How to Make a Noise Complaint to Police

[Image via Shutterstock/Barry Barnes]

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Neighbors. We've all got them, and (unless you live on a humongous estate, in which case, bully for you) most of us have wished at some point that they'd pipe the heck down. Whether you're separated by a tissue-thin wall or a few glorious feet of space, neighbor noise can make you feel under attack in your own home, keep you up at night, or just make you miserable. Here are some common sense tips to dealing with the Louds next door.

Calm down!
First of all, take a deep breath and consider whether the noise coming through the walls is merely aggravating, or likely to be in violation of your local noise ordinance. LA's Noise Regulation Ordinance restricts your commonplace loud activities (lawn mowing, car repair) to daytime hours, roughly 8 am to 8 pm. It also consider factors like whether the noise is "natural or unnatural," how close the noise is to a bedroom, and the density of the neighborhood. If, in light of these factors, you decide that your neighbor is probably within the limits--no matter how much it's bugging you--take a deep breath, find a way to distract yourself, and remind yourself how dull life would be if you lived in the middle of nowhere, miles away from your nearest neighbor.

Have a nice chat
Once you've calmed down (and really, don't attempt to have a polite conversation while you're seething--it won't end well), knock on their door and ask your neighbor to quiet down. Be polite! Remember that they're entitled to live their lives in their homes as much as you're entitled to yours, and also that they may well be mortified when they discover how terrible a neighbor you probably think they are.

Get out of the house
This isn't necessarily a long-term solution, but go for a walk. Work at a cafe. See a movie. Is it fair that your neighbor's flute lesson drives you from your home once a week? No. But having neighbors and being a part of a community involves a little compromise. And you probably aren't quite as quiet and respectful as you think you are, either.

Call the cops
The LAPD suggests that noise complaints, from loud TVs to awful parties, are best dealt with by your local police station. Call them at (877) ASK-LAPD (275-5273). Do not call 911. If your neighbor complaint is more of the barking dog variety, try the city's Animal Care and Control Department.

Write to your landlord
If you're a renter, you probably have a noise clause in your lease. Take a look, and if you do--and if your neighbor is violating it--contact your landlord letting them know there's a problem. But before you do, you might want to take a few minutes to read the rest of your lease and make sure you aren't in violation of any other clauses. You don't want this to turn into a fight over who broke the most rules.
· Curbed University [Curbed LA]

How to Make a Noise Complaint to Police

Source: https://la.curbed.com/2013/4/19/10251912/5-tips-for-dealing-with-no-good-terrible-very-loud-neighbors

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