Sometimes It Just Happens: How to Deal with Noisy Neighbors in an Apartment
Having noisy neighbors is awful and at some point in your life, there’s a chance you’ll encounter it. We all get annoyed with our neighbor’s noise every now and then, but when it’s constant it can become a big problem.
Not only are noisy neighbors irritating, but it can also have a negative impact on your health. It can raise your stress levels and have an impact on your physical and mental health.
If you’re wondering how to deal with noisy neighbors, you’ve come to the right place. Here are our tips for dealing with noisy neighbors in an apartment.
1. Talk to Them
The first step to dealing with a noisy neighbor problem is to talk with them about the noise. Find a quiet time through the day and try to get them somewhere public. This can be by the mailbox, parking lot, or common areas.
Politely ask them if they can keep the noise down in a reasonable manner. Try not to accuse them or berate them and offer a solution to the problem. For most people, this is a very effective way to solve the issue. Most of the time, the neighbor isn’t aware of the issue and will make an effort to keep it down.
2. Try to Block it Out
Sometimes, noisy neighbors don’t listen or forget to keep the noise down. Also, some apartments have thin walls and don’t block out noise well.
You can try to block out the noise yourself. A fan or white noise machine can do a great job of masking the noise and help block it out. Ear plugs are also super effective and will help you get a peaceful night’s sleep.
This isn’t a good long term solution as you shouldn’t have to do that every night. But it works for those nights when it’s too late or the wrong moment to confront your neighbor.
3. Check Yourself
Before you get too mad at your neighbor, take a moment to check yourself as a neighbor. Do you make too much noise at weird times of day? Do you blast your music too loud or run the vacuum late at night?
If you don’t know how loud these things are, step outside and see how loud they are from there. If the noises you make are too much, your neighbors may not be the cause of the problem.
They could be noisy because you make too much noise too. If you confront them, they can turn the exact same argument on you and nothing will get solved.
4. Don’t Write a Note
None of us are a fan of confrontation but in these situations, a face to face conversation is the best way to do it. Avoid the note under the door at all costs. Notes, whether they’re written on paper or as an email or text, are easy to misinterpret. There’s no tone of voice, body language, or facial expressions to read.
It’s a hostile way to communicate and isn’t likely to lead to a productive resolution. It may make the tension between your neighbor worse and won’t solve the issue.
5. File a Noise Complaint
When you’ve tried it all and still have a noisy neighbor problem, you may have to file a complaint.
A third party could help you come to a resolution. Contact your leasing office and let them know about the issue so they can try to solve it. If this doesn’t work, contact your local non-emergency service and they can try to help. This is very much a last resort option and we hope that you never need to do it.
This is How to Deal With Noisy Neighbors
Noisy neighbors are an awful problem to have and when it’s constant, it can get you down. If you’re wondering how to deal with noisy neighbors, these are the best ways to do it.
Looking to move into a new apartment? Check out our apartments for rent to find your dream place.