Whether it's a party next door or a dog that won't stop barking, noise can ruin an otherwise peaceful night at home.You have many options to report the problem.If possible, try to get in touch with the person making the noise, they may not even be aware that they're bothering anyone.If the person responsible for the noise is a renter, you can call the landlord and let them take care of it.You might want to get your local police involved as a last resort.
Step 1: Who is responsible for the noise?
It may be obvious where the noise is coming from in some situations.It is still worth doing a little detective work to confirm the source of the noise.You don't want to accuse the wrong person.You can check the floors above and below by walking down the hall.You can walk to the end of your driveway if you live in a house.If you live in an apartment building, you may think that the loud music is coming from your upstairs neighbor's apartment, when in fact it is from the apartment next door.
Step 2: If you can, record the noise in your house.
A recording on your electronic device can help the person responsible for the noise understand what's going on.Adding a reference sound that can be measured can help them understand how loud it is.An audio recording isn't as good as a video because they can see the reference sound.You can demonstrate how much you need to turn your TV up to drown out the noise on the video.If it's late at night, try to include the date and time in the recording, as noise can be more disruptive or potentially illegal, depending on local noise laws.
Step 3: Talk to other people about the noise.
If the person's noise is bothering you, it may also be bothering some of your other neighbors.If you have the same complaint, the person may be more likely to listen to you.If your next-door neighbor plays loud music at night that keeps you up, you might talk to the people who live in other apartments that also neighbor that apartment.Do you know if anyone else has had the same problem?The purpose of this is not to gang up on the person.You want to show them that the issue is affecting others too.
Step 4: When things are calm, approach the person who is responsible for the noise.
If you wait until things calm down and approach the person in a neutral way, you will get better results.You can figure out when good times to approach your neighbor are if you have a basic understanding of their comings and goings.Don't approach the person when they are on their way to work or school, they may be running late or under stress.They won't give you a fair hearing either way.If you don't know when would be a good time to talk, you might ask them.If you see them in the morning and you know they're going to work, you might say hello.I know you're going to work.Is it a good time to talk to you about a community issue?
Step 5: Speak to the noisemaker in a friendly way.
The person doesn't know that their activities are bothering other people.You will probably put them on the defensive if you confront them aggressively.Treat the situation like a neighborly thing to do.You could say "hello, neighbor!"Would you rather turn your music down at night or wear headphones?Your music wakes me up when I go to work.You don't have to tell them about the specific reason their noise disturbs you.Whether you want to let them know about your life or not is up to you.It is necessary that they are disturbing you.
Step 6: If speaking to someone face-to-face makes you anxious, send them a letter.
You don't have to talk to the person directly if you're afraid of confrontation.Write a note and put it in the door.Explain your problem.If they would like to discuss the situation with you further, you might let them know when you'll be available.The letter doesn't have to be formal.You could simply write a note saying hello to your neighbor.Sally is in Unit 13You're a DJ, that's great!Is it possible to turn down the volume after 10 p.m.Your bass makes it hard to sleep in my apartment.Thank you very much!
Step 7: If you need an immediate response, call your landlord.
If you live in an apartment building and you hear noise during office hours, give management a call.Someone will usually visit the apartment and talk to the noisemaker.Since noise problems happen late at night, this may not be an option for you.It is possible to email your management office or leave a voicemail to explain the situation.When the office is open, they can get to it in the morning.
Step 8: Find out who the renter is.
If the noisemaker lives in an apartment, condominium or house that is owned by someone else, you can complain to their landlord.The owner of the property can be found in real estate or property records.Ask the owner if they're currently renting the property when you find them.They might have hired a property management company to handle the rental.You would need to talk to the neighbor about the noise.
Step 9: Write a letter to the landlord.
Keep your letter brief and professional by using a formal business letter format.The dates and times when the noise took place should be included.You should detail the steps you have taken so far to remedy the problem.Let the landlord know what you would like to see happen and what an ideal resolution to the problem would be.
Step 10: The landlord should be given a deadline to address your complaint.
You can close your letter by setting a time when the landlord will receive it.If the problem continues after that date, let the landlord know that you will follow up with them again.If the landlord wants to get in touch with you, you should provide contact information, including a phone number or email address.
Step 11: Send the letter to the landlord.
Before you print your letter, make sure you read it carefully.Make a copy of the signed letter for your records by signing it.When the landlord receives the letter, use certified or registered mail with a return receipt.Put the notice that your letter has been received with your copy of the letter.Set a reminder on your phone, or mark the date of receipt on a calendar.
Step 12: If the problem isn't resolved, send another letter.
Give the landlord one more chance to fix the situation if your deadline comes and goes.Although you can take a harsher tone with this letter, you should still be polite and professional.Remember to remind the landlord of the letter you sent.Explain that the problem has not gone away, or that it went away briefly and then came back, whichever is applicable to your situation.Just as in the first letter, give the landlord a deadline.If you use certified or registered mail, you will know when they received the signed letter.
Step 13: Do you have the ability to move to a different unit?
If you and the noisemaker have the same landlord, you may be able to move to a different building.Most landlords will allow you to do this without breaking your lease if the unit is comparable to your own.It may not be feasible to move if a comparable unit is available.Let your landlord know if that is the case and they can try to come up with a different option.They might be able to get your noisy neighbor to move to the comparable unit.
Step 14: For your local precinct, call the non- emergency number.
Call the non- emergency number if you would like to make a noise complaint.Tell them about the situation, including the location where the noise is coming from.A noise complaint is not an emergency.If you call the emergency number, you could be hit with a fine or even jail time.
Step 15: Wait for the officer to come and issue a warning.
The officer who isn't responding to other calls will be sent by the dispatch to issue a warning to your neighbor.They might want to talk to you as well.The officer might come to your location before going to the source of the noise.They might want to know how loud the noise is in your area.
Step 16: If the noise doesn't stop after the warning, call again.
If the noisemaker starts up again after the officer leaves, call the police again using the non- emergency number.You want contact with an officer if the noisemaker violated a previous warning.Your noisy neighbor may be fined if the noise is found to be in violation.You could be called to testify at a court hearing.