Dealing with upstairs neighbors’ noise is one of the most challenging aspects of living in an apartment. Suppose you suddenly find yourself with a noisy neighbor who’s negatively impacting the quality of your life. In that case, it’s time to educate yourself on how to deal with the loud upstairs neighbors legally.
For Christ’s sake, these people can be a pain in the @$$ when you need peaceful time alone, probably to nap, prepare a report, or meditate.
Changing neighborhoods won’t help because there’s a likelihood that your next neighbor will be worse than your current one.
Whether the noise is caused by normal daily activities such as walking and talking or by weekend late-night parties, you should first try talking with your neighbor. Additional measures can be taken if that doesn’t work or if that doesn’t resolve the problem.
There are different ways on how you can annoy your neighbor both legally and illegally. In this article, we discuss three important topics:
- Upstairs neighbor stomping revenge
- How to annoy upstairs neighbors legally
- How to deal with noisy upstairs neighbors
Upstairs Neighbor Stomping Revenge
Have you tried breaking their legs? You could visit them and break their knee caps, and you’d be sure of no more stomping.
You could hire kidnappers and drive them to another city, or take them across the border into Canada or Mexico. Unfortunately, “people are like dogs,” and they will always find their way back home.
Have you tried smashing a bag of dog poop at their door? There’s a likelihood that this method would backfire as well.
We don’t advocate any of the above mentioned “hacks” because they’re likely to get you in trouble with the authorities.
If you’re serious about dealing with your noisy upstairs neighbors below methods won’t get you in trouble.
1. Petroleum Jelly On Their Doorknob
This won’t get in much trouble if you get caught. Grab some Vaseline jelly and apply on your noisy neighbor doorknob for some unpleasant surprise when they return to their apartment.
Beware, there are smart doorknobs that have hidden camera- or else you get busted immediately.
Not only does Vaseline on their door feel unpleasant, but it will also make it harder for them to open their doors. It’ll make the knob slippery.
Ensure that you don’t jam their door lock with petroleum jelly, or else you will be forced to pay for damages if you get caught.
2. Ceiling Thumper
A ceiling vibrator is a device that will help you get even with your noisy upstairs neighbor.
The “vibrator” is a Chinese invention (read about it here) that uses a motor to create vibrations on your ceiling.
The vibrations are subsequently unleashed on your upstairs neighbor’s floor.
The gadget consists of a motor, WI-FI remote, an extendable rod, and a cable and will cost you as little as US$200.
This gadget is sold by Taobao.com a consumer to consumer platform operated by Alibaba.com
You can have the ceiling vibrator device shipped your US address.
3. Knock On Their Door at Odd Hours
If you genuinely want to get under your neighbor’s nerves, knock on their door at odd hours. For example during their bedtime hours- like very late in the evening or early in the morning
You should make the knock genuine. For instance, you could try and borrow something and make no mistake of allowing them to discover that you’re just trying to mess around with them.
4. Play a Racquetball against Your Ceiling
This hack is similar to the ceiling vibrator discussed above. It’s a cheaper method and highly effective.
Unleash the Serena Williams in you- grab a tennis ball and a racket and spend some few hours volleying the tennis ball against your ceiling during odd hours- late in the evening or early in the morning.
Make sure to perform this when your neighbor is around. You should do it persistently and consistently.
When your noisy neighbor asks you to stop, tell them you’re seriously training for competitions closest to you.
Owning a house was one of the steps towards achieving the American dream, but with the market prices steadily rising and no relief in sight.
A study conducted by Pew Research Center found out that renters head more of the United States households than in 1965.
Below are the most effective ways of dealing with noisy neighbors.
Pick your battles wisely
It’s important to pick your battles carefully and understand that not every battle is worth the fight.
Confronting your neighbor every time you think they’re loud will only make things worse for you.
You can approach your neighbor and complain about loud music the previous night. However, confronting them every time their stereo volume isn’t to your liking could be an indication that you’re allergic to them.
5. Speak To Your Neighbor
Did you know that your neighbor may not be aware that they are being loud? So keep calm and talk to the friendly.
Introduce yourself to them if you don’t know them and highlight to them some examples of the noises you can hear.
6. Are you a good neighbor?
Much as you’d like to complain about your noisy neighbor, one question you should ask yourself whether you’re a good neighbor or not?
Probably you blend your smoothies in the dead of night or run your lawnmower 6 am during the weekends.
