Annoying neighbor launching STRATA noise complaints

frostman on 24/07/2018 - 13:02

Howdy,

Been living in a multi-story apartment for 4 years or so which I purchased
Recently an annoying (tenant/renter) neighbor moved in below us and has been so for 12 months or so.

He's submitted 2 formal complaints to STRATA in a matter of 5 weeks advising of breach of 'noise by-law' due to noise attributed to 'thumping'.

I have a fair idea why it is, it's just the little kids (under 5) occasionally playing or running around during hide n seek or so.
I.e nothing out of the ord such as post midnight, or anything stupid, so the guy is over-reacting here.

I spoke to my STRATA that sent me the warning and ask what could happen after this? They said another 1-2 complaints and I can be issued with a fine or attend a COURT??? WTF

So my response is that let the annoying person record the noises so I can see what the hell it is, or enter the noise breach in a diary.
But at this stage its my word against his, and I can guarantee aside from some occasional and isolated running footsteps I cannot chain the kids

Any other thoughts???

Home & Garden

Comments

  • DarkOz on 24/07/2018 - 15:48
    +1

    So you are guilty until proven innocent? Shouldn't Strata speak to you and investigate first before issuing you a warning?

    • frostman on 24/07/2018 - 16:35

      Agreed, you'd think so.

      • HighAndDry on 24/07/2018 - 16:57
        +7

        Actually that's a good point. Even if it doesn't do anything itself, that written warning (if you let it stand) can be used later.

        Write back and say you don't accept the warning and ask them to substantiate it. If they can't, insist that they withdraw the warning.

        • frostman on 24/07/2018 - 17:21

          Thanks, will do

  • Quantumcat on 24/07/2018 - 17:45

    Firstly don't let your kids play on common property if they're doing that.

    Secondly go and talk to them, and tell them to give you a call or come up and knock if the kids are bothering them, to give you a chance to tell them to stop it or take them outside. And you can see if there's a particular time that noise bothers them - maybe they get up late and the kids wake them up in the morning. If they are rude or you don't like them, you can always continue on the path you've started and let them make their noise logs and recordings.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/07/2018 - 09:31

      Firstly don't let your kids play on common property if they're doing that.

      They're perfectly entitled to and if there's bylaw that says they can't it's probably invalid (outside power).

      Common property is simply property owned in common with others. Access is a basic right of ownership.

      • Quantumcat on 27/07/2018 - 10:32

        I guess it depends on the by-laws - mine say children aren't allowed to play on common property (which is mainly roadways, and there is a park next door). Common property is for all to enjoy. I don't think it is illegal to say kids can't play on it, because that annoys other people and stops them having peaceful enjoyment of their own property. Same as we aren't allowed to plant our own gardens on common property, it belongs to all, not the unit the garden is closest to. Plus, safety concerns - if a child gets hurt on common property because they were playing kickball or something and got hit by a car it would probably absolve the strata of responsibility/insurance claims.

        • [Deactivated] on 27/07/2018 - 10:37

          My understanding is that many of these bylaws are essentially invalid, but it takes an NCAT application to knock them over. But i might be wrong - don't have time to follow it up.

          Never ever assume a bylaw is within power of the OC to pass. Plenty have been held to be invalid. Many OC's get right up themselves imagining they can restrict all kinds of things that in fact they cannot. I'm a member of a large one that makes all kinds of claims that i know is BS.

          There's been a history of OC's trying to make their site child-unfriendly, but the fact is they need somewhere to do whatever they do - i dunno, jump up and down and shit - i only see kids on TV these days.

        • Quantumcat on 27/07/2018 - 13:00

          @AngryChicken: they can always go to the local park. If there's no local parks it isn't a good place to bring up kids.

        • [Deactivated] on 27/07/2018 - 13:42

          @Quantumcat: There's plenty of apartments with kids without a park within range. But yes, given a choice they're better off at a park usually, but not everyone has that choice.

  • JimmyF on 24/07/2018 - 19:06
    +5

    So my response is that let the annoying person record the noises

    It would sound like you're the annoying person, I mean you say

    I have a fair idea why it is, it's just the little kids (under 5)

    So kids jumping around, running around, will sound VERY loud in the apartment below you. Guessing the kids are home most of the day, and so are the people below you.

    What flooring do you have? I'm guessing some type of hard flooring.

