Neigbour problems, what can we do....pleasee help.?

Question

My boyfriend and I live in a 2nd floor apt. The lady downstairs has put notes on our front door to keep the footsteps and noise down. We DONT have partys or play loud music, shes says to keep the noise to a minimum after 7 she wants to relax. The thing is we're not loud ppl, now i'm afraid to even walk around. What can we do about this, shes trying to telling us how to behave in our own apt!? Does anyone know the laws about these kind of things? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Talk with your landlord about the problem. What does she expect when people live above her? You can't not walk around your own apartment. It sounds like you are really trying to be a good neighbor. Does anyone else live in your apartment complex and do they have a problem with you two? I would have the landlord talk with them also, just so he knows that you guys are quiet. This lady should move to a house that is out in the middle of the woods with no one around...but then again, she would probably complain because the birds or squirrels were stomping around the yard too loud! Good Grief!

Answer 2

We used to live on a third floor apartment, and the lady downstairs was constantly beating on her ceiling, pounding on the walls, etc. Then again, I have two toddlers who like to run, too, so I'm sure she was going insane. We've moved now and are on the first floor (thank God), and we have loud people above us. I think a lot of it has to do with the age/construction of the building. If the building's old, the insulation is bad, and noises reach the people in the other apartments even easier. The slightest footsteps (in bare feet and on carpet) could sound like a herd of elephants to her. Or, it could be that you THINK you're quiet, but you're really not. Either way, I'd go to her and ask her (if you can trust her, lol) to let you in her apartment, and have her go upstairs to yours and walk around normally so you can hear what she's hearing. If it truly is annoying, then you could try to make some type of arrangement with her like removing your shoes in the house so it's not so "clunky" sounding, taking soft steps, etc. If it's really not all that bad and she's overexaggerating, then just ignore her and go on about your daily lives.

Answer 3

I agree. Except, first, read your lease. There can be noise clauses that you may or may not be aware of - or were only glanced at during your signing.

Chances are there aren't any severe noise restrictions - except to minimize noise after a more reasonable hour - say 10:00 p.m. and before 11:00 a.m. on Sundays. or something like that.

BUT yes, yes, yes. You must talk to your apartment manager about the fussy neighbor. Don't feel guilty about talking to the manager. She may already have a file a meter thick because of her fussiness.

Oh, just to be nice - One thing you can try - if you have hardwood floors, they can be a little bit noisy. Try area rugs and such to minimize the echo walking on hardwood floors can cause.

Answer 4

Oh My Goodness, I experieneced something like this when I lived in an apartment complex a few years back..You'll have to understand that many apartment buildings today are built very poorly and are not "sound proofed", which means that neighbors can hear everything..Its a shame that builders are skimping on quality and making life hell for the people they rent to.....

When I lived in my apartment (on the 3rd floor mind you), I could liteally hear the people below me slamming their doors and sometimes hear their conversations..I knew the building was not soundproof--so I literally trained mysef to walk VEEERRRY lighyly and gently. I never wanted my neighbors below to feel misearble. Some residents even had meetings complaining about those who lived above them--and they said the people above sounded like a stampede of elephants.

In a way--your neighbor can sincerely hear your footsteps above her pounding like elephant feet; and you should try to underdstand how you would feel if you could hear people walking and pounding across your head like an elephant..Its neither of your faults--its builders do not sooundproof many apartment buildings these days.

The best you can do is remove your shoes when you enter your home, and practice walking lighty--or move to a Rental Home...I know you say you are quiet--but you'll have to compromise.

Answer 5

I'm guessing that by the way you spelled "neihbour" you're not from the US. Here though, the general rule is quiet after 10pm. As for living above someone, it is never easy. Like you said, you're not intentionally being loud. I would try talking to the neighbor and let her know that you are just walking normally and you're sorry if she can hear your footsteps but there is nothing you can do about it. It's your place and you are not going to tip toe around. If she continues leaving notes, I would say something to the landlord.

Answer 6

You should talk to the manager of the complex and explain your situation. Unless the manager or police hear you being loud; then its her word against yours. If she dosent like hearing people walking on floors above her, perhaps she should have moved into a 2nd story apt. like your own. I would talk to the community manager about this, and add the fact that she's harassing you with notes.
Most likely one of you will have to move to another apartment, unless something really gets out of control....best of luck!

Answer 7

Talk to management, let them deal with her. I would make sure that she knows she is harrassing you and she needs to take her complaints to management. There is a certain amount of noise that has to be tolerated in a apartment. I had a friend that had this problem, they were doing nothing wrong either. Management finally moved the people below them into a upper level apartment so that they had nothing to complain about.

Answer 8

Call your landlord and ask him to put some sound-proofing in the area between your floor and the neighbor's ceiling. Then in the meantime, make sure you take your shoes off when you are home and wear soft slippers to cut down on the noise (if you haven't done that already), bake some muffins or a loaf of bread or something and take it down to the lady to tell her that you're trying to be quiet and you've asked the landlord to put in some soundproofing.

Answer 9

For a quick fix. I would suggest purchasing a large, good quality, thick throw rug for your living and major traffic areas. Note: if you wanted to be a bugger you could photocopy the receipt and inform your neighbor she is responsible for half the cost. Good luck.

Answer 10

Maybe you ought to speak to her in person and tell her exactly what you said in your question. Empathize with her, however, be firm and polite in letting her know that you will not walk on eggshells in your own home.