You may be surprised to confront your neighbor only for them to confront you back and say, “well, you run your lawnmower early in the morning…. Blah blah blah….” This could worsen the relationship between you and the neighbor.
Don’t write to them or report them
Regardless of how nice you may sound through a formal note of complaint, never leave a note on your neighbor’s door.
According to etiquette expert Emily Post, “ People are not good at writing notes, especially when they aim to correct another person’s behavior.”
Notes, in most cases, are viewed as passive aggressors.
On the other hand, while it’s okay to report your neighbor to property management, try to talk to them if possible.
You’re getting them into trouble without even giving them a chance to correct their situation.
- Top 5 Devices For Noisy Neighbours
- How To Record Upstairs Neighbor Stomping
- How to Reduce Noise from Upstairs Floors
Conclusion
Whether you go the legal or the illegal way, it’s essential to know that every route you take has its consequences.
We at SoundproofNation.com highly recommend you solve the problem with your neighbor in a peaceful manner.
If nothing works, it’s time to involve the management or call the cops on them.
References:
- https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/2087411/bad-vibrations-chinese-flat-dwellers-get-even-noisy-upstairs-neighbours
- https://emilypost.com/
- http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/07/19/more-u-s-households-are-renting-than-at-any-point-in-50-years/
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.
Thanks for the advice. I’m gonna try the ceiling vibrator.
I bought one. It works. I use it at odd times at the night. Like 3 AM. It bothers them. But they’re still not any less annoying during the day.
Can I borrow it x
Where did you buy it at?
I have the same problems with my upstairs neighbors, I do not know what else to do and I’m desperate for a piece of mind. Is there really nothing that can be done about this. Please God help me
there r lots of landlords lookg 4 new tenants… can apply 4 a new top flr apt, in new location… Prayer solves all along w/this… i’m moving as matter a fact i have an ill-content mental- like neighbor as well… i’ll pray 4 u also… i knw jus wht u feel..Bless you
@Jonathan Plourde,
I have the vibrator. But the thing is if your neighbour is smart bright to put some bricked or board up there. Then the sound is really bouncing back to you. I tried use the broom to really hit hard, in results . They hitting back too so it’s just a war to see who get tired first. Lol
After a while, they are not changing anything so I just going to set my vibrator on time in the morning for 15 min. For every day or two, don’t set everyday, you can get caught if they know your schedule .
My neighbor’s have two noisy yappy dogs who crap in the center of the apartment complex without anyone picking up after them and they bark constantly! But’s that not even the half of what’s going on! They mess with my internet and my cellphone and they come into my apartment and steal food! I have told both the manager and police but they laughed at me and denied that anyone could get into my house! One night when the neighbor was in my apartment and I said loudly I’m going to call the police! He just laughed! I tried three times to get through to 911 and couldn’t! I am an older lady and I need to take matters into my own hands!! Any ideas are welcome.
Put cameras in your house,that will be the evidence to show to the police
Can a neighbor have a camera that allows them to see into your appartment?
eat a big bag a prunes… load ur human refuge into a super soaker…. & have a spraying party when they’ve made illegal entry next time.. oh- – And take a picture..& SHOW HOW U STOPPED UR INTRUDERS… ON YOUTUBE… U PROBLY B GETTIN LOTSA PAID CLICKS GIRLIE ! ! ~ ~ ~LOL – LOL – LOL
@DEBBY RODGERS, you type like an imbecile
Unless there is a no pet policy, or their “kind of” pet isn’t allowed, not much that you can do. Check your lease, there is a lot of restrictions on pets these days. Size, weight, breed, etc. Contrary to popular belief, smaller & yappier dogs are the most aggressive & least likely to be trained or calm.
Get a gun and shoot them if your state has the castle law. People are not allowed to break into your apartment at their will and you have the right to defend your life and property if they’re just barging in.
@Louise Fisher, Old post but I would get a gun personally and if they enter the property, I would shoot them in the leg. Read the laws in your state but breaking and entering is a crime and shooting someone in self-defense because you are scared, they may harm you is reasonable as well.
Additionally, you may keep a non-loaded gun and use it to intimidate/threaten if you are scared of the legal repercussions of shooting a criminal.
But when someone is doing something on purpose after the friendly advance on talking with them. Then they don’t talk to you anymore, and the noise has gotten worse, I mean really worse, throwing things on the floor knowing the bedroom is there where they are throwing whatever heavy object they throwing or dropping because it’s so loud it sounds like a bowling ball. This is not noise this is abusive. That was not written on this article.