  • loropy9 on 24/07/2018 - 19:23
    +15

    I have two young children. We don’t let them play any ball games in our unit because we feel that it would be unfair to our neighbours downstairs. The guy upstairs from us on the other hand, doesnt have such ethics and him and his kid are absolutely unbearable. We have mini olimpic games over our heads every evening. Take your kids to the park.

  • lainey13 on 24/07/2018 - 19:28
    +4

    This is exactly why I refuse to live in an apartment again until it can be proven that noise from above, next to and below will not be heard inside. Including noisy kids, loud parties, abominable music, high heels on floors, aerobics, bass.

    • fozzie on 24/07/2018 - 23:11
      +1

      Well said! After living in a terraced house in the Uk (duplex) and experiencing all sorts of problems (including noise, dogs shit piling up in the garden next to ours etc) when we came to Australia it was a no brainer to move in a freestanding home. If I can afford it never again, even in a duplex.

  • GourmetFoodie on 24/07/2018 - 19:41
    +5

    Having lived in apartments for years you might think you are being quiet but you have NO idea what it could be like for the other people below you. We had a neighbours playing music repeatedly and we could hear it in our bedroom and not be able to sleep. Hubby went over for a chat about it and was shocked that the stereo was actually on a relatively low setting. It just so happened that the insulation between our apartments was shit and the noise travelled making it sound far louder than in was. We managed to reach a resolution with a bit of compromise on both sides.

    I'd suggest you knock on their door and try to replicate the sounds so you can understand life from their perspective. They might be over reacting or maybe the sound is something totally unrelated to your kids. It's worth trying to be amicable about it.

  • dylo on 24/07/2018 - 19:59
    +30

    I am one of those annoying neighbours! If you have children and choose to live in an apartment at least respect those of us around you that don't have children.

    Not all of us choose to have children and we get tired of the excuse "it's just the kids" , parents need to take ownership.

    Sorry OP! Best of luck.

    • laycrq on 24/07/2018 - 20:17
      -3

      Cannot be said any better! Thumping could even cause structural problems too because of the cheap materials used to build apartments too now days. Living in an apartment, don’t forget it’s just a thin wall between you and your neighbors.

      • tryagain on 24/07/2018 - 20:34
        +10

        Seriously? if a 20kg 5yr old is going to cause structural damage from thumping, noise is the least of your issues.

        • laycrq on 24/07/2018 - 20:42

          Think about 20kg jumping on bed as a trampoline then jumping off the bed and landing on the ground with a deep thump. No impact?

        • tryagain on 24/07/2018 - 20:56
          +6

          @laycrq: Impact, obviously, enough to cause structural damage? Not even in the ballpark.

        • laycrq on 24/07/2018 - 21:03

          @tryagain: how about I take it all back. Compare this… I drop 20kg dumbbells on the ground in an apartment. Would that cause any issues to the people living below me? Hmmm…

        • tryagain on 24/07/2018 - 21:20
          +6

          @laycrq: Noise, yes, structural issues, no.

        • laycrq on 24/07/2018 - 22:05
          -1

          @tryagain: let’s move away from structural. Let’s talk about can 20kg drops cause damages to the floor below.

        • Save 50 Cent on 24/07/2018 - 22:47
          +3

          @laycrq: I thought we were talking about kids here?
          If kids running around can cause structural damage (not damage to the flooring material only), then a WWE fight in an apartment should cause the buidling to colapse.

        • tryagain on 24/07/2018 - 23:31
          +6

          @laycrq:

          let’s move away from structural. Let’s talk about can 20kg drops cause damages to the floor below.

          So you want to go from kids causing structural damage to weights causing superficial damage?

    • Mike88 on 24/07/2018 - 20:39
      +2

      Well said. It is a CHOICE to live in an apartment. If you want to be free of noise constraints, buy a freestanding house.
      We didn't choose to have noisey and obnoxious neighbours, that's just a perk.

    • AddNinja on 26/07/2018 - 11:25
      +1

      Society needs children, and they come with an attendant cost. They are noisey, spread disease and require investment in education. But this is just one of the prices of having a society. I don’t think it is reasonable of you to expect others to forever hound their children into silence for your benefit. A certain amount of noise is inevitable and reasonable when there are children about.

      • HighAndDry on 26/07/2018 - 14:17
        +3

        They are noisey, spread disease

        Not necessarily. That's why they get vaccinated, kept from school if sick, and have parents.

