Noise pollution in NYC Apartments

Noise pollution in NYC Apartments

Noise Pollution in New York Apartments

My next-door neighbors are frequently noisy and loud very late at night. What can I do?

Recognizing that one person’s noise may be another person’s music, legal remedies to stop noisy or annoying neighbors are difficult to enact. As a renter or owner, you are entitled to a reasonably peaceable and quiet living space. While you have a legal right to complain to your landlord if you feel your peaceable living environment is being unduly disturbed, it is always recommended that you try to communicate directly with the problem neighbor. Some differences can be resolved rather quickly through this method, especially if the neighbor was not aware that they were creating a disturbance. In the event you decide to pursue a legal route, begin by reviewing your lease terms and conditions regarding excessive noise. Under the terms of most standard leases in NYC, the landlord is responsible for providing a peaceful environment, and should therefore take an active stance in protecting your rights. In the event where a noisy neighbor is being uncooperative, the landlord should go to the extent of taking legal action. A legal letter to the noisy tenant on behalf of the landlord, reminding the tenant of his/her responsibilities to the lease, is often quite effective.

You may want to obtain a copy of your local noise ordinance at city hall or a New York public library. If you are sending a letter to your neighbor, be sure to include a copy of your local noise ordinance. When problems persist, you might consider taking advantage of the impartial mediation services offered in most urban areas.

If you’ve taken all the above actions and the problem is still not resolved, you might consider taking legal action yourself. Be forewarned, however, that suing your neighbor for nuisance or even obtaining a court order against your neighbor to cut back on the noise, can be costly. Getting a court order passed will require police reports, witnesses, and testimonies.

Most cases against alleged noisy neighbors are dismissed very quickly in big cities such as New York because courts recognize the rights of tenants to make a reasonable amount of noise. The amount of noise tolerated usually varies according to the character of the neighborhood. Since circumstances vary from case to case, your best bet is often simply to try friendly communication with your NYC neighbor.