Stay Blessed and safe.
Wow, as I read your post it was as if I wrote this myself! Not that I want you to be going through this whatsoever, but it is comforting to finally find someone that actually understands the severity of the situation. Like the BIG difference (ppl don’t seem to get) between just having to deal with normal living noises that might happen to be very annoying and where the noises and actions are being done in a vindictive manner deliberately to affect you. You said it perfectly. I hope your situation has at the very least improved or better yet resolved completely! What you described is exactly what im experiencing including music being on 24/7 with extreme bass and high volume etc ughhh fml.
Never confront a neighbor or now that trump is in whitehouuse you could get shot or lied to
OMG 🙁 I’m going threw this! Its terrorizing , the man upstairs is very very sick 🙁
I understand your agony, I’m going through this as well?
Yes!!!! My upstairs neighbor is an abusive dried up bitter old narcissistic washed up alcoholic who is mad at the world and takes it out on me. She does abusive tactics for attention. She is literally sick in the head and I am subjected to her abuse daily. She drops items on her bedroom floor multiple times a day at odd hours on purpose and runs the sweeper at odd hours and bangs the walls while she does it. I’m definitely ordering this floor vibrator and setting up surround sound by the vents.
@Molly, omg I have an insane man above me in a high rise, I love all my others around me so I cant do much about it at all and im kind of losing it. I can move either bcuz my rent is so low as I have been here for like 9 years. he wakes up at 3 and 4 am and stomps around, I share the room with my 15 year old daughter and her and I get so grumpy. I keep trying to think of what I can do thats legal, oh also he is friends with my landlord and literally just about had me evicted bcuz I had some plastic covering my balcony for my plants…this is a living night mare….literally…
@Marie, My condolences on your profound mental illness. I hope they find a cure for your TDS.
@nicole, For what it is worth you can at least get earplugs to not be disturbed at night. They now make sillicon earplugs that you can form to the shape of your ear and will stay that way. But best would be to move.
Are we’re taking about same person Melissa? Or it is clone ?
I haven’t had any luck with finding the ceiling vibrator. Any suggestions?
Hi Jonsie, unfortunately you can’t get it on Amazon. I ordered mine through a store online and was delivered thought it took around 21 days.
Hey how does your ceiling vibrator work? The noise is so bad that we can’t even get sleep some nights. We’ve tried talking to our upstairs neighbor but it’s only gotten worse since then.
Hi Jade.
My ceiling vibrator worked pretty well. The concept behind it is that- it sends vibrations across your ceiling to the upstairs neighbor’s floor. So they’ll feel like you’re stomping their floor.
I’ve since moved out to a quieter neighborhood.
But I’m glad the vibrator helped me get even with my neighbors.
@Jonsie, A real vibrator just tape on the wall down where you can reach, I am trying it on my neighbors daughter soon. So my son doesnt loose it on her.. I am trying to find a job @ the time. And I have big sleep issues. I am doing sleep tests at the moment. Good luck with that guy. Oh by the way. The spanglish speaking mom of hers plays like she*s the victim to her boyfriend and others…. WtF
What to do when your neighbour’s kids are doing loud noises through the night?
Tennis idea seems good for me at the start in odd time.
Tennis or the ceiling vibrators seems a like good options.
How about this genius idea: if you can’t stand your neighbors because You think they are too loud or mean or rude (etc…) maybe what you need to do is get a house! I’m sure they don’t enjoy being harped at constantly & the ceiling vibrator thing is not only ridiculous and cruel but a lawsuit waiting to happen. You need to ask yourself if it’s worth the noise to have more affordable housing. Since you’re living only a few feet away from someone else, I promise you WILL hear them. Often!
Getting a house is no solution. U can still have horrible neighbors. People need to learn to respect others #simple
Thank you for the truth Larenza! My house is next to a rented house with people not caring until THEY are inconvenienced. People talk a lot of dirt behind the screen that don’t really know. Losers trying to make themselves feel better about being losers themselves.
Exactly. Unless you live with miles of average around you, there is no guarantee. And I’m sorry. But when you rent, it is reasonable to expect neighbors to be moderately quiet during the day, and silent at night. Just because you rent doesn’t mean you have to live with excessive noise. Of course, you will hear your neighbors somewhat, no matter renting or buying but people need to be respectful.
