Noisy Neighbour - What Are Our Options?

itsHughesy on 23/10/2022 - 09:25

My wife and I are currently renting in Brisbane, and our neighbour really, really likes sad music - normally this wouldn't be a problem however he hits the play button at 8AM and it doesn't stop until 8PM or later most days. My wife and I both work from home, and there isn't a room, area of the house or yard where his blaring sadsack music can't be heard.

He's an unreasonable person, and when approached wont wear headphones or lower the volume.

What are our options here? It's getting really close to the petty revenge aspect but we'd much rather he just shut up.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • AndyC1 on 23/10/2022 - 09:35
    +6

    Ring the cops and ask them what can be done.

    • itsHughesy on 23/10/2022 - 11:12

      I have called the Police before as the local council specifically doesn't take music complaints, and the Police really just don't care.

      • AndyC1 on 23/10/2022 - 11:16
        +7

        The police will try to fobb you off, but you need to ask them "what you can be done about the noise", not "what the police can do about the noise" as there is a big difference as until you make a formal compliant they will do nothing and they will try to fobb you off before you can make a formal complaint.

        Make sure you ring the local police station directly.

        • BanannaMan on 24/10/2022 - 14:40
          +1

          I called my local police station last month and they told me to call 000

          What pisses me off is the noise is coming from a house 2 doors down from the cop station

          • AndyC1 on 24/10/2022 - 14:42
            +1

            @BanannaMan: Sounds like you wanted to make a complaint and they passed you off to the emergency number as they were too lazy to put the details into the system.

            • BanannaMan on 24/10/2022 - 14:43
              +1

              @AndyC1: Pretty much, later the cop station put a notice outside saying they are closed to walk in's lol
              Lazy …

          • Lord Fart Bucket on 25/10/2022 - 12:38
            +1

            @BanannaMan: They probably couldn't hear you?

      • mhz on 24/10/2022 - 09:25
        +16

        My ex gf had a neighbour like that, only he kept his windows open and the radio going 24/7.
        Police did nothing at first but we visited the sation and made that many complaints to them that they were finally forced to go around there.
        After a few months of complaints and telling him to turn the music down or off they fined him and kept fining him until he turned it down.
        Keep going to the police, eventually they will have to do something

        • Mugsy on 24/10/2022 - 09:46
          +1

          This.

          With enough records of complaints unattended to, eventually this will need to take action. An email to the Police Minister might speed things up too.

          • Jackson on 24/10/2022 - 23:09

            @Mugsy: Now all OP needs is to call one of his ex-girlfriends to keep ringing the cops for him, becuase f'd if the cops are ever going to care if a bloke calls them

          • MrFrugalSpend on 26/10/2022 - 00:54
            +1

            @Mugsy: really? an email to the Police Minister? Home invasions and car theft at record levels, cyber crime at record levels, violent youth crime at record levels, DV call outs every day… and you want OP to write to the Police Minister about loud music - is this just to annoy him/her so they share the OP's pain ?! Sadly you may be right but still… something must be able to be done without going 'to the top!'

            • us3rnam3tak3n on 26/10/2022 - 01:36
              +1

              @MrFrugalSpend: I thought car theft rates were in decline due to improved security. Do you have any data for all these claims?

            • Mugsy on 28/10/2022 - 16:48
              +1

              @MrFrugalSpend: Sad I know but that's how the public service works (I've seen both sides). Who ever barks the loudest gets the attention and nothing barks louder than a public servant's Minister.

              A few years back my body corp submitted a complaint to the QBCC regarding ongoing balcony defects across our complex. As our complex was out of building warranty, the QBCC just sat on the complaint for over half a year. It wasn't until a handful of us started emailing the Housing Minister with details of our investigations into the previous complaint submitted about 7yrs earlier and how the "fix" from that previous work was botched up that the QBCC contacted us and started looking into the issue.

              You might say that balcony defects is in a whole different league to noisy neighbours… but it's the same for big or small matters. The public service has a process, and when they don't follow that process, you complain to the boss to get things done correctly.

