Hello. I have been living in my condo for 5 weeks. Immediately upon moving in, I realized that the child in the apartment above mine runs the length of the apartment–whose layout is the same as mine– anywhere from a few minutes to as many as 45 minutes at a time. About two weeks ago after having to listen to that for 45 minutes, I went upstairs, introduced myself and politely stated that running for 45 minutes non-stop was jarring and that I couldn’t even hear my TV. The father asked me what he wanted me to do. I told him that the solution was up to him and his wife. I remained polite but clear about the noise being unnerving. He insists on my giving him a solution. I noted that in cases like this carpeting seemed like the solution. He said, “I won’t install carpeting. Anyway, I don’t think it will matter.” I told him not be so negative after pushing for a solution. He wanted us to agree on a schedule. I said, “It’s obvious I’m not home all week from 8 am to 8 pm. However when I come home, I’d like to be able to relax and hear my TV or just read.” He said, “That seems reasonable.” For the most part, there hasn’t been running after 8 pm during the week. The thing is, the weekends are unbearable with that child. I came home on Sunday night around 5 pm and by 6 pm I had to put in earplugs. Ditto for tonight. What would be my next step? He has said NO to carpeting. Am I being unreasonable? Should I stay quite about that noise? Should I just go to the condo association? Try with him again? I’d like to get along with my neighbors but it has to be a two-way street. The only thing, I am obviously the one in the weaker position. Thank you!


Comments

  1. {REWRITE}

    Dear Santa,

    I have been extra good this year.*

    I would like a heavy metal drum kit.

    Pair of new tap shoes.

    Pogo stick.

    Thanks in advance.

    *Weekdays between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

  2. Dear Santa,

    I have been extra good this year.

    I would like a heavy metal drum kit.

    Pair of new tap shoes.

    Pogo stick.

    Thanks in advance.

  3. vanburenproud – why should OP have to apologize for being “confrontational”? are you kidding me? OP has an absolute right to ask his upstairs neighbors to be more mindful of their child’s running. And it is not confrontational in any negative way, it is called healthy communication.

  4. im sorry but kids shouldnt be running INDOORS for 45 minutes. the parents should bring them to the park or something to get their energy out.

    if it was me, id ask them to please buy their kid a treadmill. at least that way the sound will be localized to one part of the apartment.

    *rob*

  5. im sorry but kids shouldnt be running INDOORS for 45 minutes. the parents should bring them to the park or something to get their energy out.

    if it was me, id ask them to please buy their kid a treadmill. at least that way the sound will be localized to one part of the apartment.

    *rob*

  6. im sorry but kids shouldnt be running INDOORS for 45 minutes. the parents should bring them to the park or something to get their energy out.

    if it was me, id ask them to please buy their kid a treadmill. at least that way the sound will be localized to one part of the apartment.

    *rob*

  7. I don’t think the reason why the child is running or not running has ANY bearing on this whatsoever. Regardless of bad parenting, possible autism (?), or just being a normal 5 year old.

    You have a right to peace. I’d approach the parents again thanking them for the weekday noise reduction and ask if they could address the weekend behavior.

    If not let them know they’re leaving you no choice but to go to the board and ask they they figure out an amicable solution prior to your resorting to that. If they ask you for a solution state it’s not your responsibility.

    If something isn’t done within a reasonable time frame then follow up the conversation with a letter CC’ing the condo board with a pursuant to our conversations on both such and such dates and recap the conversations including their insistence that you come up with the solution.

    Sounds to me like the parents are as insolent as the child. Poor kid.

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