Dealing With Noise Complaints

Are you a landlord dealing with noise complaints from tenants? If so, you're not alone. It's one of the most common issues you'll face as a property owner. How you respond can make all the difference in maintaining tenant satisfaction and avoiding legal trouble.

At Fall River Property Management, we've written this guide to help you navigate the complexities of noise complaints and resolve them effectively.

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to address these issues promptly, ensuring your tenants can enjoy their homes in peace. Here are the key steps you should follow to handle noise complaints professionally and responsibly.

Do Research

Before taking action on a noise complaint, it's important to assess whether it’s based on valid grounds. Noise is common in apartment living, but it’s essential to determine if the noise is reasonable or if the tenant’s expectations are unrealistic.

Here are examples of valid and invalid noise complaints:

Valid Noise Complaints:

• Loud music or parties, especially after 10 PM.
• Frequent loud parties disturbing neighbors.
• Excessive dog barking, day or night.
• Construction or renovations during restricted hours.

Invalid Noise Complaints:

• Normal daytime conversation.
• Occasional background noise from TV or radio.
• A few occasional dog barks, especially during the day.
• Minor repairs during reasonable hours.

Identifying whether the complaint is legitimate helps you address the issue more effectively.

How to Respond to the Complaint

Proactive communication is key when addressing tenant complaints. Noise complaints can lead to dissatisfaction and high turnover if handled poorly. A tenant is more likely to stay long-term if they feel heard.

Tips for Responding

Acknowledge Quickly: Respond promptly to show you care.

Show Empathy: Validate the tenant’s concerns, even if minor.

Keep Communication Open: Stay in contact until the matter is resolved.

Key Factors to Consider

Multiple Complaints: Have other tenants also reported the same issue? If you’ve received complaints from several residents, it’s likely a valid concern.

Personal Experience: Have you heard the noise yourself? If you’ve personally witnessed the disturbance, it’s easier to address the issue directly.

Frequency of Complaints: Are these complaints a one-time occurrence or a recurring issue? If it’s an ongoing problem, you may need to take more significant action.

Evidence from the Tenant: Does the tenant have evidence, such as recordings or videos, to back up their complaint? Documentation can be valuable if you need to take further action.

Reasonableness of the Complaint: Ensure the complaint meets the minimum threshold for what could be considered disruptive or unreasonable noise in a residential setting.

By evaluating these factors, you can determine the next steps.

Resolving a Noise Complaint

If the complaint is valid, act promptly in order to keep your tenants happy. Here’s how to handle it:

Stay Professional: Keep calm and avoid confrontations.

Address the Issue: Inform the tenant of the complaint and lease violation.

First Offense: A verbal warning may suffice for a first violation. For repeat offenders, escalate to a formal warning or mediation.

Mediation: Consider mediation to resolve recurring issues.

Eviction as a Last Resort: If the issue persists, issue an eviction notice, but only after other remedies fail.

For complaints related to building design (e.g., thin walls or loud floors), consider property upgrades to reduce noise.

Property Upgrades to Reduce Noise

If the noise issue stems from the building's structure, renovations may be necessary.

Upgrade Flooring

Consider adding noise-absorbing materials such as cork, carpeting, or rugs to help minimize sound travel, especially between floors. If you have hardwood or laminate flooring, rugs can help reduce noise caused by footsteps or furniture movement.

Upgrade Windows

Install double-pane windows to reduce outside noise. This can also improve energy efficiency and enhance the property’s curb appeal. If a complete window upgrade isn’t in the budget, heavy curtains or drapes can also help dampen external noise.

Increase Wall Insulation

Thin walls can lead to sound travel between units. Adding additional insulation to walls can help soundproof units and make a noticeable difference in noise reduction.

Tenant Considerations

Encourage tenants to be mindful of noise, particularly in shared spaces or above/below other units. Remind tenants to handle furniture carefully, close cabinets gently, and limit noise during quiet hours.

By addressing structural issues, you enhance tenant satisfaction and improve property value.

Establish Quiet Hours

If you haven’t already, establish quiet hours to set clear expectations. This helps prevent future complaints. Here’s an example:

Weekdays: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Weekends: 11:00 PM to 9:00 AM

Clarify what constitutes excessive noise, such as loud music or parties, during these hours. Setting clear guidelines upfront helps prevent conflicts.

Conclusion

Now that you know the steps to take when handling noise complaints from tenants, you're better equipped to maintain peace and protect your investment.

Proactive management is the key to minimizing issues and maximizing your return on investment. However, we understand that as a busy landlord, you might not always have the time or resources to handle these challenges on your own.

That's where Fall River Property Management comes in! We specialize in providing comprehensive, professional property management services to landlords in Fall River and New Bedford.

Let us take the stress out of property management, so you can enjoy a hassle-free experience and a healthy bottom line. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!