        • ozboygsl on 28/10/2022 - 13:23

          record the meeting { and any meetings} with cops. advise that you will follow up, and make sure you do

      • xordis on 24/10/2022 - 22:39
        +14

        Don't even call the police. Jump onto PoliceLink and report it online.
        They have to attend, and it will all be logged.

        Calling the station they can report it as whatever they like.

        • Daabido on 26/10/2022 - 21:58

          False. They don't have to attend and often do not.

        • cashews on 27/10/2022 - 11:01

          The police in my area have been sending a text message to the resident when there is a noise complaint.

      • RefusdClassification on 24/10/2022 - 22:44
        -7

        The police only care about the wealthy. The role of the police is to protect the political class, and to protect the assets of the rich. They are not your friends.

        • Arigato on 26/10/2022 - 22:57
          +1

          They don’t care about anyone silly

    • 1st-Amendment on 28/10/2022 - 13:46

      Ring the cops and ask them what can be done.

      Hah… have you ever called the cops before? They don't care about such things

      • AndyC1 on 28/10/2022 - 14:05

        I said ask them what can be done, not can I make a complaint.

        • 1st-Amendment on 28/10/2022 - 14:07

          I said ask them what can be done

          So have you tried that before? How did that work out for you?
          In my experience they are next to useless unless it's violent crime or a traffic offence. "Yeah… nah… not much we can do…" etc

  • PR0r on 23/10/2022 - 09:40
    +14

    You can file a noise complaint online, I would look into that if I was you

    • itsHughesy on 23/10/2022 - 11:11
      +2

      The council specifically advises that music complaints must go to the Police, who don't care based on previous reports - and fair enough, it's pretty low on the list of things Police should be dealing with but it doesn't help us.

      • turbochris on 24/10/2022 - 13:27

        Music to one person is noise to another.

        • TEER3X on 24/10/2022 - 20:11
          -3

          Rock and roll ain't noise pollution

          • itsHughesy on 26/10/2022 - 20:03
            +1

            @TEER3X: It's not even rock and roll it's sad love songs, he was abusive to his wife then she died and his strategy to cope with that is playing sad love songs and drinking

            • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2022 - 06:35

              @itsHughesy: Solution found. Buy him lots of alcohol. The highest proof you can find. Wear all black and leave it on the doorstep at 2-4am.

          • Cheap Gamer on 27/10/2022 - 08:39
            -1

            @TEER3X: I'm Riff Randell Rock-n-Roller, and I approve this comment. Ramones forever!

      • Cheap Gamer on 27/10/2022 - 08:36
        +3

        The guy needs cheering up, so play The Wiggles at full volume. I recommend "Fruit Salad", "Hot Potato", and my favourite "Big Red Car".
        Or choose the nuclear option and sue for nuisance. Just the threat of going to court should get a reaction.

  • altomic on 23/10/2022 - 09:45
    +15

    When i lived in Melbourne i had a neighbour like that. My solution was to play the romper stomper sound track even louder.

    Fight fire with fire

    • itsHughesy on 23/10/2022 - 11:13
      +1

      I don't really want it to turn into tit for tat, but that really seems to be the only response that's going to be left to us.

      • Hardlyworkin on 23/10/2022 - 11:30
        +32

        Play the same song over and over and leave the house. Something really annoying like baby shark. Put the speaker right up to the adjacent wall.

        • CheapandUsed on 23/10/2022 - 12:47
          +22

          like baby shark

          Thanks, now it is stuck in my head

          • MrFrugalSpend on 26/10/2022 - 00:59
            +1

            @CheapandUsed: Stuck in mine too but this suggestion is gold!! I can just imagine it
            Mommy shark , do do do do do ,
            Daddy shark , do do do do do

            … until the neighbour does….
            runaway , do do do do do

        • DoctorCalculon on 23/10/2022 - 22:36

          Rick Roll, or maybe the Yung Gravy version of it. ;)

        • montorola on 26/10/2022 - 13:59

          Crazy frog lol

        • macrocephalic on 26/10/2022 - 14:23

          Crazy Frog.

        • [Deactivated] on 27/10/2022 - 02:19
          +1

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwSAte1b79s

        • Save 50 Cent on 27/10/2022 - 06:24
          +1

          In this case, “because I’m happy” will be more frustrating to this neighbour.

