Ok.....my new neighbor doesnt like my music.......LONG post!

[cptnsolo77]

For starters I lived in my townhouse 6 years with my fiance. It is attatched to another town home, which has been a rental for as long as we have lived there. Over the last 6 years we have had 4 different neighbors come and go. We always play our music under the noise ordinance guidelines. We have many parties over the years and our neighbors never ever complained. Fast forward to today. We have a single divorced mom who has knocked on our door 3 times, called the communities security about 3 times on us, and most recently the police for our "loud" music. Today will be the third time the police have been called and said next time they will issue a citation that will basically put me in small claims court for violating a city noise ordinance. I could recieve a $250 fine. It seems like she complains about out music at any volume. We have had it at resonable levels and she still complains. After today I feel like im a prisoner in my own home that i pay for. I even pay monthly association fees. The cops said they could hear the music in her home but the I didnt have the music really loud. They asked me to lower it, so I did. Its crazy because you could sit in my living room and have a casual conversation without yelling at each other. Her complaint has been the bass......BUT she has complained about my PC stereo as well....which is the farthest away from her wall. I have no idea what do do. Im ready to get myself a decibel meter and do some homework. Anyone has been through a situation like this? She is a renter and has expressed that she doesnt like our comunity ( which is great ) she may actually leave when her lease expires, which should be by jan or feb. God im counting the months!!! but thats not a guarentee. We have awesome neighbors and we all went on vacation to Vegas a couple of years ago. Our new neighor is just terrible! I think we may have to lower our music and stick this one out. Im honestly thinking of things I can can do ( legally ) to help her leave sooner!! hammering on the floors as if im doing work in my house etc. Any ideas as what I can do? Talking to her is not a possibility she is very unfreindly person. In other works just a whinny you know what......Is there a way i can sound dampen my living room wall? our living rooms are back to back.

[09vGT]

What times are you playing the music? Being a party I'm not guessing its an afternoon BBQ over at 7 lol.I'm a college student, and live by myself in a town house. I can rarely hear my neighbors, and I assume they can't hear me. I NEVER party at my house, I don't want to clean up the mess.When I do hear my neighbors, of course its in the early AM. Most of them are adults, only some other college kids. Just stick it out, keep the music down. Sounds like she's a prude, much like myself. If I'm trying to sleep, I don't' want to hear anyone else's business going on.

[cptnsolo77]

Well the times that she has called the police and/or security has been well in the noise ordinance hours. Our new neighbor hasnt experienced any of our parties....LOL.

[joatmon]

When I was in college, my roomate in the dorm used to set his speakers in the window so we could listen to music when we went into the courtyard to play frisbee, and the music department three buildings down would send campus cops over because students in the insulated practice rooms were bothered by our music. I guess we cranked it up a bit too much I don't know the real details and both sides of the debate, and I am just throwing this out there to povide a counterpoint. A couple of things you said allow the possibility that the music is more bothersome than you may realize. Four renters in six years, and now this fifth one causing troubles. Some people are reluctant to confront a bothersome neighbor, maybe your music bothered the previous renters and they never did anything about it. Maybe if you didn't play your loud music all the time one of them wouldn't have felt compelled to move out.Sounds like you have a good relationship with the other neighbors, they may be more tolerant, willing to put up with more from a friend than a stranger. She is new, the outsider, and I can testify that being a single parent puts one in a relatively constant state of stress. How old are the kid(s)? Sucks to try to get little ones to sleep when neighbors are noisy. I know when I became a single parent of toddlers, I was not a noise tolerant neighbor.The cops have come and warned you, the assumption in that is that they feel there is justification to cite you for noise.Perhaps the townhome is of crapppy construction. Perhaps there is something that makes sounds in your space propgate to one specific neighbor more than others. If you stay quiet, can you hear what goes on in her space? Maybe you need to think about other more personal sounds that might be broadcast to the neighbors in your townhome of paper walls. If she does move out this winter, maybe ask the landlord if you can check the place out once it's empty to see first hand how much the sound gets through. It could be just a matter of perspective. To you she is a whinny you know what. To her you may be arrogant loud obnoxious you know whats.or she could be hell spawn, sent to torment you. I can't tell from all the way over here. Your music doesn't bother me.

[mac99d]

Dude This will sound crazy, but it does help. Ok you could try foam egg crate soundproofinghttp://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html...ories

[jake75]

"A single divorced mom" - so she has kids that need to get to sleep. That may be the difference. Almost 50 Years ago when I was in college I lived in a house that was converted into apartments next to a couple of oriental ladies - the smell of their cooking was worse than any sound. But I never complained. There were probably some sounds from my side they didn't appreciate. Live and let live. But now that the police are on her side you are on the defensive.

[CAMOGIRL]

Sounds like a bad situation. I like my music in my home good and loud when I listen to it out loud (not in my earbuds). I have a sub and surround sound for my computer and that is what is going on, but I have a single family home and that is the difference. I do have good communication with my neighbors and good relationships too, in fact, one is crazy about noise, and will complain about other neighbors noise, but not ours...lol. I know you said there is no talking to her, but maybe you could try a re-do on the relationship. Talk to her to find out exactly WHY it is so bothersome, is it the time? the type of music? the specific day? Maybe you can compromise and say OK I'll turn it down by 830 because I know your kids are going to bed at that time, but I would appreciate more leeway on Fridays and Saturdays. If she's divorced recently, maybe it's just that she resents the fun you're having and she may warm up, especially if she is invited to any shindigs...