        • AddNinja on 26/07/2018 - 18:08

          No, necessarily. Vaccination doesn’t stop them infecting family with colds. My point is, kids are associated with a certain amount of inconvenience when compared with adults. But despite that, they are a necessary part of society and while the sound of a screaming toddler is horrible, people need to be understanding and forgiving.

        • HighAndDry on 27/07/2018 - 09:52
          +1

          @AddNinja:

          My point is, kids are associated with a certain amount of inconvenience when compared with adults.

          Of course. My point is though, that we still generally try to minimise the amount of inconvenience to others as being part of normal courtesy and manners.

        • AddNinja on 27/07/2018 - 10:41
          +1

          @HighAndDry: we are in agreement then. I think people might be unreasonable in hoping that 3 year old kids will not create disturbances, but that doesn’t excuse a 12 year old from being a nuisance.

  • paloverde88 on 24/07/2018 - 20:24
    +6

    OMG the people living above me ( from some culture where the values do not include considerations for others ) I swear these people are so selfish, they make so much noise I cannot even watch TV as their children most probably do aerobics every other day. They grind herbs in the kitchen with their mortar and pestle or is that what it's called? so loudly on the floor with absolutely no concern whatsoever. I have given up complaining as they just continue. I just go to Westfields to take refuge whenever they make a lot of noise.

  • laycrq on 24/07/2018 - 20:29
    +5

    “I have a fair idea why it is, it's just the little kids (under 5) occasionally playing or running around during hide n seek or so.
    I.e nothing out of the ord such as post midnight, or anything stupid, so the guy is over-reacting here.”

    Is it considered to be over reacting or too much of an ask to expect peace and quiet when renting an apartment?

    • tryagain on 24/07/2018 - 20:37
      +3

      Some peace and quiet, no, but if you want silence, apartment living probably isn't for you.

      • Mike88 on 24/07/2018 - 20:44
        +8

        Don't think anyone is expecting silence. A bit of courtesy would be nice though.

  • laycrq on 24/07/2018 - 20:44
    +2

    Realistically, no one expects silence. It’s the first time today someone has brought up the word silence

  • elgrande on 24/07/2018 - 21:14
    +7

    The neighbors upstairs to me installed floating floorboards and its been extremely noisy ever since. You can hear every step and every pin drop like there is dolby suround sound.

    • SnoozeAndLose on 24/07/2018 - 22:41

      they can not install floorboard by themselves without prior approval from the strata. they should consult you as well.

      If it is the case , complaint to strata and they may need to relay the floorboard with better underlay

      • kinshasha on 24/07/2018 - 23:27

        I can’t comment on the floating floor needing strata approval but I so desperately want to insert a reference to rebar here for some reason

        • Mamba Mentality on 25/07/2018 - 19:35

          I installed floorboards 18 or so months ago and I needed strata approval for wooden floor approval. You just basically have to show them proof that you are also placing the adequate underlay below the floorboards.

          I assume this is the same for many other apartment complexes.

          So maybe check with strata to see if your neighbours directly above you got the necessary strata approval.

        • Love a bargain on 25/07/2018 - 20:29

          @Mamba Mentality:

          A lot of the time, the by-law would also says that the strata can ask you to remove the floorboard if it proves that it's causing too much noise even if they approved the installation of it in the first place.

      • apey2000 on 26/07/2018 - 10:05
        +1

        Unfortunately they can! If the Owners' Corporation doesn't have bylaws, you do not even have to apply to install floorboards. My building doesn't require any approvals for any work you do within your own walls. And yes, as a consequence, I feel like I have Bigfoot living in the apartment above me.

        However, even without any required approval the onus would be on you to ensure adequate sound insulation is installed below the floorboards. If not, OC can take you to court and issue a notice to remove the floorboards.

        • SnoozeAndLose on 26/07/2018 - 11:19

          i think in NSW by-law require approval but I cant say for other state.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/07/2018 - 07:58
    +4

    Give the neighbour your mobile number so they can text you when it is happening, so you know exactly what it is they are talking about

    • DiscoJango on 25/07/2018 - 10:45
      -3

      giving a whingy annoying person your mobile number, great idea!

