How to Deal With Loud Tapping From Your Neighbors

Living close to your neighbors doesn't have to be troublesome.

Living in close proximity to your neighbors can be a challenge, especially if your neighbors are particularly loud. Noisy neighbors can make the daytime unpleasant and nights impossible to sleep through. While it may be best to overlook the occasional racket, loud conversation or noisy music, persistent loud tapping can get old fast. With some planning and careful steps, you can deal with your neighbors and their loud tapping in a way that won't make it awkward to live in such close quarters.

Instructions

1. Maintain healthy relationships with your neighbors. Being friendly with your neighbors can help you earn a reputation as a nice neighbor before trouble even arises. When a problem does pop up, you are likely to have an easier time dealing with it than if your neighbors already strongly dislike you.

2. Speak with your neighbors. Meet with them face to face and politely tell them about the tapping. By remaining pleasant and polite, rather than irritated or on the attack, your neighbors are more likely to respond positively.

3. Talk to your neighbors again. If the loud tapping continues after your first discussion with them, give them another chance and confront them again. Politely explain that the tapping is still disturbing you.

4. Provide your neighbor with information about your building's noise regulations or the city's noise ordinance. Informing your neighbors that the regulations or the city ordinance prohibits their loud tapping -- after a certain time in the evening -- may make them realize that they could get in serious trouble if they fail to cease the noise.

5. Write a letter to your neighbors, letting them know formally that you will be forced to discuss your problem with the landlord if the loud tapping continues. In the letter, detail the dates that you spoke with them and again describe the loud tapping. Explain kindly that you hope to reach an agreement, but will be forced to contact the landlord should the problem not stop.

6. Tell your landlord about the problem. After speaking to your neighbors twice with no results, it may be time to alert the landlord. Your noise complaint is probably not your landlord's biggest priority, so you may need to be persistent in seeking his help.

7. Suggest mediation. Dispute resolution services in your community may be able to lead a discussion between you and your neighbor and help you deal with the loud tapping.

8. Call the police. If the situation and tapping escalates, you may want the police to intervene. For the best results, call when the noise is occurring.

9. Soundproof your apartment. While you wait for the police or landlord to help you deal with your situation, adding cork boards, fabric, carpeting and other soft, thick material can help buffer some of the sound and make the loud tapping more bearable.

References

• Realty Times: How To Deal With A Noisy Neighbor
• Apartment: Ratings: Dealing with Noisy Neighbors
• Real Estate Lawyers: Noisy Neighbors