renting, love my apartment but my neighbors...

[torvald]

hello. moved into my apartment after the whole debacle last time

and i LOVE it.

i love the building and the location. i would really like to stay here a

good while.

now the problem: some folks moved upstairs with two large dogs

(grown lab size). at first i heard one dog walking around and barking

but not for too long, usually just when the neighbors left and at the

postman, etc. my cat was freaked out at first but sort of got used to it.

around 3 or 4am, most mornings i wake to a sound that i mistook for

something else... its a dog playing with a toy, rolling around on the floor

upstairs in the spot directly above my bed. their floors are wood (as

are mine) and it sounds pretty loud. i'm losing sleep over it. yet, i fell

bad because the people have a right to own pets, the landlord probably

accepted them and i am sure it does not seem as loud to them.

for the last 2 days i have listened to the two dogs running back and forth

the apartment upstairs obviously playing with a toy... i know this because

they keep dropping it... they drop it, it rolls... they chase it, catch it, drop

it... run... it's horrible. i can also hear when the owner play with them

and bounce the ball and such --- maybe i can ask for them to play outside.

what rights do i have as a tenant, it's not a decibel thing, it's a constant,

repetition thing. they just moved in and seem like nice enough folks. if i

call my landlord, what can he do? what rights do i have? they JUST moved

in. i don't want to sound crotchety but it is truly driving me crazy.

i assume that he knew about the pets. i am hoping since the galloping

has increased, perhaps they are only watching someone else's dog for a

time... i will probably call him in a few days if the sound continues, the

other dog remains or if i figure they are watching someone else's dog

during the day as well.

i don't want any neighbor problems. i know if i call my landlord the first

thing he will say is, "have you spoken to them?" so, with that in mind

what do i say?

"can you folks get some area rugs?"

[ChampionsAdam]

You have the right of "quiet enjoyment" of your apartment. However, as the landlord recommended you might be able to introduce yourself to your neighbor and casually mention the noise, often times this works as maybe they do not realize that the noise is apparent downstairs. Unfortunately, if this does not work the landlord may need to intervene and hopefully come to a solution that works for everyone. Good luck.

Edited September 2, 2006 by ChampionsAdam

[FilioScotia]

i love the building and the location. i would really like to stay here a

good while. now the problem: some folks moved upstairs with two large dogs.

i don't want any neighbor problems. i know if i call my landlord the first

thing he will say is, "have you spoken to them?" so, with that in mind

what do i say? "can you folks get some area rugs?"

I hate to tell you this but you already have "neighbor problems". And it's not going away, nor will it get better if you do nothing. Here's my technique for dealing with this situation, and it has always worked for me -- every time.

It's been years since I lived in an apartment, but I've had my share of thoughtless neighbors who leave dogs out to bark all night long. Here's what you do. Get their phone numbers. Try telephone information first, or the phone book, because people now take their phone numbers with them wherever they live, so they could have a phone book listing, even if they've just moved in. If you can't get it any other way, go upstairs and introduce yourself as their neighbor from downstairs. Don't mention the dogs -- just visit and be friendly. Tell them you've always thought it's a good idea for neighbors to know each other's phone numbers, especially cell phones, because you could contact them if someone breaks into their apartment when they're out of town, or if there's a fire. Give them your phone numbers because they could do the same for you.

File their phone number away and save it for the next time the dogs are really being a pain in the ass and keeping you awake at three in the morning. Call them and ask them if they're awake. Then say -- politely but as pointedly and firmly as you can -- that as long as their dogs are keeping you awake, you're going to make sure they're awake too. This has worked every time for me. I've never had to call more than once. Good luck, but be ready for icy relations with your upstairs neighbors. You can live with that if it means you can sleep at night.

And it would be a good idea to read your lease and see what it says about pets, and pet owners responsibilities. Your neighbors have the same lease you have, and it may have language favorable to you, which you can bring to their attention, and the attention of the apartment manager. Stop worrying about having "neighbor problems". That train left the station a long time ago. Like it or not, you're in a battle for peace and quiet in your apartment. So be firm, and stand up for your rights.

Edited September 3, 2006 by FilioScotia

[groovehouse]

Excellent suggestion Filio! Love the phone number exchange idea!

[torvald]

a friend mentioned a dog whistle but that is pretty harsh. the

dogs can't help being cooped up in an apartment all day.

i'm not heartless, just irritated.

i am planning on maybe talking to my neighbors either today or

tomorrow and just mentioning it sort of like: "i'm not sure if you

realize it but your dogs make a great deal of noise when they

are playing on the wood flooring. what do we do?" and if they

are politemaybe we can work it out, if not i'll call the landlord and

talk to him about the galloping.

i also added a blurb on my reant envelpoe, mentioning it to the

landlord and saying that i will speak with the other tenants about

a constructive compromise. that way it will prod me to go speak

to them and sort of alert him if he is unaware of the dogs.

Edited September 3, 2006 by torvald