Noisy neighbors- how to deal with them

[Vash01]

My neighbors on one side are having a party. Around 7:30 pm I saw that their guests had parked their cars nearly blocking the mailboxes and very nearly blocking my garage entrance. I managed to get my car in. This is a very loud party, with music and people shouting. It's 9:45pm now and the music is still very loud. It's on the side of my bedroom and I can even hear it upstairs. Is there a law about loud music/noise past a certain time at night? I suspect it's different from state to state. This has been a very good neighbor until now. Never had this kind of problem.

If they are still noisy around midnight, should I call the cops? Of course it is not good to have bad relations with your neighbors. OTOH I am not going to walk to their door at midnight to tell them to keep quiet either. I may be dealing with drunk people by then (or even right now).

It's the first time this has happened. Chances are it will happen again. I don't go to bed early, but I do like to be inside a quiet home, so I can recharge my batteries. Right now it feels like I am living in a apartment near the university, and students are having parties. I don't like this at all. I am afraid that confronting the neighbors may create problems, or even danger if I go ask them right now.

Anyone has had problems with LOUD parties next door?

 

[attyfan]

My experience hasn't been with loud parties, but with a loud pet (my neighbor's dog barked like crazy when his owner went to work at 7am; at the time, my husband worked night shift , so the barking woke him up). Based on my experience, I would suggest the following: (1) tape or otherwise record the noise!!! (2) talk to other neighbors -- maybe, you weren't the only one disturbed; and (3) consult with someone (your city's nuisance abatement -- if they have one -- or an attorney) and find out what the law is. The City may be able to find a nuisance, for example, if a certain number of neighbors complain.

 

[TheGirlCanSkate]

If they have been your neighbors for a long time Agnes this is the first incident, I let it go.

If it is a regular event you can call your towns non emergency number and let them know about the noise. I wouldn't call until after 10pm.

 

[Vash01]

If they have been your neighbors for a long time Agnes this is the first incident, I let it go.

If it is a regular event you can call your towns non emergency number and let them know about the noise. I wouldn't call until after 10pm.

Who is Agnes? Is this one of the I-pad autocorrect things?

No, they are definitely not long time neighbors. In my 21 years here I have gone through at least 6 neighbors in that house, may be more. I think they have lived here around 6 months, may be less.

I posted this on my facebook page and a local friend sent me a copy of the city ordinance. According to their law, one can report a noisy party/gathering of 5 or more people to the city, regardless of what time of the day or night it is. If they are obstructing the roads/creating traffic hazard (yes, they were), or playing loud music (yes), have a disc jockey, or if there is drinking or drugs, or if they are disturbing the peace of the neighborhood in one of these or other ways, we can call the police. Their (police)number to call was given. I was very close to calling the police but around 10:35pm the music suddenly stopped, so I didn't call the police. Should have called around 10 pm because it was VERY loud. It is quiet now, so I can't call. However, next time they have a party like this, I could even call the police at 7:30pm. The city ordinance allows me to do that.

I won't be surprised if my other neighbors were disturbed by it too. I may ask my neighbors on the other side if they did. This has been a quiet neighborhood for the 21 years I have lived here. These people are new, I am very sure. I wouldn't confront the noise makers directly. In a country where anyone can carry guns and shoot others simply for knocking on their door, I am not going to take that kind of chance. Better to call the police anonymously.

 

[Japanfan]

First off, I'd wait to see if the same thing happens again. If it does, I'd talk to your neighbours first, and then have a few people go and ask the party people to keep the noise down and respect others' right to quiet.

If this doesn't work, call the cops during hours that are enforced as quiet hours.

Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that the parties and noise don't happen again.

We lived in the upper portion of a house some years ago, and the basement below us was a dump that only young party-types would consider inhabiting. I remember sitting in my living room and weeping at 5 a.m due to another sleepless night resulting from the noise downstairs.

Eventually we got quiet tenants down there.

Best of luck with it.

 

[Vash01]

First off, I'd wait to see if the same thing happens again. If it does, I'd talk to your neighbours first, and then have a few people go and ask the party people to keep the noise down and respect others' right to quiet.

If this doesn't work, call the cops during hours that are enforced as quiet hours.

Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that the parties and noise don't happen again.

We lived in the upper portion of a house some years ago, and the basement below us was a dump that only young party-types would consider inhabiting. I remember sitting in my living room and weeping at 5 a.m due to another sleepless night resulting from the noise downstairs.

Eventually we got quiet tenants down there.

Best of luck with it.

Thanks.

