| I have a formula for silencing noisy neighbors that | | | | your intent in a factual manner. Do not use threatening |
| works almost every time. I say almost every time | | | | undertones. |
| because there are usual circumstances that make it | | | | I had a noisy neighbor that I tried everything on to get |
| very difficult to solve the problem. In most cases, | | | | her to keep her music down. When I sent a letter |
| however, it's rather easy. | | | | informing her that I was going to file a claim in small |
| This method also works well for getting your neighbors | | | | claims court, she let me know through a third party |
| to take action to quiet their barking dogs. When it | | | | that she was going to move. I was delighted, as you |
| comes to dogs, many cases are easily handled, while | | | | can imagine. |
| others are more difficult. Some are impossible. | | | | If after you've tried every means possible and the |
| There is nothing more infuriating than to constantly | | | | noise problem still hasn't improved, you might go ahead |
| have noise created by your neighbor or their dog(s) | | | | and file a claim. It doesn't cost much to file, the court |
| invade your home. It completely ruins a person's ability | | | | proceedings are informal, and you may win a cash |
| to listen to music, watch a movie, read a book, | | | | settlement. Collecting it can be tricky, however. |
| meditate, study for a class, work on a speech, take a | | | | Nevertheless, wining the case may persuade your |
| nap, and countless other things. If you are reading this | | | | neighbor to take action to fix the noise problem or |
| because you are experiencing a noise problem right | | | | move! |
| now, you know exactly what I am talking about. | | | | Sometimes it takes considerable effort to silence noisy |
| I am not going to bore you with all my stories about | | | | neighbors. But once you're successful, your |
| noisy neighbors and their barking dogs. Just let me | | | | appreciation of the quiet will have grown 10 fold. |
| assure you that I've experienced just about every | | | | Find the Noise Ordinances (Codes/Laws) for Your |
| noise problem that you can imagine. If there is any one | | | | City |
| area that I might be considered a guru it would be this | | | | You'll feel a lot better once you find that there are |
| one because of the incredible number of unbelievable | | | | many laws supporting you in your quest for peace and |
| noise problems that I've dealt with. | | | | quiet. You can find these by visiting your city's website. |
| I've tried every method I could find to deal with my | | | | Look under headings like "City Services" and "City |
| noisy neighbors or their barking dogs. I am going to | | | | Departments." Then look for links to "Municipal Codes," |
| pass along to you the most successful techniques I've | | | | "City Ordinates," "Noise Abatement," and "Animal |
| discovered or developed on my own. Here they are. | | | | Control." Or just try a search from the home page |
| Inform Your Neighbor about the Noise Problem | | | | with these keywords: noise, noise complaint, barking |
| Anonymously | | | | dog, or loud music. |
| I can't over emphasis the importance of remaining | | | | These ordinances may also provide you with |
| anonymous. There's always a natural tendency to | | | | information on which departments and agencies handle |
| want to "do the right thing" and talk to your neighbor in | | | | noisy neighbors or their barking dogs in your city. They |
| person. Unless you are close friends or it's a very small | | | | may even include phone numbers, FAQ's, and how-to |
| issue I would strongly advise against it and here's why. | | | | guides. |
| When a neighbor knows that it's you who is | | | | I'd recommend that you make a few copies of the |
| complaining about a noise problem it becomes a | | | | ordinances that specifically addresses the noise |
| personal matter. This is especially true when the | | | | problem that you are having. A copy of this ordinance |
| problem isn't solved to your satisfaction and you are | | | | will not only be useful for future reference, but it will |
| forced to talk with them again in order to get the noise | | | | strengthen any letters you write if you include it as an |
| problem fixed. If that doesn't work you'll need to go | | | | attachment. |
| even further and contact the authorities. Then things | | | | Once you arm yourself with this information, you can |
| get really personal! | | | | proceed with a lot more confidence and assurance |
| Another benefit to remaining anonymous is that your | | | | that the problems with your noisy neighbors can and |
| neighbor will not know if one person is complaining or | | | | will be solved. |
| the entire neighborhood -- if you write your letter | | | | Write a Letter & Clearly Explain the Problem |
| carefully. I'll talk more about how to write letters later. | | | | & How to Fix It |
