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Couple Holds A Grudge Against Woman For Moving In Where They Lived, Floods Her With Complaints
Apartment living has its fair share of upsides and drawbacks. While lower maintenance costs and the convenience of amenities are among the pros, living in a tight space too close to a neighbor can be a significant downside.
This was a problem a homeowner dealt with living next to an older couple, who constantly complained about “noises” she was supposedly making during reasonable hours. Oddly enough, the people who repeatedly made a fuss couldn’t keep their dog from barking and causing a disturbance.
The woman has had enough and wants to give her neighbors a piece of her mind. However, she is unsure how to convey the message.
RELATED:
An apartment tenant has been dealing with an uptight neighbor
Image credits: nateemee (not the actual photo)
According to her, the couple next door constantly complains about the “noises” she makes during reasonable hours
Image credits: Tygmaa
She has since prepared a message for her neighbors but is unsure if she worded it properly
Image credits: Prostock-studio (not the actual photo)
In her note, she also offered a practical suggestion and ways to help keep the peace
Image credits: Tygmaa
The author shared an update, stating that her message was left on “seen”
There typically are specific definitions for what is considered “excessive noise”
According to the author, the neighbors were complaining about vacuum cleaning sounds at 1:30 pm and “pounding” from when she was building a flat pack dining bench at 4:30 in the afternoon.
Most property management companies have definitions of excessive noise. According to Orlando-based Bahia Property Management and All County Property Management, these include loud music or TV, parties or gatherings, heavy footsteps or furniture movement, arguments, and pet noises like barking dogs.
Apartments also generally have quiet hours, usually when people are asleep. According to Bahia, these are usually between 10 pm and 7 am on weekdays and 11 pm and 8 pm on weekends.
According to Bay Property Management president Patrick Freeze, handling a noise complaint involves documenting the noise, talking to the neighbor in question, and raising the issue with the landlord.
Regarding documentation, Freeze urges being as detailed as possible. It should include when the noise happened, what it sounded like, and how often it occurs.
If talking to the neighbor does not work, Freeze advises the third step, which involves the landlord. He specifically recommends making a request in writing while reminding them of any noise clauses.
The author had already completed step two by sending her neighbor a respectful yet stern note. However, since it fell on deaf ears, she may need to raise the issue with the landlord, someone with enough authority to handle the situation and make necessary decisions.
Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)
Most people in the comments were on her side
Others shared their suggestions
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What do you think ?
Socks Thecate 9 months ago
I lived in an apartment for four months between selling a home and waiting for another to be built. I'm older and spoiled. I was very upset to be told that I was "stomping around in the middle of the night". This was during the pandemic and my husband and I were the few people who were going out to work as we were health care workers. The "middle of the night" was 5am and we had to be at work at 7am. We had upstairs neighbors. They had parties on week nights and weekend nights likely because they didn't have to work. I remember going outside on a very secluded bench so I could read a book as the people above seemed so noisy. I eventually concluded that the real villain was the construction of paper thin walls, ceilings, and no soundproofing in apartments.
PenguinEmp 9 months ago
I wear socks and walk quietly and nobody lives under my apartment. Store room. I wear headphones at night and don't cook past 7
Load More Replies...
Grape Walls of Ire 9 months ago
I'm absolutely like the downstairs neighbors. Other people's noise sets me off. I worked for 20 years and saved like mad so I could afford to buy a house with a bit of land so neighbors won't bother me. Totally worth it.
Lynchamigsakta 9 months ago
Good for you, with my salary and prices how they are where I live I would need to live like a rat for 150 years to buy a place. Except in 150 years prices will be to high lol
Load More Replies...
Vinnie 9 months ago
I had a lovely landlord whose previous upstairs tenant was hypersensitive to noise. He was relieved that we didn't complain about his kids. One night, my two cats decided to play tag up and down the hall. The next day, I apologized to the landlord. He didn't hear them and reminded me "Your babies make less noise than my babies."
PenguinEmp 9 months ago
I had a neighbour upstairs. She was nice and normal walker. Aware people lived around her. Her bf walked in boots. Dropped his bike, drilled at 8am on a Sunday. I went up to ask to keep it down. He said he was building a shelf and to f**k off. Two years of complaining got them booted out. The guy that's there now you can't hear. I've noticed it's with the current 20-30yr olds that feel like they can make noise whenever. Yes our laws here say 9-9 but when it disruptive, it doesn't matter. I was working from home and my boss asked me who was in the room talking and I said. Nobody. That's my next door neighbor talking in the hall. Oy
liam newton-harding 9 months ago
Sounds like you have shoddy soundproofing…you should look into getting that fixed.
Load More Replies...
Betsy S 9 months ago
There is a balance. Families with small kids should always be on the ground floor. If you have to be above someone else, it's appropriate and necessary to teach your kids to walk softly and constantly remind them that they are walking on people's heads so be mindful. I had to do this. The 10 yr old learning to walk softly is appropriate. All the complaints are therefore NOT appropriate as the family above is doing their best to be respectful of the shared walls and floor.
