Condo Associations often deal with an overwhelming number of noise complaints. Whether it’s the sound of people walking above you, drilling in the walls, or loud music blasting from a unit next door, it can be difficult to get any peace and quiet. As an association board member or resident, you’ll want to be aware of the noise issues in your building and how best to address them.
Living in a condominium can be great–you have access to common areas and amenities, and you don’t have to worry about maintaining the common areas of the property. However, the near proximity of each unit means residents are physically closer than in traditional housing. Unfortunately, not everyone will see eye-to-eye. This can be especially true when it comes to noise levels. One person’s idea of a quiet evening at home may be another person’s idea of a party, and it can be difficult to know where to draw the line.
The key is communication. If you feel like you are being too loud, talk to your neighbors and see if they are okay with the noise level. Similarly, if you feel like your neighbors are being too loud, don’t hesitate to reach out and let them know. Open communication is the best way to ensure that everyone is happy with the noise levels in the building.
Here are three of our top tips to combat common noise complaints:
Be mindful of your television placement
Televisions, especially ones with surround-sound speaker systems, have become one of the main perpetrators of noise complaints in the past few years. Many of us love to sit down after a long day and enjoy our favorite shows, movies, or news broadcasts without much thought of the sound we might be generating. If your television is placed on a shared wall, for example, the buzz may bleed through into the next apartment. You might be unwittingly causing a nuisance for someone else! Moving the TV is an easy fix and will make your condo association a more enjoyable place to live for everyone.
Train your pets well
While pets have done an exceeding amount of good for many communities, poorly trained dogs can be the cause of many a phone call to the association board. Thankfully, these continuous barkers aren’t the end of the world. If you’re a pet owner, there are hundreds of online resources that can help reduce the racket and make your life easier. It’s worth the investment, and your neighbors will thank you for lowering condo association noise.
Pay attention to local noise ordinances
The federal government has allowed local municipalities to set their own standards for excessive noise since 1983, and every city has slightly different rules. The vast majority of the time, noise issues in your condo association can be solved without the inclusion of law enforcement, but it still pays to know the local regulations for the more egregious violations.
Do you hear that? Yeah, that’s the sound of peace and quiet.
If you’re a board member and drowning in noise complaints and difficult residents, it might be time to hire an association management company. Ardent Residential takes care of covenant enforcement for you, including any of your condominium declarations that deal with noise. To learn more, contact us today at www.MyArdent.com/contact
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