January 9, 2012
Noise complaints are possibly the fastest growing type of disputes in condominiums.
They can be particularly difficult to manage because the majority of noise complaints are generated at a time when the manager may not be at the Condominium to witness the cause and severity of the disturbance.
Loud parties and music or banging and yelling rarely take place between 9 and 5 pm on Monday to Friday. These late night disturbances or weekend occurrences can be, and must be, effectively managed.
Here are some useful tips:
- Make sure that you document the time and dates of disturbances as well as assign a number from 1 to 5 of the severity of the noise.
- Contact the superintendent, security or management office to witness the noise and make a report. The creation of a paper trail will increase the odds of success if the courts get involved.
- When writing the complaint to management for action refrain from using words like always or never. These terms are absolute and can destroy the credibility of your argument. Stick to the dates and times that you have recorded.
- Let management or security contact the offending residents. Conflict between neighbours rarely successful.
- Manage your expectations. These situations can take time to resolve. Management and the Board have the responsibility to enforce the condo’s rules but in this case they do not always have the authority. Noise complaints can take time and be expensive – just ensure that Management is keeping you informed of what they are doing to resolve the matter during each step of the process.