[cptnsolo77]

Thx for the constructive critizism ( i know i spelled that wrong ) I like the idea that if she moves out, speak to the landlord in reguards to how much sound gets through. I starting to think perhaps she doesnt have any furniture in the home? If thats the case there wouldnt be anything to dampen the sound. Its kinda like moving in to a new home / apt....hellloo is there anyone here? its like a cave inside. I hate to think that I have driven out 4 previous neighbors with my my music though LOL. Not to sound full of myself but im a very respectable guy & in the years I have been here on this earth if someone has a problem with me, its usually them. Such as life.....thx anyhow!

[djkeev]

I understand both sides of the problem here. I understand wanting and taking the freedom to do as you wish in your own home.I also understand living in the annoying noise of someone else as well.My first guess is about how "loud" is defined. I'm sure that you and I probably would have totally different loud levels! Ever stopped at a light and your car is vibrating because of the volume emitting from the car next to you?A decibel meter may not be the answer for often loud is well below the legal limit.I guess the bottom line is do you want a neighbor that gives you grief and won't communicate with you or are you willing to turn you music down to what you consider soft and live in harmony?I'm older, while I keep up with modern music there is a fair amount of it that I do not care for and don't wish to be forced to hear. My guess is that I really wouldn't want to listen to your music anymore than you'd like to listen to classic 60's all the time!Hope you work this out, nothing worse than hating your neighbors and they in turn hating you.Dave

[jkm311]

Might be controversial, but here goes: If you're in a community environment (not a single home), don't have parties. I know, I know... harsh. I find that people who feel they can have dozens of people over (loud enough already) and then add music on top of it, you're going to encounter someone who can not stand that. I am somewhere in the middle. I know there are responsible people out there, but many are not, and they feel cutting a check for rent entitles them to have a home environment of their choosing. Your situation is different to me, because you are actually paying to own the home. But it does share a wall. In fact, a lot of the home improvement shows I see on cable love to feature condos, because a lot of builders skimped out on the insulation and sound deadening in the shared wall. So, that might be a big part of your problem. Might not. Love the idea of you checking when the place is empty, and here's why:When I lived in my apartment when I was 23-24, my neighbors "repurposed" the only (yes, only) closet in our floorplan to be their personal stereo space. Trouble is, we lived in 500 sq. ft. apartments and our closets shared the same wall. Yeah. That was not fun. Needless to say, even when their music was at a reasonable volume (couldn't tell the lyrics or type of tunes), my stuff would rattle. I couldn't tell how truly low it was until I called on them (at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday) and when the apartment folks left, they *cranked* it for a minute straight out of anger. So, that mom may be hearing your music at its very lowest, but purely based on the build of the place or the location, you might be too loud to her. I know you said your computer is on the opposite side, but if that wall is junk, it doesn't matter to her. Hope you all find a solution...

[808 Vibes]

Drywall, right?

[hapagan]

heres what u gotta do. wait for that one moment when she or her kids are making just a tiny bit of noise and call the cops ON HER!!! fight fire with fire!!! lol im still young. thats my way of thinking. others might disagree but think about it.

[lowincash]

I think some people are more sensitive to sound/music than others. I, for example, don't really listen to loud music. I will always have the volume low when listening to music in the car or at home. Also, I do get really annoyed when I hear any music my neighbors or playing either loud or not. I think it also has to do with stress levels. I get pretty stressed out really easily and when hearing neighbor's music I will feel very irate. I can't concentrate or sleep if there's sound or music. Maybe your new neighbor is just really stressed out all the time =/

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by hapagan »heres what u gotta do. wait for that one moment when she or her kids are making just a tiny bit of noise and call the cops ON HER!!! fight fire with fire!!! lol im still young. thats my way of thinking. others might disagree but think about it.I think you will lose that one - might even get on the bad side of the cops and make things worse for you. Loud music or a barking dog is one thing, but a child is something quite different. A single mother will get a lot more leeway (and sympathy) than a partying young couple.

[star_deceiver]

The cops sided with her.... no point in fighting it, just shut 'er down and pick up a book. I've been there too... both sides...But for my revenge, when I know that I'll see them in the hall or outside I always made sure to wear one of my really offensive shirts!!! Anti-religious shirts, shirts with 4 letter words, mutilated corpses... I've lived in apartments for many many years. I sort of make it a point now (when I meet a new neighbour, or become one) to tell them: What you do and how loud you are in your own apartment between designated hours is your own business so long as your not purposely being obnoxious. You want to throw a party, be my guest, but when 11pm comes along I expect dead quiet and if I'm partying it gets shut down at 11 and moved to the bar!I sugest talking with her and finding an amicable solution. And this is a good reminder to me and everyone else why I will never willingly purchace a townhouse, apartment, condo, duplex, ect. I don't want to have to deal with ANYONE!!!!

[jake75]

But for my revenge, when I know that I'll see them in the hall or outside I always made sure to wear one of my really offensive shirts!!! Anti-religious shirts, shirts with 4 letter words, mutilated corpses...YOU WOULD DO THAT IN FRONT OF THE CHILDREN???? NOT COOL.And this is a good reminder to me and everyone else why I will never willingly purchace a townhouse, apartment, condo, duplex, ect. I don't want to have to deal with ANYONE!!!!AMEN TO THAT!

[TONY TAT2]

My neighbor on the street directly behind me is always yellen at her kids,a real loudmouth when talken to her neighbor,so i planted a bunch of that spreaden bamboo on my property facen her house.

[djkeev]

Thanks for the edit Tony!!

[TONY TAT2]

Done,sometimes i forget im not in the shop