The below article gives some guidance on what to do if you live in a multi-family building and are experiencing loud noise from your neighbors.

(1)   Have Realistic Expectations

One loud noise at 3pm on a Saturday versus repeated yelling, stomping, banging noises at 10pm on a Tuesday are two vastly different scenarios.  When you live in a multi-family building there will be the occasional noise but expect in general to have courteous neighbors.

(2)   Talk to Your Neighbors First

These situations can usually easily be resolved without things getting out of hand and resentment building.  If you tell us about the issue and we say something to the offending tenant, they are going to have resentment towards you that you didn’t just talk to them first.  We understand that there may be fear of retaliation, and if we speak to the tenant about a noise complaint we do not tell them who made the complaint.  But realistically it’s usually easy for them to figure out based on who is above or below them, or to one side or the other.

We recommend as a first step, knocking on their door and introducing yourself if you haven’t already met.  Mention that it’s getting pretty loud and you’re trying to _____ (sleep, study, etc.), and would they mind keeping it down.  We also recommend asking to exchange numbers and if it would be ok if you text them in the future if it’s super loud.  This one thirty second conversation we find resolves 90% of problems.

(3)   Inform Us When/If the Situation Gets Out of Control

We don’t mind calling or emailing a tenant and saying there has been some noise complaints and to please try to keep it down.  Understand however, as a first step this really is all we can do.  It’s one tenant’s word against another in this situation.

(4)   Keep a Log

If you can jot down dates/times and a description of the noise and where it was coming from, that will help us with the eviction process if/when the situation has been prolonged.  If we have to try to evict someone, that is a legal proceeding and we have to go before a judge.  A log of dates and times as well as warnings given to the tenant give us the evidence we need.

(5)   Call the Sheriff or Police

We recommend this as a last resort only, but you always have the option to call the local authorities and make a noise complaint.  They’ll come and ask them to keep it down.