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
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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.
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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.
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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.