What would you do?! Neighbors..

sdemilio1231 · February 2013

DH and I currently live in a two bedroom apartment, we tried for on post housing and after a year on the list with no success, we were forced to resign our lease. I tried to make the best of it, because it is a nice apartment. It just would have been nice to have a house for LO. ANYWAYS.. our downstairs neighbors are an older couple (probably 50-60) and we didn't really have any problems with them other than they played the base on the TV extremely loud, but I'm sure we did things that annoyed them as well. However, recently they have had their daughter, her bf, and their FIVE children move in with them. All the children are under five as well. That is four adults and five children in a TWO bedroom apartment!!! They keep these kids in the house ALL day, in the guest bedroom, which is right under our baby room. All I listen to all day is screaming, fighting, crying, banging walls, and more screaming. I don't know what to do. I'm afraid that when LO is born he won't be able to sleep because they are SO loud! This apartment must have ZERO sound proofing because it sounds like the children are in our house screaming! I can literally hear the conversations the parents have when they are in that room and I can hear their home phone ring. Not to mention the older lady also hung a punching bag in the guest bedroom that SHAKES our entire room and has now knocked his letters off the wall twice that we hung! Im just afraid that when he gets here we are both going to be miserable from lack of sleep!

I know it's against policy to have more than one guest per occupant in the apartment, but I don't know what the situation is with this family, or why they had to move in. (they've been here since early nov now) I don't want to throw a family with five children out! What would you?!! They are driving me NUTS.

Licia&Wayne · February 2013

I would probably file a noise complaint.

If you're on good terms with them, maybe go downstairs and let them know that you can hear everything and it's disturbing your household. Otherwise, let a 3rd party intercede.

Annelea · February 2013

I understand not wanting to cause trouble with the family when they could be in a divorce situation or financial troubles but on the other hand you pay rent and follow the rules and that is a lot of people in one apt.! I would talk to the property mananger and maybe buy a air cleaner or white noise machine for LO's room to help drown out all the noise. we found a air cleaner for around 40.00 at Wal-Mart that has different settings that i think will drown out enough household noise so LO can sleep.

staceyjordan · February 2013

I agree with PP. I would file a noise complaint. I am not a stickler about rules, but some rules are set up for a reason. You pay rent there just like they do and don't have a bunch of ppl living under your roof. On top of that you have to take the health of your newborn into advisement. To me that trumps anything. By filing a noise complaint you are not admitting that they have exceeding their occupancy limit, but forcing the management to look into the issue.

Happy2BPregnant · February 2013

Like PP said...I would complain to your management company. I know you feel bad now but once your baby is here...you won't. I don't think I would try and talk to them because that could make things worse. This sounds like a nightmare...good luck!

tilsonc · February 2013

I would probably file a complaint with the office. One thing to keep in mind is that your baby is used to noise (they are listening in your womb). I wouldn't make it completly quiet when they sleep or it will be hard for them to sleep when there is noise (TV, ect). This will come in handy when you want to take the baby in public, out to dinner, ect.

almachs0786 · February 2013

From previous experience, I would not suggest trying to talk to them about it. I would talk to your landlord/apt manager about the problem and let them investigate. I'm not one to blow the whistle either, but if it is something that will affect your baby, you need to take action. And it seems like there is no question it will, considering things are already being knocked off the walls.

MandG2010 · February 2013

All of the above are great options...I want to add one: Can you switch apartments? Same building, just another location that isn't near the noise?

JJ3813 · February 2013

I completely understand where you're coming from...we recently moved but our previous downstairs neighbors were the same way, 5 kids under the age of 8, plus mom, dad and anywhere from 3-8 extra men (might have been friends or family, not sure). It was dreadfully loud, dishes would shake, we'd wake up in the middle of the night to screaming children (just playing but still...).

We talked to our landlord but it turned out that those tenants were her workers so she did nothing to solve the problem. We were lucky enough to find a much quieter 3 bedroom nearby.

If moving isn't an option, you should definitely mention it to who ever is in charge. That family may be in an unfortunate situation but there are also resources out there to help them, and it shouldn't have such a negative impact on you. The white-noise/fan idea would be good in the meantime.

Good luck, I hope you find peace and quiet soon

stocka96 · February 2013

Since you're worried about not knowing what the situation is, maybe try talking to them about it first. They may not even be aware of how loud it is. That way you can give them a chance to resolve the situation before they actually get into any trouble. I know where you're coming from though. I live in the upstairs of a house and my landlord, her boyfriend, and their one year old daughter live downstairs. My landlord and her boyfriend get into loud yelling fights all the time. I talked to her one day and just casually mentioned that there must not be much soundproofing between the levels and I was sorry in advance that she would likely hear all of the middle of the night crying when my LO is born. I didn't even have to mention the fighting, I think she understood that I could hear and it hasn't been a problem since.

tig594 · February 2013

Wow. This would make me crazy. You are much more tolerant that I. Even though I rent a house I expect a reasonable amount of peace and quiet. I don't mind the occaisonal party now and then and tolerate fireworks on holidays until the wee hours of the morning from my neighbors. I am not a total scrooge! However, I have one neighbor who plays horseshoes in the warmer months EVERY night until anytime between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m...even in pouring rain! A few nights they even had their kids out screaming until 2:30 in the morning. Many people around here don't have central air and usually keep their windows open during the hot months. Last fall I finally snapped and called the cops on them to make a noise complaint. NO WAY would I tolerate neighbors like yours.

Pearls+Oysters · February 2013

I don't understand why people are so scared to file complaints when needed (and clearly necessary for the situation to change). Forget about the screaming, if someone's punching bag knocked something off MY wall, I'd be livid. A punching bag is NOT meant for an appartment, what the heck kind of neighbors do you have?!

A temporary situation is just that, temporary. From november to february almost march, that is NOT temporary. Landlord needs to be advised. Your well-being comes before that of others, especially when others are jerks and can't contain their bunch.

Want a personalized experience?

What would you do?! Neighbors..

Re: What would you do?! Neighbors..

Choose Another Board

Search Boards