Denise Melek 9 months ago (edited)
With time I became very sensitive about noise. I offered my upstairs neighbour to buy her some soft house shoes. She was very sweet and said she will try to think about me if she does sport etc. Since the whole house is filled with younger people and has thin walls I decided to move to a quieter appartement in another area under the roof. I Gave my old appartement to a young woman who will be a good fit. Problem settled, everybody is happy.
Laure Miller 9 months ago
Someone complains routinely like this? Harassment, file a police report.
Lynchamigsakta 9 months ago
Her saying like 3 or 4 times that she never cared about any noise, no matter what kind makes me think they're load as hell. Probably clompfoots too lol
Orysha 9 months ago
Just stop playing nicee and make real noise like a mad drummer at random times of day and night.
Vinnie 9 months ago (edited)
I knew someone who got fed up with his awful neighbours - hungover @$$holes who complained about any and every bit of noise. One night, he got his bagpipe-playing buddy to bring the entire band in full regalia to stomp up and down the loft. Of course the neighbours came up to rip him a new one. They then left to call the cops on him. By the time the cops arrived, the bagpipers were gone, he was in his pyjamas and telling the cops that the couple had hallucinated the whole thing. Yup, the cops picked them up (what were those weirdos on??) and they were gone very soon after.
Load More Replies... Socks Thecate 9 months ago
I lived in an apartment for four months between selling a home and waiting for another to be built. I'm older and spoiled. I was very upset to be told that I was "stomping around in the middle of the night". This was during the pandemic and my husband and I were the few people who were going out to work as we were health care workers. The "middle of the night" was 5am and we had to be at work at 7am. We had upstairs neighbors. They had parties on week nights and weekend nights likely because they didn't have to work. I remember going outside on a very secluded bench so I could read a book as the people above seemed so noisy. I eventually concluded that the real villain was the construction of paper thin walls, ceilings, and no soundproofing in apartments.
PenguinEmp 9 months ago
I wear socks and walk quietly and nobody lives under my apartment. Store room. I wear headphones at night and don't cook past 7
Load More Replies... Grape Walls of Ire 9 months ago
I'm absolutely like the downstairs neighbors. Other people's noise sets me off. I worked for 20 years and saved like mad so I could afford to buy a house with a bit of land so neighbors won't bother me. Totally worth it.
Lynchamigsakta 9 months ago
Good for you, with my salary and prices how they are where I live I would need to live like a rat for 150 years to buy a place. Except in 150 years prices will be to high lol
Load More Replies... Vinnie 9 months ago
I had a lovely landlord whose previous upstairs tenant was hypersensitive to noise. He was relieved that we didn't complain about his kids. One night, my two cats decided to play tag up and down the hall. The next day, I apologized to the landlord. He didn't hear them and reminded me "Your babies make less noise than my babies."
PenguinEmp 9 months ago
I had a neighbour upstairs. She was nice and normal walker. Aware people lived around her. Her bf walked in boots. Dropped his bike, drilled at 8am on a Sunday. I went up to ask to keep it down. He said he was building a shelf and to f**k off. Two years of complaining got them booted out. The guy that's there now you can't hear. I've noticed it's with the current 20-30yr olds that feel like they can make noise whenever. Yes our laws here say 9-9 but when it disruptive, it doesn't matter. I was working from home and my boss asked me who was in the room talking and I said. Nobody. That's my next door neighbor talking in the hall. Oy
liam newton-harding 9 months ago
Sounds like you have shoddy soundproofing…you should look into getting that fixed.
Load More Replies... Betsy S 9 months ago
There is a balance. Families with small kids should always be on the ground floor. If you have to be above someone else, it's appropriate and necessary to teach your kids to walk softly and constantly remind them that they are walking on people's heads so be mindful. I had to do this. The 10 yr old learning to walk softly is appropriate. All the complaints are therefore NOT appropriate as the family above is doing their best to be respectful of the shared walls and floor.
Denise Melek 9 months ago (edited)
With time I became very sensitive about noise. I offered my upstairs neighbour to buy her some soft house shoes. She was very sweet and said she will try to think about me if she does sport etc. Since the whole house is filled with younger people and has thin walls I decided to move to a quieter appartement in another area under the roof. I Gave my old appartement to a young woman who will be a good fit. Problem settled, everybody is happy.
Laure Miller 9 months ago
Someone complains routinely like this? Harassment, file a police report.
Lynchamigsakta 9 months ago
Her saying like 3 or 4 times that she never cared about any noise, no matter what kind makes me think they're load as hell. Probably clompfoots too lol
Orysha 9 months ago
Just stop playing nicee and make real noise like a mad drummer at random times of day and night.
Vinnie 9 months ago (edited)
I knew someone who got fed up with his awful neighbours - hungover @$$holes who complained about any and every bit of noise. One night, he got his bagpipe-playing buddy to bring the entire band in full regalia to stomp up and down the loft. Of course the neighbours came up to rip him a new one. They then left to call the cops on him. By the time the cops arrived, the bagpipers were gone, he was in his pyjamas and telling the cops that the couple had hallucinated the whole thing. Yup, the cops picked them up (what were those weirdos on??) and they were gone very soon after.
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