Living in rental properties can be convenient and less expensive than owning a home. However, it does come with some downsides, like dealing with neighbors, especially if you’re in an apartment complex. Noisy neighbors in rentals can be extremely frustrating, especially if disturbances happen at night when you’re trying to sleep. Today, we will review how to deal with noisy neighbors and strategies to reduce noise in rental properties.
Contents of This Article:
- Dealing With Noisy Neighbors in Rentals
- What Can Tenants Do About Noisy Neighbors?
- What Landlords Can Do to Handle Noise Complaints
- Strategies for Tenants to Reduce Noise in Rentals
- Reduce Disturbances With Proper Management
Dealing With Noisy Neighbors in Rentals
Unfortunately, you don’t always get to choose who you live next to. When you live in an apartment complex or close to other rental homes, there’s a chance you’ll be able to hear noise from your neighbors. As most landlords and Philadelphia property management companies know, noise complaints can be quite frequent for rental properties.
That said, it’s important to recognize the difference between reasonable noise complaints and normal apartment building noise. After all, it will not be completely silent in your rental at all times. So, here’s a list of some common noise complaints in apartment buildings.
- Loud music or TV
- Parties or large gatherings
- Barking dogs or other pets
- Loud conversations
- Construction or DIY noise
- Heavy footsteps or movement
- Shouting or yelling
- Noisy children
- Excessive noise in common areas
Some apartment noises are unavoidable, like walking, talking, or closing doors. Those are all normal, everyday activities that everyone does. However, if you’re hearing excessive noise that travels to your rental property, you’ll likely want to put a stop to it. Next, we’ll review some things tenants can do about noisy neighbors in rentals.
What Can Tenants Do About Noisy Neighbors?
If you’re a tenant dealing with noisy neighbors in a rental property, there are several steps you can take to address the issue.
- Document the Noise- You’ll want to keep a record of when the noise disturbances occur and how often. This documentation is helpful when you need to confront the issue or bring it to your landlord’s attention.
- Talk to Your Neighbor- If the noise is persistent, try to have a friendly and respectful conversation with your neighbors about it. When you do this, clearly communicate the specific noises or behaviors that are causing problems. For instance, you could say, “I’ve noticed that the music gets quite loud after 10 p.m., and it’s been difficult for me to sleep.”
- Report to Your Landlord or Property Manager- If your initial attempt at communication doesn’t work, consider reporting the issue to your landlord or property management company. They may be able to address the issue with your neighbors or help you come up with a compromise.
- Contact Local Authorities- If all else fails, you may need to contact local authorities or law enforcement. However, this should be a last resort and should only be done if the noise violates local noise ordinances.
What Landlords Can Do To Handle Noise Complaints
Constantly hearing your noisy neighbors day in and day out can be incredibly frustrating. Additionally, if you try talking to them about the issue with no resolution, it’s even more aggravating. However, it’s important to not lash out at your neighbors but instead try to solve the issue calmly and respectfully.
If you’re not getting through to your neighbor, you may need to talk to your landlord to help resolve the issue. That said, there are several things landlords can do to handle noise complaints and mediate the issue between two tenants.
- Inform the Tenant- When tenants come to you with a noise complaint, you’ll want to inform the tenant who’s causing the disturbance. It’s important to have any documentation about the noise to help identify what’s causing it. Additionally, you’ll want proof of notifying the tenant of noise complaints.
- Incorporate a Lease Clause- While there aren’t any set laws about noise complaints in rentals, landlords may be able to enforce regulations by stating them in the lease agreement. For instance, consider outlining “quiet hours” or limiting the number of overnight guests allowed in a unit. These measures can help reduce unnecessary noise in apartments.
- Take Action- Although some noise complaints may not violate a tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment, it’s important to acknowledge them anyway. Let the tenant know that you’ve received their complaint and what you’re doing to handle it. Then, follow up with them to see if it’s been resolved.
Strategies for Tenants to Reduce Noise in Rentals
Dealing with noisy neighbors in rentals can happen. If they’re not doing anything to necessarily disturb the peace, you’ll want to find solutions to help deal with the noise. Luckily, there are a few things that tenants can do in their apartment or rental to help reduce outside noise. Here are a few strategies.
- Area Rugs and Carpets- Place area rugs or carpets around your rental to help absorb sound and keep things quieter.
- Furniture Placement- Arrange furniture strategically to help absorb sound and minimize reverberation.
- Sound-Reducing Curtains- Heavy curtains or drapes can help absorb sound and block external noise from entering your space.
- Seal Gaps and Cracks- Seal any gaps, cracks, or openings around doors and windows to prevent external noise from seeping in.
- Use Headphones or Earplugs- When you need peace and quiet, consider using headphones or earplugs to create your own controlled environment.
Reduce Disturbances With Proper Management
Noisy neighbors in rentals can be extremely frustrating for some tenants. However, knowing how to resolve excessive noise issues peacefully and respectfully is important for tenants and landlords alike. That said, working with a reliable property management company can help cut down on tenant complaints and resolve them more efficiently.
Need More Advice? contact us today!
If you’re looking for a trusted property management group to work with, look no further than BMG. Bay Property Management Group offers comprehensive rental management services throughout Baltimore, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC. So, whether you need help finding qualified tenants, handling tenant communication, collecting payments, or maintenance, we’ve got it covered. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your rental business succeed!