Google Search

TenantNet Forum Archives 1996-2002
Posting and Replies are disabled in all Archives
TenantNet Forum | TenantNet Forum Archives Index


Re: Noisy upstairs

Posted by Stanley A. on October 30, 1997 at 18:10:45:

In Reply to: Noisy upstairs posted by Eddie Brewer on October 28, 1997 at 21:35:54:


: This may seem like a classic, chronic problem with no clear solution but
: I'm hoping someone can offer some help. this takes place in Brooklyn.

: We (wife+baby daughter) live in a four-story brownstone on the third floor.
: The house is pretty old but livable. Over the past few months our
: upstairs neighbors (m/f couple) have been driving us crazy by making
: bumping and crashing noises as well as using power tools at times that
: go well into the night, mostly until 10 pm and sometimes until midnight.
: Our landlord refuses to get involved and keeps coming up with the
: pat line "they're artists." My wife doesn't want to speak to them for
: fear they might get violent and become even more noisome. These
: noises have been persistent and I believe they come from the fact that
: he builds his own frames; he keeps wood boards piled up on his landing.

: I know that this building is definitely not zoned for any commercial
: use. How can I get these people to stop making noise? Can I approach
: my landlord and tell him they're doing commercial work in a residential
: space and driving us nuts? (He knows anyway.) Can we go to the Dept
: of Buildings and say there's a violation because they use their apartment
: as a studio? The guy is a painter so if he's using chemicals I don't want
: it to rain down on us, especially the daughter..
: Police say they won't come unless there's
: a crime in progress. Considering the new quality of life laws that
: just hit the books this is pretty pitiful.

I've had similar problems in the past -- it can be very difficult, especially in NYC. One thing you should do is look elsewhere on this web site, where there are articles on dealing with noise problems.

Best thing to do is to talk to the neighbors, pleasantly but firmly pointing out to them that their work is keeping you awake, disturbing your baby and so on. Where do you get the idea that they might be violent?

If that doesn't work, the next step is the police. The response that you received is unacceptable. Take it to a higher level -- it is discussed in more detail in one of the articles, which also say that one of the city agencies can send over somebody with noise equipment.

You can take it up with the landlord, withhold rent and so on, but that's very difficult and hopefully these people will stop.

One good idea, in case they dont stop and you have to take it further, is to keep a written diary of what is going on. That will help in case you have to do something drastic like withhold rent.

Follow Ups:



Note: Posting is disabled in all archives
Post a Followup

Name    : 
E-Mail  : 
Subject : 
Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL:


   

TenantNet Home | TenantNet Forum | New York Tenant Information | Contact Us
DHCR Information | DHCR Decisions | Housing Court Decisions | New York Rent Laws |

Subscribe to our Mailing List!
Your Email      Full Name