'neighbors' now purposely generating noise to harass me.

W

WhatInThe

SF VIP
In a an apartment 'neighbor' war. Have had to make several complaints and call the police about excessive electronic noise in the middle of the night over the years. They all deny it and say they use headphones when they play video games etc

At least one of those tenants is either recording environmental noise including appliances, trains, airconditioners etc and playing them with extreme volume and a lot of bass and/or using somekind of low frequency/bass generator to create vibration. For several days it sounded like there were dozens of refrigerators or train engines with vibrations. These things can be heard in the apartment but only on occassion with vibrations. One night the nearest train was a couple miles away not at a local crossing but as soon as they heard a horn they crank up their machine or recording. I have a prime suspect but a new younger tech age tenant created issues during their first year.

Debating wether it's time for a lawyer until I can move because in reality that's how it's going to end. But I don't want to speed up or escalate things until I can somethings taken care of.

I'll try talking to landlord again at this point but I've gotten some bad vibes and they may be hoping I leave so they can do some renovations and jack up the price on the next one. They also know if I leave voluntarily that takes some legal liability off them.
 

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In my apartment building, you have to be quiet from eleven to nine (not sure about the nine). I have found that I can have my television on even during the quiet time because it is in the middle of the room and not up against a wall. There have been times when the police have been called and they go to the noisy apartment and tell them to be quiet. Here if you have the police called on you it is what they call a violation point and three points and you are evicted. It sounds like your problem is actually a landlord problem. It is their responsibility to inform that tenant about noise. Look at your lease and the landlord maybe in violation of your agreement with him.
 

Do these things really escalate out of nowhere in a one-sided manner? Sure seems odd that everyone there including your landlord is out to get you.

But maybe you just need a change. Perhaps you can upgrade at the end of your lease? Maybe in farm country, where life is beautiful all the time. You´ll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats. I hear they offer many services. They may even come to take you away!
 
WhatInThe said:
I'll try talking to landlord again at this point but I've gotten some bad vibes and they may be hoping I leave so they can do some renovations and jack up the price on the next one. They also know if I leave voluntarily that takes some legal liability off them.
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Can you record these noises so you have proof. Then call the police. Enough calls and the landlord will have to deal with them.

Are other neighbours complaining. Get them to call too.
 
Jules said:
Can you record these noises so you have proof. Then call the police. Enough calls and the landlord will have to deal with them.

Are other neighbours complaining. Get them to call too.
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I was just about to suggest the same thing. An actual recording of the noise is proof of its intensity. Other wise, it's just your word. Also, it sounds as though there are a number of other tenants-are they complaining?
 
dilettante said:
Do these things really escalate out of nowhere in a one-sided manner? Sure seems odd that everyone there including your landlord is out to get you.

But maybe you just need a change. Perhaps you can upgrade at the end of your lease? Maybe in farm country, where life is beautiful all the time. You´ll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats. I hear they offer many services. They may even come to take you away!
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My finances are limited and taking this apartment and planning was done before the virus. This was supposed be nothing but a stop on a way to a better apartment or fixer house. Since the rents and fixer prices have increased way more than my finances.

Part of the problem is the unit which the landlord more or less admits to(old smaller building with wood floors and walls) With the problem tenants there are drug & alcohol issues along with the noise & activities.

The landlord also started filling vacancies immediately not even doing full background . I must be one of the last tenants to do everything. The landlord is not onsite sometimes going months without an appearance or maintenance. Found out they started prioritizing co signers after a problem unit vacated. That's probably why all the 'kids' or young adults with parents helping them out/signing. Source said the parents did pick up the bill for one(that occupant probably a dump job to begin with).

All the problem tenants show the signs of drug/addiction issues and might be part of the reason for the night time activity. Several don't work or go to a job. Others leave the building for work only.Their windows are blacked out 24/7 and/or rarely opened. It's a no smoking building yet the smellS of pot and/or cigarettes are there daily. It's not the ritz but I've lived in much lesser buildings but the rules were strictly enforced ie limits on noise, parties etc.
 
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fuzzybuddy said:
I was just about to suggest the same thing. An actual recording of the noise is proof of its intensity. Other wise, it's just your word. Also, it sounds as though there are a number of other tenants-are they complaining?
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I've tried. Even bought a few cheaper recorder/microphones. The problem is recording the low frequencies or infrasound which is the bass is the most difficult to capture. One can get some but mostly the recording plays as a lot noise.

When the police show up of course everyone behaves cuts the noise. They close their curtains & blinds etc but they peak when they hear something.

I've captured more noise over time but not enough to show the beat or rythm of song/game. If I could the landlord to show up at night un announced might do the trick but they've made no effort to come at night.
 
WhatInThe said:
This was supposed be nothing but a stop on a way to a better apartment or fixer house. Since the rents and fixer prices have increased way more than my finances.
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Perhaps you could think of the obnoxious neighbors as a positive push to make a change that you wanted to make anyway.

Is there only one location that you want to live in (such as, you are trying to stay close to family)? Or can you move wherever you want? You might find an awesome place that does fit your budget, and the annoying neighbors may be the motivation you need to keep looking until you find it.

I live in a 55+ community and it is so wonderfully quiet (except when the lawn maintenance people are using leaf blowers! - they did that early this morning, boo hoo).
 