Amen! Respect is the issue.
@Ur Neighbor, you think renters are losers? Your gross.
Not cool
Just curious, how is that a lawsuit waiting to happen? You must be one of those people. I don’t encourage that, but seriously? You leave that type of “advice ” and makes you sound like a fool. Most of these people are trying to do the right thing. However, being a former landlord & tenant, that advice is asinine. Obviously “getting a house” is not an option for most people, otherwise they would’ve already done it.
Really? How about neighbors act considerately to the people who live below them? My upstairs neighbors tore out the landlord’s carpeting (would have helped to soundproof) & let kids slam doors, jump all over, play soccer in the house…. but it’s my issue? If they owned the property instead of renting, I bet they would treat the place with more respect. When I was growing up, parents didn’t let their kids run wild at home- that’s the problem now.
Oh heyyyy, you’re a privileged piece of shit. Hey, can I borrow 10,000 dollars to buy a house you out of touch absolute fucking moron? Jesus christ. I’m so embarrassed about your response I have nothing else to say except that if you were a dog, I’d rub your nose in what you just wrote. Jesus.
Someone is using this on me now. NOTHING to do with noise. This is because of a personal argument. I would apologize (and I did) for going below the belt BUT, moths later and hotels, life style change and now using only 25% of my home because of the device. “cruel” was the BEST word to describe it. They also have mental health issues … and now a toy to “play” with!
I’m sorry you are going through this. It’s not meant for that. It’s meant for abusive/disrespectful upstairs neighbors. I hate that it is being used for the wrong reasons on you but I’m glad it works because my situation is BAD. My upstairs neighbor is horrible and is abusive to me by dropping things on the floor, jumping, stomping and etc at random hours to make it hard on me while I’m in college and trying to get by. She is the definition of a HAG. It’s only her living there so it’s all her doing the noise. She lied about her health for attention for sympathy when the apartments called her for a meeting with me about the issue. I threatened legal issues and corporate involvement because I requested the meeting 2 months prior and she didn’t want to come but then they forced her to when I got sick of playing games. It’s taking everything I have not to punch her. She was scratching my car with her keys and hitting her car into mine on purpose too. I reported it but was told they didn’t do forensics on it unless it was a wreck with bodily injury but when the cop was talking to me, she came outside and stood at her door to listen and he moved me away so she couldn’t hear and then she walked over to try to hear. He was MAD. He filed the report even though I asked him not to waste his time bc nothing would be done and he said to keep filing reports and pile them up against her bc he could tell she was a real “peach” and definitely very rude and annoying but obviously targeting me and said she was sick in the head. It was at that point, even HE said that he wanted to see justice served against her as well. My husband tried to ignore her until she messed up- she thought it was just me at home (but I was gone bc I had left and went to my moms bc of her…I left my husband for wanting to ignore it) and she was being extra rude that day and making LOTS of noise. My husband was sleeping to try and leave that evening to deliver loads in his semi and had to drive all the way across the U.S. and at that point, he SNAPPED and DESTROYED our ceiling banging back and destroyed her door banging on it and went off and said he would make her life hell and she was going to stop NOW. He left tired and wrecked his semi from a deer running in front of him but the deer didn’t cause the wreck…the driving error from lack of sleep did. He could have been killed. If he would have died then I would have murdered her for sure. It got a tiny bit better after that but it’s still bad. Everyone hates this lady for obvious reasons. I swear she is evil. Never in my life have I wished anything so bad on someone, but I pray for utter hell in this lady’s life every single day.
I’m poor and my upstairs neighbors need to learn to be courteous to the people around them
It’s about courtesy and respect. Common sense should tell you to be considerate of others. I live beneath a bitch that walks like a Jurassic Park Dino at all hours.
They argue and bang around and drop shit constantly.
Weed smoking is an everyday activity even though they signed a paper saying it is cause for immediate eviction.
Loud music and no adhearance to quiet hours.
As I type this at 10:52 they are moving furniture and playing hopscotch bowling jump rope.
I am going thru the same exact thing. I love the way you explain it..Jurassic Park Dino. I can’t get a piece of mind..and the bad thing about this I’m currently fighting for my life with stage four cancer so I’m home a majority of my day. Have you found any resolution?
Eloísa, not to be rude but it seems like you’re not well aware of every single county/city-based economy factors and peoples’ ability to afford houses or homes on a larger plot of land.
