Where are kids supposed to play in a condo setting?

Question

Is it rude to let my 9 year old son play with his friends in the common area of our condo? I have had 2 complaints from neighbors (both older, middle aged women with grown children) that the kids are too loud. Where do they expect kids to play? They are as loud as normal children are- not excessive. Is this my problem or theirs?

Answer 1

I had a similiar issue when I was watching two little boys who lived in an apartment. An older lady was very angry that we were skipping rocks in the community pond. My best advice would be to avoid annoying the older neighbors, and if you see that your son is being really loud to maybe calm him down. Other than that kids will be kids and its pretty sad that people can waste their time complaining about something that silly. I wouldn't worry too much about it unless the problem escalates.

Answer 2

First thing to do is to check you condo association or HOA (if you are part of one). Usually, you can find the answer to that question in their guidlines and rule books.

When you say common area...do you mean a common area such as a landing within the building or a common area such as a yard in front of the building??? If the kids are playing indoors (as in inside the building) then you should apply the same rules in the common area as you would in your own home...no running, racing, tossing balls or the like. If the kids are likely to be obstructing people as they come and go or pose a safety hazard to themselves or others (being tripped over or having people slip on toys) then that spot is simply not a good place for them to be.

If the common area is outdoors, then the kids can play like any kids do. I would tell them to move away from the neighbors window or doors if they are playing directly in front of them, but otherwise as long as it isn't four in the morning or midnight, there shouldn't be an issue.

Finally, I would talk with your neighbors. Find out what exactly they find objectionable. Maybe they have jobs that require them to sleep at odd hours or have been having health issues where they require more rest. Of course, they may just be cranky, but many times you can go far if you simply reach out and talk.

I want to say I know how you feel. When both of my children were young we lived on the 8th floor of a large apartment building. The area we lived in had very long, very cold winters and very wet spring so outdoor playtime was severely limited. Many of the tenents would let thier kids play in the halls and the lobby, but several other families had members who slept during the day because of duty times. We finally found a way to make things work. Basically, we set up times each day where the kids would be allowed to play in the halls. We posted these times in common areas. We varied the times and days by floors, so the noise was spread out rather than in one place all the time. Everyone was much happier and our kids still had plenty of opportunity to play while stuck indoors .

Answer 3

Let me offer an alternative point of view as a person who complained about kids playing outside. When we first moved in to our condo ( townhouse ), we had as many as 8 to 15 kids playing in front of our condo. For some odd reason, the older and younger kids loved to use our aisle as a play area, ignoring the fact that our community had numerous wide open areas for them to play. Parks and recreational areas that I wish I had as a kid walking distance. These kids would be outside until an hour before bedtime. We just couldn't have any peace and quiet after work since the kids were playing well into the evening. Our "townhouse" complex is very kid dense. Unfortunately, when the condo went up for sale, we didn't realize the extent of the playing and the noise, since open house happened in the morning when the neighborhood kids where at school. We really tried to "let kids be kids" so to speak and we didn't want to be known as the "cranky couple". However, it got to the point where it was just unbearable. We used a combination of diplomacy and nagging to get the noise and playing down to acceptable levels. The parents assumed that we wanted to ban playing, but all that we wanted was to stop the ball throwing and a more balanced setting that understood the needs of the children, but respected the private enjoyment of homeowners who are not "part of the pack". We had some success encouraging the older kids to use nearby recreational areas, which remained largely unused. Realizing that there are playing fields, parks, and playgrounds walking distance, it just didn't make sense to have all of these kids cooped up in a narrow aisle. So I became the cranky neighbor on purpose. My kids go outside to play, but we take them to the parks, playgrounds, and schools nearby to utilize the rec amenities that go largely unused. It's really the parents fault. Their laziness and sedentary lifestyle encourages these kids to play close to home unfortunately. So the kids take the path of least resistance and play in the complex.

Answer 4

Isn't it funny how quickly older women forget what it was like to actually have kids. I say the "common" area is as much your as theirs-- as long as its not excessive or constant noise I wouldn't worry about it-- try taking them to the park or somewhere else occassionally to give the neighbors a break-- but kids will be kids and don't let anyone else make you feel bad about that!

Answer 5

when you live in areas like that (apts, condos, townhouses) there is always the chance that you get the complaining neighbor. When I was growing up we had four kids in an apt and the guy down stairs always complained about us kids being to noisy. They don't make them the greatest and the walls are never thick enough to drown out the noise.

Before my husband and me where married he moved to an apt to be closer to where I lived and he would tell me about his neighbors upstairs. Their bedroom was right above his and had a very squeaky bed.

Answer 6

Your condo complex should have a set of rules and regulations that you signed before moving in.. Within those rules and regulations there will be a stipultion regarding where and at what times children can play... Read them and you will know who's problem it is...

By the way by signing the rules and regulations you have entered a binding legal contract...

Answer 7

firstly, old neighbors are old neighbors. as long as they know that there is a friend with you, you could bind and gag them and the old folks would still complain. also, if they are not yelling, or really hitting the floor, it is not your fault