      • Eddie8 on 27/10/2022 - 14:22

        My view is that if he's being unreasonable in the first place, playing tit for tat is just going to make it worse. I'd be taking official avenues of complaints if i were you, pester the police etc enough so it also becomes their problem to follow up.

    • rawm on 25/10/2022 - 14:30

      Or alternate with this at full volume:

      Lamb Chop's Play Along - The Song That Doesn't End for extra spiciness

    • akerr on 26/10/2022 - 13:22

      What’s new pussycat?

      PS: report it and buy yourselves some nice noise-cancelling headphones. There’s probably a deal on here somewhere.

  • sharkyoz on 23/10/2022 - 10:25
    +6

    play bagpipe music even louder

  • SF3 on 23/10/2022 - 10:36
    +14

    Your count attack is to Play Eye of the Tiger all day.

    Rising up to the challenge of our rival
    And the last known survivor
    Stalks his prey in the night
    And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger

    • cktftw on 24/10/2022 - 15:22

      Thanks, now both baby shark and eye of the tiger are stuck in my head

      • Jekyll on 24/10/2022 - 17:31
        +4

        Eye of the baby tiger shark? Best of both worlds!

        • LookAtMeow on 24/10/2022 - 20:30
          +1

          What a community, thanks for the LOLS :D

        • macrocephalic on 26/10/2022 - 14:26
          +2

          Rising Up,
          do do do do do doo,
          Rising Up,
          do do do do do doo,
          Rising Up,
          do do do do do doo,
          Rising Up!,
          Back on the street,
          do do do do do doo,

  • mini2 on 23/10/2022 - 10:56
    +3

    Play gospel music to counteract his sadistic stuff? That should teach 'em!

    • LFO on 24/10/2022 - 12:11
      +2

      Old Viet cong political/indoctrinating speeches is a winner for annoying and intolerable sounds.

      Also remember those French CDs with a baby crying … all day long.
      Suicide is the only way out!

    • itsHughesy on 23/10/2022 - 11:12
      +22

      Thank you for your contribution.

    • jjjaar on 23/10/2022 - 11:44
      +3

      And have hundreds of conversations happen around you instead? Much more distracting.

    • CheapandUsed on 23/10/2022 - 12:47
      +7

      I'd rather listen to baby shark on repeat

    • lunchbox99 on 23/10/2022 - 13:59
      +13

      I actually agree. A residential area is not a workplace. Sure, you can work at home but you have to accept all that comes with it.

      I know someone who works on their back deck every day and gets annoyed by barking dogs, lawn mowing, traffic, children playing in their yard, renovations. I recommended he rent office space.

      One of my staff was complaining that the neighbours kids were jumping on the trampoline when she was WFH. She even had a go at them about it. I told her to stop annoying her neighbours kids and come in to work if normal suburban noise was annoying her - to her empty private office. LFMAO

      • ozboygsl on 24/10/2022 - 08:30
        -2

        what total utter garbage. Whether your working is irrelevant. you have the right to not be disturbed in your own home

        • lunchbox99 on 24/10/2022 - 09:00
          +26

          Actually you dont have that right. You can't tell people they can't mow their lawn, or children play in their yard, or renovations being conducted in the middle of a workday, just because you choose to work at home. If you want a quiet work environment, go to work, or a library.

          Nobody will enforce restrictions on the things I listed above. So put up with it.

      • reactor-au on 24/10/2022 - 08:36
        -1

        Why don't you go sit at the office by yourself then, we don't all have to like what you like.

        • lunchbox99 on 24/10/2022 - 09:01

          Well the person who was complaining about the kids using the trampoline in the middle of the day, I did require them to come back into the office. They refused, so I let them go (ie come back to work onsite, or resign). Everyone is happy.

          • lunchbox99 on 24/10/2022 - 12:36
            +2

            @lunchbox99: I should clarify, the person leaving had nothing to do with the trampoline. We had business needs for onsite attendance and they didn't want to return. Maybe they secretly liked arguing with the neighbours about the noise.

