Neighbor Noise Complaints

[pmorrone]

Washington, DC

About a year ago I bought the top floor condo in a 4 unit building. My downstairs neighbors have complained several times about the noise level. The noises comes from my girlfriend and me walking around, and nothing more (their words to be exact). We go to bed before 11PM and wake up around 6AM. We don't have parties, don't play music loudly or watch TV late night. There have been several complaints, and we tried to accommodate the situation as best we could, but now the complaints seem like harassment, and by our views grossly unfair; the noise we make is derived from normal living conditions and occurs at reasonable times. I own my unit and am the President of the Condo Association. As well, the downstairs neighbors rent. We are only looking to stop their complaints.

Is there anything we can do legally?

P.S. I should state we have tried all common adult measures to remedy the situation. We have talked with them on multiple occasions, sent peace offerings in the form of gift baskets, laid a carpet in our living room, delaying wearing shoes when getting ready.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

• My downstairs neighbors have complained several times about the noise level.
• There have been several complaints

Complaints to whom?

I would take up basketball.

 

[Just Blue]

Washington, DC

About a year ago I bought the top floor condo in a 4 unit building. My downstairs neighbors have complained several times about the noise level. The noises comes from my girlfriend and me walking around, and nothing more (their words to be exact). We go to bed before 11PM and wake up around 6AM. We don't have parties, don't play music loudly or watch TV late night. There have been several complaints, and we tried to accommodate the situation as best we could, but now the complaints seem like harassment, and by our views grossly unfair; the noise we make is derived from normal living conditions and occurs at reasonable times. I own my unit and am the President of the Condo Association. As well, the downstairs neighbors rent. We are only looking to stop their complaints.

Is there anything we can do legally?

P.S. I should state we have tried all common adult measures to remedy the situation. We have talked with them on multiple occasions, sent peace offerings in the form of gift baskets, laid a carpet in our living room, delaying wearing shoes when getting ready.

Do you have carpeting? Area Rugs or Hardwood floors? ???

 

[swalsh411]

I don't think you can do anything to stop their complaints. Anybody can complain about anything. It sounds like you have made reasonable steps to minimize the noise and they have unrealistic expectations.

Protip: If you never want to hear yoru neighbors then don't live in a condo.

 

[Zigner]

Or live on the top floor

 

[csi7]

I wonder if there is a area where the sound is getting through, like a vent with inadequate sound reducing barrier?

The reason I mention this is the description of the sounds heard are specific.

The neighbors who are renting, contact their landlord to have a sound survey done, and see if this helps resolve this issue.