STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ico · Dooney & Bourke

how to manage noisy neighbors?

Grace · Dooney & Bourke

I say tell them exactly what you wrote here. Where you work...when you work...etc. If that doesn't work, talk to your landlord (assuming you are in an apartment?). Good luck, I've had crappy neighbors who did the same thing. It had a lot to do with why I bought a house...now I'm broke but I sleep great!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

ugh- I hate noisy neighbors! try to talk to them during the day sometime. If they never answer, leave a note on their door asking them to please be respectful and keep it down late at night. If they don't listen, call the cops. Unfortunately, that's what it takes sometimes.

NCshopper · Hermes

Definitely talk to them and explain the exact problem. Tell them you appreciate them trying to keep the music volume down, but it's their bass that vibrates the walls. They should be able to adjust that on their stereo.

If that doesn't work, then call the police and file a noise complaint with the police and your landlord.

Christine · Coach

Ico, I feel your pain.

I agree with the other girls -- try to talk to them very politely, of course, and explain your situation. If this does not help, contact the landlord.

Unfortunately, I lived in an apt with a guy upstairs who did step aerobics at all times of day/night AND blasted his TV. He was a complete a$$hole and slammed the door in my face when I politely requested that he keep it down. Repeated requests from the landlord did not work, so we (myself, my bf and the landlord) took him to court to get him evicted. The judge apparently thought it was ok that people (myself & bf) could not live in peace, because the guy upstairs got his way. Needless to say, we moved out a month after that. Now (like Grace said) I'm broke, but at least it's peaceful!

Collette · Chanel

I agree with every one else. I had the same problem with my neighbors years ago and I left cookie on their doorstep with a note explaining the problem. Every once in a while they were noisy still but no where near as bad as it's been. Also if you like in an apartment or condo most of them have a noise ordinace as a part of the contract they sign. ie no loud music after 10 on week night is typical.

ico · Dooney & Bourke

Thanks wise girls!

Collette, the cookie idea is so sweet!
I really like both the guys (the girl and the bf), so I don't want to bother them but at the same time I want to get to an agreement. Like, if the turn on the music after 6 am, it doesn't bother me, since I am already awake! It's between 3 am and 6 am that I need silence...

And I am sure the landlord would agree with me, only I'd consider the idea to tell him only the last resort. A colleague of mine suggested to blast MY music at 8:30, right before leaving for work, but I don't want to start a war!
I'll talk to them this afternoon after work!

Thanks again
ico (still cranky, but a bit better... )

dc · Dooney & Bourke

Yeah, your building probably has regulations, but it pays to start off nice. Chances are good they have no clue that they are being noisy, so it's best not to approach things angrily. Sometimes I am up late listening to music or TV and I think I keep it low, and I'd be mortified to find I was disturbing my neighbors and didn't know it, so I am sure they'd want to know.

I like the cookie idea - you could leave a treat and a note (gently explaining why you need a good ngiht's sleep - they'll be sympathetic) on their doorstep like Collette suggested, saying that if they want to talk about it to come on over.

If that doesn't work, apporach them personally. If that doesn't work, talk to the landlord. But start nicely.