Noisy apartment. Neighbors doing it on purpose. What should I do about this situation?

Question

We just moved into a place and the noise from next door was bad. We asked the office to ask them to quiet dow. They went over there and they did quiet down. For about 12 hours. Then my brother noticed loud bass over there the next night. He called the cops. The cops went over there and asked them to quiet it down. Didn't give them a ticket. They hardly quieted down. Then the next night, the guys moved a massive screen TV into their apartment and cranked it. We called the cops again. The cops said that they can't do anything about it because we live in an apartment. He would have to hear it from the outside. He couldn't. But he said the walls were very thin inside. He went over there and asked them to quiet down. Later, I wrote them an anonymous note explaining to stop the banging and loud bass. Now tonight we hear nothing but loud banging and slamming. I had to get out of there. What can we do? I feel trapped because they are doing this on purpose and getting away with it.

I can't function. I can't sleep. All I can think about is the banging from next door. It is soooo loud! Can we legally move to another apartment within our complex? Can we ask management to allow us to do this? I don't know what else to do.

Answer 1

Check out your lease. I had something similar happen to me. What I did was start to take action as if I'm going to try and get out my lease legally. Your lease should explain how to go about dealing with situations like this. What I did, was write a letter every two weeks explaining the situation in full and sending it down to the office. After 4 legal written/typed letters I would have been able to get out of my lease and it wouldn't be held against me. You should maybe try that because its the leasing offices' responsibility that you live peacefully and safely in their apartment. If you need any other help let me know, I'll see what I can do! Sara.
P.S. In the letters you write you should also make a copy of your own to file away (make sure the office initials) and be sure to include your numerous phone calls to the police department.

Answer 2

Yes, you have a right to quiet enjoyment of your apartment, and if the landlord is not willing or able to provide this you have a right to break your lease.

But first you have to prove that you gave them the chance. That means calling the police when appropriate (as per what the police explained to you) so there is a record; and keeping a record of when you contact the landlord about it--best to notify them in writing. Spell out in your letter the type of problems you are experiencing (TV, bass, etc) what you have done to try to rectify the problem (when you've called the police, spoken to the neighbors, contacted the office before) and specifically what you want them to do about it--quiet them down (point out that their attempts have failed so far), evict the people, or move you to another unit.

Answer 3

I use to have the same problem at my old place. I have called the police countless number of times. It solves the problem for awhile then I am back on the phone with the dispatcher.

If a resident from the apartment complex gets the police called on them to many times. The main office will kick the people out of the apartment.

It really works. Keep on calling the police and soon they will be gone. It took the people downstairs from me a good month or so before they were evicted.

Answer 4

unfortunately, this happens all the time. at least you have called the cops which means there are legal records of this problem. your landlord should be responsible for solving this situation. and i don't care how much or how little rent you are paying. we are all entitled to some peace and quiet in our homes. find out if your city has a city ordinance regarding noise. you can also go to your local precinct and speak to the officer in charge of community relations. if you are willing to move, keep track of all the dates and times you have reported your neighbors to the police and make your landlord give you back your security and NOT hold you responsible for moving out of the apartment before the lease expires.
tell your landlord that he lied to you when they showed you the apartment because you expected a quiet place where to live.

i apologize if i am rambling but this hist close to home and it is just so unfair that landlords do not take any action and they are part of the problem. they really don't care because for them is a win-win situation: if you move, they can increase rent of the apartment, if you stay you still pay rent although you are not happy.
but i do like the suggestion that you try to fry their sound system...
fight fire with fire.... i should get me one of those to deal with my neighbor... good luck

Answer 5

Are your apartments separated as to "quiet" sections, "family" sections, and "party" sections? (Years ago, mine were organized that way -- after I moved in -- and I ended up in a "party" section... !!!) If so, perhaps you are in the party section. If not, continue reading...

Well, I had bought myself a "comb detangler," which was a product that was supposed to make it easier to comb long, wet hair after showering. (Like I said, this was years ago.)

Well, I discovered that when I plugged it in and turned it on, it disrupted my television reception -- crazy lines and loud "white noise" happened. I had to turn my TV off when I used the detangler.

A couple of times, new neighbors moved in next door or across from me who were very loud -- turned their stereo up and opened their door so they could hear it outside in the courtyard. And, they also had a guitar that they played loud.

Well, I figured that if my detangler disrupted my TV, it might also disrupt their stereo and/or guitar... Yep, sure did. The louder they turned their music, the louder the disruption got. I never said anything to anybody. I just got out my detangler anytime the noise got too loud -- the kind of loud where the floor and walls vibrated -- and turned it on. The screeching noise they got on their stereo and guitar had them running to see what was the matter, and they turned them down. When I could no longer hear the loud noises, I turned off my detangler. Every time they cranked it up, I turned my device on again...

They finally stopped the loud noises. (Guess they figured they had damaged their speakers or something...)

Well, see if you can find you some type of electrical product like that in a department store that disrupts reception. There may no longer be any type product -- hair dryer, blow dryer, etc., etc. -- that will actually interrupt reception now (FCC got onto manufacturers about that some years back), but if there is one, buy it and use it.

I don't see any illegal thing about using an electrical appliance such as I named here... ??? The trick is to find one that actually disrupts reception.

BTW, the noisy neighbors moved -- two or three of them. My apartments are now no longer separated as to types, and you get whoever moves in as a neighbor.

Answer 6

I would very firmly ask your apt manager to move into another apartment and explain exactly why - those tenants are likely to run the next tenants off too. Also check with your local tenants rights group, do a google search. Tenants have more rights than they think.

Answer 7

I am dealing with the same situation. I have tried begging my neighbors to be quiet but no use. Now I slam on the walls with my feet. I also call the cops and tell them their could be possible drug use. Maybe that would shut them up???!

Answer 8

Did you check out this place before you moved in? I get a bit annoyed with people who move into a certain enviroment and complain about it. It would be the same as if someone moved into your place and started changing everything to suit them. Your neighbours are now trying to get rid of you. Bad stuff. Ask management to move you to another apartment. If you choose to live like battery hens you have to expect some disturbance from neighbours. Next time attempt to be diplomatic with neighbours yourself and save the manager for when that does not work.

Answer 9

OK, unfortunatly this is illegal and I don't remember exactly how it's done but - an old boyfriend of mine got hold of some sort of high power transmitter (from a physics grad student), found the correct frequency, and fried his neighbour's amp.

First there was music, then there was silence, then there was swearing as the neighbour figured out what happened. Of course, he just thought his equipment failed - never realized it had been done from outside.

Answer 10

i would start screaming things like... no, please, not with that knife...stop..please stop..god help me...stop....
hahahaha... give them something really interesting to listen to.
and when they get quiet... i'd have my stereo right next to the wall where i knew they'd be listening at, and i'd turn that volume up real high before i turned it on..hahahaha..i'd just turn it on for a split second or so, before i turned it back on and started moaning like i was dien..hahahahaha...
if they came over, or if the cops showed up, i'd act as if nothing happend.