  • Austaurean on 23/10/2022 - 11:08
    +2

    There should be an Environment Protection Authority in your state.

    In mine they deal with noise pollution complaints and can even fine the occupant where they dont head orders to cease.

    Does mean they need to get a verified noise reading that shows the noise is over allowable decibel limit though.

    Different limits apply for time of day/night and if freestanding house or within a unit complex.

    • itsHughesy on 23/10/2022 - 11:13
      -1

      Yeah I did read that it would need to be over 10db (I think), although I have no means to measure it buying a meter might be an option.. surely if we can hear it in every room of the house, even on the far side of the house, it'd be loud enough to pick up.

      • AndyC1 on 23/10/2022 - 11:18
        +4

        10db is nothing and your keyboard typing would probably be louder than 10db.

        Check out:
        https://audiology-web.s3.amazonaws.com/migrated/NoiseChart16…

        • itsHughesy on 23/10/2022 - 11:29

          Yeah right! Well I'm sure he can't hear my keyboard but I can bloody well hear his music everywhere, even our neighbours on the far side can hear it

        • DiscountForThee on 25/10/2022 - 14:02

          I think they were supposed to say 10 dB louder than the surrounding noise level. Would be more meaningful (but I have no idea on the thresholds needed for a complaint)

          • AndyC1 on 25/10/2022 - 14:13

            @DiscountForThee: Do you understand what decibels are and how they are measured and how a DB chart is created? If not then you may want to read up on it.

            • DiscountForThee on 25/10/2022 - 14:18

              @AndyC1: Yeah I do - that is why I was suggesting that their figure of "10 dB" might be higher than the surrounding sound levels. E.G. the backyard sounds are typically 65 dB but then at 75 dB you could complain (or whatever the intention was behind the location that OP got the number 10 from)

              • AndyC1 on 25/10/2022 - 14:21
                +1

                @DiscountForThee: Most backyards I have been to and know about are way less than 65db for 99% of the time, unless you are near a major road or railway or near an airport or near a noisy factory or you have birds.

      • jjjaar on 23/10/2022 - 11:46
        +1

        There’s an app called NIOSH that is pretty helpful. I used it when testing the noise of an appliance that was faulty.

      • cashless on 23/10/2022 - 15:15
        +1

        Decibel X & NIOSH are quite good sound measuring Apps. NIOSH comes with all sorts of explanations if you’re interested to learn about it.
        There won’t be an absolute dB(A) value that applies as a limit because decibels measure sound only. What you are experiencing is Noise, which is an unwanted sound, which is subject to opinion.
        Nonetheless, get an app. Measure sound in your work area both with & without the music blaring. Do it three times over three days & keep a log of times, days, sound levels.
        When you have some data, get in touch with EPA & explain situation to them. They should be able to come and verify your measurements if they are loud enough.
        Definitely worth taking this further. Cops would only be interested if it was in unsocial hours

    • foxmulder on 23/10/2022 - 14:44
      +3

      Noise from music that can be heard in any habitable rooms of a neighbouring residence must cease during certain times: midnight to 8am on Friday, Saturday or any day preceding a public holiday and 10pm to 8am on any other day. EPA

      • Krankite on 26/10/2022 - 09:09
        +1

        Given the neighbor is blasting it 8am to 8pm sounds like they know the law and have had run ins previously.

  • Austaurean on 23/10/2022 - 11:17
    +3

    Its not upto you. Its upto the states noise pollution authority. In mine its the EPA, you may need to do a noise date/time and length diary. Have other units/homes also lodge a complaint. Make sure you report to the police and get a police incident job number as it all adds to evidence. Are they private owners, a private rental or government tenant. Complain to the relevant agencies

  • John Kimble on 23/10/2022 - 11:45
    +4

    Wear earplugs/headphones yourselves?

  • jjjaar on 23/10/2022 - 11:48
    +4

    Depending on how annoying it really is, you could look into some silicone earplugs, or some of the Loop ones.

    Don’t get the loop quiet as they’re just overpriced silicone earplugs, but the experience pro is good as it doesn’t have that suction feeling, it just dulls noise.

    I have a neighbour that once a fortnight or so decides to play music a bit loud and I use these while wfh and they’re great.