      • LFO on 25/07/2018 - 11:23
        +15

        It is the other way around.
        The OP belittles the residents labeling them as "renters".
        The OP trivializes the noise as kids playing.
        The OP refuses to accept basic rules of social interaction(aka: respect).

        It is not them. They are the recipients. Look for the source.

        • purplelady on 25/07/2018 - 12:01
          +1

          I don't think giving them his phone number is not a great idea. IF they turn up to be annoying people, it will be even a bigger problem :/

          BUT, I do agree on your points :)

      • hetzjagd on 25/07/2018 - 13:34
        +1

        If things get out of hand it is a simple matter to send them an sms saying "this channel of communication isn't proving productive and your number is being block. Please contact me via alt method or direct further communication via the strata" then block the mobile number.

        • ozzpete on 26/07/2018 - 05:06

          And for any who don't know, this is very simple to do on any mobile phone (with android its easy, not sure on iphone) .
          Its in call settings, call barring, add to blocked list .
          Then in messages settings, it should be under spam settings then add number to that also.
          You don't even have to have their number saved to add to blocked number list. You can add through call logs, or just type in number manually.

      • ozbjunkie on 25/07/2018 - 16:00
        +1

        Could get a cheap long life Sim if it's that much of a fear.

        • ozzpete on 26/07/2018 - 05:08

          Could get a cheap long life Sim ..
          This… plus most people have a spare/old phone laying round. Disposable type sim is always a good idea for gumtree and the like (plus for the OP situation if they are concerned about giving out their primary contact number)

  • jhmtaylor on 25/07/2018 - 08:27

    I wouldn't worry about the going to Court threat. They will need evidence to prove that it is excessive. The type of evidence would involve measuring sound levels on a calibrated instrument operated by a trained technician.

    If it becomes an issue ask the body corporate for the above information so that it can be determined if the complaint has a reasonable basis or the complainant is just a narc.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/07/2018 - 08:50
    -2

    Kids! I have a bunch in my apartment complex who play hide and seek, running in and out of the corridor, around my bedroom window, throwing soccer balls at the fence etc…

    SOmetimes it's a bit annoying, but you know what ,i deal with it. Because they're kids, and they're having fun.

  • butwhy on 25/07/2018 - 08:56

    About a decade ago, I used to live in an old apartment with floating floorboards. Single guy, I don't wear shoes inside, and loud music / tv etc. I remember often when I'd go to take a piss in the toilet at night, the neighbour below, bang on my floor. I initially thought he was a little crazy, and how did he expect me to relieve myself more quietly (there was nothing strange going on either!)

    Then he started banging at all hours of the night. I even remember being woken by it a few times. So I just figured he's crazy and to ignore him.

    Fortunately, he's now someone else's problem :-)

    I'm sure bad building quality is a part of it, but some people are just strange.

  • zambuck on 25/07/2018 - 09:49
    +3

    I once went to investigate a thud-thud… thud-thud.. noise that had been going for quite some time and was clearly audible in my 4th floor unit. Took the stairwell, figuring I'd locate the source on the next floor. Kept heading down and down until finally I discovered a young guy bouncing a basketball against a wall in the basement parking level. Something like a ball hitting a floor or wall can transfer sound way beyond where you'd expect. Once I'd explained the noise issue he stopped.

    The balloon idea is a good one as an alternative to a ball for inside play. Take the kids to the park for those ball games.

  • DiscoJango on 25/07/2018 - 10:43
    +1

    i can confirm that cheap\poor quality materials + no insulation = a hell of a lot of noise.

    we had a warehouse space at work that converted into a lounge area with offices below it. as the roof was just some relativly thin sheeting, even the most basic movement\footsteps when someone was upstairs, were unbearable downstairs. you would think that a 200kg woman with high heels was having a tantrum the noise was that loud.

    unfortunatley due to the high amount of quantity over quality apartment buildings going up over the past few years, this will not be an uncommon issue the op is facing. it more unfortunate for owners as they are now held hostage by strata laws in their own property. renters can come and go as they please.

    moral of the story: approach the apartment living lifestyle with caution. its not all city views and modern vibes.

  • LFO on 25/07/2018 - 11:06
    +4

    Just a thought:

    Noise is the closest to a "home invasion" without actual physical activity.
    An unwanted intruder (the noise) gets into your home, unannounced. Everywhere.
    And it doesn't leave until the intruder wishes to.

