Buzz
Whether it's a loud neighbor or a dog that keeps barking, noise can easily disrupt an otherwise quiet evening. When you're ready to lodge a noise complaint, you usually have several options. If possible, try addressing the issue directly with the person causing the disturbance – they might not even realize they're being disruptive. If the noisy neighbor is renting, you could file a complaint with their landlord and let them handle the situation. As a final step, you might consider involving local authorities.
Steps
Dealing with Noisy Neighbors
Identify the source of the noise. In some cases, it may be clear where the noise is coming from, but it’s still important to verify the exact source. You wouldn’t want to wrongly accuse someone. Take a quick walk around the building, checking floors above and below your own. If you're in a house, step outside and move down the street a little.
- For example, if you're in an apartment, you might assume that the loud music is coming from the apartment above you, but it could actually be coming from the apartment next door to the one above.
Record the noise inside your home, if you can. Using your smartphone or another device to record the disturbance can help the person responsible understand the impact of the noise. A reference sound that can be measured also helps them gauge the intensity of the noise.
- A video is more effective than just an audio recording because it shows a reference sound. For instance, you could raise the volume of your TV in the video or show how high you need to turn it up to block out the noise.
- Whenever possible, try to include the date and time in the recording, particularly if it's late at night. Noise at night can be more disruptive or even illegal, depending on your local noise regulations.
Tip: Including another sound, like a radio or TV, helps not only demonstrate the loudness of the noise but also serves as proof that you didn’t alter the recording to make the noise appear louder than it really is.
Talk to other neighbors about the noise. If the noise is bothering you, chances are it’s bothering others nearby as well. Having multiple people voice the same complaint might encourage the person responsible to take action.
- For instance, if a neighbor regularly plays loud music at night, talk to those in the adjacent apartments to see if they've been affected by the noise as well. Find out if others share your frustration.
- The goal is not to gang up on the person, but to show them that the noise is a problem for multiple people, not just you.
Approach the noisy person when things are calm. While you might feel like confronting them immediately, you’re more likely to get a positive response if you wait for a time when tensions are low. If you’re familiar with your neighbor’s schedule, you can plan the best time to approach them.
- Try to avoid approaching them when they’re rushing off to work or school. They may be stressed or running late, making it harder for them to listen to your complaint.
- If you’re unsure when would be a good time, simply ask them. For example, if you see them in the morning before they leave for work, you could say, “Hey neighbor! I know you’re headed to work. When would be a good time to chat about something in our community?”
Speak to the person responsible for the noise politely and without confrontation. The noisy person might not realize their actions are causing a problem. Confronting them aggressively is likely to make them defensive. Instead, approach the situation with a friendly, neighborly tone.
- For example, you might say, “Hey there, neighbor! Could you please turn the music down at night, or maybe use headphones? I get up early for work, and the noise wakes me up.”
- If there’s a specific reason the noise bothers you, feel free to share it, but it’s not necessary. Simply expressing that the noise is disruptive should be enough.
Send a letter if you're uncomfortable with face-to-face confrontation. If the thought of speaking to the person directly makes you nervous, you can choose to write them a note instead. Simply leave it on their door, briefly explaining the issue. You may also want to mention when you'll be available if they want to discuss the matter further.
- Your note doesn't have to be formal or fancy. For instance, you could write something like: "Hi neighbor! This is Sally from Unit 13. I hear you're a DJ – that's awesome! But would you mind lowering the volume a bit after 10 p.m.? The bass shakes my apartment and makes it hard to sleep. Thanks so much!"
Submitting a Noise Complaint to Your Landlord
Call your landlord if you need quick action. If you're in an apartment building and the noise issue happens during office hours, reach out to your property management. They usually have someone who can visit the noisy tenant and talk to them.
- Since noise disturbances tend to happen late at night, this might not always be an option. However, you can still email or leave a voicemail explaining the situation. They should address the issue first thing in the morning once the office reopens.
Determine who the tenant is renting from. If the person causing the noise is renting, whether it's in an apartment, condo, or house, you can reach out to the landlord and ask for a resolution. You can often find the property owner by checking real estate or property records.
- Once you identify the owner, contact them to ask if the property is currently being rented. They may have a property management company handling the rental, in which case you would need to speak with them about the issue.
Tip: When you first mention the noise issue to the landlord or property manager, do so verbally. If the problem persists, follow up in writing to create a paper trail in case you need to escalate the matter or involve law enforcement.
Write a formal letter to the landlord about the noisy neighbor. Use business letter format to ensure your letter is clear and professional. Keep it concise and provide concrete details, such as specific dates and times the noise occurred. Then, outline the steps you’ve taken so far to address the issue.
- Let the landlord know what outcome you’re hoping for – essentially, what resolution would work best for you.
Set a deadline for the landlord to resolve your complaint. End your letter by specifying a deadline, perhaps 2 or 3 weeks after the landlord receives your letter. Inform the landlord that you'll follow up if the issue persists after that time.
- Make sure to provide your contact details, such as a phone number or email, so the landlord can reach out to discuss the matter further.
Complete your letter and send it to the landlord. After writing your letter, carefully proofread it before printing and signing. Make a copy for your records. Use certified or registered mail with return receipt requested to ensure you know when the landlord has received it.
- Once you receive confirmation that the letter has been delivered, file the receipt alongside your copy of the letter. Mark the date you received it and the deadline on a calendar or set a reminder on your phone.
Send a follow-up letter if the problem isn’t resolved. If the deadline passes and the noise continues, send another letter to the landlord. You can be slightly more firm in this letter, but remain professional and courteous.
- Start by referring to your initial letter, and explain that the issue persists, or that it briefly stopped before starting again, depending on your situation.
- Set another deadline for resolution, just like in the first letter. Be sure to keep a signed copy for your records, and send it via certified or registered mail to track when it’s received.
Tip: If the landlord fails to fix the issue, you might be able to take legal action. Consult an attorney specializing in landlord/tenant law. However, avoid threatening legal action unless you are prepared to follow through with it.
Request a transfer to another unit. If both you and the noisy neighbor are renting from the same landlord, you might be able to switch to a different unit within the same building or complex to escape the disturbance. As long as a similar unit is available, most landlords will allow this without violating your lease.
- However, even if a comparable unit is available, moving might not be a practical option for you. If that’s the case, inform your landlord, and they might be able to suggest another solution, like asking the noisy neighbor to relocate to the available unit.
Filing a Report with the Police
Contact the non-emergency number of your local precinct. Find the non-emergency phone number online and inform the dispatcher that you wish to file a noise complaint. Provide them with details, including your location and where the noise is coming from.
- Remember, a noise complaint is never an emergency. Calling the emergency line unnecessarily takes up law enforcement resources, and you could face fines or even jail time for doing so.
Tip: Depending on the noise source, you may need to reach out to a different department. For instance, if the noise involves excessively barking dogs, you would need to contact animal control.
Wait for an officer to arrive and issue a warning. An available officer who isn't responding to other calls will come to warn your noisy neighbor. They may also want to speak with you.
- In some cases, the officer may visit you first to assess the noise level in your location before approaching the source to determine if it violates local noise regulations.
Call again if the noise persists after the warning. If the disruptive noise resumes once the officer has left, contact the police once more using the non-emergency number. Inform them that the individual has ignored the prior warning and request that an officer follow up.
- If the noise is deemed to breach local civil or criminal noise laws, your neighbor may face fines. You might also be required to testify at a court hearing.
