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What are my options to force my neighbor to turn down her stereo?

What are my options to force my neighbor to turn down her stereo?

Full question:

I live in New Mexico. My neighbor has her stereo going nearly everyday for most of the day. It is loud enough to hear in my home. I have already left 3 messages for her, asking her to turn down the volume because it is disruptive. So far, she has not complied. What are my options?

Category: Real Property
Subcategory: Neighbor Relations
Date: 04/07/2025
State: New Mexico

Answer:

There are various strategies for dealing with noisy neighbors. Some of these include:

-Discussing the problem with or writing a letter to the offending neighbor

-Calling the police

-Asking the landlord/coop board to remedy the situation

-Filing a lawsuit for breach of warranty of habitability, peaceful enjoyment, infliction of emotional distress, nuisance, harassment, etc.

-Talk to a councilperson about passing a local noise ordinance

A coop board stands in the position of landlord and is required to rememdy situations which may the premises unlivable. Implied in a tenant's rights is the right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises. Depending on the bylaws, a tenant may be required to have the floor carpeted.

It may be possible to petition your local representative to enact a noise control ordinance if one doesn't already exist. Most local governments have some form of noise control based on either subjective nuisance or disturbance based standards, or an objective decibel based standards, or a combination thereof. Many of the subjective noise ordinances seek to control excessive noise that is of such character that it "tends to annoy, disturb or cause physiological or psychological harm to a person with normal sensitivities." Improvements in sound measurement technology and federal noise initiatives have led to a trend among local governments to adopt detailed objective decibel-based noise regulations that incorporate noise emission limitations and noise assessment criteria. These ordinances are often combined with traditional nuisance based regulations that allow for a two-pronged approach to noise control.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

How to make noisy neighbors shut up?

To address noisy neighbors, start by having a friendly conversation about the noise. If that doesn't work, consider writing a polite note outlining your concerns. If the noise continues, you can contact local law enforcement to report the disturbance, as they may enforce noise ordinances. If you rent, inform your landlord about the issue, as they may intervene. If necessary, explore legal action for nuisance or emotional distress.

How do I know if my music is too loud for my neighbors?

A good rule of thumb is to keep your music at a level where you can still hear normal conversation without raising your voice. If your music can be heard clearly outside your home or if neighbors complain, it may be too loud. Local noise ordinances often define acceptable noise levels, so check your local laws for specific guidelines.

How do I shut down neighbor's music?

To address your neighbor's loud music, first try talking to them directly. If that fails, document the noise and contact local law enforcement to report a potential violation of noise ordinances. If you are renting, notify your landlord or property management. As a last resort, consider seeking legal action for nuisance if the issue persists.

How do I stop my neighbor from making noise?

Start by discussing the noise issue with your neighbor in a calm manner. If they are unresponsive, you can send a written request to reduce the noise. If the problem continues, reach out to local authorities to report the noise, as they may enforce noise regulations. If you are in a rental situation, inform your landlord to help resolve the issue.

What to do if a neighbor keeps playing loud music?

If your neighbor plays loud music frequently, first try to communicate your concerns directly. If that doesn’t work, document the incidents and contact local law enforcement to report the noise. You can also inform your landlord if you rent. If the situation does not improve, consider seeking legal advice regarding potential nuisance claims.

How to deal with neighbour bass music?

Dealing with bass music can be particularly challenging due to its low frequency. Start by discussing the issue with your neighbor, as they may not realize how disruptive it is. If the noise persists, document the disturbances and contact local authorities to report a violation of noise ordinances. If you are renting, notify your landlord for assistance in resolving the issue.