What I am reading (from the city ordinance) is- the 'quiet hours' can be any hours; not just late at night. I may ask my neighbors to my right if they heard the noise, because I know them. I am sure the neighbors across that house heard it, but I don't know those people. Sometimes in this neighborhood people contact the city instead of talking to the neighbors. Personally I am afraid of approaching them alone, so your suggestion to go talk to them as a group is good.

 

[Aussie Willy]

As others have said, if it is the first time then let it go, even though it can be really annoying. If it was still going after midnight then you could call the police.

One place I lived in previously had noisy people all the time, plus the bitch neighbour from hell. I had to make constant complaints about the loud music. But if people are inconsiderate and think they have the right to disturb others, then they will just do what they like, regardless of how much you have the law on your side.

 

[Aceon6]

We had really noisy neighbors at one point. The house has a pool and outdoor speakers. When one party dragged on well past 11:00, I made it a point to catch them the next day as they left for work. I said something to the effect of "You may not be aware of how far the sound carries." Future parties had people noise, but no loud music once the sun set.

 

[Scrufflet]

I think Aceon6 has the right approach: approach them politely, in person or by a note indicating that they probably didn't understand how noise carries and what a quiet neighbourhood this is, etc. but you would greatly appreciate less noise and nobody blocking your driveway when they have parties. Start out politely and if that does not work, then get the police involved. If you go in heavy-handed first time, then what next? People get their backs up and you have a war. They might actually be clued-out people who just haven't given any thought to those around them. Or not. In that case, very good not to go over when angry and confront them

 

[viennese]

We had really noisy neighbors at one point. The house has a pool and outdoor speakers. When one party dragged on well past 11:00, I made it a point to catch them the next day as they left for work. I said something to the effect of "You may not be aware of how far the sound carries." Future parties had people noise, but no loud music once the sun set.

Your neighbors with the swimming pool might have made a friend of you - and earned goodwill to stage occasional late-night bashes - by inviting you to their pool parties.

When I was living in my first post-college apartment with two friends, we were known as the party place (to our neighbors). We tried to smooth things over with our nearest neighbors by inviting them to our events - with written invites - that gave the hours of the party, and then sticking to those hours. They reciprocated when they had cookouts that went late.

We didn't have much in common but at least we got a sense of how loud we were and when we were obliged to turn the music down and send guests home.

 

[Susan1]

Is there anything I can do about a kid who "works on" an old car in their garage next door and just keeps revving this really loud engine. It shakes the stuff on my walls. I had to turn the heat up yesterday to drown it out. I want to go over there and tell him that whatever he's doing is not working!!!! Hours - rev, rev, rev, rumble, rumble, bang, bang, pound, clank, rev, rev, rev, rumble, rumble. It's like living next to a NASCAR pit. Give up! Whenever it stops for awhile, I am figuring he has probably been overcome by fumes and passed out. Their garage door is open, but I can smell it in my closed garage. His parents must not be home. Driving me crazy!

 

[Vash01]

As others have said, if it is the first time then let it go, even though it can be really annoying. If it was still going after midnight then you could call the police.

One place I lived in previously had noisy people all the time, plus the bitch neighbour from hell. I had to make constant complaints about the loud music. But if people are inconsiderate and think they have the right to disturb others, then they will just do what they like, regardless of how much you have the law on your side.

It's different in my city. There is a Law about neighborhoods. As I mentioned above, the city ordinance allows people to call the city police at any time, not just late at night. The city then sends a bill to the violators - usually around $1000- and they have a right to appeal. I was surprised with how well defined the ordinance was. It was very detailed in what can be done.

I have been at the receiving end too, though not for noise. Someone in the neighborhood reported a problem in my yard to the city, instead of contacting me first. The city left a note for me and I called them to say that I am looking for someone to fix the problem and could get it done in a week. They were satisfied and there was no further issue.

So it seems common in this city or in this neighborhood to get things done through the city in stead of neighbors resolving disputes themselves.

 

[kittyjake5]

Omg I have the same problem. My next door neighbor's son and that piece of crap of a car. I have spoken to him and he just smiles and continues to rev. I will speak to his Mom and see what happens.

Is there anything I can do about a kid who "works on" an old car in their garage next door and just keeps revving this really loud engine. It shakes the stuff on my walls. I had to turn the heat up yesterday to drown it out. I want to go over there and tell him that whatever he's doing is not working!!!! Hours - rev, rev, rev, rumble, rumble, bang, bang, pound, clank, rev, rev, rev, rumble, rumble. It's like living next to a NASCAR pit. Give up! Whenever it stops for awhile, I am figuring he has probably been overcome by fumes and passed out. Their garage door is open, but I can smell it in my closed garage. His parents must not be home. Driving me crazy!

