If you are renting a unit in a building that has shared walls, or a business below, noise can easily become an issue for many reasons. A new tenant in the building may not understand that historic buildings do not have acoustic barriers the way new buildings do. Or a business may have staff at a closing shift with their music blasting while they clean. Whatever reason there is for someone to be disrupting others, it can easily be solved through a process of respectful communication.

The first and best thing to do is to face these issues directly. If you file a formal complaint before speaking with your neighbor your likelihood of resolution is much lower than if you discuss it first. As landlords we see that it’s best for us to intervene only if the noise maker does not comply with reasonable communication first.

Prevent Noise Complaints

Tenants should be conscientious of their noise levels at all times. Here are some things to consider:

• Get to know your neighbors and see if you can meet in the middle if your schedules aren’t the same. Someone else may have the graveyard shift while you have a regular 9 to 5. Someone else’s alarm time could be the exact opposite of yours.

• If your unit doesn’t have curtains, soft furniture, rugs, etc. noise may reverberate much more than it would with these sound absorbers.

• Music should be listened to with headphones or at low volume.

• Some people who work from home may have louder phone conversations or zoom calls. We ask that if you are able to hear each other between units that you put up acoustic barriers or speak at a lower volume.

What to do if you receive a Noise Complaint

• Look in to the cause of the noise (Is it easy to correct? Is it something you are causing? Is it
  something that has optional volume levels?)

• Correct the issue to the best of your ability then check with your neighbors to see if they are still bothered by it.

• If the issue seems like it is not being corrected ask your neighbors for their insights. (How are they able to remain at a quiet level with their units?)

What to do if you need to file a noise complaint

• Check with other neighbors and tenants and ask the noisy party to make changes.

• See if there are ways to soundproof your unit more through curtains or otherwise.

• Communicate with your neighbor if the noise persists.

• In worst case scenarios contact your landlord for a formal complaint form or if the noise is from anyone outside the building report it by calling 911.

Evictions or Fees

If a formal noise complaint is filed continuously this could result in a termination of a lease term. Fees can also be assessed, but only happen if efforts are not made to correct the issue.

Overall it’s a common courtesy to be wary of noise made that disrupts other’s quiet enjoyment of their rented space. As a Landlord we facilitate working together on these
issues, but cannot monitor the building 24/7 and rely on neighbors to coexist. We ask that you do your part to be a good neighbor and to also try to resolve issues before involving us. Our goal is for everyone to enjoy their space.