Neighbor Problems; Who Else Has Them?

[Ruthanne]

For a few mos. now I have had problems with neighbors. A guy moved in on the other side of me and I didn't know it. Little did I know that when my music gently awakened me he would be pounding with what sounded like a sledge hammer on the wall. I thought that was very strange as the music was so low I could barely hear it and I am not hard of hearing. I made some subtle noises at night that were met with pounding on the wall. After that he started knocking on his bed frame or so it sounded like it and I started knocking back while I was half asleep. Then I put my fan about a foot and a half from the wall to block his noise. He threw a fit and threw stuff really hard on the floor right next to the wall causing me to jump out of my bed and run! I told the manager and she said the sound travels and it could have been from any of the apts. I believe it was from him. It was so close to the wall and overwhelmingly loud. He also has pounded with that sledge hammer a couple of times when I am doing nothing. I just thought to myself that this person must be unhinged and I moved my clock radio out of fear. Then he continued to throw things at night when I was trying to sleep. I got so unnerved that I moved my mattress into the dining room for about 5 days just so I could sleep. Eventually I moved my mattress back into the bedroom and moved my bed frame to the other side of the room as it is a large bedroom. He seemed to quiet down.

After that my other neighbors a floor above reacted to what they heard from my and his room (yes the walls are that thin!) and started doing the knocking on the bed and so forth. I admit I have reacted back. They started stomping on the floor and I took the broom to the ceiling. I finally got to the point of madness where I yelled with all my breath "Stop, stop, stop" and then the fun really began--I am being sarcastic. Now they stomp on my floor when i use the bathroom at late hours or take a bath late. They also do it just to mess with me I believe. They have never acted this way before all this began and it's horrible now.

I am now at a point where I am so sick of this place I am ready to move but it's mid Winter and there's nowhere to go right now and I have a lease that is not up yet. It may sound like I'm crazy but I have already talked to the manager and she said if people don't like the way it is her they can move. So, I have tried to make the best of this. BTW, all of this started in Nov. and has carried on.

Tonight I am just thinking that I am going to live my life here as I always have. I am not a loud person. I keep things at a reasonable level.

 

[C'est Moi]

Oh my goodness, Ruthanne! That sounds like an awful situation. I feel bad for you and I hope things will settle down soon.

I guess my "dirt biker street noise" isn't such a big deal after all!

 

[Ruthanne]

Oh my goodness, Ruthanne! That sounds like an awful situation. I feel bad for you and I hope things will settle down soon.

I guess my "dirt biker street noise" isn't such a big deal after all!

It is bad. Your situation is bad, too, though. I, too, hope things will settle down. Thanks.

 

[C'est Moi]

It is bad. Your situation is bad, too, though. I, too, hope things will settle down. Thanks.

Do you know any of your neighbors or have you met them? Maybe reaching out for a talk would help the situation. Good luck.

 

[Ruthanne]

Do you know any of your neighbors or have you met them? Maybe reaching out for a talk would help the situation. Good luck.

I think it's gone beyond that, we used to talk but now it's crazy. One of us is probably going to move and it may be me or them. Who knows.

 

[terry123]

I would be looking for another place to live.

 

[Ruthanne]

I would be looking for another place to live.

Believe me, I will be once my lease is nearly up.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Yaaay...you're still here Ruthanne! Decades ago when I first bought my apartment, the neighbor directly over me had two children. She was a small woman but walked across the floor like a giant. Her children hopped around all the time, shaking the ceiling light in the hallway. One night I was fast asleep and I was startled out of my sleep by what sounded like someone dropping a 500 pound something on the floor in her bedroom. Her friends used to come by and bring their children so ti was always annoyingly noisy up there. The board did nothing when I complained, so I was actually looking for another place. But for what I'd have to pay to move someplace else that wasn't as nice or conveniently located as here...I just couldn't see it. Finally, blessedly, she moved out. My "new" neighbors were a couple with two boys about 7 & 8 years old. I hardly heard a peep out of them. That was about 38 - 40 years ago. The boys are on their own and the husband passed away. Starting about 2 years ago, she was watching her very active toddler grandson all day, sometimes up to 12 hours! I thought that wasn't right being she was pushing 75. She didn't like it either (complained to me) but wanted to help her son. I had to let her know to cool the little cutie down a couple of times. She no longer watches him. Just lately she bumps around sometimes, don't know what she's doing of if she's using a walker. A couple of times I called to make sure she was alright when I heard a boom. She and I are cool...we've been friends all these years. We let each other know if we have issues which is very rare.

