NOISY neighbour

Complaints Corner
41
Thank you, it's good to know there are parents like you out there!

Above our apartment there's also a family with two very hyperactive kids. Now kids will be kids indeed and with crappy weather conditions I understand keeping them inside. But I often hear them running around during summertime when it's perfect weather out and there's a playground right in front of our apartment building.

Whenever I babysit my niece (of 2.5) and she starts running around and being all hyperactive, I'll just take her outside so she can go crazy a little. Not only for the neighbours, but also for the sake of not driving me crazy and kids need to burn their energy from time to time. After some exercise she's usually able to play more quietly and we'll go back inside.

42
Tripwire, available from all stores that sell string.

43
And you think noise sensitive people in Switzerland complain less when the kids make noise at the playground?

One thing you learn when you have kids in Switzerland is that ther will ALWAYS be someone finding kids too noisy regardless of where they are and what they do.

44
Oh come on Porsche, you're not that dense surely? My point was that you CAN reduce your kids noise to be more considerate to your neighbours. If you personally don't give a damn about that, then fine, I guess you're just a bit of a [ladies pee thing].

45
But then you can argue that people chose to live near a playground.

In general you can't choose who your neighbours are.

46
Having managed condo units in the past, I suggest that area rugs, especially along halls where kids run, and preferably no shoes inside, are a basic courtesy to those living below.

47
I'm not the one that turns to ad hominem whenever he's found wanting.

I'm a lady's pee thing and proud. No hiding from my side.

48
Please explain how I am "resorting to ad hominems when found wanting" in the context of this thread. I'm interested to explain the 'logic' behind that statement, considering I have already clearly described the rationale behind my arguments in a previous post.

49
Only if they are actually making excessive noise.

Some neighbors complain because they are overly sensitive, or live in a crap building.

This is a fact, as I've been through it.

Tom

50
Yes Tom, hence me saying: "they would do their best to act on it as reasonably as possible.".

My posts were obviously presuming that there was a genuine cause for complaint.

51

... spoilt and used to having everything their own way.

52
Calling me dense. Argue the point not the poster.

No place for name calling.

53
That would be the case had I not clearly stated my arguments earlier. I still stand by my comment.

54
Bully for you?

55
Get a room or get back on topic.

56
Only if it's carpeted

57
It is reasonable to ask them to change their habits, definitely. It annoys you, and there is a solution.

Saying that, the perfect solution requires the kids to stop running around in the flat, or find a way where you can't hear it, and stop screaming going down the stairs, or again, find a way to stop the noise.

Stopping them running round the flat.

Not going to happen 100%.

Definitely talk with the mother. Invite her for a coffee/whatever, and then mention your headaches, hope that the mother has also had enough of the running around, and uses you as an excuse to stop them. It's a possibility. Sympathetic angle. Might cut down a bit more of the noise.

Suggesting to go out more ( in a nice way ) would, if accepted, cut down on the running around. I don't know you, I don't know her. Good luck with finding a 'nice' way to say that, but if you can get that into her head then you're half way there.

When we used to stay at my Grandparents appartment in Zürich in the 60s and early 70s we HAD to be quiet, otherwise Frau C......... ( no names, she's probably dead by now anyway ) would come up and shout and scream, so we were always sent out to the playground or the kiosk at regular intervals throughout the day.

We were also NOT allowed to run around, but times have changed, sadly.

Anyway, so, try the friendly approach with her first, and if it goes well then you are sorted, and have a 'friend'.

Then perhaps suggest a runner ( carpet ) in the corridor, they are not expensive, or suggest they run around in slippers ( maybe buy them a pair each, very cheap in Dosenbach, and they always have funny and pretty varieties ), this would also be reasonable, and if implemented, works a treat.

These are the reasonable alternatives. Cheap, and could bring about something positive, a new friend.

More expensive options for sound-proofing in your appartment.

Forget it. Nothing works. You can stick whatever you like on your ceiling, it will not work. Acoustic ceilings, all that stuff. Rubbish. Just in case you were thinking of getting someone in. Carpets and slippers DO work.

If it doesn't look that positive, then she will never be a 'friend', so then approach it in a more aggressive way.

Bang on the ceiling, complain to the Verwaltung ( although sadly this will probably not sort anything out, but you might be lucky. It certainly won't hurt, you won't be put on a black list or anything, it is common here )

Lastly, go up on a bad day, after a drink, and just tell her to please be quiet, as you have a headache, and feel a bit 'strange'. Then stare into her eyes for 4 to 5 seconds, laugh hysterically, swish your hair back and jump downstairs landing loudly on every step, before getting back into your flat, slamming the door, and starting up the chain saw.

You will need a chain saw.

58

This I can relate to... No I'm lot the spoilt one! A neighbour was evicted recently for being somewhat sensitive borderline sociopath with her complaints and subsequent actions.

Best thing is to definitely have a reasonable conversation.

59
It's quite simple, outside of "ruhezeit"/nighttime(?) i.e. the time when it suppose to be quiet in evening, normally after 10pm until maybe 6am, you have to put up with more or less any noise, if you cannot stand it maybe you have to consider an alternative place to live, e.g. I moved to a single family house...

the landlord will NOT tell the parents/children not to play outside of the ruhezeit...so yes, you have to suck it up!

60
Why should he harass the family? They are doing nothing wrong

It's obviously an apartment block for families so what can you expect?

Suck it up or find a new place because he has no valid reason at all, sure he can talk to them, and if they will do something it is a mere bonus...