    An this "home invasion" occurs regardless, in units or in free standing dwellings as well (garden tools, backyard pool pumps, pressure pumps, barking dogs, etc)

    Please think before your noise invades your neighbor's home.
    Please consider the pain your noise is causing.

    • hetzjagd on 25/07/2018 - 13:39
      +1

      I'm very sensitive to noises including those in the office and suburban environment and select neighbours. I agree with you on all your points but I feel the term home invasion, even in the inverted commas, is kind of a loaded term with more grim connotations. It could be seen by people like OP as being hyperbolic and serve as a distraction to your otherwise reasonable arguement. I'd be wording it as being 'intrusive' moreso than a form of 'home invasion'.

      I may just be being pedantic about symantics but I feel the language used in these situations is really important.

  • keithality on 25/07/2018 - 11:44

    What an interesting and timely thread.

    I too have realised that my apartment is not as well insulated from my neighbours noises as I'd hoped…

    Out of interest, is it possible for apartments to be built in such a way that it would block almost all the noise from adjacent units?

    It also seems that noise travels down more easily than up - is this why top floor units command a premium (apart from the views)?

    • koganei on 25/07/2018 - 12:08

      Noise doesn't travel down more easily than up…but last time I checked, people don't walk on their ceilings, hence no noise…

      Unless you're on the very top floor, you're going to have someone above you. It's not like more noise accumulates the more floors you have above you, so I doubt noise has anything to do with higher apartments fetching a higher price.

    • angusngon9 on 25/07/2018 - 13:47

      even if you live up the top floor there can be possums or rats living in the roof cavity above you.

    • gromit on 25/07/2018 - 17:02

      yes it is possible and not overly difficult for apartments to be built to isolate sounds from adjacent units and from outside noise for that matter too, BUT that costs extra and the average developer wants to spend the least amount possible to get the biggest possible profit as quickly as possible so more often then not no consideration has been made for noise reduction at all.

  • pikapika on 25/07/2018 - 11:53

    I've been in several buildings where it sounds like a heard of elephants were above me but it wasn't. The places were really badly insulated. If the person is sensitive to sound it could also be making it worse for them. But that's just one of the hazzards of moving into a unit. Might be worth having a chat to them, if you think they'll be reasonable. But I'd already be taking notes just incase. Plus is there any way the noise could just be travelling and it's not actually your place but it's the places next door? I've also had that experience where when places are badly made the sound can travel further than you think.

  • brih on 25/07/2018 - 12:31
    +2

    Gosh I'm glad I don't live in an apartment building.

  • arkosh on 25/07/2018 - 13:24

    Acoustics engineer here.
    I see this all the time. When was the apartment built?
    If it is a relatively recent building (i.e. within 8 or so years) then, the building would have to comply with Building Cod of Australia (BCA) Part F5. This outlines the minimum criteria for both footfall and airborne noise transfer. You can get this tested by an acoustic engineer, however, it can be expensive (upwards of $750). You may be able to split it with your neighbor or get body corporate to pay. If it is found to not comply, you will have to pay for rectification works.
    If it is an old building, there is no statuary requirement to comply with any acoustic standards.
    Every second person that buys an apartment does not realise that you may be able to hear your neighbors. Just because it is audible, does not mean it's non-compliant.

    • angusngon9 on 25/07/2018 - 13:50

      I've seen acoustic reports of $3000-6000 so if its $750 I'd consider it cheap…

      • arkosh on 25/07/2018 - 16:05

        It depends what it's for. But if all you need is a tapping test and airborne test with a test report, it should be $750 or higher. Of course, it does depend on a few factors like location and if you require rectification works. However, a test of one floor at $3000 is a rip off!

    • Munki on 25/07/2018 - 21:02

      Why is there a building cod? Why not a building bass?

    • Wutzaw on 26/07/2018 - 12:00

      I paid around $1300 to get our floor tested for footfall noise in NSW. Our apartment building has a by-law that quantify an acoustic performance the floor has to achieve and if I remember correctly, our by-law requirement is more stringent than the BCA…

  • pformag on 25/07/2018 - 14:12

    Glad I live in a house.

    • hetzjagd on 25/07/2018 - 15:39

      I live in a house in the suburbs. One word for you: Dogs.

      In my city there is an estimated 100,000 dogs. or 1 for every 4 people. Although the source of that was the local rag so may take it with a grain of salt. That said, it certainly feels like there's a lot of them around.