Neighbor problems can be so annoying, frustrating, infuriating. Too bad the building is so "thin". I never hear my next door neighbors when they are inside their apartment but if they are in the hallway talking I hear them which doesn't bother me. Personally, I'd be looking to move. Perhaps you can start looking for something close to the time your lease expires....say two or three months before. There are apartment hunting sites that tell you not only what's available but when and how much it's going to cost up front and monthly. Some have yearly leases, some longer. There are also star ratings, reviews and often several photos. You can filter by how many beds and baths you need, price range and amenities wanted. Here's one site: https://www.rent.com/ Hope things work out well for you!

 

[Mizzkitt]

Ruthanne, when it gets to the point that you consider moving then it really is time to move. The types that do this are seldom the one to move unless they are evicted. They get their jollies by knowing they are causing you torment.

I just was forced to sell my home because of the people next door and am now hunting for an apartment. You can bet when interviewing the manager I ask questions about excessive noise and what is done about it.

 

[Robusta]

If I may make a suggestion. Start recording the noise, make copious notes describing the noise and time and frequency of the disturbance.
You have the right to enjoy your home. After a month take your observations to the manager. I am not saying to start legal action,but you may be able to use your evidence to get out of your lease early.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SAFE COMFORTABLE ENJOYMNET OF YOUR HOME!!!

 

[CeeCee]

If I may make a suggestion. Start recording the noise, make copious notes describing the noise and time and frequency of the disturbance.
You have the right to enjoy your home. After a month take your observations to the manager. I am not saying to start legal action,but you may be able to use your evidence to get out of your lease early.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SAFE COMFORTABLE ENJOYMNET OF YOUR HOME!!!

That sounds like a good idea to me. You need to document everything, Ruthanne.

Thankfully I don't have neighbor problems but feel for you.

 

[CindyLouWho]

Ruthanne, I was stressed just reading about your neighbor problem, I can't imagine living there next to such an incorrigible person. I'm sorry you have to deal with that, that is so not right. Also, sounds like the girl in the apartment office is only interested in renting to whomever will fill the apt and can't concern herself with any issues thereafter. I know moving is sometimes not easy and you chose that apt location or whatever for a reason but maybe just start looking around to see what other complexes are near you. I wouldn't necessarily move just because of some "idiot", if I moved it would be because I liked the amenities, location, etc of another complex, maybe just go look at a few complexes and go from there.
I've lived in my same house for 27 years and have only had a couple incidents with new neighbors, the rest of us have been here a long time.

 

[Aunt Bea]

IMO if you move every time you have an unpleasant encounter with a neighbor you might as well live in your car.

I live in a complex with over 200 apartments and have had a few minor issues with neighbors. IMO it is a major mistake to respond to them by escalating the situation or retalliating. I also believe that if they are frustrated to the point that they bang on my wall it's time for me to do a little soul searching about my own behavior.

My most recent complaint about noise came about a year ago on a Sunday afternoon when I was in the kitchen whistling and puttering around. I heard a pounding on the wall and a very loud Shut the F*** up!!! So I did, LOL!!! This same neighbor has a very large flat screen television with a surround sound system that shares my kitchen wall. When he watches television the base sounds cause my kitchen wall to vibrate. I could complain about it but it doesn't really bother me because our schedules are so very different.

