We're the only expats in a small flat building of all-Swiss tenants. We love all of our neighbors, as they've been really friendly and have joked around about our mental (and escapist) cat. We've had small garden parties, etc. etc.
My upstairs neighbor has the habit of walking around like elephants (both of them, and they're quite svelte). That's not what's bothering me... I can deal with that.
In the past week or so, at least one of them has taken to playing relatively loud bad Euro Techno. We're talking repetitive beats, repetitive music, and SIRENS. They're very good and shut it down by six or seven pm, but I'm home most of the day studying.
Is there any nice way I can ask them to turn it down? Do I have any right to ask that (and actually have it turned down)? I don't want to muddy any waters, but I am being driven a bit bonkers... I feel like I live downstairs from a daytime rave.
(I've already searched responses, and didn't find anything about the other party making the noise during the daytime)
Of course you have the right to ask them to turn down that din! Although you are right about them being allowed to play music during the day, there has to be some reasonable volume level involved. Just asking nicely can't do any harm. Maybe they think they're alone in the building during daytime.
If its the generic one like mine, it will probably say that radios, tellys can be used if they do not interfere with the neighbours - which we know is highly subjective because some people are less tolerant of noise than others.
You do have the right to ask them to turn it down to acceptable room level volume. But if they arent really not blasting their music but just have a kick-ass sound system, then I suggest you plug in your iPod or get some ear plugs.
Alternatively, speak to them nicely that you are studying and would appreciate it if they can keep it down?
I would say that since my sister can hear it (and sometimes not hear me) on the phone, we're probably above 'acceptable'. I'll check out our lease, and then ask nicely. They're really nice people, but I can't hear the TV when I decide to take a break.
Maybe introduce them to some better music to play? Or fight fire with fire, invest in really powerful speakers and amp and play something you like, prefferably with lots of bass.
Do what I did (the 2 children my neighbour's visitors had were duracell bunnies running across the floor every 5 seconds and the noise even travelled through my headphones):
be SUPER nice and say you dont want to come across like a grumpy old fart and ask your neighbour to come downstairs and hear it for themselves. Explain that it really is very distracting when you are trying to study. Unless they are nasty people (which I dont think they are, from the way you put it), they will be rather embarassed and turn it down.
I just really thought that sirens went out circa 1996. I was considering yelling out "Woot woot!" to see if he could hear it through the floor, but then decided that I'll just be super friendly, bring up some cookies or something, and ask him to practice (which I think he's doing) with headphones.
I doubt he realizes I'm at home studying during the day, and I'm just being a cranky pregnant lady.
Cook some nice cookies (you did such a big amount, you thought you could share ) or some chocolat or wine.
Go upstair and offer them the cookies. Have a nice chat and ask about their daytime, you know, just talk to talk. And you can joke about the level of the music... Ah! That was you!!
With a good laugh, a nice smile and good cookies, you'll go far!
I agree with Nils approach. Dropping in with cookies etc and dropping it into the conversation will go far. You don't want to muddy the waters too much about daytime noise - you will have a little bundle of daytime noise (I mean joy) of your own soon.