The dog barking outside, the upstairs neighbor who’s anything but asleep all night, the baby that never stops crying- noise complaints are among the most common causes of frustration amongst tenants. Chances are you’ve heard your fair share of grievances from renters regarding this issue. So, how do you prevent this from occurring and handle complaints filed? After all, you can’t just force a noisy neighbor or loud child to stay quiet. Here are some things you should know when it comes to noise-related problems!
What do people complain about?
– Noise complaints come from a multitude of different causes. Some common ones include:
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- Barking dogs
- Children
- Pests on the property making disruptive noises
- Neighbors playing loud music or parties
The Right to Quiet Enjoyment
– All tenants have a right to ‘Quiet Enjoyment,’ which means they are entitled to live in a peaceful setting free of excessive disturbances (noise-related and not). This is covered in a section of the lease and “promises that the grantee or tenant of an estate in real property will be able to possess the premises in peace, without disturbance by hostile claimants.”
This article’s focus is noise disturbances, but other violations include harassment, unnecessary inspections, maintenance work, etc.
Learn your Cities Noise Ordnance Rules
– Most cities or counties have ordinances that restrict noise disturbances at certain hours of the day. This applies to most off-property forms of noise disturbances, such as construction or city workers. If this is the root of the problem, make sure you contact local law enforcement to deal with this violation.
Prevention
– Make sure your tenants know where you stand by including noise information in the lease. Detail what excessive noise is considered and what action you will take if complaints occur. Make sure you mention if there’s quiet hours or further restrictions as well. Nonetheless, by making a note of this in the lease and setting clear guidelines, you have a higher chance of your tenants being respectful of these rules.
– Consider not allowing pets on your property. Even by only permitting small dogs or cats, you decrease your risk of having to deal with a noise complaint. If you still want to allow pets, think about conducting a pet interview to get an idea of the animal you’d be welcoming to the property.
Sound Proofing
– If your tenant is still complaining about noise disturbances that you cannot control, consider giving them some tips on reducing this issue. These simple and affordable tricks may make a huge difference!
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- Add a wall-to-wall bookcase. If thin walls are the problem, placing a bookcase filled with books or other items can help muffle sounds from the apartment next door.
- Install heavy-duty soundproof curtains. These thick curtains help absorb noise coming from outside the unit.
- Use a door sweep with a thick rubber sealant to block noise from a hallway outside the apartment.
Noise-related disturbances aren’t fun for anyone. Being a landlord, it’s your responsibility to deal with these complaints and reduce them as much as possible. By acting to prevent and reduce these occurrences, you can help ensure your tenant’s peace of mind!
