How do I deal with the new neighbor?

Question

Ok, my new neigbor is a newly divorced mother of a 4 and 6 yr old boy. At first I thought "Cool, I have a 4 yr old, they can be friends!"

Umm, No way. They are monsters, up until 3am screaming like banshees regularly. They throw things at peoples cars...with the owners standing there no less!!
The mother is no better. She blares her Rob Zombie and NIN until 4 in the morning and it's so loud, we can hear every word clearly. Not to mention she smokes pot and it comes into our apartment through the radiators. It was so strong one night that we had to open windows and leave the room. She also likes to appropriate other people's things for her personal use. She has also thrown our things in the trash when they were on OUR SECOND FLOOR landing... she's on the FIRST.
I sent the landlord a letter cause I don't think it's smart to complain to the downstairs tenant when they're stoned out of their gourd and I don't think i'd be polite.
If they don't stop,what else can I do? Call the cops?

And the things she throws away are not trash...they are bookshelves, furniture, ect...
She should not even be on the second floor at all. The first floor only uses that hallway as a fire exit for their apartment.

No, I don't live in the projects... But I do know that my new neighbor just came from there. We have lived here for over a year without a single problem from the five other apartments here.

I was a single mother, in the active army, and had cervical cancer on top of that. I didnt smoke pot or whatever it is she's smoking... I took my money and got some puzzles...lol

Answer 1

well thats quite some trouble you got.. if anyone blares music past 11 i think you can call the police and complain about "something" disturbance... as for the rest.. her kids are insane and they are 4 & 6.. i guess the best thing to do would be to act polite.. and whatever you do don't give her a reason to hate you..i.e. if you call the cops dont tell anyone.. OR make sure she doesnt find out.. if shes throwing full out furniture out?.. dont be so sure its weed?.. ( unless your experienced;)) it might be hash/crack or who knows what.. im just saying.. but she is also a single mother..so thats not the easiest thing to handle in life..bottom line: dont give her a reason to do anything worse to you, be a "good" neighbour.. and take action when necessary.. notifying your superintendant/landlord is good.. if things get out of hand then.. step it up i guess.. and MAINLY.. think of the kids..best of luck

Answer 2

uggg !!!! I feel for you. I deal with some thing very similar at my condo complex. Anyhow , she is trash .... so don't waste your time complaining to her or asking her anything. Don't be nasty just neutral to her and the kids. Keep a log of her activities and if you can take video or pictures even better. Keep complaining to the landlord. You may also try threaten the landlord with a civil suit ( small claims court) tell them you will sue for the time that you are disturbed in your apartment. you could divided your rent by days and hours and come up with a hourly amount and charge them the hours based on your log that you were unable to enjoy your apartment.
You could call the cops on her when she's playing the music but be warned once she knows something annoys you she will do it more ...( video is your friend ) Last but not least she is a child abuser too so CPS is a option. Anyhow good luck with crappy situation.

Answer 3

Oh goodness, that does sound like a nightmare. I think you were right to send a letter to the landlord. I would say it's important that you approach the neighbor at least once about the situation...in a nice, non-confrontational way. Example: at 3 am when the music is still blaring, pop downstairs, knock on the door and calmly ask them to turn the music down. If it doesn't go down, then you're fully allowed to call the cops...just remember to always approach it calmly and rationally. Hopefully the landlord or a couple visits from the police will take care of the situation.

Answer 4

When you smell the pot.. CALL THE COPS! Don't associate with this person.. that always makes matters worse. She will try to use you and it will be a lot more obvious who called the cops on her. Social Services is definitely another good option. Just do not give her any kind of warning. Let them show up at the apartment and let them see how she is really living and the danger her kids are really in. If you complain, they HAVE to come check it out.. that is the law.

Answer 5

I think you should call social services.. you can call anonymously. My friend had the same type of problem (nice apartments..) and not only did her neighbor bring with her noise.. she brought ROACHES! I think calling social services would be more wise than calling the cops at first. It would be less obvious who called and if the children are in any danger it would be taken care of. If that doesn't work, just start making noise complaints and complaints that you smell pot coming from downstairs.. the cops WILL check it out. You have your own children to think of, so do what you think is right for the sake of your own.

Answer 6

It sounds as though many of the things you are suffering with (unruly children, noise pollution, illegal drug use, and destruction of property) should be violations of their rental agreement. If your landlord doesn't respond, keep on them until something is done. Have the other tenants write separate complaints, or write a group letter. It is also helpful to keep records of the dates and times of their violations.

Other people to try: the county's codes and violations department (if you have one), Child Protective Services in your area, and any Renter's Advocacy offices. (You can find the Renter's Rights information at property managers' offices.)

I would avoid the police and/or direct confrontation, because she may retaliate against you.

I feel for you. I hope she is evicted soon. Good luck;I hope this helps. :)

Answer 7

This may sound silly and tedious but it works.

In the first place, do invite her two boys and your family to any local fast-food joints or playground. Take enough money to cater for all of U since your neighbor may not have enough on her.

At the fast-food joint you and I will be expecting that the two boys will be at their worst level. And that is the best time for U to help bring up another adult for our society.

First, let all know that U are in control by shouting “No! Guys! We don’t do this” or “don’t say that here”. And then U draw the attention of the two boys and ask them whether they know how much embarrassment and headache they give to their mum by their actions or words. Add the consequence of any misbehavior-time out, single out, no more outing, etc.

How most kids react is to go and seek protection and comfort from mum, but prevent that.

When going back home, ask all the kids to select the best, better and good kids of the day for a candy award. Ask the worst-behave kid what will help him to be the best kid in future. At this juncture, he may cry (because he feels sorry), burry his head in his palms (sorry, again) or frown (meaning he hates U and everybody in the car).

Finally, when U are saying the “good-byes”, give all of the kids a good hug but let the ‘worst’ kids hug last longest. Tell him how much U care about him and that U know he is will be the best kid in future.


When all is done, invite the mum or visit her regularly for dialogue and conversation. Both of U will learn a lot from each other.

Even if U don’t believe in God, it pays to help the falling stand on her feet.

Answer 8

If complaining to your landlord doesn't help, then next time they are playing their music loudly or if they are screaming their heads off, then I would call the police and complain. If you see the children throw things at the cars, even with their mother standing right there and she doesnt do anything about it, call the cops.

Answer 9

If you think the kids are in danger you can always call protective services or the cops. If not then you can voice your concerns with the landlord-perhaps set up a face to face meeting. Try and avoid your new neighbor and her children if you believe that they are a negative influence.

Answer 10

Alerting your landlord is the first, and most appropriate step. However, to back up your concerns, call the police. If she has children and is behaving in that manner, they need to be taken care of.

Evicting someone is soooooooo much easier with a police report.