How to Make a Noise Complaint (And What to Do If It Doesn't Work)

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Learn how to stop the noise without confronting your neighbor
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Whether it's a noisy neighbor or a dog that won't stop barking, noise can ruin an otherwise peaceful night at home. If you're ready to file a noise complaint, you typically have several options. In this article, we dig into the different options you have, from approaching your neighbor to filing a police report . We also explain what to do when your complaints aren’t heard Read on to learn how to quiet the noise!

How to Make a Noise Complaint

Find out where the noise is coming from, then record it for evidence. Approach your neighbor when they’re calm, show them your evidence, and kindly ask them to keep it down. If they refuse, send an email or call the landlord, asking them to combat the noise. If the landlord refuses, send a follow-up letter or email.

Section 1 of 6:

How to Approach Noisy Neighbors

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  1. In some situations, it may be obvious where the noise is coming from. However, it's still worth doing a little detective work to confirm the exact source of the noise. You don't want to accuse the wrong person. Take a walk down the hall and check the floors above and below you. If you live in a house, walk to the end of your driveway or down the street a little ways.
    • For example, if you live in an apartment building, you may think that the loud music is coming from your upstairs neighbor's apartment when it’s actually coming from the apartment next to your upstairs neighbor.
  2. A recording on your smartphone or other electronic device can help the person responsible for the noise understand the disturbance they're causing. Adding a reference sound that can be measured can also help them understand how loud it is.
    • A video is better than an audio recording because they can see the reference sound. For example, you might turn your TV up to a certain volume on the video to demonstrate how far you have to go to drown out the noise.
    • Try to include the date and time in the recording – especially if it's late at night, when noise can be more disruptive or potentially illegal, depending on local noise ordinances where you live.

    Tip: Including another sound with verifiable volume, such as a radio or television, doesn't just help you show how loud the noise is. It also helps prove that you didn't tamper with the audio of the recording to make the noise seem louder than it actually is.

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  3. If the person's noise is bothering you, it may also be bothering some of your other neighbors. The person may be more likely to listen to you if several of you have the same complaint. [1]
    • For example, if your next-door neighbor plays loud music at night that keeps you up, talk to the people who live in any neighboring apartments to find out if anybody else has had the same problem.
    • Your purpose in doing this is not to gang up on the person, it’s to show them that the issue is affecting others too, not just you.
  4. While it may be tempting to bang on the person's door and yell at them to quiet down, you'll typically get better results if you wait until things have calmed down and neutrally approach the person. If you have a basic understanding of your neighbor's comings and goings, figure out when some good times to approach them would be. [2]
    • Etiquette coach Tami Claytor suggests politely approaching your neighbor and asking them to keep the volume down. Don’t go in with a confrontational attitude, just be soft-spoken and ask.
    • Try not to approach the person when they are on their way to work or school – they may be running late or under stress. Either way, they won't be likely to give you a fair hearing.
    • If you're not sure when would be a good time to talk, ask them. Next time you see them in the morning and you know they're going to work, say "Hi, neighbor! I know you're headed out to work. When would be a good time to talk?"
  5. The person may not be aware that their activities are bothering anyone. Confronting them aggressively will likely put them on the defensive. Instead, treat the situation as a considerate, neighborly thing to do. [3]
    • For example, you might say, "Hi there, neighbor! Quick favor – would you mind turning your music down at night, or maybe wearing headphones? I go into work early, and your music wakes me up."
    • If there is a specific reason why their noise disturbs you, you can tell them – but you don't have to. It's up to you whether you want to let them know anything about your life or not. Their disturbance is enough to warrant the conversation.
  6. If you're afraid of face-to-face confrontation, you don't have to talk to the person directly. Simply write them a note and stick it in their door. Briefly explain your problem. You might also let them know when you'll be available if they would like to discuss the situation with you further. [4]
    • This letter doesn't have to be fancy or formal. For example, you might simply write a note that says: "Hi neighbor! This is Sally over in Unit 13. I understand you're a DJ – that's awesome! But could you turn down the volume a bit after 10 p.m.? Your bass vibrates my entire apartment and makes it hard to sleep. Thank you so much!"
    • You may want to keep your note anonymous to be safe. Even if your neighbor doesn’t recognize you, they may be able to figure out who you are based on your name.
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Section 2 of 6:

How to File a Noise Complaint with a Landlord

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  1. If you live in an apartment building or complex and the noise disturbance occurs during office hours, give management a call. They'll usually have someone go to the apartment and talk to the noisemaker. [5]
    • Since noise problems typically happen late at night, this may not be an option for you. However, you may be able to email your management office or call and leave a voicemail explaining the situation. They can get to it in the morning when the office is open.
  2. If the noisemaker lives in an apartment, condominium, or house that is owned by someone else, reach out to their landlord and try to get the situation resolved. You can typically figure out who this is by looking for the owner in real estate or property records.
    • When you find the property owner, contact them and ask if they're currently renting the property. They may have hired a property management company to handle the rental. If so, you would need to talk to them about the noisy neighbor.