To Robusta's point our managment would not get invoved but they would allow me out of my lease if I found the situation unbearable. Our management's position is that the tenants involved should work it out or call the police if it reaches the point where laws are being broken.

Good luck!

 

[MarkinPhx]

Yikes ! You are much more patient than I am. If you do have to move make sure you check the walls to the apartment next door at the places you check out to see how thick they are. If you do have to move invite us all over your last night there and we will have a rowdy and noisy farewell party to your neighbors. OK, that's the vindictive side of me coming out now.

 

[Olivia]

OMG, no one should be living that way. Your resident manager/property manager is not doing their job. First off, I wonder what kind of background check they did on this guy in the first place. I doubt very much this is new behavior for this maniac. In my last job our organization owned a 48-unit apartment building and I became the de facto property manager and also having to select and supervise the resident manager (and these weren't even my main job). I did background checks on potential tenants with previous landlords and credit checks. Of course, the previous landlord could probably be so happy to get rid of troublemakers that they may not be honest.

I had to deal with noise complaints, but a simple phone call usually solved it. But I wasn't dealing with mental cases. Your current manager apparently doesn't want to get involved. I guess you've already researched your legal rights.

Tenants’ Right to Quiet Enjoyment

The right to quiet enjoyment of the rental property is at the heart of noise complaints. Tenants are entitled to live free from unreasonable disturbances, which can include excessive, ongoing noise. Inaction by the landlord can violate a tenant’s quiet enjoyment, giving rise to monetary awards. So, it is imperative for landlords to resolve tenant noise complaints.

http://www.landlordtalking.com/tips/tenant-screening/landlord-tips-how-to-resolve-noise-complaints

I spent eight years on that job, and I could write a book!
The only silver lining (and I know you don't feel that way) is that you're renting and not owning. Then you'd have another hassle.
If it was me, I would get out of there as soon as I could. I don't deal well that kind of thing.

 

[Ruthanne]

Yaaay...you're still here Ruthanne! Decades ago when I first bought my apartment, the neighbor directly over me had two children. She was a small woman but walked across the floor like a giant. Her children hopped around all the time, shaking the ceiling light in the hallway. One night I was fast asleep and I was startled out of my sleep by what sounded like someone dropping a 500 pound something on the floor in her bedroom. Her friends used to come by and bring their children so ti was always annoyingly noisy up there. The board did nothing when I complained, so I was actually looking for another place. But for what I'd have to pay to move someplace else that wasn't as nice or conveniently located as here...I just couldn't see it. Finally, blessedly, she moved out. My "new" neighbors were a couple with two boys about 7 & 8 years old. I hardly heard a peep out of them. That was about 38 - 40 years ago. The boys are on their own and the husband passed away. Starting about 2 years ago, she was watching her very active toddler grandson all day, sometimes up to 12 hours! I thought that wasn't right being she was pushing 75. She didn't like it either (complained to me) but wanted to help her son. I had to let her know to cool the little cutie down a couple of times. She no longer watches him. Just lately she bumps around sometimes, don't know what she's doing of if she's using a walker. A couple of times I called to make sure she was alright when I heard a boom. She and I are cool...we've been friends all these years. We let each other know if we have issues which is very rare.

Neighbor problems can be so annoying, frustrating, infuriating. Too bad the building is so "thin". I never hear my next door neighbors when they are inside their apartment but if they are in the hallway talking I hear them which doesn't bother me. Personally, I'd be looking to move. Perhaps you can start looking for something close to the time your lease expires....say two or three months before. There are apartment hunting sites that tell you not only what's available but when and how much it's going to cost up front and monthly. Some have yearly leases, some longer. There are also star ratings, reviews and often several photos. You can filter by how many beds and baths you need, price range and amenities wanted. Here's one site: https://www.rent.com/ Hope things work out well for you!

Thank you for your feedback and link.

Ruthanne, when it gets to the point that you consider moving then it really is time to move. The types that do this are seldom the one to move unless they are evicted. They get their jollies by knowing they are causing you torment.

