a late-night keg party. However, noise regulations often exclude
crying babies, tantrum-throwing two year-olds and the pitter patter of little
feet. Understand that most parents are more embarrassed by the noise
disturbances their children cause than you are disrupted by them, so try to be
as congenial as you can if you choose to bring the matter to their attention.
- Make some noise of your own. This does not mean to fight fire with
fire and start a volume war with your neighbors. However, a little soft music or
the hum of a fan can help to drown out the irritating sounds wafting through the
walls.
- You can actually sue for excessive noise. If all else fails, you can
take your neighbor to small claims court for noise disturbance. Keep a record of
the dates and times when your neighbor was disruptive and the police records for
any instances that they were called and came to speak with the offender. You may
be awarded a "daily noise fee" for putting up with their racket, or even the
cost of terminating your lease and finding another apartment.