Topic: Tenant Complaints About Children

I have a new resident with a 4 year old and 9 year that visits on the weekends. Since he moved in, the neighbor next door has complained to me about the noise they are making. She called the police on them last evening.

So around 8:00 p.m., his children were dancing upstairs to music when the police showed up at his door. The officer told him there was no noise violation going on and left.

These are two story townhouses with no one above or below. I could see the problem if they were above the complaining neighbor.

I'm going to send both of them information on Fair Housing's "Familial Status" and our city code for noise violations to see if that will create some tolerance.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Have you told the complaining resident that when she calls the police on her neighbor, and the Officer reports no noise violation, that she can be fined as a Nuisance Call herself? :) My curious nature would have to get the best of me at some point, and I would have to ask her why she has a problem with the "noise"? I have had residents who are older who tend to go to bed early and they complain about "noise" between the hours of 8:00 pm onward until morning. This is ridiculous by reasonable standards of living for almost everyone.

Now, that being said, I would try to isolate how the noises of children playing affect the neighbor's apartment. Perhaps it was the music playing that really bothered her and it was loud in the adjoining apartment. Oftentimes, that kind of noise cannot be heard outside the building or even at the front door, though it can be clearly heard in the neighbor's unit. She may have a valid complaint.

It may not be that she hates children or anyone, but simply is disturbed by the way the sound travels through the levels of the units.

I don't think she likes children. She's young, probably early 30's. This is the 2nd call since he moved in. He only gets the kids weekends. Both times she called 7:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m. I think it's crazy!!
I told the resident not to worry about it, that I wasn't going to do anything about the kids and I explained Fair Housing to him.
No police call so far this weekend.