I just was forced to sell my home because of the people next door and am now hunting for an apartment. You can bet when interviewing the manager I ask questions about excessive noise and what is done about it.

I do know what you mean and thank you for your comment.

If I may make a suggestion. Start recording the noise, make copious notes describing the noise and time and frequency of the disturbance.
You have the right to enjoy your home. After a month take your observations to the manager. I am not saying to start legal action,but you may be able to use your evidence to get out of your lease early.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SAFE COMFORTABLE ENJOYMNET OF YOUR HOME!!!

I don't have a recording device and the manager doesn't care about things like that anyways. Thanks for your comment.

That sounds like a good idea to me. You need to document everything, Ruthanne.

Thankfully I don't have neighbor problems but feel for you.

Can't do that, it's really not feasible in this situation. Thanks for your comment.

Ruthanne, I was stressed just reading about your neighbor problem, I can't imagine living there next to such an incorrigible person. I'm sorry you have to deal with that, that is so not right. Also, sounds like the girl in the apartment office is only interested in renting to whomever will fill the apt and can't concern herself with any issues thereafter. I know moving is sometimes not easy and you chose that apt location or whatever for a reason but maybe just start looking around to see what other complexes are near you. I wouldn't necessarily move just because of some "idiot", if I moved it would be because I liked the amenities, location, etc of another complex, maybe just go look at a few complexes and go from there.
I've lived in my same house for 27 years and have only had a couple incidents with new neighbors, the rest of us have been here a long time.

Thank you.

IMO if you move every time you have an unpleasant encounter with a neighbor you might as well live in your car.

I live in a complex with over 200 apartments and have had a few minor issues with neighbors. IMO it is a major mistake to respond to them by escalating the situation or retalliating. I also believe that if they are frustrated to the point that they bang on my wall it's time for me to do a little soul searching about my own behavior.

My most recent complaint about noise came about a year ago on a Sunday afternoon when I was in the kitchen whistling and puttering around. I heard a pounding on the wall and a very loud Shut the F*** up!!! So I did, LOL!!! This same neighbor has a very large flat screen television with a surround sound system that shares my kitchen wall. When he watches television the base sounds cause my kitchen wall to vibrate. I could complain about it but it doesn't really bother me because our schedules are so very different.

To Robusta's point our managment would not get invoved but they would allow me out of my lease if I found the situation unbearable. Our management's position is that the tenants involved should work it out or call the police if it reaches the point where laws are being broken.

Good luck!

When the crazy man was making noise I was asleep in my bed; hardly was I doing anything to cause him to do that. Thanks for your comment and well wishes. People are human and so I am I and yes, I did bang back after listening to this for a long time. It did no good but I'm quiet again.

 

[Ruthanne]

Yikes ! You are much more patient than I am. If you do have to move make sure you check the walls to the apartment next door at the places you check out to see how thick they are. If you do have to move invite us all over your last night there and we will have a rowdy and noisy farewell party to your neighbors. OK, that's the vindictive side of me coming out now.

I will Mark, thank you!

OMG, no one should be living that way. Your resident manager/property manager is not doing their job. First off, I wonder what kind of background check they did on this guy in the first place. I doubt very much this is new behavior for this maniac. In my last job our organization owned a 48-unit apartment building and I became the de facto property manager and also having to select and supervise the resident manager (and these weren't even my main job). I did background checks on potential tenants with previous landlords and credit checks. Of course, the previous landlord could probably be so happy to get rid of troublemakers that they may not be honest.

I had to deal with noise complaints, but a simple phone call usually solved it. But I wasn't dealing with mental cases. Your current manager apparently doesn't want to get involved. I guess you've already researched your legal rights.


I spent eight years on that job, and I could write a book!
The only silver lining (and I know you don't feel that way) is that you're renting and not owning. Then you'd have another hassle.
If it was me, I would get out of there as soon as I could. I don't deal well that kind of thing.

Thank you for your ideas.