I live on the end of hall so have one next door neighbor. Moved in two months ago and the owner next door I can hear through my living room wall so clearly. She is on her phone for hours at a time, usually on speaker, talking at an extremely high volume..so loud I can hear her actual words. She will go late into the night sometimes and when she has guests over it's even worse. Is there anything at... [more]
I live on the end of hall so have one next door neighbor. Moved in two months ago and the owner next door I can hear through my living room wall so clearly. She is on her phone for hours at a time, usually on speaker, talking at an extremely high volume..so loud I can hear her actual words. She will go late into the night sometimes and when she has guests over it's even worse. Is there anything at all that I can do as far as getting her to stop? She has not listened to reason and just pulled the "I've lived here for 8 years and the last owners didnt complain" line. She also just says she can hear me too (and if that is true its only because I turn my TV volume up until it's loud enough to drown her out).
Because we are owners and not leasing I assume there is nothing I can really do about it..is that correct?
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Response by JR1
about 9 years ago
Posts: 184
Member since: Jun 2015
Slay, if you live in a co-op or condo there will typically be some form of "House Rules" which owners/residents must abide by. This includes provisions on noise which can be pretty strict. I would definitely consult that and see if you can compel your neighbor to be quiet!
If all else fails, you can always just move. Rent out your old place and buy a new home. You can save on closing costs with a broker commission rebate through a platform like Hauseit. Alternatively, you could sell your current home through a flat fee RLS listing. Get it done quickly and avoid the typical 6% broker commission.
I know it sounds drastic, but if you have crazy neighbors (and they're on the board) it may make sense to just leave! Having conflict at home is never great for any other aspect of your life.
You could take the concerned route: "I notice that your speakerphone is quite loud. Have you had your hearing checked?" Or you could take the nosy route: "Did you make up with your boyfriend after the argument last week? It sounded like he was in the right. And I think the price you were quoting for your services was too low. My friends charge nearly double."
Once she knows you're interested, she'll find a way to keep you from hearing.
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Response by 300_mercer
about 9 years ago
Posts: 10577
Member since: Feb 2007
Slay, BTW, it may not be your neighbor's problem. It is just thin walls which are not preventing the regular sounds from passing through. In addition, try the sound barrier at the bottom of your door in addition to soundproof drywall.
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Response by steve123
about 9 years ago
Posts: 895
Member since: Feb 2009
If you own, best to try and solve yourself with soundproofing. Had a neighbor issue in a condo. Effected entire floor including the condo board president who also shared a wall with said neighbor. You will likely find there is very little a condo board is able/willing to do. Our issue dragged on for almost a year, and went beyond noise to smells/drugs/damage to plumbing/etc.
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Response by RealEstateNY
about 9 years ago
Posts: 772
Member since: Aug 2009
If the noise is between the hours of 11PM and 9AM you may have some recourse. If it's during regular hours. lot's of luck.
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Response by gothamsboro
about 9 years ago
Posts: 536
Member since: Sep 2013
How clear is the voice? Can you record it? Because if you can, then you can play it back. While she is talking. Wow that would be annoying.
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Response by 30yrs_RE_20_in_REO
about 9 years ago
Posts: 9881
Member since: Mar 2009
Even though this wouldn't actually solve the problem, you may be able to deal with this thru a carpeting rule: may buildings have a requirement that 80% of floor area must be carpeted to reduce noise issues. If this person doesn't have that and your building has such a rule, you may be able to get them to quiet down so that they are not forced to put down carpeting that they don't want.
Slay, if you live in a co-op or condo there will typically be some form of "House Rules" which owners/residents must abide by. This includes provisions on noise which can be pretty strict. I would definitely consult that and see if you can compel your neighbor to be quiet!
If all else fails, you can always just move. Rent out your old place and buy a new home. You can save on closing costs with a broker commission rebate through a platform like Hauseit. Alternatively, you could sell your current home through a flat fee RLS listing. Get it done quickly and avoid the typical 6% broker commission.
I know it sounds drastic, but if you have crazy neighbors (and they're on the board) it may make sense to just leave! Having conflict at home is never great for any other aspect of your life.
Best to put an additional layer of soundproof drywall on the wall separating your apartment and neighbor's. It is inexpensive. I assume you own.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/QuietRock-Drywall-Panel-Common-1-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-0-5-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft/3069747
You could take the concerned route: "I notice that your speakerphone is quite loud. Have you had your hearing checked?" Or you could take the nosy route: "Did you make up with your boyfriend after the argument last week? It sounded like he was in the right. And I think the price you were quoting for your services was too low. My friends charge nearly double."
Once she knows you're interested, she'll find a way to keep you from hearing.
Slay, BTW, it may not be your neighbor's problem. It is just thin walls which are not preventing the regular sounds from passing through. In addition, try the sound barrier at the bottom of your door in addition to soundproof drywall.
If you own, best to try and solve yourself with soundproofing. Had a neighbor issue in a condo. Effected entire floor including the condo board president who also shared a wall with said neighbor. You will likely find there is very little a condo board is able/willing to do. Our issue dragged on for almost a year, and went beyond noise to smells/drugs/damage to plumbing/etc.
If the noise is between the hours of 11PM and 9AM you may have some recourse. If it's during regular hours. lot's of luck.
How clear is the voice? Can you record it? Because if you can, then you can play it back. While she is talking. Wow that would be annoying.
Even though this wouldn't actually solve the problem, you may be able to deal with this thru a carpeting rule: may buildings have a requirement that 80% of floor area must be carpeted to reduce noise issues. If this person doesn't have that and your building has such a rule, you may be able to get them to quiet down so that they are not forced to put down carpeting that they don't want.