What can be done about noisy neighbours? The constant fighting, shouting & swearing!!?

Answer 1

I would write them an anonymous note.

Answer 2

Some people are assuming your neighbors are really beating each other up and are dangerous. If that is the case, then you need to be mindful of your own safety and, perhaps, calling the police from the get-go would be the way to go.

However, if you think they are normal but just loud, I think you should calmly, politely and face-to-face tell them that you can hear them and it bothers you. In other words, start off nice. I think the world would be a better place if people started off nice and calm -- and gave others a chance to respond in kind -- rather than jump right in with being angry. If you don't get results, you can always take other steps, like complain to your building's management, etc.

Answer 3

Oh you have my sympathies. I used to have a shop where the neighbours were constantly arguing, physically fighting and to top it all, abusing their children. The other neighbours and myself, had all at some time or other felt compelled to dial 999. I used to go home and cry myself to sleep for those children. I had the escape of going home, the other neighbours hadn't. My advice would be, if you can move - do. Hopefully, they'll split up soon and it will be much more peaceful with only one of them there.

Answer 4

If you are in an apartment or condo, check the apartment or association rules or guidelines. There is in all likelihood an ordinance or policy against disturbing your neighbors. If so, report them to the association and let them handle it. If you are in a house--check with your homeowner's association guidelines if you are a member to see if you have any rights. Like the other answers say, if you have no other protections, check the official laws for your area---past 10pm is a standard time for turning someone to the police for disturbing the peace, but depending on whether you are in city limits or not can change the time. If you feel that physical fighting is occurring at your neighbor's home, then you may report them to the police for domestic violence and not for disturbing the peace and you may do it anonymously. In most states, the police are required to respond to this type of call and they HAVE to arrest someone if there is an obvious fight going on.

I have personal experience--I had a downstairs neighbor at an apartment complex once that used to beat up his girlfriend all the time. We complained to the complex and they actually told the guy that it was us who complained. He started beating on his ceiling (our floor) with a broom handle during their fights and threatened us on several occasions. We called the police and got him arrested one night for yelling threats at us and, eventually, the apartment complex evicted him and the girlfriend. The police told us we had every right to call them from the very beginning--regardless of what time of day it was. People can be buggers sometimes, huh? Good luck with your problem.

Answer 5

If you've approached them about the situation with no success, the next step is to approach your local council for a noise abatement order. If the behaviour is totally out of control and other neighbours have complained, they may even proceed with an ASBO. Check your council website and they will have full details on how to proceed.

Answer 6

No an annonomus note is a cowardly thing to do, and will prob make the situation worse, causing bad feeling between all the neighbours. And the ones in question prob wont do anything about it.

I would contact your council and see how best to go about the situation, if you follow legal rules you wont end up in any messy arguments.

Answer 7

When you find out let me know! I'm having exactly the same problem!

I've been thinking of calling the police (not on the emergency line obviously) but I don't really know what they can do about it & I'm worried it will make the situation worse.

I know the council has some kind of noise control department, I think that is what I will be researching.

Good luck.

Answer 8

Jerry Springer

Answer 9

visit them casually and talk to them as if you are friends and want to know each other. slowly bring the topic of noise and the disturbance they are causing. your visit may reduce their level of shouting noise and fighting. once they know you, i am sure they will be aware that a decent family(such as yours) is living nearby. observe for a few days. if anything changes, fair enough. if it doesn't, you have to be more daring and talk straight about the level of noise. don't bring it to police unless it is too worse.

Answer 10

Don't do anything.
Don't say anything to them, don't look at them funny, don't ever ever go over there.
Just call the cops consistently.
The second you know there going to fight for a while, call.
Again and again, and tell the cops you want to remain anonymous.
You don't want enemies who know where you live.
Eventually after one of them gets arressted too often for domestic violence, they will break up.
Hopefully the loudest one will be the one to leave, but don't count on it.

Answer 11

go round and see them or, if you don't know them, leave them a note explaining how inconsiderate they are being . be polite always. tell them how if it doesn't calm down you will contact the police or local council. and if they still carry on, contact your local council or police.

whatever you do, don't be sly. maybe they don't know how loud they are, that you can hear them. grant them the courtesy to sort it out before it goes official.