The Elephant in the Room Upstairs: How to Deal With Noise Complaints

One all-too-familiar incident that property managers run into is the complaint of a noisy neighbor. This issue can be a finicky one to work through if the noise only happens outside of office hours (such as the resident who has all his friends over after the local tavern closes) or happens to be outside the property manager’s control (like the sidewalk construction that’s taken a month to complete). Thus, this blog post will cover the best way to respond to a noise complaint.

1) Determine the Validity of the Issue. To begin with, do your best to find out whether the resident’s frustration is a result of a true issue or an effect of oversensitivity. It may be helpful to speak directly to the accused resident, but you can also speak to any neighbors that would also hear the noise. For example, if your resident says her neighbor’s dog barks all day, and the family across the hall says the same thing, you probably need to address the issue with the pooch’s owner.

2) How Bad Is It? Is the issue in question a one-time thing, such as a crowded apartment-warming party, or is your resident having a rowdy gathering every time their team plays? Your response should match the severity of the issue; chronic noise is a bigger problem than one inconsiderate event.

3) Follow Up With Both Parties Involved. Obviously, you need to speak with the offending resident if anything is going to change. Politely make them aware that you have received a noise complaint, and maintain a professional demeanor as if your client genuinely doesn’t realize how loud they’re being. When you’re finished, talk to the upset resident so they know you are concerned about their experience at the property and are ready and willing to address any problems that surface.

4) What If It Doesn’t Stop? Every rental agreement should have a clause detailing your property’s noise regulations, quiet hours, and the consequences of breaking the latter policies. If your resident is still blasting music at 1 in the morning, remind them of the potential penalities and fines that will be added to their monthly dues. It may be helpful to include the exact location or even the phrasing in their lease that describes the issue of noise.

5) The Final Warning: Although it’s unfortunate, if your resident refuses to follow policy, you may need to issue a “Cure or Quit” notice, which gives them the ultimatum of fixing the behavior by a specific date or being evicted from their apartment.

Do you have any suggestions for handling noise complaints? Share them in the comment section!