I need advice

[lizziegrace]

And I'm sure this is just the group to give some!

I'm beginning to doubt my sanity. If you live in an apartment or townhouse, please let me know what you think. I live in a duplex (or a double in this part of the country)

Is it unreasonable to ask that you're not awakened at midnight by squealing tires as someone flies into the driveway? Is it also unreasonable to upset when you are kept up by that same person as they play with the dog and have it run up and down the second-floor hallway and the stairs until 1:45? The common wall for us is the stairwell. It sounded like thunder for nearly 2 hours. And then there was the barking...

Am I still stuck in my pre-divorce, owned a house mentality? Are tenants expected to tolerate more simply because we're tenants?

[Shell Beau]

1. No, you aren't expected to put up with that. Have you

confronted the person?

[DainBramaged]

2. Do you own or rent?

That's the first question. If you own, find out the rules for the complex. If you rent, complain to the landlord or tennant's association about this dumb fuck. Confrontation is not a good idea unless you have a .45 or the Blitzo brothers next to you.

Last but not least is a noise complaint. Call the cops as this is going on. 11PM is the universal shut up and go to bed time Nationwide. Check your area but that's another outlet.

[Wapsie B]

3. You're not asking for much to have some peace and quiet.

Even if it was daytime that's unexcusable. But then I was a third shifter for years.

Belated Welcome to DU!

[lizziegrace]

4. I do rent

I'm over 40 and the tenants next door are in their mid-twenties. Unfortunately, the owner is aunt of a next-door tenant.

She's offering to let me out, but the thought of moving again makes me physically ill. I can't bear to move AGAIN. (I've lived in 11 states...)

Thanks for the welcome! I'm so glad to be here!

[Shell Beau]

7. Unfortunately she will side with her family, but landlords

are legally bound to do certain things.

[DainBramaged]

13. So, the aunt will let an ADULT tenant out of the lease

Instead of telling her nephew to shut up??????


Something radically wrong there, so I'd suggest police complaints, and get IN WRITING from the aunt that she'll let you out, no strings and security returned. If not, get a lawyer, it sounds like a sleezy cheap-ass scam, ie; get a tenent, drive them out, keep the security, do it again.

Ignorance should always be defeated. Fight back.

[radwriter0555]

5. No, but it's easier to move than to get an unconcerned neighbor to

mind their manners.

They just simply won't do it.

So.. find a new place to live. It's a hella lot easier.

[lizziegrace]

6. So

Who wants to help me move?? :evilgrin:

KIDDING!!!

[bertha katzenengel]

8. "KIDDING!!!" -- you might be surprised -- I'll bet you could find

help moving on DU, either from DUers or other resources.

:hi: Good luck.

BTW - you are not being at all unreasonable.

[Heidi]

9. A person could get a fine or stern warning for making noise

like that between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. here. The Swiss take their "quiet hours" _very_ seriously, and there's _no noise whatsoever_ on Sundays.

You're not insane. You're civil, and you expect civility from your neighbors. Here, have a quiet hug, lizziegrace: :hug:

[RedCloud]

10. hang in there!

There must be some local ordnance that permits you to be in the quiet repose of your place. Perhaps a visit from the local constables could remind those ruffamaggins (spelling) of their lack of civility.

[ernstbass]

11. Try talking to the person before calling the cops

They may cooperate. Good earplugs will also help.

[lizziegrace]

12. Tried

They had a party a few weeks ago. The bass was shaking the walls. When I went over, I asked that the bass be turned down. That's all, since I couldn't actually hear the song. Then later, they were up and down the stairs screaming and chasing each other - sounded like a birthday party for 6 year olds. I went back over around midnight and said to please keep it down or the next knock would be the police. Then last Thursday, it was the dog... On Saturday night, another party and I was awake until 4:00am (or 3:00 if you count the time change.) Tried earplugs but they fell out and also I couldn't stand that swishing sound you hear.


edited for spelling

[MarsThe Cat]

16. what kind of earplugs?

the squishy foam ones? I've never had a problem with them falling out.

[LeftyMom]

14. Complain to the landlord in writing

That way you're much more likely to be taken seriously and if you're not you've laid the groundwork for breaking your lease (assuming you're not nonth-to-month.)

If you don't get action, send a second letter, along with a copy of the first, by certified mail.

[MarsThe Cat]

15. does your neighbor work second-shift?

if so- that's his after-work unwind time, and if it doesn't jive with your schedule/sleep habits- you'll have to look elswhere.

[lizziegrace]

17. No, no second shift

she has a chip on her shoulder and no manners

[MarsThe Cat]

18. you can't force someone to have good manners...

but you can get used to anything, if you give it time-
when i first moved into chicago, my third story bedroom window overlooked Division st, just east of State st- it's definitely a 'nite-life' area with lots of bars- some with 4am liscences...and i started work everyday at 7am- but i got used to the noise...there are people who have apartments that literally back up to the el tracks- they seem to get used to it.
when i started dating my now wife- she had trouble sleeping at my place from the noise, and i had trouble sleeping at her evanston place from the quiet. i rented, she owned- so i got used to the sleeping in the quiet again when we moved in together.
have you tried any medications? there are A LOT of great new prescription sleep aids out there- ambien, lunesta, etc...btw- the name "ambien" was derived as a convoluted way of saying "good morning"(A.M., bien- 'good' in spanish)-it's not supposed to leave you with any groggy sedative feeling when you wake up.