Noisy neighbors
How to Deal With My Neighbor’s Love for Music
According to research, noise is not just a nuisance but also a health hazard. Continuous exposure to high levels of noise can result in hearing loss. Sound affects the ability to concentrate and learn. Ignorance is no defense, and nobody is above the law, especially when a person is in the wrong. Almost every community prohibits excessive, unnecessary, and unreasonable noise, and police enforce these laws. To find your municipality's noise rules, look up the local ordinances, either online, at your local public library or the city or county law library or call the city attorney. In the case a neighbor is creating excessive noise, one should be aware of ways to handle the problem.
Approach the Neighbor Directly
In most cases, people are unaware that they are disturbing the others with their loud music. Approaching the neighbor is the first step to solving such a problem, and the situation should be handled politely to attain the required result. Explain their noise nuisance and how it is affecting your life. For the issue to be acceptable to both parties, both should be ready to compromise. For example, during partying, when there is loud music being played, the neighbor can opt to listen to low controlled music that will not be a disturbance to others. Also, appointments about times during which the neighbor can enjoy some music should be decided.
Reducing the Noise
To reduce the noise, the neighbor should look to make their room soundproof. Putting a layer of rugs on the wall helps minimizes the noise. Also, it is advantageous to the person placing the carpet as it helps reduce noise from outside too. Additionally, covering windows with heavy drapes helps reduce noise. Heavy curtains work wonders against any sound going out or coming in. Thicken the material between the room and the noise with lined curtains, window dressing made from heavy fabric like velvet, or specialty noise-absorbing drapes. Finally, covering the shared or outside walls can help absorb some of the noise going through the walls. If only one room is soundproofed, the neighbor can choose to transfer their musical instruments for partying purposes.
Suggest Mediation.
If one treasures their relationship with their neighbors at all, or want to enjoy peace in the future, they should be ready to give mediation a try. You and the neighbor can sit down together with an impartial mediator and work towards resolving the problem in a manner that you can both agree on. Mediation services are available in most cities, and often, they are not charged. Simply call the mediation center, and it will then contact the neighbor for you.
Look Up the Law
In most cases, most noise laws designate certain “quiet” times. Usually, some noises might be allowed at a specific time but not others. For example, high music might be acceptable at 10 a.m. but not in the early morning hours and late at night. The laws will enable you to inform and guide the neighbor, as indicated; you don’t want to make your neighbor to feel bad anyway.
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