    Tip: Make mention of the noisy neighbor just once to the landowner or manager verbally. If the problem persists, put everything in writing to establish a paper trail in case you have to escalate the situation or get law enforcement involved.

  3. Use formal business letter format and keep your letter brief and professional. Include specific facts, such as the dates and times when the noise has taken place. Then, detail the steps you have taken so far to attempt to remedy the problem. [6]
    • Let the landlord know what you would like to see happen – essentially, what an ideal resolution to the problem would be from your standpoint.
  4. Close your letter by setting a date, maybe 2 or 3 weeks from the date the landlord receives the letter. Let the landlord know that you will follow up with them again if the problem continues after that date. [7]
    • Provide contact information, including a phone number or email address, in case the landlord wants to get in touch with you and discuss the issue further.
  5. Once you've finished your letter, proofread it carefully before you print it. Sign it, then make a copy of the signed letter for your records. Use certified or registered mail with return receipt requested to send the letter, so you'll know when the landlord receives it. [8]
    • When you get the notice that your letter has been received, put that notice with your copy of the letter. Mark the date of receipt and the date of the deadline on a calendar, or set a reminder on your smartphone.
  6. If the date of your deadline comes and goes and the noise continues, give the landlord one more chance to remedy the situation. With this letter, you can take a somewhat harsher tone than you did in the first letter, although you should still be polite and professional. [9]
    • Start your letter by reminding the landlord of the letter you previously sent. Then explain that the problem has not gone away, or that it went away briefly and then returned, whichever applies to your situation.
    • Provide the landlord with a deadline, just as you did in the first letter. Make a copy of the signed letter for your records and use certified or registered mail so you'll know when they received it.

    Tip: You may be able to sue the landlord for failing to correct the problem. Talk about it with an attorney who specializes in landlord/tenant law. However, don't threaten legal action in your letter unless you intend to follow through with it.

  7. If you and the noisemaker have the same landlord, you may be able to move to a different unit in the same building or complex to get away from the noise. As long as a unit comparable to your own is available, most landlords will allow you to do this without breaking your lease.
    • Even if a comparable unit is available, it may not be feasible for you to move. If that's the case, let your landlord know and they can try to come up with a different option. Maybe they could ask your noisy neighbor to move to the comparable unit.
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Section 3 of 6:

How to File a Police Report

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  1. Call 311 in the United States or 101 in the United Kingdom and tell the dispatcher that you'd like to make a noise complaint. [10] Give them details about the situation, including your location and the location where the noise is coming from.
    • Let them know what type of noise is being made (yelling, loud talking, screaming, etc.), how long it’s been going on for, and other relevant details. [11]
    • Can this be done anonymously online? You may be able to file a noise complaint form on your local government’s website, but most forms will ask you to call the non-emergency number to provide more details.
    • Although they may ask you to sign forms or speak to an officer, you can ask to keep your identity confidential if you don’t want your neighbor to know you filed a complaint.
    • No matter how loud and disruptive, a noise complaint is never an emergency. Calling the emergency number ties up law enforcement resources unnecessarily, and you could be hit with a fine or even jail time for calling the emergency number.

    Tip: You may need to contact a different department, depending on the cause of the noise. For example, excessively barking dogs may be handled by the animal control department.

  2. The dispatcher will send any available officer who isn't responding to other calls to issue a warning to your noisy neighbor. [12] They may want to stop by and talk to you as well.
    • In some situations, the officer may come to your location before going to the source of the noise. They may want to verify how loud the noise is where you are to determine whether it violates local noise ordinances.
  3. If the noisemaker starts up again after the officer leaves, call the police back – again using the non-emergency number. Explain that the noisemaker violated a previous warning and that you want contact from an officer.
    • If the noise is found to violate civil or criminal noise ordinances, your noisy neighbor may be fined. You may have to testify at a court hearing. [13]
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Section 4 of 6:

What to Do When Noise Complaints Go Unheard

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  1. 1
    Call your local non-emergency line or go to your local website to follow up. If you file a noise complaint and the behavior continues or only briefly ceases, call your local non-emergency number or file a complaint using the Noise Complaint Form on your local government’s website. They’ll forward you to the proper channels, whether you need another officer out there or are looking to determine whether or not the local noise ordinance is being violated. [14]
    • Most forms will direct you to the 311 number, so it may be best to follow up with a call before trying the online form.
  2. 2
    Soundproof your apartment with acoustic panels. Grab some acoustic panels (square-shaped fabric-covered boards that help reduce echoes and noise) and hang them on the wall where the noise is coming from. So if your upstairs neighbor is always blasting their music during quiet hours or stomping across the floor at the crack of dawn, secure acoustic panels on the ceiling to reduce the noise. [15]
  3. 3
    Organize a group with your neighbors to combat the noise. Reach out to your neighbors by going door-to-door or leaving notes in their mailboxes, letting them know that you’re organizing a group to reach out to the landlord about the noise. [16] Depending on where you live, you may need to check your local laws to see if you’re able to organize.
    • Once you’ve organized a group, work together to draft a letter to your landlord, expressing that multiple tenants in the building have a complaint about the noise that they’d like to be addressed.
    • Organizing your neighbors can urge your landlord to act, as they may want to ensure their tenants are happy and satisfied.
    • When organizing your neighbors, be open to all residents in the building. Be democratic about your actions, too. Catering to the interests of only a few members can weaken the group’s cohesion and strength.
  4. 4
    Document the problem and build a case if you plan to sue. Get video and audio evidence of the noise, complete with the date and time it occurred. Attorney Camila Lopez says to determine what court to file in and find your landlord’s address so you can serve them (notify them that they’ve been sued) when the time’s right. Once you’ve gathered sufficient evidence, reach out to a lawyer and work with them to build a case.
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Section 5 of 6:

Are noise complaints anonymous?

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  1. No, noise complaints aren’t 100% anonymous. Since you have to call to file a noise complaint, whoever you’re calling will have your caller ID, so they’ll know who’s calling. However, you can request to remain anonymous; just make sure you provide them with the relevant details of the situation beforehand. They may ask to talk to you and have you sign warnings or reports, but you can decline if you prefer. [17]
Section 6 of 6:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. 1
    What can cops do about noise complaints? It depends on where you live. Cops in cities like New York City and Seattle take complaints through phone and online. If they find the noise complaint valid, they may issue a fine. If the person fined commits a second infraction within 24 hours of the first incident, criminal charges may be filed.
    • If the person is a tenant, cops may notify the property owner.
    • Once again, this all depends on where you live, so check your local laws to see what cops in your city, town, or village can do.
  2. 2
    Is it illegal to play music loudly at night? It depends on where you live. Some states, like Florida, have laws that forbid music that’s loud enough to be heard from 25 feet or more away. [18] Other states are more relaxed when it comes to loud music. Consult your local laws to determine the legality of loud music in your area.
  3. 3
    Can I call the police if my neighbor’s music is too loud? You can technically call the police, but it’s typically best to call your local non-emergency number and inform them of the issue. 911 calls are usually reserved for emergencies, like fighting, screaming, gunshots, explosions, breaking glass or wood, or dangerous crowd noise. [19]
    • If you suspect your neighbor is in trouble or hear noises like fighting, hitting, or violent screaming, immediately call 911.
  4. 4
    How should I record neighbors for evidence? Open a recording app on your phone, like Voice Memos or your Camera app, and get as close to the source as you can (safely). Aim your microphone at the source of the noise, hold your phone gently or rest it on a stable surface, avoid moving or talking, then record . Make sure the location services and date and time are noted once you finish your recording. [20]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes/talk-to-your-neighbour
      2. ↑ https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/peaceful_enjoyment
      3. ↑ https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/peaceful_enjoyment
      4. ↑ https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/peaceful_enjoyment
      5. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dealing-with-loud-neighbors-60339
      6. ↑ https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/peaceful_enjoyment
      7. ↑ https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/peaceful_enjoyment
      8. ↑ https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/peaceful_enjoyment
      9. ↑ https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/peaceful_enjoyment
      1. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/contact-police
      2. ↑ https://www.longbeach.gov/globalassets/health/media-library/documents/inspections-and-reporting/reporting/noise/ncp_htfc-info-page
      3. ↑ https://bloomington.in.gov/police/noise
      4. ↑ https://bloomington.in.gov/police/noise
      5. ↑ https://www.theblueground.com/blog/chicago/noise-complaint-chi/
      6. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-soundproof-a-room-266621
      7. ↑ https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/2016AG_Chapter_2-12.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/ce5/home/noise-regulations.html
      9. ↑ https://www.wesh.com/article/florida-loud-music-law/40503395
      10. ↑ https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01017
      11. ↑ https://support.ebird.org/en/support/solutions/articles/48001064305-smartphone-recording-tips

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