As you sit on in your own home, people like my husband and i who are first time home owners who were given the option of renting an apartment that consistently went up in price every 4 months, or owning a condo for less monthly cost.
We didn’t know how bad the sound issue was until about a month later.
Since we moved a year ago, we’ve been in torment. Since the pandemic, we’ve been ripping our hair out.
Our downstairs neighbors are absolute night mares with a psycho wife, yappy dogs, large libidos, and a toddler who just discovered their vocal chords.
Our upstairs neighbors are teenagers who love rap music. We have no idea what to do, and it’s driving us crazy. Just to let you know…. it’s not as simple as “just buy a house!” When our condo was as much as a normal house. Our economy here is crazy inflated. We can’t afford a 400k single story 2be 2ba 1000sq foot house in an “eh” neighborhood. Wish we could.
It’s not always an option for people to simply “get a house”…
most people here are aware the difference between what’s normal apartment living noise and what’s not.
you were probably a really noisy neighbor and got complaints on yourself
Any ideas on how to find out if a downstairs neighbor has a ceiling vibrator? We’re 2 quiet females and he’s an abusive, vindictive POS who’s about to be sued. We live in a brick building and he plays his music so loudly that we are involuntarily being moved on our own furniture, yet the neighbor keeps our floors buzzing at night for hours on end and it’s murder-inducing.
@Jamie Jams,
@Jamie Jams, I don’t think you have seen these ceiling vibrators/thumpers from both perspectives. My neighbor is abusing theirs for the purpose of depriving me of sleep for as long as possible. It carries through the bed and makes my peripheral neuropathy get triggered. My neighbor and that machine need some help. Also I do my best not to make excessive noise, but our apartment is built kinda poorly.
@Michael Valentine, I understand. It’s being used by the two teen siblings below me to take my sleep and peace very close to constantly. They enjoy it, they have the most negligent mom imaginable.
@Ellisa, yep, everyone can just buy a house. How out of touch are you?
@Ellisa, You’re an idiot. There is NOTHING wrong with not wanting people to stomp on your ceiling at 3 AM. Maybe if you’re going to stomp around like that, YOU should get an apartment. You dumb cow.
@Leah Schmitt, LOL ‘if you were a dog I’d rub your nose in what you just wrote’ is amazing and I have to steal it
@Jane Doe, I totally agree. These days people are disrespectful and like to pass the buck. People are not responsible for their actions.
@ its not about money, or the economy, or the housing market. Some people dont have a choice but apartment renting .. they may have the money to buy a house and can very easily afford it … but they cant get financed. All boils down to CREDIT SCORE !!
Im in the very same boat … and being attacked as we speak by the downstairs moron who follows me around all day with his toy.
Police cant do anything unless they hear it … or feel it.
Property mgmt wont do anything …
I havnt been able to actually think or contemplate something without this damn toy disrupting my livelihood and violating my civil rights.
@Jane Doe, so true.no respect at all
@Ellisa, some of us here are college students Ellisa, it’s not that easy.
@Ellisa,
@Ellisa, you must be The Noisy Neighbor
How is it working out? I’m online right now and seriously thinking about getting one
Install cameras from Cox it will cost like 250 to install plus you have to pay a monthly fee but trust me it will keep you safe and they are encrypted cameras so they cannot be hacked easily if there is a problem with the cameras Cox will send a worker to take a look at them your neighbor will leave you alone I have Cox cameras and that is what is keeping me safe just make sure you ask the technician that installs the cameras to teach u how to use them
Hi there, My bedroom’s ceiling has been stomping for the last few years, i live in a townhouse. I’ve no idea what kind of device my neigbour install on my ceiling. Pls. help!
It sounds like it could be the “Ceiling Wall Thumper”.
People don’t know how serious this is!
I have nothing but trouble with my neighbors. Horrible. They have been trying to get rid of me. Since I moved in.they complained constantly. And my landlord always sides with them. I am furious. Don’t move to Regency court, in Middletown, nj. Believe me.
