Noisy Neighbors Outdoors
Does anyone have neighbors who play music outdoors in the garden when they are not outside themselves? For an hour or several, loud. Can anything be done about it? Asking them to stop has not made an impact.
Does anyone have neighbors who play music outdoors in the garden when they are not outside themselves? For an hour or several, loud. Can anything be done about it? Asking them to stop has not made an impact.
Times sure have changed. When I grew up in a brownstone many of our neighbors, including us, liked to use our backyards in the summer. We practically lived on our back deck. Nobody had IPODs back then so all the music was shared. We heard everything from classical to salsa and the occasional distinct ring of the ice cream truck mixed in. For me those were the sounds of summer, and I loved it. By the way, I am not 40 yet, so we are not talking about that long ago.
Welcome to the big city. Enjoy it!!
Same thing can be said about folks who grill in their brownstone backyards. Some people find it really egregious, eventhough it’s within those folks right to do so.
Unless your neighbors are violating EPA levels you really don’t have recourse other than modifying the things you CAN control; in your case, better soundproof the windows as your previous posts suggest. Or become a little more tolerant of urban enviroment. Or move.
This was the #1 pet peeve of my time spent living in a brownstone, with rooms facing the backyard – the noise in the warmer months coming from neighbors outside. Music, parties, inane conversation till late hours.. They werent bad folks, just a young couple with a nice yard that they (rightly) enjoyed using by themselves and with friends when it was warm out. I would do the same. We asked nicely when it was really out of control, but even when the music and conversations were turned “down” it was still annoying. Its just one of those things that are a fact of living in an urban (or semi urban) environment. If you want to be assured of pure quiet, then move to the suburbs, or rather, the country.
WRONG? Based on what? I didn’t see a definition on what the volume level is and you all are assuming it is excessive. I am not going to limit my yard enjoyment like it is a church for anyone. How about kids playing and the noise they make? I asked what was the definition of loud. Outdoor enjoyment is not a violation and some of the tactics depicted here like using a power hose or harrassing someone are in of themselves issues that can also be addressed with local authorities. The only thing wrong here is assumption. 311 should no longer allow anonymous complaints and require everyone identify to themselves.
“Noisy lawless people like you” Assumption again. Blo-Me!
I think many people don’t realize how loudly sound carries in brownstone backyards – they’re like mini-canyons, and 8 of our backyards = one decent-sized yard in Jersey or Long Island. So a little extra consideration is in order. Our lovely next-door neighbors once sublet for a summer to some people who were used to living in the country, and they were just awful – loud, drunk, inane conversations right under our window every night.
WRONG, ou812. Too bad for noisy lawless people like you who scoffs at quality of life factors (until it affects them directly then suddenly it’s a huge crime) the new noise code says any loud music played frequently beyond the allowed decibels any time day or night is illegal. Doesn’t even matter if they’re outside or not.
OP, call 311 every time it happens. You need to have a record of it. Eventually the city will send somebody to measure the noise level and if it’s too high (totally sounds like it is) these people will be fined.
I would do everything within my power to try and fix this problem while at the same time maintaining a positive relationship with these folks (if you already have one). You have to live near these people and so it is better to have neighbors who like one another than those who do not.
First of all, if you do not know these folks, introduce yourself, then, when the time is right, tactfully drop hints.
Another tactic: next time they are outside, and the music is on, yell down to them in a very loud voice – something not related to the music – like “hello” or “how’s it going?” – start a conversation so that they will have to turn the music down/off. If they see how loudly you have to yell for them to hear you, they may get the hint and turn the music down for good.
Try this a few times if they keep turning the music back up after your conversation. It is possible that they may not know that the noise is affecting anyone – or they may simply not be thinking.
During the day, evening, or night? What is your definition of loud? There is a law/ordinance curtailing this after a specific time at night and the police may be called. Beyond that, who is the nuisance?
Do they have speakers outside? Are they within hose range? If not, you can buy high pressure hose at the hardware store.