What can you do about a noisy upstairs Nieghbor?

Question

Complained to management, called cops, and confronted this person. And I am holding my tongue by keeping this G rated.
This person is an @$$#@)), once confronted, he is quiet for a week then back to the same noise, what should I do. And I am not moving.

I have complained, called the cops, banged on the roof vigorously, I broke my wall because I hit an area without the stud behind the wall. This ****** King makes noise after I do this and then shuts up. I am not going to jail for this person. He knows who I am and can't look in my direction when we pass by. He is a coward. Thanks for all the good answers.

Answer 1

Put the responbility where it belongs-building management. Tell the manager the place is not habitable due to unbearable noise despite all the measures taken. Document everything. Send a registered letter to the manager and threaten to withhold the rent until something is done.

Answer 2

It sounds like you've done most all you can with regards to being nice and trying to get him to change... or at least, anything along those lines won't really help any more. I mean a week is pretty good, but it's not good enough for you.

It may be that his stomping ground is right above your bed, and even a slight redecoration might help things out. You might also try decorating the cieling with something thick and noise resistant, like quilts. With the noise he's making, you may need drywall screws to keep the things up there though... The cieling also tends to be a bit thinner around light fixtures, so you may want to consider spreading some caulk around where the fixture meets the cieling of you have those. That can damp down a lot of the noise.

Part of the problem may be that he's not getting enough complaints. Have a FRIENDLY chat with the guy's neihbors on the other sides, and see how they feel... or, better yet, invite them over to your place for a beer or two while the jerk is going to be stomping around. If you do that often enough, it will certainly change their opinions about the jerk, and then you'll have other people who can complain about his noise.

A few of these folks may be on good terms with the jerk, and if so, they might be able to get him to put in some additional carpeting, redcorate to get the noisy stuff away from you (maybe) or find out what he's doing, and figure out a way for him to do it somewhere else... like in a mechanic's garage maybe...

Eventually, with enough complaints, even the worst slum-lord manager will do something. You should be able to get some thicker accoustic tiling installed in your home, and hopefully, they'll do something for his appartment too, like thicker carpets. This should cut down on the noise a lot, also, there's the benefit of knowing that while you may need to vacuum after the work, he'll have to move all his crap out for a while to get the carpets in.

If you're really lucky, it may be possible to have the landlord get the guy evicted, but for that to happen, pretty much everyone within two appartments of him would have to be complaining and calling the cops on a regular basis... so you'd probably need to throw a keg party to get that many buddies on your side.

If the jerk does get kicked out, ask the landlord to see about rennovating his rooms with a mind to noise reduction before they get a new renter... You never know what the next guy's gonna be like.

Answer 3

Apartments or Condo? Makes a difference. Start making your complaints in writing either way. Apartments will eventually do something, especially if after a while, you threaten to get a lawyer and sue them for no action. That's why written letters are best. Keep track, use registered mail.

If it's a condo, is it the owner or a renter above you. Same theory applies. Threaten the owner with a lawsuit. Also, most condos have association which can be liable if they take no action. There are almost certainly rules about noise. If they take no action, they will eventually forfeit their legal right to EVER enforce noise rules with anyone so they have to act or face problems in the future.

Or just bang on the ceiling at odd times of the day. Worked for me in my first apartment. The stupid lady finally came down and yelled at us...then she heard the noise her rotten kids were making. End of problem.

If all that doesn't work, and I'm not telling you to do this, but I heard that bleach in a gas tank overnight rusts the inside of the tank. Really messes up the whole engine...hard to clean rust in the fuel lines.

Answer 4

Technically with many complaints to management they have to do something about this person, I have been through this before but i was the @$$hole on the other side. I would keep complaining to management and tell them that you have rights, keep calling the cops also. I actually was just about to get kicked out and ended up moving on my own from all these complaints. I had kids though and my kids were noisy was the reason I got so many complaints....anyhow good luck to you:)

Answer 5

Just keep complaining and whenever they start making loud noise, make noise except louder, and only when theyre being loud so they might know why your doing it. But dont get yourself in with a lot of complaints from trying so hard...Good luck, and id definately go confront the ****** one last time and give it another shot, otherwise just kick his u know what...haha!

Answer 6

Continue complaining to managment (submit in writing), continue calling cops, get copies of police reports, and show them to managment. If nothing else move and sue the management for the money that you paid to live there for the months you were being disturbed and they did nothing about (your police reports and written complaints are your evidence) and sue for deposit of that appt.,your new appt., and moving expenses such as truck, rent, and utilities. And dont forget court costs and Attorney fees.. make them pay for that as well! Mental Anguish sounds good too!

Answer 7

Ask your manager to transfer you to the next available apartment on the top floor, as long as you live underneath anyone else you will have this complaint. The manager is required to do this in front of everyone on their waiting list and as soon as one is available.

Answer 8

If you can talk with this guy like a human, just tell him what's going on, friendly. Maybe offer him a drink and sit down with him. for awhile, let him get to know you a little. Make a peace amends with him first, then just friendly ask him if he couldn't keep it down a bit. Remember you were young once also. If things get really bad, get a cam coder, and tape what's happening. Take it to your landlord, and show him. A tape recorder would help.

Answer 9

Having the same problem, and wish I knew what to say. The management of the building won't do anything? That's unusual. Ok,this is something that was suggested to me. When they are quiet, take your speakers and put them up to the ceiling and blast them and disturb the upstairs neighbors and see how they like it.

Answer 10

rig up a microphone to a very powerful amplifier and subwoofers. bolt the subwoofers to the cieling and whatever noise he makes, he will hear back much louder, you may have feedback problems which may be solved through a directional mic, or place the subwoofers far away from the mic, or possibly an audio delay-talk to an audio engineer...