Hi,
Here is something migh help some of us living in Basel.
So, what I did, I called the landlord and told her about the music. The floor is vibrating and the laptop is shaking on the coffee table (not kidding) for weeks!!!!
She told me she will come back to me since she has to think for a solution...
Anyway, I let the week pass, it was monday, last week.
On thursday, I had enough. I spend every afternoon of the week to run out of my flat to avoid the music. So, I did what you do in Canada when you want to have some information about some law and rules. You call the Police. They always have someone to give those informations.
The officer who answered me didn't speak english, and his french was very very limited. So instead to lose time to try to understand, he just told me he will send someone.....
I waited for them outside and was very happy to have a very well english speaking officer. I told him why I called and the mistake about showing up. They came in my flat, but of course, no music. I was embarassed but they told me something who made me feel much better.
The officer on the phone was able to heard the music!!! And it is recorded!!!!
They were ready to go straight to the neighbors. But I told them to not too, I was waiting for my landlord's answer. They were so nice with me, and they told me if the situation still going on, to call them again, they will show up with pleasure to stop that very very unreasonable level of music.
My landlord came back to me on friday, after I called her. I told her the story, and the fact I have 6 witnesses (one is a cop). The landlord doesn't want to lose anybody in the building (understandable) but it's make her taking no real action. She came with bad excuses like the lady downstair may have some ears problems (she doesn't heard her music, but a soft knock at the door???)etc, etc, etc.
I told her (I had no more patience left) If I heard the music again at that level, I'll call the cop. They will back me up on this one, since I'm in my rights. And they have a tape to prove it.
Since that day, last friday, I have no more music shaking my floor and my nerves...
I didn't want to go the police way, but it was, on this specific situation, my best move.
So to answer my own question, yes you can do something, if the noise is on an unreasonnable level. You should be able to be in your house and not heard the noise.
The first thing to do is to contact your landlord. If the landlord doesn't do anything about it, you can contact the police.
But first, you go to the landlord.
Hope this help others in the futur...
Nil