      • pformag on 26/07/2018 - 10:00

        I have a dog :)

  • db1709 on 25/07/2018 - 14:44
    +2

    I bought a really nice apartment but the one small thing that annoys me is that I get occasional noise and thudding from above.

    From my research, there are three grades of insulation/soundproofing that can be applied to buildings in Australia, with level 3 being the best and level 1 being the most basic.

    The building is actually of a very, very high standard and believe me I've seen some absolute crap out there….however, Victorian building standards do not make it mandatory for ceilings to have level 3 soundproofing, only the adjacent walls.

    So, of course developers will use the chepaest materials and building methods that they can get away with, and it explains why so many have this issue. I have no issue with sound travelling between walls, which must be fitted with the highest quality unless i press my ear up against the wall and really concentrate, I won't hear anything from next door neighbours. The ceiling however is a different story and there is some mild thudding that happens on a daily basis, and once or twice (in a whole year) it's been very annoying. It doesn't last very long, but it become a problem for me because I am noise sensitive, and becuase I had no idea when it would happen each night and no control over it. The more I expected and thought about it, the more it would be amplified, like a self fulfilling prophecy.

    There was one instance where there were some really violent banging noises coming from above and I had enough and went down to the intercom and asked the resident to stop. I had previously alerted the building manager about the thudding but they're useless and did nothing about it and handballed me to the leasing agent who then had a word with the tenants. The guy then came downstairs and he was pissed off about this because he can't understand what noise has been travelling downstairs, and even offered to show me his apartment above me to put this whole thing to bed. I kind of felt bad after this because he was genuinely concerned and I feel like I didn't give a good first impression, but he gave me his number and I went back downstairs rang him to test a few different movements. At this point I discovered that the building isn't as well insulated from above as I would like, which prompted me to do the above research. The thudding unfortunately didn't stop and I've done everything from raising it to the OC again, smacking the ceiling with a broom (this is just dumb and I'm not sure they can even hear me doing this) and contacting the tenant again.

    There isn't a hell of a lot you can do, especially if you're a tenant, if the building wasn't built with the highest standards of soundproofing. To retrofit the ceilings costs a RIDICULOUS amount of money ($250 per sqm I was quoted = $10k for a 50 sqm apartment, at a minimum). What this would involved would be to install a "second" ceiling including a soundproofing buffer, and this could reduce your ceiling height by about 5-10 cm - not ideal on all fronts. As an owner, there is no way I would spend this amount and rip up my ceiling (with no guarantees it will remove the noise completely), so I can't see many landlords honouring their tenants wishes to do this.

    As I said above, I am quite noise sensitive. The only other time I lived in an apartment, it was on the top floor, so I didn't have to worry about this, but there the apartment building was on a main road and had no double glazing, so I had other issues with traffic noise. The thudding however is particularly annoying and especially because you don't know when it's going to happen, how long its going to last, and the pattern is different, every single day. Even if it only lasts for 2-3 minutes a night, I was becoming anxious about it and that was starting to take away from the enjoyment of my place which as I mentioned is fantastic otherwise.

    Fortunately, I have solved most of this issue. The thudding generally took place between 8-11 pm each night, the time when I'm winding down after work and dinner and watching TV, netflix, gaming etc. so that's why it was annoying me so much. So I decided maybe it is ME who should make an effort and be creative about this - so I purchased a bluetooth TV transmitter and the top of the range Sony wireless noise cancelling headphones to hook up to the TV - Problem solved, I hear absolutely nothing anymore and the anxiety I had around this is gone and I can do everything. Certainly a much cheaper investment of $500 than $10k plus to radically overhaul my apartment. Luckily the thudding stops by about midnight when I go to sleep, and I sleep with ear plugs anyway so the disruption has been reduced to a minimum level for me.

    I should note, my brother's complex which is also considered to be one of the best in his area, was built in the early 90s, and when I went over to his place recently, I could hear absolutely everything through the walls to neighbours on the same floor as him. I couldn't believe it and it really put my annoyance in perspective. It also debunked the myth that these issues are only present in new developments. You can thank our lax building standards compared to Europe as someone else mentioned.