I know it's hell having noisy neighbors. It must be 100 times worse having noisy, vindictive ones. Decades ago, my neighbor over me had two small children, plus she would have friends over. So the noise was even worse. She was a short woman but it sounded like a giant was walking over my head sometimes. The children would be running and hopping around such that my ceiling lights would shake. I finally had to take the glass globes off for safety. Once in the middle of the night it sounded like someone slammed a heavy box of books on the bedroom floor and of course it woke me up. I told our board about the noise, but nothing was done. I didn't have the heart (back then) to call the police.

I was looking for a new place to move. I ultimately decided to tough it out because the rents were too much higher. Thank God I did because she moved around the same time. She died at a relatively young age and I always wondered what happened to her children; they were cuties. Her daughter was gorgeous, but had a mental disability. A couple moved upstairs with two boys around the same age as my son and I hardly ever heard a peep out of them. I thanked God for them.

I sure hope you can get your noisy neighbor issue resolved without conflict and retaliation. Watch your back!
 
WhatInThe said:
My finances are limited and taking this apartment and planning was done before the virus. This was supposed be nothing but a stop on a way to a better apartment or fixer house. Since the rents and fixer prices have increased way more than my finances.
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Well that makes things rough. There must be many in this boat.

I'm not sure why people wait so late to prepare for retirement, but it seems far from rare. I can't imagine trying to deal with a fixer-upper at this stage of life. Even a ladder to a one-story roof is something I'm super-cautious about. I'm not sure how I'd manage replacing ceiling drywall or something. Most retirees just aren't going to have the money to hire big projects out on their fixed incomes.
 
In my complex the landlord makes it clear that they do not intervene in disputes between tenants, they suggest that we call the police.

The good news is that most noisy or unruly tenants don’t last long due to other issues in their lives that cause them to be evicted or simply move on.

Could you try earplugs or headphones to help block out some of the noise?

I use a fan at night to create a sort of white noise that helps to block the sounds of the city.

🤗
 
Aunt Bea said:
In my complex the landlord makes it clear that they do not intervene in disputes between tenants, they suggest that we call the police.

The good news is that most noisy or unruly tenants don’t last long due to other issues in their lives that cause them to be evicted or simply move on.

Could you try earplugs or headphones to help block out some of the noise?

I use a fan at night to create a sort of white noise that helps to block the sounds of the city.

🤗
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I tried that although it never would've lasted. Part of the problem because the low frequency/bass is the sounds creates vibration. Also low frequency sound such as bass has more energy which is why their speakers are cutting through walls and then some. Also the reason one can hear a car with boom box speakers blocks away.

Also with the electronic noise most don't realize most modern speakers are capable of throwing sound 50 to 100 feet. Direct neighbors are far less than that.

Throw in the drugs these people have played/partied entire weekends 36-48 hours straight. Some tenants play those games all evening and won't stop until sunrise the next day. The gamers are an issue on their own not just because of tech/speakers but excessive gaming is an addiction as is their behavior that of an addict.
 
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HoneyNut said:
Perhaps you could think of the obnoxious neighbors as a positive push to make a change that you wanted to make anyway.

Is there only one location that you want to live in (such as, you are trying to stay close to family)? Or can you move wherever you want? You might find an awesome place that does fit your budget, and the annoying neighbors may be the motivation you need to keep looking until you find it.

I live in a 55+ community and it is so wonderfully quiet (except when the lawn maintenance people are using leaf blowers! - they did that early this morning, boo hoo).
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..and of course that can happen anywhere. I don't live in a 55 community, and the devils come early on a Saturday morning when many people want a lie in, and start mowing the verges with the industrial lawnmowers...
 
WhatInThe said:
My finances are limited and taking this apartment and planning was done before the virus. This was supposed be nothing but a stop on a way to a better apartment or fixer house. Since the rents and fixer prices have increased way more than my finances.

Part of the problem is the unit which the landlord more or less admits to(old smaller building with wood floors and walls) With the problem tenants there are drug & alcohol issues along with the noise & activities.

The landlord also started filling vacancies immediately not even doing full background . I must be one of the last tenants to do everything. The landlord is not onsite sometimes going months without an appearance or maintenance. Found out they started prioritizing co signers after a problem unit vacated. That's probably why all the 'kids' or young adults with parents helping them out/signing. Source said the parents did pick up the bill for one(that occupant probably a dump job to begin with).

All the problem tenants show the signs of drug/addiction issues and might be part of the reason for the night time activity. Several don't work or go to a job. Others leave the building for work only.Their windows are blacked out 24/7 and/or rarely opened. It's a no smoking building yet the smellS of pot and/or cigarettes are there daily. It's not the ritz but I've lived in much lesser buildings but the rules were strictly enforced ie limits on noise, parties etc.
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I feel for you. But if your finances are limited, I would suggest moving before getting a lawyer. Legal fees will eat through your savings.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
My upstairs neighbors removed all the sheetrock from the inner walls. So, the apartment walls were just lines of studs. Neither me, or the landlady, who lived adjacent, never heard them doing this.
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Surprised. At least they did the floor right or maintained it.. Can hear/ upstairs cabinets and doors open and close, running water, showers etc

Did they ever find out why. Entire walls?-Can hide bodies and drugs in space like that.
 
hollydolly said:
..and of course that can happen anywhere. I don't live in a 55 community, and the devils come early on a Saturday morning when many people want a lie in, and start mowing the verges with the industrial lawnmowers...
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Those leaf blowers really suck! I read some where that the city of Vancouver, BC has a bylaw that does not allow them. The other cities here in Canada are totally gutless bunch of wimps! Everything is allowed including crime.

I reckon it's "good for business."
 

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