I’ve been having the same problem too! I have 2 kids under the age of 3 and the neighbor above me knows that. After I tried talking to her about the noises they only got worse and I’ve tried talking to my landlord too about it nothing has improved. I’m already packing because I don’t want to deal with this drama anymore. The only solution after talking to the neighbor, landlord, and having the police involved (if the loud noises persist) is to move out
I’ve been having the same problem too with my neighbor above me! After talking to my neighbor and landlord about it nothing has been improved and now I’m just planning to move out. I have 2 babies under the age of 3 and they know that, and the neighbor above me is still spiteful
I live in an apartment complex and it’s three stories. My family and I live in the middle level and we have people that live underneath us and above us. My uncle has cancer and is bed ridden and my grandma is in her 70s and doesn’t do much to cause noise. My boyfriend and I work all day so we’re hardly home. We just moved into this complex not even a year ago. The day we moved in we told the upstairs and downstairs neighbors if we’re loud please tell us and we’ll try to fix it. About 3 months ago our downstairs neighbors decided to get a subwoofer and crank it to the point our furniture was vibrating and any drink we had on our coffee table you could see the vibrations in the liquid. We ended up nipping that in the bud real quick! Then we get to our upstairs neighbors. The day we moved in the told us they have a 4 year old granddaughter that lives with them and that the wife waters her plants. That should have been a huge indication right there!! The kid runs at all hours of the night and day! I try not to hold it against her because she little and doesn’t understand but the grandparents/parents say nothing about it. There’s even times where the family goes to bed and lets the kid run buck wild all by herself. Then my family will like to sit on our patio and enjoy being outside with everything going on. It doesn’t matter what time we go out the wife hears us and drenches us with water while watering her plants! It’s not a little bit of water either, it’s about a 20 gallon fish tanks worth of water. We’ve talked to them about the water issue and we agreed on a time for her to water her plants and we’ll be nowhere around. Then two day’s later the husband (he’s one of the maintenance guys that works at our complex. Joy!) and I were having a conversation then out of the clear blue the wife starts screaming at me that she shouldn’t have to schedule a time for her to water her plants. And pretty much said if you get wet oh well! Like I said earlier, I have an uncle who has cancer and is bed ridden so it’s a joy for him to go outside, but I also worry that if he gets wet and with all of the bacteria and not knowing what kind of water we’re getting wet with we can’t even have him outside for a couple minutes.
Yeah, only do the ceiling vibrator if it’s an extreme situation like loud music or something. Try moving apartments if it’s that bad. My husband and I were stuck in a 1 bedroom with drug users downstairs and a newborn.
Someone tried the ceiling vibrator on us but it actually ruined my life because it made me nauseas and I couldn’t sleep because of it. It made a bad situation into a living hell for us and the sleep deprivation eroded our mental health and caused us to argue until we were able to move out.
Try not to be a shit neighbor back just move out or request a transfer. I did consider suing them because it possibly violates the “peaceful enjoyment” terms of the lease.
I think you could get in a lot of trouble for using one. Seriously if the noise is that bad it warrants a police call.
How in the world do you think your downstairs neighbor felt? That’s the point. To show you what it’s like.
Naw. If you’re a bad neighbor that you get every bit of what you deserve. As****es should get the ceiling vibrator and maybe they’d stop being shit. If you’re heavy footed then stop walking like a fucking T. rex. If you’re noisy, shut the fuck up or YOU buy a house
@Emie,
I understand the nausea. If you just sit there to long under whatever kind of strength they put it up to… you can definitely vagal. My neighbors can keep me up because of that type of stuff, so they did. But they never talked to us or put up a complaint, that should always come first.
@Tim,
Well said lol completely agree
I moved in not even a month ago and I can’t wait for this lease to be up haha
Oooooo someone experienced nausea a few times from a ceiling vibrator? Constant lack of sleep takes a far worse toll on a person
@J, I am a downstairs neighbor who is experiencing loud noises throughout the day and into the middle of the night. The couple stomps around, drags furniture all day, and are so disrespectful that they build/hammer furniture from 2-3am and beyond! It’s incredible the amount of furniture they’ve built in the past month.
Conversely, last year, I was an upstairs neighbor who received complaints from downstairs from a extra sensitive and ridiculous couple. Because the walls were so thin, they wanted us to buy more rugs and to ceased talking on the phone after 5:30pm or reduce it to a whisper. Ideally, they wanted us to remain in place and be mute all day long. We consciously tip-toed, continued to speak in normal tones, and reduced our noise after 10pm. That was still not good enough. Luckily, they cut their lease early and moved out but, wow, am I feel karma of some kind.
Obviously people rent because they can’t afford to buy or can’t settle for some reason. If your a renter you should respect your downstairs neighbors if you have people below you!!
