Ughhh...noisy neighbors

[jeromedawg]

Hey all,

Any suggestions on dealing with noisy neighbors who like to host parties often? We're in an adjoining condo unit so we can hear when they're bumping loud music. Thing is, its definitely not as loud from outside. They do stuff like this every 2-3 weeks on average. Often going late into the night. What's the best way to stay anonymous about it while getting them to tone things down? Maybe write the association?

[Dicey]

Ugh, I feel for you. Thats a tough situation. Start with your HOA. There may already be a set of rules and regulations in place that merely have to be enforced.

[GetItRight]

Be civil and talk to your neighbor. Just mention that it's pretty loud and keeps you up when they have late parties. If they don't quiet down, that's just the risk you take buying a place with shared walls or very close to your neighbors. Insulate the shared walls with rock wool and use quiet rock or make your own with green glue. Separate the rock from the studs, etc. There are many ways to build a very sound insulating wall. Man up and address your problem rather than worry about what other people are doing. If that's too much for you, move somewhere you won't hear your neighbors.

[marty998]

If they are dickheads then they won't listen if you ask them nicely...

I agree with Diane... you need to talk to the building managers. They will sort it out.

[frugaliknowit]

Talk to the neighbor first, in person.  My approach would be to explain that you need to work in the morning and can't sleep, etc., rather than outright calling them aholes (which they probably are...)

If it doesn't get resolved, escalate it to the building management/HOA.

[sheepstache]

The way I always think of it is this: if you and the rest of their neighbors are quiet, they may genuinely not understand how much noise is leaking through. Approach them as though you just want to give want to give them that information and let them choose their response. You can even go over during a party and bring them back to your apartment so they can hear how inappropriately loud it is.

Politics might matter too, though. You might want to check in with the other neighbors to see if you can team up with someone so you don't seem like the lone irritable killjoy. And while I do believe in speaking to people individually before bringing an authority down on their heads, if the HOA is reasonable, remaining anonymous and getting them involved may actually make more sense. Because then it comes across to the offenders as being more about respect for the community than addressing one individual's complaint.

[sis]

Hey all,

Any suggestions on dealing with noisy neighbors who like to host parties often? We're in an adjoining condo unit so we can hear when they're bumping loud music. Thing is, its definitely not as loud from outside. They do stuff like this every 2-3 weeks on average. Often going late into the night. What's the best way to stay anonymous about it while getting them to tone things down? Maybe write the association?

Wake up the morning after they throw a loud party really early - bang things loudly as you make breakfast, play NPR at full blast, etc ;-)  Or you know, you could just talk to them?  They may genuinely not realize just how loud it is.

[GuitarStv]

Every couple years somebody in our area will do something ridiculous . . . like park 30 cars in the middle of a street with subwoofers blasting music at 11:00pm, or like hold a wedding celebration with two drummers wailing away at midnight on a work night.

My approach:

- Take a deep breath, calm yourself down and remember that they're not purposely trying to be assholes.  This is an important step.
- Head over and talk to whoever looks like he's in charge.  Be reasonable (firm but friendly), explain that it's too loud and you would really appreciate it if they would keep things down.
- If they don't turn it down, or if the music gets louder half an hour later, call the police.  (In your case it would be the building manager I guess.)


I've found that by and large people are reasonable, and you rarely need to escalate to the third option.