Something that is unavoidable with apartment living is the fact that you are going to be living in close proximity to other people. That’s just part of the deal. Not that it has to be a problem, many people go through their experience in apartments with few problems with noise and neighbors whatsoever, but conversely, many people have chronic problems with neighbors and noise as well.
So, what can you do about your noisy neighbors? How do you know if the noise gets to a level where you can report them?
Talking to your neighbors about the excessive noise is the first thing you should do. If that doesn’t remedy the situation, talk to your landlord about the problem, and lodge a noise complaint. Finally, if the problem still isn’t solved, ask your landlord to change apartments.
You deserve to have an apartment that you can enjoy in relative peace and quiet. That is what you are paying for and that is what you should get. I will go over what constitutes excessive noise, when you should file a noise complaint with your manager or landlord, and what some out-of-the box solutions can be.
What Is Considered Excess Noise In An Apartment?
Excessive Noise is anything that is above and beyond normal noise during the day, and noise that would disturb other people in their apartments at night. Excessive noise CAN happen during the day, but is most commonly reported during “Quiet Hours” during the overnight hours.
When you rent an apartment, you are guaranteed the right to “Quiet Enjoyment” of your apartment. What is Quiet Enjoyment? I have written an entire article dedicated specifically to this topic. Basically, it means that you have the right to live in your apartment free from disturbances that would detract from your living experience.
Now, we all live in the world, and know that there are always going to be noises, and virtually no place is going to be completely quiet. From a baby crying to cars honking on the street, there are some noises that we all just have to live with as a part of life.
EXCESSIVE noise, on the other hand, is a different matter entirely.
Excessive noise can happen at any time during the day. It can come in the form of loud music, stomping on the floor in the apartment above you, or by loud verbal disagreements happening in an apartment adjacent to you. These are ALL things which would constitute you filing a noise violation with your manager or landlord.
States like California even have laws that are specific down to the decibel on what constitutes a noise violation and at what time during the day. I find this to be a bit wonky though, as who do you know carried around a decibel meter testing thingy?
You KNOW it’s a noise violation when you hear it. It’s a simple as that. If the enjoyment of your property is being disrupted by the behavior of other people in the complex, you have the right to complain about it to your landlord. You are not paying them to be miserable in your apartment, but they ARE being paid to ensure you have Quiet Enjoyment.
How Do I Ask My Neighbors To Be Quiet?
Give your neighbor causing the excessive noise a quick, polite knock on the door. Let them know how the noise is bothering you and ask them if they could tone it down a bit. If the noise persists, contact your landlord to file a noise complaint.
The worst thing you can do as a tenant who is bothered by constant noise from your neighbors is to stay silent and suffer in your apartment either by yourself or with your flatmate. This leads to even more anger and that doesn’t do anyone any good, much less you, the one who is suffering.
Tackle the situation head on. Go over and give a friendly little knock on the door of your neighbor and let them know that they are being loud and the reason why. Many times, putting a direct human face with the person who is complaining can be the most affective approach.
Maybe your neighbor didn’t know how loud they sounded in YOUR apartment. By letting them know directly, they can come to understand that a real person is being affected by their actions. Most of the time, this is enough to get them to be mindful of their actions and behaviors.
The last thing you want to do is scream and shout at your neighbors. This will not only have the opposite effect you were hoping for, it has potential to start a feud, which is a recipe for much more unhappiness to follow.
How Do I File A Formal Complaint About My Neighbor?
When talking to your noisy neighbor isn’t working, then it’s time to take the next step.
Call your manger or landlord and ask them how to file a formal noise complaint. They will usually have a form for a tenant to fill out which documents the incident so the landlord can be empowered to take action on behalf of the tenant. Larger complexes may have these forms available to fill out on their website.
A noise complaint is very simple to fill out. You simply put down the date and time of the incident, what was happening, how you were affected, and who was breaking the noise code.
Sometimes, a manager will have you detail out the incident over the phone and they will fill it out themselves, but the process is pretty painless. The additional benefit of calling your landlord about this is that you get to do a bit of venting. I get this all the time when there are noise complaints. Most times, the landlord or manager is pretty receptive to hear you vent a bit as they know full well that it is frustrating for you.
Make sure not to take your anger out on your landlord though by saying things like, “See?!? I TOLD you they were out of control and you didn’t believe me!” Or similar type things. Feel free to vent to let your landlord know how it is affecting you, but don’t take it out on them personally. They need these pieces of evidence from tenants like you to be empowered enough to make a change.
Rest easy knowing that your landlord is on the case and will most likely deal with the situation immediately. I have my manger do exactly that, and virtually every apartment complex I have had experience with has had the same type of policy action set up.
In the last resort, call the maintenance guy. He has familiarity and report with the tenants at the complex. A call from him to quiet it down if the landlord isn’t there can be a good step to take as well.
Can I Call The Cops On My Noisy Neighbors?
This is the ABSOLUTE last resort.
If you NEED to, call the cops. Sometimes, parties and get togethers can get out of hand. If your manager or landlord isn’t up to the task of taking care of the situation, let the local authorities step in and quiet the situation down. That is what noise ordinance laws are for.
Sometimes, calling the cops can be the only solution there is to the situation because only they have the literal firepower and authority to step in.
However, if you ARE going to call the cops, make SURE that it is worth calling the cops for. There is nothing worse than having a busybody call the cops every 3rd day for something they thought they saw or heard. I’m not saying that is you, but those people ARE out there.
Make sure that calling the cops is justified. And sometimes it 100% is. There have even been times when I have told my manager to call the cops, or I have called the cops myself on behalf of my manager because something was out of control. Actions like this though are usually followed by quick and effective eviction notices and departures.
Ask Your Landlord To Change Apartments
If the noise problem is not going away, ask your landlord to move you to a different apartment in the same complex. This solution could solve the problems on both ends and can make all three parties happy.
I wrote a full article on exactly How To Switch Apartments In The Same Complex, and this would be a perfect reason why.
If, for some reason, your landlord is not getting the job done, then you need to be your own advocate. Not providing you with Quiet Enjoyment is a valid reason for you to be able to break your lease without penalties, and they have an obligation to you to provide this as a landlord.
Most landlords aren’t pushovers, but it does happen from time to time. Them not getting the job done isn’t a reason for you to live in misery and pay for the pleasure. Give them the potential solution to the situation by being willing to move to a similar apartment in a different part of the complex. More than likely, they will jump at the chance if they have another one open.
This would also be a good time to get a free upgrade and maybe a little bit more space. Let them know your dissatisfaction with the situation. Maybe you can talk them into an extra bedroom if you agree to sign a new lease and stay another year. Be creative and use the situation to your advantage.
Having chronically noisy neighbors doesn’t have to be something you have to live with. You have JUST as much right to Quiet Enjoyment as they do, and your landlord is obligated to provide that to both of you… that’s their job.
First, talk to the noisy neighbors and let them know how their commotion is affecting your life. Many times, this will fix the situation as they don’t know what their noise-making sounds like in your apartment. If it doesn’t, then file an official noise complaint with the landlord, and in dire situation call the cops.
A creative solution though is to request to move to a different apartment in the same complex. Your landlord may jump at the opportunity as it solves their problem, the noisy neighbor concern, and keeping you happy and a tenant. Feel free and confident to express your concerns, and your right’s as a tenant, to your landlord.