 

[Vash01]

Is there anything I can do about a kid who "works on" an old car in their garage next door and just keeps revving this really loud engine. It shakes the stuff on my walls. I had to turn the heat up yesterday to drown it out. I want to go over there and tell him that whatever he's doing is not working!!!! Hours - rev, rev, rev, rumble, rumble, bang, bang, pound, clank, rev, rev, rev, rumble, rumble. It's like living next to a NASCAR pit. Give up! Whenever it stops for awhile, I am figuring he has probably been overcome by fumes and passed out. Their garage door is open, but I can smell it in my closed garage. His parents must not be home. Driving me crazy!

This sounds awful. Do you know his parents? Do they live in the same house as he does? Are your other neighbors bothered by this? I would be surprised if they are not. May be each if you complaining independently could help.

If the fumes are noxious, perhaps it is a pollution/safety issue. Can you contact your city or county air quality office about the fumes? Here people do file complaints of that kind and my department investigates it.

 

[Susan1]

Omg I have the same problem. My next door neighbor's son and that piece of crap of a car. I have spoken to him and he just smiles and continues to rev. I will speak to his Mom and see what happens.

He used to have a jeep (not the army kind, old Cherokee or something). I could hear him coming up the street. I was so glad when it was gone. So he got something louder. I'm afraid to say anything to these neighbors. I don't know them very well. The parents must go away for a weekend every spring (although he's been revving that car every evening for 2 weeks). Last year about this time, they (younger sister in high school) had a party and they had a bonfire!!!!!!! in the back yard, in the trees, next to the wooden deck. I sat up till 1 a.m. in case I had to call the fire department to put out MY house. At least it was still chilly enough out that I figured things weren't too dry yet.

The year before that (about this same time of year), I heard their dog barking off and on from 7 a.m. They are on a hill next to my bedroom window, and I could see her sitting at the bottom of the steps barking toward the back door. It wasn't pain or anything. She kept standing up and going in a circle and sitting and barking. She'd sit for 10-15 minutes and then start again. (I know, I'm just rambling away here............) I kept looking, read the paper, looked some more.... By the time it got light enough, I got dressed, put on shoes and a coat (there was frost on the roof) and went out to see what was wrong. I had to climb the hill next to my house! She was on a long lead (long thin plastic rope) from the top of the steps that goes as far as the side of the house so she can see the street out front. (She's dug out of every type of fence they've put up. I caught her once and took her next door.) The lead was wrapped around the railing and she couldn't move.

I went to the front door about 8 a.m. Rang and knocked and rang and knocked. The kid answered the door, looking like a teenage kid does at 8 a.m. on a Sunday, ha ha. I told him. They just moved here the spring before. I still don't know his name. While I was standing there, he said I let her out last night and we fell asleep!!!!! (Who is we and why are you telling me that?) I said you mean she's been out there in the cold all night. He said yeah, I'm sorry, I'll go get her right away. By the time I got to my driveway, she was inside. She's a border collie and loves being outside, so it's not like they left a dachshund out all night. And it was just frost on the roof that burnt off later. But geez. If she would have been barking like that at 11 or 12, I would have gone over then. I guess she just slept out there in the dark till she could see to get upset. I didn't want to tell the parents that I don't even know because if he got in trouble, he might do something to me or my house (and they aren't scuzzy people, but the way the world is today........). I keep an eye on her though.

That is all!!!

 

[Susan1]

This sounds awful. Do you know his parents? Do they live in the same house as he does? Are your other neighbors bothered by this? I would be surprised if they are not. May be each if you complaining independently could help.

If the fumes are noxious, perhaps it is a pollution/safety issue. Can you contact your city or county air quality office about the fumes? Here people do file complaints of that kind and my department investigates it.

I was just thinking that I'm sure he went off to college in the fall because his car jeep was not parked on the street between our driveways (making the snow plow leave everything in front of MY driveway, another AAARRRGGGHHH moment) all winter. Maybe he is home on spring break and will go away soon????

I have an L-shaped driveway, so my garage faces their house. The lady across the street from us goes away for the winter. I see people come to pick up her paper and mail and take out the trash (although what trash if she's not there? Welcome to my twilight zone.). The people on the other side of the noisy mechanic are elderly. And their house is like mine only flipped - L-shaped driveway with the garage facing the noisy mechanic house from the opposite direction, but their house is on the other side of the house (huh?) not the garage side of the house. Maybe they don't hear it (as much anyway).

If he's out there when I take out the trash this evening, I will ask when he is going to finish vibrating my front door. I inherited this house from my parents. If my dad still lived here, he would have been over there at first REV, fixing the damn thing himself!!