  • 7ekn00 on 23/10/2022 - 12:43
    +1

    Sad soppers hate Trace/EDM, get some 200W speakers and face them in his direction :P

    Don't forget a couple of noise cancelling headphones for yourselves ;)

    • HelpMeiCantSee on 24/10/2022 - 10:45
      +3

      Dubstep. It’ll end him haha

      • Usedtissue on 24/10/2022 - 19:30
        +6

        I was thinking ' Don't worry, be happy' on loop, Every time I hear that song it haunts me for a few days.

  • Richardc on 23/10/2022 - 13:26
    +6

    Mic and speaker and create echo for him.

    • Mugsy on 24/10/2022 - 07:36
      -1

      +1 not for the advice but making me chuckle.

  • ozwog05 on 23/10/2022 - 14:00
    +13

    Create a listing on marketplace - Free stereo system, pickup from their address, no holds.

  • justgooddeals on 23/10/2022 - 14:01
    +5

    This is how WW3 will start. Neighbour turns his music louder. You turn your music louder. On and on till 🏹🗡🔪🪓⚔️😤🤬😡😠

  • thirtysixd on 23/10/2022 - 15:30
    +2

    What counts as sad music?

    • ntt on 25/10/2022 - 11:20

      Justin Bieber music

    • [Deactivated] on 27/10/2022 - 02:11

      All music I don't listen to.

    • surg3on on 27/10/2022 - 08:56

      Sad Song - Screaming Jets
      How about a sad song to make me get further down
      Got to get ahead got to climb another rung
      Will you be the first one when things get me down
      Will you be the first one to bring me around

  • Mugsy on 24/10/2022 - 07:35
    +4

    1. Do you live in a Body Corp? If yes, you will have your bylaws to use with this matter too.

    2. Keep submitting noise complaints via the Police online form every time it happens. If you get no response after two weeks, write to the Minister for Police (Mark Ryan) to advise that you are not getting any response. Whilst I so think the police should have better things to deal with, the process is the process and living with music blasting at your household 12hrs a day whether you're WFH or not is not acceptable.

    If your neighbour doesn't like the council regulations, they should move to another council that doesn't have issues with loud music being played excessively.

    • trankillity on 24/10/2022 - 09:54

      This! Living in an apartment means that there will be by-laws that they must abide by. If the offender is also renting, then the body corp can contact the owner to lodge the complaint.

  • Waltervp on 24/10/2022 - 08:19
    -2

    Its a crap situation. He probably doesnt want to wear headphones or earbuds all day, but you could suggest he borrow a pair of bone conduction ones which are much more confortable for a whole day if the battery lasts… even as a gesture you could buy a pair and offer to lend them to try. Confrontatoon always ends up worse, being nice often doesnt but sinetomes does! …. if you drop enough nice hints, even invite him over for coffee and hope he leaves music on in his house so he can hear for himself, but try not to mention it!! Mayhe he will stop…..

  • mastermik3y on 24/10/2022 - 08:26
    +4

    I think you should try speaking to people who live close by and asking if its impacting them as well. If so then maybe write a letter which includes your neighbours names. At least this way it will show him how many people are unhappy with his depressing music glaring 12 hours a day. After this have a conversation with him face to face and provide the letter to him. Sometimes in these cases the culprit won't admit fault unless they are pressured. Good luck!

  • billdsl on 24/10/2022 - 08:54
    +4

    Some things in life should require a license or a regular test to show that you are capable of not being a complete burden to society

    For some having children should not be permitted, for some being responsible for living in a house near others

    My brother in law would be a complete nightmare to live next to, great guy and would do anything for anyone, but if you didnt happen to like him grinding at midnight that would ruin things……

    No easy answer if the police reporting doesnt get you anywhere, and being a rental you cant setup a tall fence either

    • [Deactivated] on 27/10/2022 - 02:10

      Wait, what? It's a rental!? I didn't see that… for goodness sake, just move. It's not like there's tens of thousands being lost on REA fees.

  • lost in transit on 24/10/2022 - 09:04
    +3

    I still think that’sa better option than a mongrel dog barking all day and all night….

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