What do I do about the child upstairs??

Question

I have been living in this apartment for one month now. Since day one the above apartment has a child (rougly about 2 years old). I understand living beneath someone their is going to be noise. Such as hearing their washing machine, T.V. and hearing people walk. I also hear this child run constantly which is part of being a child I know. The issue with me is the constant running and jumping late at night until early morning. I am being serious, the child has woken me up from bed at 2 in the morning. I work from 8 to 5 and I need my sleep. I usually go to bed around 11 and it's so hard for me to sleep due to the running and jumping all night long. I talked to the Mother upstairs and explained to her the situation and she apologized and would settle the child down. A week went by and still the same. I called the landlord and he said he can't do anything about it. But in my lease it has rules bout the disturbance of neighbors being an issue. What do I do now? Thanks!!!

Answer 1

I can't tell you what you should do, but I can say what I would do. Fight fire with fire. I'd crank up the stereo, and leave it on all night. Put some earplugs in. If I don't get to sleep, nobody does.

Answer 2

I live in an aprtment too, and while I have 3 kids, no one hears my kids except during the day. I had a neighbor tell me he didn't even know I had kids..LOL..I have taught them RESPECT. Now, children will always make noise and that can't be helped but, it can be helped when it is beyond what is "normal".
We had one family move in and the mother went to all her neighbors on the floor and explained that her child suffered from autism and if we ever heard him to please come to her she would do what she could to keep him quiet. He liked to yell and make loud sounds and tap on walls. Sometimes when he was un happy we all heard him very plainly but, very rarely did we ever have to ask her to do something.
Now, this child is 2 years old and up at 2 am..not very cool. Talk with the mother and try to come up with a solution like he make all the noise he wants until 8 pm but after that you would really like some peace and quiet.
If that does not work I would talk to your landlord and ask him about moving you to another unit below some quiter people, or suggest moving her over some other people who have children and can handle the noise. Our landlord tries to do that whenever he can. Above me are some single guys who make more noise than my 3 kids but, its Ok because we have our respect for each other they keep quiet after about 9 pm, on week days and then on the weekends its a free for all..LOL..and below me is another woman with children, so her noise and ours kinda balances out.
But, thats what I would do. 1st talk to mom and explain nicely that your are trying to be a good neighbor you don't want her in trouble or make any for her. And ask about making a " schedule" about noise. Then if that doesn't work talk to the landlord about maybe a more quiet unit, or even go as far as finding someone willing to trade units with you and offer this solution to the landlord and tell him you have someone that is willing to trade with you if it is ok with him.
If none of this works I would talk to the landlord about your lease and possibly breaking it to move or asking him to bind by the legal document.

Answer 3

Always be nice to neighbors. Odds are, the mother is not happy with the child running around at 2am either. You can offer to help with ideas for her. Befriend her and try to offer ideas is one idea. Another might be using background noise or white noise to help tone down the noise upstairs. Several clock radios now offer these, like mine. Waterfall, beach, summer night, etc. You might try some sort of ear plugs, soft foam ones with fit nice and cut 1/2 the sound. Time, will also help as the child ages, and less late night issues. Hate to say it, moving is an option. I would recontact the landlord and site the page in the agreement and ask for sound proofing attached to your ceiling, which he will not do or to move you, cost free or to reduce your rent. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Keep talking to the parents when you see them.......there is no point harping on about it.....The little toddler doens't realsie that you need your sleep....The parents are probably as fed up with the noise as you are....but i would say in another couple of months it won't be a problem anymore, kids grow out of stages in development very quickly......I know it's a pain just now.... but they will settle down.....Tell the parents it must be hard for them being awake at this time in the morning also....You'll definetly make a friend and they'll go out of their way in the future to not disturb you.......

Answer 5

Perhaps you should review the lease with the landlord and begin the process of ending the lease and relocating. If you have a provision for unwanted noise beyond the customary noise associated with apartment living then you are lucky and should take advantage of it. At the next place be sure to find out about children and who you can expect as a neighbor.

Answer 6

Go back to the parents and point out that you don't want to be unreasonable, but at the very least the floor needs decent carpet with quality underlay to cut down the noise. Apartments aren't designed for children.

And go to the landlord to point out that the transmitted noise level is totally unacceptable.

Answer 7

Hit the ceiling with a broom handle everytime they start running?

Answer 8

nothing really you can do. the child is still too young. maybe best to move out.

Answer 9

push them down the stairs.. then blame it on the dog...