How can I handle rude neighbors?

Question

My 50 year old neighbors have a "frat party" lifestyle. I can hear their racket IN my house (separate house, not sharing a wall) -- Loud music, lots of pointless yelling 3-4 times a week. It goes on for hours. A few years ago, I nicely explained that I could hear them in my house & asked if they could be a bit quieter -- they got louder. I followed up with a letter. Recently they told me (again) that "they're gonna do what they're gonna do" & I "get what I get" living next to them - so they aren't the type to compromise. I am single & am afraid to call the police because they will know it was me. Other neighbors can't hear the noise because of the way the houses sit. We don't have an HOA. I feel like I have no support. They have lived here many years & are unlikely to move. I installed surround sound to create my own noise. I had a noise barrier installed in the den wall & replaced the windows & planted a hedge. Nothing helps. I am very close to just moving myself. Ideas?

Answer 1

I have similar noisy neighbours and as long as they're not breaking any noise by-laws our hands are really tied. If you move, you can run into similar, if not worse, problems wherever you go. It would be a shame for you to disrupt your life even further by moving only to find out there's a worse situation where you go. By the way, it smells like some of my neighbours are barbequing old boots while they're trying to cause an earthquake.

Answer 2

Samsong:

the first thing you need to do is get over your fear of calling the police. What your neighbors are doing is against the law, and they do not have the right to make so much noise that it can be heard inside your house. Your neighbors have got you buffalo'ed and they know you won't call the cops which is why they continue carrying on the way they do.

What you do is

1) Start documenting the parties, the noise, lateness of the hour, and the extent of the noise.

2) Call your local police department and ask to speak with your assigned Neighborhood Contact Office, or the community police officer assigned to your area.

3) Share the situation with him, giving him a copy of your notes as to how often the parties happen and the noise level.

4) The cop will visit the neighbors and give them a warning.

5) Yep, you neighbors will know it's you...and who cares? If they retaliate, the cops will know it's them and they will have made the situation even worse for themselves.

6) Chances are that you neighbors won't stop with the racket which means the next step is to call your NCO back, and ask for advice. He may suggest calling in a complaint the next time it happens or signing a complaint right then and there.

7) With a signed complaint, your neighbors will have to go to court. You may have to testify ~ but if you've done your homework and keep records like I've suggested, the judge will rule in your favor and the neighbors will be fined, and given a probation of 1-2 years.  

I live in a neighborhood which has seen a recent influx of college students and the parties used to be so wildly out of control, that it was driving home owners away. This is the process we use to shut down party houses and it works.

Answer 3

if asking them nice-ly doesn't work, then call the poilce;

if your too chicken to then, MAKE YOUR HOUSE MORE

louder then it already is, and throw a party every night;

until those D@MN neighbors of yours know how it feels;

or, you could t-pee, or egged their house, :)

Answer 4

You've been bending over backwards to be nice to your inconsiderate neighbors.  It sounds like you've had enough!  Don't retaliate by throwing eggs or blaring music.  It wont work.  Instead start collecting evidence for your lawsuit.  Tape there noise, making sure their voices are identifiable.  Then - and I know you don't want to hear this - call the police when their roudiness goes on past 10pm.  Yes, they'll know its you, but what have you got to lose here besides your sanity.  I'd have murdered them in their sleep by now. lol - only kidding.  Good Luck.

Answer 5

Well I feel your pain I had the same problem.

What you can do you need to ask them again to please keep it down. Once you do that, you can call the Police the police will help you and scare your neighbors from doing it again. you also tell the police that you kindly went over and asked them to please keep it down. So you will have a good story to back it up.

Hope this helps

Answer 6

Fight fire with fire. When they start with their loudness, play some really loud music of the genre they detest (and you possibly like). Yeah, it's a bit childish, but sometimes it's the only way some people realize what jerks they are being.

Answer 7

Be creative!  Buy some vermin scent for your neighbor's trees, to attract other vermin.  Oops! Did you accidently spray some of his lawn with your new weed killer?  Where did you hide that smelly dead fish? (Under his back porch??).  Those carpet tacks on his driveway are h**l on his tires. Horsey p**p in his garden? Yuk!  Did you know that raw honey attracts all sorts of pests?? Be sure you don't pour some near his house...  Did you notice that some people's dusk-to-dawn spotlights seem to be aimed at your bedroom window?? Or worse yet, a motion-detection light that goes on when a neighbor goes down his own porch steps? Do you have any idea the variety of wildlife that is attracted to raw garbage (uneaten food), especially at night?  Have some fun.

Answer 8

You can't be scared of these people.  If this were happening to me I would call the police.  As long as you are scared of them nothing is going to get done.  Call the cops they are in a clear violation of sound ordinances.  Just lock the doors and sleep with a Louisville Slugger next to you.

Answer 9

You seem to have decided to move. So move.

Or, you can be brave, which is the right thing to do. Refuse to be bullied. Call the police. Otherwise, quit complaining.

Answer 10

try talking to there landlord or the person there buying from

Answer 11

what i would do is explain how the loud noise conflicts with your living (waking up early, going to sleep, watching tv, etc.),if that doesn't work call the police (after a few calls to them should work), or you could always do the "two can play that game" or if that doesn't work just go over there and kick they old asses!! Thats the fun part

Answer 12

Who cares if they know you did it. Turn them into the police and tell them you have talked to them time and time again and then tell them what you just said here. If they give you any c**p keep turning them in till they get it. I hear there is a pretty hefty fine for noise disturbance. If you are really worried about your neighbors install a camera that points out to the front and back of your house. My friend had one of those and you could see it on your tv. Its kinda cool. Good luck!

Answer 13

when they go to sleep turn on ur music loud and shout random things. do this continuously until they start getting annoyed

or get ear plugs