If you have had the misfortune of living next to loud neighbors then you may be looking for some steps for dealing with a noisy neighbor, and I'm here to help. I once lived next to someone who would come back from their night out in the early hours of the morning, promptly turn the music up and open their windows for the rest of the street to enjoy. This would continue until the morning, when I'm assuming she would then get some rest so she could start the whole cycle again. Suffice to say, I did not wake up feeling well-rested! Noisy neighbors can be incredibly stressful and can take over your life. Dealing with a noisy neighbor needn't be scary though, and these steps may help as either a prevention or cure.
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Good Relationships
Having a good rapport with neighbors from the very beginning is essential, so if you're moving into a new place or planning to move, introduce yourself to them. You never know when you are going to need a helping hand from your neighbors, and trying to establish a good relationship from the beginning can really help. This may also help when dealing with a noisy neighbor in the future.
Getting to Know You
If you don't already know your neighbor, get to know them. Find out their name, where they work and what they do for a living. This may sound a little intrusive, and of course you don't need to give them the third degree or stalk them, but you might want to try and establish a neighborly bond with them. If you're having a BBQ, invite them over for a drink or two. This can be a great way to break the ice.
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Smile
If your neighbor is being too noisy then approach them in a friendly way. Don't be aggressive because this will only make them defensive. Try and start by smiling and being friendly, that way they're likely to at least stick around and hear what you have to say.
Common Interests
Find out if you have any common interests. Creating a bond with them will make future contact much easier. Are they into movies, sports or gardening? What do they enjoy doing in their spare time? Perhaps you have some interests you can share.
No Big Deal
Now that you have a good rapport with them, you may want to broach the subject of their noisiness. Most of the time, if you make it known that their music is too loud or their behavior is making it difficult for you to sleep or operate, they will be cooperative and modify their behavior. Be sure to mention it in a casual way, which means you're not making a big deal out of it. They will probably get the hint and modify their behavior accordingly.
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The Waiting Game
Wait a while and see what happens. If they don't cease the behavior which is causing you bother, perhaps try and confront them in a more direct way. Another option is to speak to other neighbors and see if they're experiencing the same difficulties. Maybe they can speak to them too, that way they will see that it isn't just bothering one person but is having an effect on others too.
Last Resorts
If all else fails, you may want to contact your local council or Environmental Health. After all, these people and their behavior are causing noise pollution. Noise pollution can be debilitating and can lead to stress. The local council may be able to assess the noise by putting a device in your home which measures the noise, and if it is above a certain limit, the 'offending' noisy neighbors may be cautioned accordingly.
Has anyone had to deal with noisy neighbors? How have you approached them and did it work, or did you have to enlist the help of higher powers?
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