Reasonable hour after which to expect relative quiet?

[Whisper]

So for the past few months, my downstairs neighbor has consistently (as in everyday) listened to music and played video games with volume levels that are just above the annoyance threshold, but below justifying a call to the police.

However, last night starting at around 10:30pm, as he's done a few times in the past, he cranked the noise up to a degree that was above and beyond reasonable levels.

Which got me thinking...when do most people seem to consider a reasonable time after which you should be able to expect (relative) quiet in an apt? 8pm? 9pm? 10pm?

If last night repeats itself, I plan on going down there to ask him to keep it down. If not, then I'll leave him a note asking that he kindly keep a handle on the volume.

Figured I'd throw in a poll, since I've never actually made a post that had one. Exciting stuff, I know.

And for those responding, what would be your preferred method of making (or receiving) a complaint...a note, an in-person visit at 9 or 10pm, or a visit to the landlord?

------

Mild update:

Alright, so apparently my stopping by in person didn't have quite the necessary effect, as last night, and again right now (20 'till 9pm; yes, I know that's early, and I'll only be really irritated if it continues from now until midnight and beyond, which is what usually seems to happen), I can still hear the music. I plan on leaving this note in their mailbox:

"I appreciate you guys being polite when I stopped by about the music last night. Unfortunately, the sound is still loud enough to make it difficult for me to work and sleep. If you can keep the volume down, especially at night, I'll do my best to stop bugging you. If you have any concerns of your own, feel free to let me know. Thanks in advance."

If that doesn't work out, then I'll be swinging by the office sometime soon to talk to someone there.

I feel like this is turning into that website where the woman is documenting, minute by minute, all the noises she hears. This stuff really does make you hypervigilant to just about any sound.

And thanks for all the replies thus far, whether you've agreed with my general opinion or not. Always nice to gather up other ways of looking at things.

 

[compuwiz1]

11 pm, should be the absolute latest for anything louder than normal tv watching.

 

[spaceman]

1:30 am

 

[Jumpem]

You shouldn't ever hear their music or television. And they have absolutely no business having a subwoofer in an apartment building.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
11 pm, should be the absolute latest for anything louder than normal tv watching.

Thanks for the response; edited the poll to include your answer.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
You shouldn't ever hear their music or television. And they have absolutely no business having a subwoofer in an apartment building.

Haha yeah, a sub in an apartment is a bit much. I have one from my previous house, but it's sitting against the wall, unplugged and sad.

As for the music/TV noise...I honestly didn't mind all THAT much at first, but then I got to thinking--in the four years I've lived here, I've NEVER heard anything more than footsteps from any previous neighbors, whether they be upstairs, downstairs, or nextdoor. Which leads me to believe that this guy just doesn't know, or doesn't care, how far sound travels in these buildings.

 

[xanis]

Depends.

On weeknights, 9pm is reasonable. However, on the weekends you have to accept that people go out and do things, or even have people over, so noise may continue later on into the night.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Xanis
Depends. On weeknights, 9pm is reasonable. However, on the weekends you have to accept that people go out and do things, or even have people over, so noise may continue later on into the night.

Agreed. I don't mind the noise nearly as much on the weekend, and never had an issue when my upstairs neighbors used to occasionally have mini-parties. I think this guy downstairs just annoys me more since it's this near-constant droning, which has caused me to develop (likely inaccurate) assumptions that he's inconsiderate in general, and doing it just to piss me off.

 

[blurredvision]

I voted 11pm. Some people just don't go to bed that early. I also see it as one of the necessary pitfalls of living in a multifloor apartment building.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: Whisper

Originally posted by: Xanis
Depends. On weeknights, 9pm is reasonable. However, on the weekends you have to accept that people go out and do things, or even have people over, so noise may continue later on into the night.

Agreed. I don't mind the noise nearly as much on the weekend, and never had an issue when my upstairs neighbors used to occasionally have mini-parties. I think this guy downstairs just annoys me more since it's this near-constant droning, which has caused me to develop (likely inaccurate) assumptions that he's inconsiderate in general, and doing it just to piss me off.

Exactly. I have no problems with occasional parties and loudness, it happens and I try not to be a douche. However, people who cause noise ALL THE TIME are just fucking annoying, and I agree that it's unacceptable.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: peritusONE
I voted 11pm. Some people just don't go to bed that early. I also see it as one of the necessary pitfalls of living in a multifloor apartment building.

True, but is there any need to be loud past a certain time? Sure, you may not be ready for sleep, but it surely doesn't take a lot of noise to watch TV or play video games. That's what headphones are for.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: peritusONE
I voted 11pm. Some people just don't go to bed that early. I also see it as one of the necessary pitfalls of living in a multifloor apartment building.