| They also will not know if it's the little old lady in the | | | | As I mentioned before, writing a letter is the best way |
| house to the right of them or the heavyweight mixed | | | | to solve a problem with noisy neighbors. Whether a |
| martial arts champion on the other side. | | | | letter fixes the problem, avoids a war, and keeps you |
| If you do have to escalate things by calling the police | | | | anonymous is dependant on how carefully you write it. |
| or other authorities, whom you can remain anonymous | | | | Although it may be hard to imagine, sometimes there |
| with as well, your noisy neighbor won't have anywhere | | | | are neighbors who are simply unaware that the noise |
| to direct their retaliation. Their only recourse will be to | | | | they or their dogs are creating is bothering anyone. In |
| comply or move. | | | | these cases, the problem can often be easily fixed |
| The biggest advantage to remaining anonymous is the | | | | with a carefully worded letter. With other neighbors, it |
| peace of mind that it will give you in knowing that you | | | | may take a second or third letter. |
| will not have to deal with angry looks, stares, or | | | | Here are some letter writing dos and don'ts. |
| confrontations. You also won't destroy the possibility of | | | | Dos |
| having a positive relationship with them in the future. | | | | - Include the date. |
| There are rare situations where remaining anonymous | | | | - Include the noisy neighbor's name and/or address. |
| is impossible. For example, if you live in a duplex on an | | | | - Use a generic return address e.g. Sleepless Silent |
| isolated piece of property your neighbor will know | | | | Valley Neighbors. |
| where any complaints came from. Even so, I would still | | | | - Reference the problem on the envelop e.g. Party |
| advise against direct contact unless you have a close | | | | Hardy Neighbors. |
| relationship. | | | | - Reference the problem in the letter greeting e.g. |
| I have tried it both ways in dealing with noisy neighbors | | | | Barking Dog Owner. |
| and their barking dogs. Direct face-to-face contact | | | | - Clearly explain the problem. |
| rarely worked and it usually got personal, whereas | | | | - Describe how it is affecting your life. |
| anonymous communication with a letter or other | | | | - Suggest a solution. |
| means has proven to be the most successful. | | | | - Ask for their help and cooperation. |
| Methods for Communicating & Solving the Noise | | | | - Be as concise as possible. |
| Problem | | | | - Be firm but polite. |
| There are five ways to communicate and solve a | | | | - Be neighborly. |
| noise problem: (1) write a letter, (2) contact the | | | | - Be respectful. |
| property or association management, (3) contact your | | | | - Be humorous where appropriate. |
| city's noise abatement or animal control department (if | | | | - Use first person plural pronoun "we." |
| available), (4) contact the police, and/or (5) file a claim | | | | - Thank them in advance. |
| with small claims court. | | | | - Attach a copy of your city's noisy neighbors |
| You should start with the least aggressive action and | | | | ordinance. |
| only advance to the next level if necessary. In other | | | | Don'ts |
| words, don't use a double barreled shotgun when you | | | | - Don't use threats. |
| can get the job done with a peashooter. Your goal is | | | | - Don't use profanity. |
| to solve the problem in the easiest way possible. | | | | - Don't use the words "noisy neighbors." |
| Writing a letter is the best and most effective method. | | | | - Don't use first person singular pronoun "I". |
| A letter gives you full control, the ability to describe the | | | | - Don't include your name. |
| problem in your own way, and as much time as you | | | | - Don't include your address. |
| need to devise your communication in a tactful | | | | - Don't include your phone number. |
| manner. A face-to-face confrontation doesn't allow | | | | - Don't reference other people by name or location. |
| these opportunities. I'll give you some dos and don'ts on | | | | - Don't include your return address on the envelop. |
| writing the letter later. | | | | - Don't sign the letter. Many of the above suggestions |
| The alternative to a letter is to contact your property | | | | align with the anonymous approach, which I highly |
| or association management by phone or in writing. I | | | | recommend. If your situation doesn't allow you to |
| would tell them up front that you wish to remain | | | | follow this approach, include as little personal |
| anonymous. There are two advantages to sending a | | | | information as possible. I would also suggest that you |
| letter to management: (1) it creates a record and (2) | | | | do not sign the letter. Signing it makes it a legal |
| letters tend to get more attention. I'd suggest that you | | | | document. You don't want to give your noisy neighbors |
