Here at My Renters Guide we recently received a question from a concerned renter. They were wondering who to contact in the event of a noise issue if management isn’t responsive.
Your actions will depend on the type of noise complaint: is it on going every night/day, or is it a one time thing that is really loud like a party. You may want to respond differently for different situations.
Here are a few things you can do to handle a noise situation:
1) Continue to contact management. By keeping your issue on their desk they will not be able to ignore you. This may mean that you need to submit a written complaint to ensure that it gets recorded properly.
2) Talk directly to the tenant that is causing the issue. Sometimes this can be uncomfortable or problematic. Just remember to be nice and respectful and explain the situation calmly. The other tenants may not realize how noise carries. It is also good to realize that a direct conversation may be uncomfortable for the other tenant, they may even perceive it as a threat and they may respond negatively. Stay calm state your case and walk away, don’t let them pull you into a shouting match, then go back to the landlord/manager and explain that you have tried and they were unresponsive and rude.
3) Attempt to contact management’s managers. Typically the people in these roles don’t deal directly with complaints but talking to them may facilitate a quicker response from management or you may get a direct response from them.
4) Call the emergency maintenance number. You should have a number that is answered at all times for emergency situations. Let them know at the time of the problem, depending who is on-call they may be able to resolve it immediately.
5) Try things like ear plugs and white noise machines. They aren’t always the desirable option but sometimes it is the best solution. Not all apartment buildings are particularly sound proof and you will just have to get used to some neighbor noise. But, when you are trying to sleep that can be hard. Using a white noise machine will help to drowned out the neighbors or using ear plugs or head phones will help block the noise. Just be sure to adjust alarm clocks and such so you do not drowned/block them out as well.
6) Call the police. This should NOT be your first solution but if the neighbors are consistently having parties or fighting or causing other VERY disruptive noises you may have to consider going over your managers head to the police (NOT 911 but the local police station). Having the cops show up at your apartment sends a very distinct message and may finally get the point across. This solution should not be used for normal life noises but for the EXTREME cases.
Each state/city/complex is different and each neighbors noises are unique. Consider the whole situation before you start calling and complaining about every little thing, but if the noise is truly affecting your ability to live comfortably in your home you have every right to stand up for yourself. Become fully familiar with your lease so you know your standing with the manager and look into Tenant/Renters Rights, you may find some helpful information there as well. But, while attempting to deal with the issue also remember that this is your neighbor’s home as well and they have the same rights. As with issues at work or in school work your way up the chain of command until the problem is fixed. It may be as simple as your neighbor didn’t realize that what they were doing carried through your walls or ceiling, or it may be a chance to get rid of them when the manager realizes what is going on. Just remember to be respectful and calm so that they can not fault you for anything either.
What sort of noise complaints have you had at your apartment? Comment Below.
Also look for our other article on Being a Good Neighbor and other Tips for Renters.
