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. no one’s stopping you basementalicist. please PLEASE tell me you are not one of those newfangled dangling babies over sewers to pee and poop parents ive started seeing lately. cuz last time i checked most babies dont poop in public, they poop in diapers.

    *rob*

  2. “um NO. running around an apartment making that kind of noise isnt acceptable. why are parents in this city so entitled? jesus. fine if kids can run, so can adults. ”

    Yeah, and if babies can crap themselves in public, why, so can I!

  3. Carpets are not required by law.

    However, there is a minimum IIC (basically the amount of noise that can go through the floor is regulated). I’d be willing to bet your ceiling/his floor isn’t the minimum.

    Is that the guy upstairs fault?
    I dunno.

    I’m not sure area rugs are going to do anything (unless they are wall to wall area rugs the kid will run on and off the rugs).

    There are many many architectural solutions to your problem, all of which are much much more expensive than just getting your neighbor to control his kid during critical hours…

    If not, go to the board – the guy is exceeding maximum allowable dBA transfer (and/or his floor is insufficiently constructed…)

  4. LOL ENY i read about that. he should be on that show Hoarders. last night’s episode was a crazy cat hoarder lady. GUH-ROSS!!! they found 67 cats on the property. oh yeah, 38 of them were dead carcasses and bones :-/ (i feel some of the PLUSA’s are getting to crazy cat lady hoarder status these days hahah) shhh dont tell them i said that.

    *rob*

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