Thursday 21 December 2017

Landlord Tips: Handling Noise Complaints.




From Landlord Talking.


Noise is everywhere around us. But when noise occurs in a rental property, it can cost a landlord time and money. That’s reason enough to become proficient at handling noise complaints.

These complaints can be difficult to resolve because:

1. Most noise disturbances occur in the middle of the night;
2. It can be tricky to identify the source;
3. Enforcement efforts are not always successful; and
4. Sometimes the complaining tenant is being too sensitive to normal noises.



Tenants’ Right to Quiet Enjoyment


The right to quiet enjoyment of the rental property is at the heart of noise complaints. Tenants are entitled to live free from unreasonable disturbances, which can include excessive, ongoing noise. Inaction by the landlord can violate a tenant’s quiet enjoyment, giving rise to monetary awards. So, it is imperative for landlords to resolve tenant noise complaints.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.


When is Noise Excessive?


Normal daily activities make noise. No one can access kitchen cabinets or glide along the floor above undetected. Yet, other tenants often complain about these noises. The fact is some tenants are simply too sensitive to noise, and struggle to live in multifamily situations.


Link to the rest here.

Image. (Telegraph/UK.)

Opinion. When a tenant is drinking a pint of whiskey before bed, taking six or eight ten milligram melatonin tablets, wearing earplugs at all times, and they're still being disturbed in the middle of the night by so-called 'normal household noises', then it would appear that labeling them 'sensitive to noise' is a bit of a cop-out on the part of the landlord.

Thank you for reading.






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