Feeling trapped

15 years ago

A few years ago, I used to post on this board regularly. At the time, an elderly lady lived underneath me and her daughter used to come over with the great-grandchildren every day. The kids tore the place apart. I tolerated it, with an occasional comment, because the elderly lady was sweet and I didn't want to make waves.

Well, she passed away a few years ago and since then, there have been a few different people living underneath me, none with kids. A new couple moved in several months ago and they don't appear to have kids, BUT at least one kid visits them every weekend (and usually for an overnight). Sometimes she runs wild, other times I don't know she is there. Tonight, they have at least three toddlers down there tearing the place apart. I'm ready to scream. It's only 9:35. Do I have the right to complain? English is not their first language (in fact, I don't know if they understand it at all -- I had to go downstairs one night at 11:45 when they were blasting their stereo and ask them to turn it down...if you can believe it). I figure I'm going to get the "kids will be kids" speech. I don't know if it will do any good to complain to management.

I'm single, childless, happy that way. I admit I have very little tolerance for kid noise as a result. I'm feeling trapped because I can't afford to move, either to buy or rent another place. My rent is below market value, which is one of the reasons I've stayed here this long (20 years).

Comments (6)

lucy
15 years ago
I would first speak to the mgmt because it is their job to regulate noise - at least give them the option before calling the cops or something. But I would also think about the situation below you - you haven't said what time it was that you were hearing the kids last night, and you do admit that you don't like them, but that's not their fault, nor is it their fault you can't afford to move to an adult-only bldg. If they're only there on wknds, it may be a custody arrangement where the children only get to see their father/mother on those days, and it is also reasonable to expect some noise in an apt. at some time. People do have to live, after all.
sjarz
15 years ago
Actually she did say the time, it was 9:35. While most tenancies cover no noise after 10 or 11 pm, ANY noise at ANY time of day that disturbs another tenant is grounds for a warning letter and/or eviction if repeated, from the management.
I would definitely speak to the manager about the situation, it would also be a good idea to write down details as they occur such as the date, time, how many kids, how long they carried on etc.
I wouldn't feel bad about speaking up about the volume of noise, lasershow - we all have a right to quiet enjoyment in our rented property. Tenants too often don't want to make a fuss and put up with unbelieveable behavior from their neighbours. If the situation was reversed, half of those noise makers would be the first to complain.

While I agree with Lucy that kids do have to be kids, there's a big difference between a half hour game of running around the house and the same sort of activity or volume of noise that goes on for hours.
Suzan J
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lasershow
Original Author
15 years ago
I called the property manager this afternoon. The kid noise went on until after 1 AM this morning. Two of them were picked up, but at least one stayed overnight and she was running around until after 1 AM, which meant I could not sleep. And she started again this morning. When I called the manager, and told them this was becoming a regular weekend occurrence, he wanted to know how many kids were there. I said last night at least three, and one of them stays overnight nearly every weekend. He said he would talk to the couple. I had to go out today to get some peace and quiet. Came home after a few hours and it was quiet, then after a while I heard a car outside and it was the woman with the kid being dropped off. They had obviously been out shopping, so that explains the quiet. Now I'm waiting for the inevitable running and jumping to start.
sjarz
15 years ago
I'm glad you called the property manager. Now it's really important to keep a log of when and for how long and at what volume the noise is occurring - keep a record for the next couple of weeks and if it continues to be a problem, call the property manager again.
If you're diligent about tracking the noise occurrences, your property manager will have no choice but to resolve the issue.
Suzan J
snowflakelover
15 years ago
First of all, what are the adults thinking? Geez! One in the morning?
Second, I agree with Suzan J. Continue keeping up on the noise and keep details so you can go to the manager and maybe eventually get them kicked out. They obviously aren't responsible anyways, otherwise those kids would be in bed.
GammyT
15 years ago
Geez, it was a one time 1am on a weekend, and one time with two extra kids also. Maybe it was the kids birthday, maybe he/she was full of sugar from the birthday cake she shared with only 2 other kids.

lasershow, if you don't like kids you should move to an adults only building.

Be careful about your complaints. You said here that you are paying below market rent. If you complain too much the landlord can just not renew your lease then rent at market value.