Does she have a right to complain?

Question

I know about noise ordinances, but come on! We live in a townhome. We work late and eat late. My neighbor complains that even though I do it quietly, I shouldn't BBQ after 10pm because the smell makes her hungry and she can't sleep......Thoughts?

I am very quiet! Usually not even talking because I do the BBQing by myself!

Answer 1

Relax, close your eyes, and take a deep breath until you can't hear her complain any more. Because that is all she can do - complain. What you are doing is not unreasonable, and constitutes quiet enjoyment of your property.

She can try to get the HOA to pass some kind of regulation as to when you can barbecue, but I wouldn't think that would be too likely. Otherwise, there's no law or ordinance stating that you can only cook food between certain hours.

Answer 2

I am surprised you have the energy to BBQ that late after working!

Does the woman complain about other things you do?

Maybe you should suggest to her that she close her windows so that she can't smell your BBQ. If she says they are closed, then ask how she could possibly smell the BBQ.

I know it's a rather silly complaint, BUT the important question here is: Is BBQing at 10pm worth making your neighbor mad and risking her beginning to complain about everything that you do?

Because if she will complain about the BBQing, and it doesn't get resolved to her satisfaction I would almost guarantee she will complain about everything else you do!

Answer 3

OMG.... Right when you think people have run out of things to complain about!

I can understand where you're coming from on eating late because my live in boyfriend works odd shifts. But how exactly is she filing a "noise" ordinance complaint when it's the "smell" that's bothering her?!? Can she hear smell?!? What a weirdo!

This woman obviously either needs to get a life, or thicker windows. Probably both. Ignore her for now, and the next time she complains tell her about your work schedule (don't tell her the exact times because we don't want people lurking about while you're at work). If she can't sympathize, tell her that's just tough nuggets and she's just going to have to deal with it.

Answer 4

this is funny!

but anywho, if that is truely the only reason why she doesnt like you to BBQ then that's ridiculous. if however the smoke wafts into her apartment thats another issue but not because it makes her hungry. i never heard such of thing.

usually there are rules. if you are making too much noise you should respect your neighbors inspite of the fact that the rules are no loud music ect.... after 11:00 pm.

no keep doing it i dont see any problem with cooking at night. if she has a problem then tell her to go to the management and complain to them. they will only laugh in her face or behind her back at best.

here's something that could be of good use. here's something else against the rules which is harrassment. if she is making your living there uncomfortable by complaining to you constantly that is to management a form of harassement. and so you could complain to management about that.

didi you also know that it is agaisnt the rules for her to knock on your door to complain. this too is a form harassement./
she is suppose to take it up with managment not you. she can get into huge trouble with this.

i think that pertaining to this person the fact that she complains to the management is good for you in the way that they will see that her complaints are ridiculous . so when you complain about harassment they will side with you. but you have to make it aware to them look she's making it really uncomfortable for me and my husband to live her.

i know all this cus my neighbor who lives directly below me would complain about (now get this) making too much noise by dropping the soap in the tub, the fact that i unravel the toilet paper too much. you know how you pull the tissue and the roll goes clunk clunk clunk. lol yeah she complained to management about this ridiculous.no keep doing what you want your not breaking any rule's

good luck and i hope this was helpful

Answer 5

You say WE but you say you're on your own BBQ-ing. If the woman's problem is the smell, then no, she has no right to complain. If she doesn't like the clanking of plates and the sizzle of the BBQ, and the chatter that comes with dinner and a movie, then yes, she does have a right.

Consider what's actually happening, how close your place is to her's, and then work from there.

Answer 6

Yes, she has a right to complain. On the other hand, as long as you aren't making a lot of noise, you have a right to BBQ after 10 p.m. Does that mean you should? Only if you don't care if you have an angry neighbor. I don't really consider making someone hungry a valid complaint for you to adjust your shcedule, but if you were keeping her up due to banging around noise, I'd say the complaint was valid.

Answer 7

That is almost laughable. Years ago my husband and I lived upstairs over a hardware store. We would grill at dinner time. The owners of the hardware complained because the smell made them hungry! She better close her window or do whatever it takes so she can sleep. Your allowed to BBQ.

Answer 8

That smell, although good, would be irritating to me, too, that late at night, but unless she sleeps with the windows open, I don't see why it would be a nuisance. How could she smell it otherwise? And if her windows are open, why doesn't noise bother her? I think maybe she just doesn't like you, or is one of those chronic complainers. I personally would be happy that you were quiet about it, and just keep my windows closed at night. If she's going to be so selfish that she can't be bothered compromising, then she deserves to be unhappy, although I know you don't want to listen to her complaining all the time.

Answer 9

Wow. This is a toughie.

On the one hand, you have the right to eat.

On the other, smelling other people's food late at night (after all, she has the right to sleep) is unpleasant.

Nor should she have to sleep with her window closed when she likes it open.

Is there a way you can prevent the smoke from going to her window? Put up a barrier, move the BBQ?

Keep experimenting, and be apologetic when she complains.

Explain that you're trying to keep the smell away from her.

Really, the problem isn't the fault of either of you. You should be able to use your outside space, and she should be able to use her own bedroom.

The space was NOT designed to allow this.

Answer 10

As long as you are quiet you have every right to cook late in the evening. Not everyone lives on the same schedule and it is none of her business what you are doing when. Her excuse is lame, and she ought to get a life.