    So, if you're used to growing up in a really quiet area in a detached house, you need to expect some level of noise in an apartment complex, i've learned this the hard way but I'm used to it now. Unfortunately what you think is really loud and deliberate may just be normal movements which are amplified due to poor construction methods and building standards. You can try talking to the person but you gotta keep this within reason. Don't do what I did and go all confrontational first up because it will just create more problems later, and you want to have a good relationship with your neighbours especially in apartment blocks where thieves lurk around, it's good to have each other's backs. Get creative, use technology to solve your issues.

    • hetzjagd on 26/07/2018 - 05:41
      -2

      can't resist this #COOL STORY BRO

      • db1709 on 26/07/2018 - 12:40

        Thx

  • luffyex2010 on 25/07/2018 - 15:40
    +4

    Another episode of unit drama.

    takes pop corn out

    All of these cant compared to my bachelor days staying in my cousin unit. Every now and then our above neighbour will go rabbits. The women partner will moans….like a porn flick (yes!,yes!yes!)
    And the you hear another neighbour cursing them fuc@##$/! We have kids here! and the moaning and swearing goes on. All we did was grab a beer and guess when it will end.

    Thats is also when I realized a unit is not suitable for young children. So many dramas can unfold when you live close proximity with one another.

    • frostman on 25/07/2018 - 20:24

      lol where was this

  • clubberlang on 25/07/2018 - 18:07

    When I used to live in an apartment the middle aged alcoholic who lived below me used to hire a hooker every now and then and you could quite loudly hear them going at it even whilst I was in the lounge room watching TV. She used to scream out 'Fk' & 'Oh God!' at the top of her lungs no doubt to make the client feel like he was some Lothario in bed.

    • ozzpete on 25/07/2018 - 20:18

      Lol. The joys of apartment living.
      It was only every now and then. And whether he drinks alot or is an alcoholic, really doesn't affect you since he was inside his own home.
      We had a neighbor that would pump up ACDC about once a month and yell a bit (apparently when his footy team was playing). Sure, it was slightly annoying, though once you realised he wasn't angry or violent or meaning any harm with his yelling and music, it was easy enough to get over. We would just laugh amongst ourselves (other neighbors) and we would be like "Dave's team is playing again" lol.
      There are many worse things ththat could be happening besides a bit of harmless noise occasionally.
      What was wayyy more annoying was people whinging over basically nothing .
      Im glad I moved to small house now… But honestly, people whining about relatively small things from Neighbors, should try living in housing department units. People fighting, threatening to shoot each other over ice/drug deals etc every single night about midnight (when someones dole/pension would go in) .
      People want their homes to be their castle and their escape from anything and everything in the outside world that bothers them, but in an apartment/unit, there is always going to be something (or someone) a bit annoying at times. It could be much worse though.

  • sunnyboys2 on 25/07/2018 - 18:16

    I can really relate to this, we live in a townhouse (owners) and our neighbors who are tenants complain just about every little thing. It doesn't help that we have gyprock walls (not brick) too. We literally had to change our lifestyle to suit theirs because of how much we were being harassed, i.e. our chopping in the kitchen was too loud, our tv volume was too loud, had to give away our dog, had to sell my piano when in all honesty we did not do anything out of the ordinary. We had no choice though as strata kept sending us letters and they would knock on our doors or write an angry letter every day.. I do not want to move out because we like the place and it's close to work. Currently looking into sound proofing the wall that divides our homes now but it's likely to cost 5-10k. Just thinking about this issue makes me sad. If anyone has any suggestions i'd like to hear them.

    • RiseAndRuin on 26/07/2018 - 01:35
      +1

      just be aware that sound proofing just the wall might not be enough, as sound can easily travel through the ceiling, floor, etc…

    • AddNinja on 26/07/2018 - 11:36
      +1

      I’d be willing to change some aspects of my life to suit neighbours, but the sound of chopping veggies? I think they’d just have to get used to that. Although I’m a badass.

    • koganei on 26/07/2018 - 13:36

      Don't renew their lease and get better tenants?

    • HighAndDry on 26/07/2018 - 14:19
      +1

      Gotta learn to be more aggressive and assertive. Right now you're acting like a wet rag and so are suffering for it. If people find out they can walk all over you, they will walk all over you. You're being walked all over.

  • woolly on 25/07/2018 - 18:48
    +5

    Sounds like the OP has loud kids and shouldn't live in an apartment. I have some people like this down the corridor, they have ~5 kids and leave their apartment door open allowing the kids to run up and down the common corridor as loudly as they want unsupervised.

