Avoid Them By Not Renting Next to Them!
Those who frequently live in apartments are likely to encounter the "noisy neighbor". Depending on his or her personality, dealing with one can be relatively easy, or outright hostile. But what if you can avoid the problem altogether by finding an apartment that is not next to a noisy neighbor? While the tips in this lens are not 100% foolproof, they at least provide you a high probability that you will not rent next to a noisy neighbor.
Original Article Located At...
- How to Avoid Renting Next to a Noisy Neighbor
- This lens is modified from the original article which is located at the link above. For those wondering I have permission to use the article.
Location, Location, Location!!!
Location is among the biggest screening factors when you're looking for a quiet apartment. When you're making a list of apartments to look at, have a map handy and eliminate any apartment complex next to a college or a military base. These areas will have large populations of young students and soldiers who may have good entertainment systems, and may play them very loudly.
Viewing Apartments and Dealing with the Landlord
Now that you've narrowed the apartment locations, when you view the apartments there are a few questions you must ask the landlord or property manager.
First, ask them how many tenants have families. Apartment complexes catering to families are usually quieter than those who cater to single individuals.
Second, ask the landlord if there were any noise complaints with any neighboring tenants. Obviously, don't lease an apartment next to a neighbor with a history of complaints. Also, remember to ask them if your potential neighbor is single, or has a family too!
Never let yourself be pressured into signing a lease. Give yourself another day or two to think and evaluate the apartment. Landlords seem to imply their units are in high demand or may rent out by the end of the day. However, most times the apartment is still available the next day or even a few days after you view the apartment. The reason you need the delay is you still need the time to evaluate how noisy your neighbors are.
First, ask them how many tenants have families. Apartment complexes catering to families are usually quieter than those who cater to single individuals.
Second, ask the landlord if there were any noise complaints with any neighboring tenants. Obviously, don't lease an apartment next to a neighbor with a history of complaints. Also, remember to ask them if your potential neighbor is single, or has a family too!
Never let yourself be pressured into signing a lease. Give yourself another day or two to think and evaluate the apartment. Landlords seem to imply their units are in high demand or may rent out by the end of the day. However, most times the apartment is still available the next day or even a few days after you view the apartment. The reason you need the delay is you still need the time to evaluate how noisy your neighbors are.
Meet Your "Neighbors"
Once you've decided on an apartment, come back at night to the apartment you're interested in. Walk around the apartment and see if you hear any noise. If you do, you probably want to move on to your number two choice!
But if you don't hear anything outside, this does not mean your "neighbor" is a quiet one. So gather up your courage and knock on the doors of your "neighbors". Introduce yourself and initiate some small talk. Casually ask them about their entertainment habits, namely how loud they play their music, movies, or games and how often they have gatherings or parties. If they are frank and say yes, move on to your number two choice. The same applies if they try to avoid or dodge the question. This means they're hiding something and again you'll want to move on to your number two choice.
While you're talking, look at their living room. You want to see if they have a large entertainment set, especially if they say they are quiet. Most sets are found in the largest rooms of the apartment, namely their living rooms. So if you see a big screen TV, large speakers or subwoofers, they'll probably be noisy neighbors and you'll want to move on to your next apartment choice.
If you want to, you can ask them to play their music or movies at the volume they normally listen to them at. If this is too loud for you, move on to another apartment. Most neighbors will say "if it's too loud just let me know and I'll turn it down". In reality, this is subjective and the decrease may not be to your liking. And constantly telling your neighbor to turn down his or her games, music, or movies will create friction between you and your neighbor. Avoid this...move on to your next apartment choice and avoid this problem.
But if you don't hear anything outside, this does not mean your "neighbor" is a quiet one. So gather up your courage and knock on the doors of your "neighbors". Introduce yourself and initiate some small talk. Casually ask them about their entertainment habits, namely how loud they play their music, movies, or games and how often they have gatherings or parties. If they are frank and say yes, move on to your number two choice. The same applies if they try to avoid or dodge the question. This means they're hiding something and again you'll want to move on to your number two choice.
While you're talking, look at their living room. You want to see if they have a large entertainment set, especially if they say they are quiet. Most sets are found in the largest rooms of the apartment, namely their living rooms. So if you see a big screen TV, large speakers or subwoofers, they'll probably be noisy neighbors and you'll want to move on to your next apartment choice.
If you want to, you can ask them to play their music or movies at the volume they normally listen to them at. If this is too loud for you, move on to another apartment. Most neighbors will say "if it's too loud just let me know and I'll turn it down". In reality, this is subjective and the decrease may not be to your liking. And constantly telling your neighbor to turn down his or her games, music, or movies will create friction between you and your neighbor. Avoid this...move on to your next apartment choice and avoid this problem.
The End!
Once the apartment has passed the tests above, go see the landlord about leasing it. A final question to ask the landlord is to ask them about the noise policy for the apartment complex. Most policies include a noise clause and you want to know your rights and how the apartment deals with noisy neighbors. While the tips above minimizes the chance of renting next to a noisy neighbor, they are not 100% foolproof and if you live there long enough, a noisy neighbor may move in when a quiet one moves out.
I hope you've found this guide useful and informative! For those seeking peace and quiet in their apartments, I hope this guide will help you find a quiet apartment the next time you look for one!
I hope you've found this guide useful and informative! For those seeking peace and quiet in their apartments, I hope this guide will help you find a quiet apartment the next time you look for one!
