Everyone is entitled to the enjoyment of quiet at home. However, noise can be expected when your neighbors are just a wall, fence, floor, or ceiling away. Below are some realistic tips on how to deal with noise in your community association.
How to Deal with Noise in Your Community Association
Loud Neighbors
From crying babies to the “tap dancing family upstairs”, fellow residents can be a common cause of noise. One easy way to Soundproof your home is to ensure that it has adequate carpeting. This effort can contribute to a quieter community for yourself and your neighbors.
Having a direct and civil conversation with a loud neighbor can sometimes resolve noise issues quickly. In fact, your neighbor may not even be aware that their noise is disruptive to you. Though, it is important to avoid addressing the noise issue while you are mad or annoyed. Also, management does not recommend leaving a note, as they are usually not well received.
When it comes to noise: avoid going straight to management or your board of directors/managers. Unwanted drama and tension between you and your neighbor may be the result if no prior conversation was ever held. Instead, document every time you speak to your neighbor about the noise. Then, if the issue persists, re-address the issue or escalate it further.
Remember that community living requires a certain level of compromise when it comes to noise. Other residents in your community will be from all walks of life (and schedules). Therefore, try to be understanding and considerate when it comes to noise and next-door neighbors.
Noise from at-Home Exercising
If your neighbor streams their workout on high volume, have a civil conversation requesting that they reduce the volume or use headphones.
If you opt for home workouts yourself, we recommend doing so on carpeted surfaces whenever possible. Otherwise, neighbors may hear jumping or loud thuds from your workout.
Noisy Pets
It would be unreasonable to expect neighbors to keep their “over-friendly” pets away from their front door or window to prevent them from barking at strangers. Additionally, it would be unrealistic to have a resident refrain from walking their dog if they bark at neighbors. Fortunately, there are ways to address noise caused by pets in your community.
Soundproofing would be one way to soften the sound of barking coming into your unit. However, if barking is coming from your unit, try to address the barking with training or consult a dog expert.
Loud Distractions Caused by Maintenance Within Your Community
Noise from day-to-day maintenance such as landscaping, power washing, repairs to common areas, etc. cannot always be avoided. However, most general maintenance scheduled by management will occur during the day. There may be exceptions when necessary or in the event of an emergency.
Noisy Movers or Alterations
There may be move-in policies and/or alteration agreements in place in your community association to help prevent noise at undesired hours. However, moving and renovations can be loud. Fortunately, this type of noise is temporary.
If you are new to your community, make sure you are adhering to all move-in policies, to ensure that noise is not disruptive to your new neighbors.
Noise From Appliances
If you live in a unit above a laundry room with loud rumbling, consider using a white noise machine to block the sound. Additionally, add additional carpet or rugs to insulate the sound. If noise is caused by a neighbor doing laundry at 3 AM, try the tactic under “noisy neighbors.”
Noise From Outside of the Community
Suburban and urban settings will always come with “white noise” from the community at large. Fortunately, many individuals report getting used to noise caused by trains or a bustling street. If you are not one of those individuals, you might want to take some measures to soundproof your home, like in the tips mentioned above.
When to Involve Your Property Manager for a Noise Complaint
When Civil Attempts with Your Neighbor Have Failed
Have you spoken to your neighbor multiple times about noise (and have documented it), but have been unable to resolve the issue? If so, submit your written documentation to your property manager.
While noise can be aggravating, it may not be in direct violation of any noise policies. Noise can become a management-related matter when it is in clear violation of specific policies. Examples include noise related to move-in and move-out time violations or improper carpeting. However, management is ultimately not responsible for resolving interpersonal issues between residents.
Soundproofing May Require an Alteration Agreement
Involve management if you are planning to make any soundproofing changes that will require drilling or structural changes. Examples would include but are not limited to installing carpeting (all units should have at least 80% carpet covering and/or padding to help insulate sound) or installing soundproofing wall or ceiling fixtures.
Dealing With Noise Is Part of Community Living
Unfortunately, noise in co-ops, condos, and HOAs is not entirely preventable. However, you can take measures to deal with noise in your community association. Taking actions such as soundproofing your home, enlisting the help of a white noise machine, or communicating with neighbors about disruptive noises are the first steps to reducing noise. Ultimately, when it comes to noise from your home, remember to be considerate and realistic about the noise that can take place in the community.
