Noisy neighbor with a child. Instead of doing something to solv the problem, landlord stoped talking to me.?

Question

There's almost one year they moved in and since the first day they drove me crazy. The child runs and jumps all the time, all day long, they drop things, havy ones, they walk like animals. I tryed to talk with them, they were rude. I asked the landlord many times to talk to them, I called the police but they can do nothing about walking havy. The landlord is doing nothing. Cannot afford to move out and I do like my place.I've been here for eight years. By law, how can I get the landlord to do what he has to? Can I pay rent in court till he solves the problem? Can I sue him for renting the apto. upstairs to people with a child? Or, by law, what can I do. Instead of helping me, the landlord quit picking up my calls and is ignoring me. I never before complained about anything. Besides the noise, every time they take a shower or bath, the water cames down on my bathroom, in my towels, bathtub and toilet seat. Literaly my bathroom pees on me. There's a hole in the ceiling covered with mold

Answer 1

Let's be logical about this issue: assuming you have NEVER been late with rent payments and have documented evidence to back such a claim up.

Make a video of the "peeing bathroom" at it's worst with emphasis on the mold (be sure the date/time stamp on the video is correct---that's your evidence). Contact the local Housing/Health board office and ask for a referral to a good attorney protective of apartment tenant rights and speak to that person if you're directed to one. If they don't have a recommendation, find one on your own---and keep the Housing board number handy.

Call (and record) the landlord. If you get his voicemail, politely state bathroom water from upstairs is leaking into your own bathroom and ceiling mold is present; you feel this matter needs his immediate attention, politely end the call and keep the audio tape....again, this is evidence.

If a reasonable time frame passes--and landlord is clearly ignoring you, then contact the attorney AND the housing/health board office, who may begin an investigation. Turn over the evidence to them (maybe through your attorney) and they'll handle matters. This may have to go to either small claims or Civil Court.

Once things go to this point, be prepared for "catch-backs" from the landlord in tighter rent deadlines AND/OR higher rent fees as a means towards pushing you out of his building.

In the end, either you gain the landlord's respect.....or you win the battle/lost the war and may have to find another and safer place to live.

Answer 2

Your landlord can not do anything about your upstairs neighbors and you can not do anything about their heavy walking either legally. If your apt. has a problem with leaking pipes then you can call your landlord tell him of your problems with the leaking pipes and water, he needs to get it fixed. If he doesn't get it fixed then write and document the letter, keep a copy, send it certified return receipt requested. Tell him of the problem again. if within a reasonable amount of time let say 7 days he has not addressed the problem then, write him another letter explaining that you are going to call the plumber and get the problem fix and you will be sending him the receipt and deducting it from your rent. Then get it done.

Really if it is that bad then there are better places to live. Next time you find an apt. make sure it is on the top floor.

Answer 3

well by law the landlord does have to fix the plumbing problem but as for the heavy walking and loud child...WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF APARTMENT LIVING! you obviously dont have any kids or you wouldnt be bitching about how loud the one above you is. it sounds to me as if the landlord stopped returning your calls because this sort of situation happens all the time...you are not the first. of course the police cant do anything to your neighbors because they havent done anything wrong.

best advice to you is to either get another job so you can go buy a house where there are no neighbors or to just do what every other renter does....deal with it.

and im not trying to be rude but the broad next door to me complained about my baby crying when she woke up in the middle of the night hungry. she was crying for all of 20 seconds. big deal! and they also complained about me smoking in my backyard and for talking on the phone too loudly. i told her the same thing go buy a house or deal with it.

Answer 4

the issue about the ceiling leaking is a legitimate issue that your landlord by law MUST deal with...

however, people above you "walking heavy" is not against the rules... he probably stopped answering your calls about it because there is nothing he can do and is sick of you complaining.. apartments have alot of people in very close quarters.. noise is bound to happen.. if you have called the police and they did nothing, then its because the noise isnt enough to take any action... get some earplugs, or look for a new place

Answer 5

Practically speaking, start searching for a house you can afford. Avoid getting into trouble and serious confrontation. your landlord are keeping his eyes and ears closed, it means he is in favor of the other party. You get into that place peacefully, let it be that way, leave the place peacefully. Every problem has a solution, and for this one, you must do the best you can to stay out of trouble.

Answer 6

Your landlord is a moron & just wants money!
Honey!Do yourself a favor & move out of an apartment into a nice little house or cottage!
Mabey CPS has threatened these ppl if they try to discipline their children!It happened to me & it can happen to anyone!
Thank the Lord i only have 3 1/2 more yrs to go with these 2!

Answer 7

I don't think anything can be done about the heavy walking but that mold sounds serious. Tell the landlady about the leakage and mold. If she doesn't respond to the problem call the health department and have it tested.

Answer 8

Try calling DCF: Department of Children and Families in your area. With a child in the house they should be able to help out.

Answer 9

You can't do anything about the kid, but you can call the Housing Authority about getting rained on in your own bathroom--that's a health hazard, and eventually the ceiling will fall on your head.

Answer 10

http://www.tenant.net/index.html
input your state in this site and they may have an answer or help for u.
the water issue alone is enough to start legal action with your landlord. be cautioned, once you start legal issues, your lanlord may find an excuse to get rid of you. research it out. it may be better just to try to move anyway when possible.