What do you think should happen to misbehaving children?

Question

What I am talking about everyone has seen before. Those really loud disturbing children who consistently scream for no reason or to get what they want and its always at the top of their lungs. I live in an apartment beneath 2 of these children, apartment manager wont do anything. I dont think i should be able to hear these 2 children having a conversation while they are upstairs and im in my own apartment tryin to enjoy a meal or movie. They also run up and down the stairs all day long playing i suppose but rather annoying. I've even spoken to the parents and they say they pay rent so they can be as loud as they want. Well now ive had it, all of our pictures we had on the wall are actually falling off due to all the vibrations these 2 children cause. What should my next step be with dealing with this situation since the apartment manager wont deal with it and wont return my calls until at least a week later. The police wont do anything until they actually see it happening. What to do

There is a corporate office that i can contact but is mostly for emergency usage. I dont classify this as an emergency really but it is becoming very nerve racking now.

Answer 1

Sounds like these children really are products of their parents. Rude, that is.

Since the apartment manager and parents won't do anything about it, go around and ask the other neighbors if they are bothered by the noise. If they are, get a petition going around and present it to the manager. If the neighbors aren't bothered by the noise or the manager ignores the petition, call up the manager every hour until he does something about it. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

If even that doesn't work, get a tape recorder or video camera and set it up in your apartment so that the police can hear exactly how loud these children are and maybe even see the pictures bouncing off the walls. You may even want to contact a lawyer about this. I know apartment walls are thin, but these children sound completely undisciplined and uncaring about anyone other than themselves. That has to stop.

Answer 2

Check your lease, sometimes there will be something about quaranteed peace and quiet, use this to back up your complaints. You can go above the apartment manager's head to the actual owner of the apartment who may not be aware of your complaints. Just because they pay rent does not in any way allow them to make as much noise as they want. I would plan on getting out of there when your lease is up, or maybe they will move out before you.

Answer 3

A video camera is your BEST FRIEND.

You DO have a right to live peaceably (there are "Breach of Peace" laws in every state!), and THEY are the ones not respecting YOUR rights to live at peace. YOU are NOT the one who is doing wrong here.

Videotape EVERYTHING... day or night... inside or outside, and keep a written journal denoting date/time/descriptions. Once you've gotten at least a WEEK'S worth of "transgressions," make copies of it. Call the police and ask to make an appointment to speak with someone regarding this situation, AND that you wish to press charges.

Consult a lawyer regarding your rights as a rentor...yes you DO have rights!!! Can you sue the landlord for their lack of action? Once you have done so, have the lawyer send a copy of the tape to your landlord along with a letter stating whatever you and the lawyer have decided to do with regard to the landlord's NON-action.

CONTINUE to maintain a journal of incidences, along with any phone calls or visits from your neighbor and/or your landlord... videotape, too, if you can. This is your means of defending yourself, and it's darned hard to refute visual proof. Besides, if you ever need to go to court, you will have all your records there... nothing says GUILTY like PROOF!

Good luck, and don't forget the earplugs!

Answer 4

The corporate office is the next step. State that you are entitled "peaceful enjoyment of your home" and that since the manager won't do anything about it, you are contacting them. If they say "This is for emergencies only, please talk to the manager." Say " I have tried that and I'm getting no where. I want to speak to someone immediately or I will be contacting a lawyer about your company breaking their end of the lease."

Usually that works.

Answer 5

Can you ask to be moved to a different apartment there?So you are not having to deal with this?I would take a broom handle and bang on the ceiling every time you hear them or even when you dont.Ive done that before.Then when they come down to complain tell them well i pay rent here so i can be as loud as i want.See if that gets through to them.

Answer 6

The first place I would go to is the police, check online for your non emergency number for the police department in your area. As for your question I think this is a fine example of why children need to be punished physically. (not have the **** beaten out of them but a few slaps every so often)

Answer 7

Not much you can do. The parents sound like cretins and the little sprogs are learning from them.

Grounds to move? Send a letter to property management let them know it is uninhabitable due to excessive noise? Just a thought.

Answer 8

The Bible says you should stone them...

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 (King James Version)

18If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:

19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

20And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Answer 9

Is there anyone above the apartment manager you can talk to to get him/her into action?

Answer 10

I'd try what Avie says. If nothing works, you may be forced to move.