EMIE
PLEASE, someone is also using this device on me and our “issue” had NOTHING to do with noise. We had an argument MONTHS ago and he has mental health issues.
People here had 1 tear coming down my face to 1, hear people suffering so greatly but, who are now willing to use this device which causes INTERNAL damage to your organs! Please contact me mrmrmikev@hotmail.com.
I am STRUGGLING to get help. I think this could even KILL!
If you can’t be a good neighbor, may your neighbor be a you TO you.
@Michael Valentine,
Its nerve triggered not internal damage. Vibration is a very common trigger for different types of neuropathies and the sort. The things aren’t uncommon and that constant vibration can be a killer on quality of life completely disproportionate to the “annoyance” of those underneath.
I’ve lived in this complex for over 4 years and learned very quickly that the manager doesn’t like females. She an elderly woman who should have retired years ago but sits on her throne in the office. Her boss is just as bad. Anyway, I needed to move to a bottom apartment due to knee issues. A year ago I moved to a first floor apartment. It was nice for about 5 weeks and then an army veteran and his father moved in. The noise was awful and I figured it would stop after they were settled. NOT! I decided I’d be a good neighbor and go upstairs, introduce myself, welcome them etc. During that time I told the father I worked nights. I went up there three times but the third time I’d had it. The father is in his 60s and I said come on man!!! It’s been two months since they moved in. I finally saw the son around this time. I told the manager. Huh, what a laugh. For about six months I put up with this noise but just before covid hit the world in March, he left. It was so nice and pleasant. Quiet. Last night things were not quiet any longer and I gasped. When I got home from work today I called the office and ask the young lady if the noise maker was back. She said yes but only temporarily. That’s what they told me last year. I sent a text to my daughter and wrote, F………..k! The a..hole is back!! She lol me and said to google how to get back at upstairs neighbor. All this information I’ve read has been relatable, laughable and frustrating. Some comments are just stupid. If everyone living in an apartment could buy a house I’m sure they would, you fool. I don’t know what to say to help solve this problem so many people are having to survive with but I will say if you aren’t living the nightmare, shut up.
@Xena, thank you. Well said!
My upstairs neighbour has just moved in a woman and three kids. I got to sleep at 3am this morning. This is a one bedroom apartment I’m so tired, When i asked if they could keep the noise down they told me i was rude? Only trouble is i am out numbered and they don’t look like the sort of people you want to mess with.
I am currently dealing with extremely loud neighbors, they constantly stomp on the floor throughout the whole day. I have contacted the leasing office and a leasing agent told me they have the right to be as loud as they want from 7am-11pm Georgia law?. I called the police and they were not as loud for 2 days and they started again. Unfortunately I have Stage four Lymphoma and in the process of going thru chemotherapy, so I had to stop working at the moment. I contacted an attorney early this morning and at this point I’m willing to move, but not into another apartment. If I have to hire a moving company, I’m moving off the property. I’m so unhappy here
Lovely couple in the flat above us moved out. Have now got in a bloke with his teenage kids and girlfriend. He never seems to do any work, no idea how he can afford to rent it. They seem to sit up half the night and then sleep in to lunchtime. We often don’t get to sleep until the middle of the night and then have to get up a few hours later to go to work. Am permanently tired and making mistakes and have a nearly constant headache. Also breaking multiple terms of the lease. He has taken up drumming again, no musical instrument playing is allowed under the lease. Letting agent keeps making excuses for him instead of sorting it out and didn’t even bother to reply to our last phone calls and email. When he sees us he walks by in injured silence as though it is all our fault. When he first came in he seemed friendly and said if there will any problems to let him know but he was spoken to by 3 different people and didn’t do anything about the problem, so we then tried to get the agents involved who started out being helpful but now can’t be arsed to do anything. Luckily the owner of the flat is selling and he has been given notice but after 5 hours of drumming yesterday like the idea of ‘getting back’ at him.
Exactly. Im so happy i found this post. Seems like vibrators is my last solution. True, i don’t live in private house and should expect noise from other people, i probably make some myself! But there is huge difference between noise time to time and EVERY SINGLE DAY. I would never even complain about birthday parties or some similar time to time outbursts, but constant, regular noise is not only unpleasant, it destroys your nerve system (yes, it sounds silly), it reduces quality of your daily routine. If you spend days, evenings sitting in sofa watching tv, not much things will bother you. If you want to work/read/learn – you can forget about it. So if my hunger for quality time for someone is less important than my respect and manners i show to other neighbours, then i think vibrator is the last hope for us and acceptable solution. Yes, cruel, but politeness does not solve all problems. And it’s easy for people to talk, if they never experienced such disturbances or they never tried to read one book in life.