    My advice: learn to control your children or don't live in an apartment complex, if other people can hear your children that easily then YOU are the problem 100%

  • Captain M on 25/07/2018 - 20:02

    ohh I love reading this.

  • ozzpete on 25/07/2018 - 20:06

    Maybe have everyone (including kids) take shoes off while inside. That should lessen the 'thumping' hopefully.
    Some units are terrible for noise carrying. I stayed many times over at my friends house where the noise went through every time toilet upstairs was used.
    Have you considered whether the noise does transfer badly down to other unit ? Depending on the construction etc of unit, it might actually be really bad. Idk.

  • htc on 25/07/2018 - 23:32

    I live in an apartment where the neighbour owns a truck which they park at the driveway, in the morning, the truck reverses to get out of drive way making very loud beeping sound. It happened for many weeks but it has stopped now. I think the other neighbour has complained.

  • PAPower on 26/07/2018 - 07:44
    -1

    My neighbour (downstairs) have been f*** renovating in the middle of the night using drill, hammer and all shit. You're still lucky mate.
    I don't f*** bother with STRATA because they're just full of shit and slack as f***, same as real estate agents.
    I just f*** come out to the balcony and f*** complaint in the middle of the night, made a huge deal out of it and f*** called 000, twice.

    NO MORE NOISE. AT LEAST FOR NOW.

    • frostman on 26/07/2018 - 08:17
      -4

      Yeah this fool is complaining about some footsteps and some playing which last no more than 10mins at a time.
      What if I do Zumba naked everyday for 1hr? do I have to stop it too?

      I asked STRATA to contact him through his agent and provide a list of the noise…
      he actually went through the trouble of typing up a large excel sheet which list the date/time of noise, the in many references he has something like this:
      18/7/18 [7:24pm - 7:26pm] WTF honestly…

      • Dan_ on 26/07/2018 - 11:00
        +1

        Yeah this fool is complaining about some footsteps and some playing which last no more than 10mins at a time.

        Watch it everyone. OP's a parent now. OP has practically achieved sainthood and is beyond reproach. No one must question OP's choices. If his/her kids want to play ball games in the corridor of their apartment, everyone should just put up with it.

  • CLoSeR on 26/07/2018 - 08:42

    Do you have timber flooring? If they didn't put down thick insulation then it could be the cause. We make sure they install atleast 5mm quality sound insulation below floating timber floors.

    • frostman on 26/07/2018 - 11:01

      Yes timber floor but I bought the apartment like this, I had no choice on the insulation or thickness

      • HighAndDry on 26/07/2018 - 14:20
        +1

        Yes but you have a choice of whether to let your kids play handball in the corridor. Also it was also your choice to buy this apartment. Stop trying to shift the blame… you're an adult and a parent. If not for yourself, be more responsible to set an example for your kids.

      • CLoSeR on 27/07/2018 - 09:45

        If the insulation isn't adequate you might need to change it. As the owner it's now your responsibility.

  • abb on 26/07/2018 - 10:15

    annoying (tenant/renter)

    Egads, the horror. No member of the rentier class would ever engage in such poor behaviour.

  • Dan_ on 26/07/2018 - 11:01
    +5

    Yeah this fool is complaining about some footsteps and some playing which last no more than 10mins at a time.

    Watch it everyone. OP's a parent now. OP has practically achieved sainthood and is beyond reproach. No one must question OP's choices. If his/her kids want to play ball games in the corridor of their apartment, everyone should just put up with it.

    • frostman on 26/07/2018 - 11:03
      -2

      I never said that people need to put up with it.
      My next door neighbour plays loud music and has loud karaoke nights every NRL, AFL, Worldcup or poor excuse at watching a live game event.
      This prolongs from 8pm-2am sometimes 3am, many times ive been awake in bed just looking at the ceiling and hoping I sleep.
      I never complained to STRATA I just put up with it because I know at times, when my kids exit the door in the lobby they can be loud, so give and take.

      • HighAndDry on 26/07/2018 - 14:22
        +5

        This sounds a lot like "Well others behave badly too so why can't I?" I hope your kids use that against you one day - "But Jimmy gets to stay up late every night!"

        Also - I must've missed where your downstairs neighbour is behaving badly in any way.

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