True, but is there any need to be loud past a certain time? Sure, you may not be ready for sleep, but it surely doesn't take a lot of noise to watch TV or play video games. That's what headphones are for.

Agreed. I'll turn my TV down to minimal levels anytime past 9 or 10pm, since by then the traffic noise brought on by the interstate that runs past the building is almost nil. And my computer's dinky speakers likely couldn't be heard in my own bedroom if I were even motivated to try.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: Whisper

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: peritusONE
I voted 11pm. Some people just don't go to bed that early. I also see it as one of the necessary pitfalls of living in a multifloor apartment building.

True, but is there any need to be loud past a certain time? Sure, you may not be ready for sleep, but it surely doesn't take a lot of noise to watch TV or play video games. That's what headphones are for.

Agreed. I'll turn my TV down to minimal levels anytime past 9 or 10pm, since by then the traffic noise brought on by the interstate that runs past the building is almost nil. And my computer's dinky speakers likely couldn't be heard in my own bedroom if I were even motivated to try.

Your username is very appropriate.

 

[Dman877]

Why don't you just sick the landlord on him?

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: Whisper

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: peritusONE
I voted 11pm. Some people just don't go to bed that early. I also see it as one of the necessary pitfalls of living in a multifloor apartment building.

True, but is there any need to be loud past a certain time? Sure, you may not be ready for sleep, but it surely doesn't take a lot of noise to watch TV or play video games. That's what headphones are for.

Agreed. I'll turn my TV down to minimal levels anytime past 9 or 10pm, since by then the traffic noise brought on by the interstate that runs past the building is almost nil. And my computer's dinky speakers likely couldn't be heard in my own bedroom if I were even motivated to try.

Your username is very appropriate.

Haha indeed. I guess it just comes from living in apartments for the majority of my life. After a while, you sort of develop your "apartment habits" tool set that kicks in on its own.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Dman877
Why don't you just sick the landlord on him?

Have thought about it, and did so (along with a few other neighbors I'm guessing) early on when his TV/music/video games also included bathroom-shaking levels of bass. That apparently got the point across, since the bass is all but gone; now all that remains is the treble.

I wanted to avoid being a bit of a douche myself by going straight to management rather than to the tenant himself, but the more I experience the noise, the less I care about respecting this guy.

 

[elmer92413]

10pm-8am generally excepted times where loud and unnecessary noises are not allowed no matter where you live be it apt or even a house.

 

[Nik]

If it's a Friday or Saturday night, 10pm. If it's a weeknight, 8pm.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: Nik
If it's a Friday or Saturday night, 10pm. If it's a weeknight, 8pm.

Geez, you're a tough one.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: Nik
If it's a Friday or Saturday night, 10pm. If it's a weeknight, 8pm.

Geez, you're a tough one.

Haha.

It's 9pm over here right now and I can hear him hard at work...contemplating walking down while the volume's up.

Edit: Talked to him; nice guy, and as expected, had no idea it was transmitting to that degree. Asked me to come in and see how loud it was down there, and explained my end of the deal.

 

[Ronstang]

With all these apartment threads that pop up around here I am sure glad I have never lived in one. People suck, privacy rules.

 

[Nik]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: Nik
If it's a Friday or Saturday night, 10pm. If it's a weeknight, 8pm.

Geez, you're a tough one.

I do my fair share of partying with the music so loud you can't hear yourself scream if you go into the house for another beer. In fact, a couple neighbors from different houses usually join us.

That being said, I still respect my neighbors since many of them have children who need their sleep. It's also nice to know that if I need to get to bed early for an exceptionally early morning, I can sleep in peace.

 

[Eli]

10PM should be latest, IMO.

11 is too late for weekdays.

City noise ordinances are usually 9 or 10PM.

 

[brtspears2]

In person visit is always best. People are generally nice, with the exception of my upstairs neighbor that says it is his right to have a subwoofer on full blast on Friday nights until 2am so he can watch his movies. But then he thinks it is totally acceptable to fire up a charcoal grill on a 2nd story wood patio that is less than 30 sq ft.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: Nik

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: Nik
If it's a Friday or Saturday night, 10pm. If it's a weeknight, 8pm.

Geez, you're a tough one.

I do my fair share of partying with the music so loud you can't hear yourself scream if you go into the house for another beer. In fact, a couple neighbors from different houses usually join us.

That being said, I still respect my neighbors since many of them have children who need their sleep. It's also nice to know that if I need to get to bed early for an exceptionally early morning, I can sleep in peace.

What the fuck is wrong with you being all rational and reasonable and whatnot?