| start with a phone call. If you don't get any response, | | | | anything that might help them file a complaint against |
| send them a letter. | | | | you. Although it's rare, you may come across a |
| Many cities have a noise abatement and/or animal | | | | neighbor who will take some sort of groundless action |
| control department. The individuals who staff these | | | | against you out of spite. Don't worry about this. The |
| departments have heard it all, so they can be very | | | | authorities can see these actions for what they are |
| helpful. They can provide you with suggestions on how | | | | right a way. |
| to deal with your noisy neighbors or their barking dogs. | | | | Do to Them as They Have Done to You |
| They will usually contact your neighbor in writing. | | | | The desire to turn up your stereo or television 10 times |
| Animal control officers will typically send a letter and | | | | louder than your neighbor's, so that they know what it's |
| then follow up with an in person visit to counsel your | | | | like, is normal. Revenge can be sweet, but it can also |
| neighbor on ways to control the barking. The | | | | back fire. |
| disadvantage here is that the process can take a | | | | You may rationalize that if they could hear it as I do |
| considerable amount of time because they must | | | | they would stop. It took me awhile to realize several |
| follow a strict set of guidelines and they usually have | | | | issues in this regard. (1) Although it's rare, some people |
| limited resources. | | | | are not sensitive to noise. (2) Some people are hard of |
| I've been amazed at how easily some barking | | | | hearing. (3) Some people are so self centered that |
| problems can be fixed. I had a neighbor who put her | | | | they are oblivious to how their activities may be |
| German Sheppard on her front porch every afternoon. | | | | disturbing others. |
| Because this breed is territorial, it barked at every | | | | Turning up the volume on your stereo or television so |
| person and car that passed by all afternoon. After I | | | | that your neighbor gets the "hint" works sometimes. |
| wrote her an anonymous letter about the problem, she | | | | Here are two things that you need to consider. (1) If |
| stopped putting the dog on her front porch and I never | | | | they do not comply and turn down the volume, they |
| heard it bark again. | | | | will know the source of any future complaints. (2) Your |
| If none of your letters or other efforts has worked or | | | | actions could make matters worst and provoke your |
| the noise is so ridiculously loud that immediate action is | | | | neighbor into turning the volume up even higher! |
| necessary, call the police. And call them repeatedly if | | | | Whether you try this approach or not is a judgment |
| the noise continues. The police will ask you for your | | | | call based on how you think your noisy neighbor might |
| name. Just tell them that you wish to remain | | | | respond. It you suspect that there could be any kind of |
| anonymous. I've always been pleasantly surprised at | | | | negative response, I advise against this action. |
| how understanding and supportive the officers that I | | | | Although I have to admit that I've tried this approach |
| spoke to were. If your neighbor still doesn't stop the | | | | with various degrees of aggressiveness, I am not |
| noise after repeated visits by the police, they may ask | | | | proud it. It worked a couple of times, but usually it just |
| you to declare a citizens arrest. This empowers the | | | | aggravated the situation. I feel that it's better to treat |
| officers to take further action, but it really complicates | | | | your neighbors in the same manner in which you want |
| things. Once you do this your neighbor will, of course, | | | | them to treat you. Unfortunately, there are individuals in |
| become aware that the complaints are coming from | | | | the world who are not receptive to positive vibes. |
| you. I'd recommend that you only do this as a last | | | | There is nothing more aggravating than having to deal |
| resort. | | | | with noisy neighbors or their barking dogs. This is |
| By just sending a letter advising your neighbor that you | | | | especially true when you've discovered the problem |
| intend to file a claim in small claims court may do the | | | | soon after you moved into your new home. If you are |
| trick. Tell them in the letter that you will be filing the | | | | dealing with this issue right now, let me assure you that |
| claim on X date if the problem isn't fixed. Be sure to | | | | the laws, police, and other agencies are on your side. |
| select a date out in the future that will give them | | | | I hope that this information is helpful in solving or |
| enough time to take action and think about it. State | | | | improving your noise problem. |