Thank you all so much! For just being real and leaving your experiences to help others! The world we live in today people just don’t care ! They see an opportunity to hurt and harm others they will jump on it to feel better about their low lives! I guess!? I am a super stressed Downstairs tenant! And the pandemic has really made it even tougher!
I have always lived with roommates and shared living situations so I thought downstairs no problem! It’s a problem they just moved in 3 months now every day all day and night morning you name it! 2 kids they never stop running banging jumping throwing screaming! When they are asleep then I guess it’s the tweeker parents turn they throw objects on the floor open and slam windows and doors it’s just awful! Never stops ! One day They came up to us (us meaning my husband, 1 year old son and myself) as we were coming home from grocery shopping saying “sorry if my kids are loud” … we said hello, and we understood it’s thin walls you can hear everything! …. thinking they would slow it down at least 11p-7a we were very friendly but definitely let them know we are hearing it!!!
Now !!!! they bang and play loud music vibrate jump stomp throw things on top us in our bedrooms! It’s gotten way worse !!! who apologizes and then goes even harder!? People really just try to F with happy nice people! just a miserable world we live in rn! It’s so easy live your life and Just be courteous of others . We obviously All F****** live here 24/7! #Earth
Hi,
does the “ceiling vibrator” work in Europe? there’s a crazy man who lives above me, he makes a lot of noise, he doesn’t go out, he exercises in his apt. I spoke to him in the past, he stops temporary and starts again. I’m so fed up, I hired a lawyer, to sue the landlord. Meanwhile, I want to get even with this nut, so I need this gadget. Also is there another site that sells it for cheaper? Thanks.
My upstairs neighbor likes to complain about normal noise during daytime hours. Keep in mind she’s ABOVE me. The lady below me throws wild parties and I rarely hear anything from those. While complaining she has a small yapping dog and people who stay with her that have constantly been making tons of noise until 2am. So the past few days I’ve been making TONS of noise during reasonable daytime hours ? If it continues I’m going to start the noise at 5am when I get up for work. And sorry I completely disagree with the poster who said as a renter it’s reasonable to expect pretty quiet days and silent nights. Pretty quiet to silent nights, yes. Days are time to clean, time for kids to play, etc. Most apartment leases even state, that unless it’s excessively loud music or screaming, that daytime noise of most kinds is permitted.
I live in a apartment and have a 1 year old. My upstairs neighbors have 2 kids(between 5-10) and 2 dogs(1 great dane and 1 husky- both full size). We hear the kids up playing in their room, seemingly jumping off their beds in the middle of the night. They play ball with the dogs in their apartment, and when they run ( I’m assuming it’s the great dane) our apartment shakes. These dogs scratch and claw on the floor in the middle of the night, and run around as well, waking up our baby. We talked to them the week after we moved in. The response? They’re kids. They’re dogs. What do expect me to do about it?
Property management told me to call security when I have an issue with them, which i have several times, to which i dont see it helping.
Oh my neighbors party EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!!! have their kids watch their annoying baby who runs everywhere and slams things on the ground. they’re 35-45 year olds who still party like they’re young.. during a damn pandemic. i’ve gotten the door slammed in my face for asking nicely to please keep it down or ummm NOT BUILD FURNITURE AT 12AM WHEN THEY HAD THE WHOLE DAY TO DO IT. they blast music 9am-3-4am… this is my sad life. oh… my landlord loves them and thinks i’m the problem! so, imagine my situation and pain.
I feel y’all’s pain! I am dealing with a single middle aged woman that lives above me and seems to be running a warehouse, because there is constant furniture moving all night like what are you doing that you need to move furniture that much!
I moved in at the end of July and the apartment was a dream! For three and a half months, there was barely any noise that at times, I doubted that anybody was living upstairs!
This lasted till mid November, where all of the sudden, furniture started moving, doors started slamming, and feet started stomping!
At first, I didn’t even doubt my upstairs neighbor was making the noise. I was so deep in denial that I blamed the noise on my front neighbors, which was irrational!
Anyway, on December 5, I went upstairs, knocked on the door, the lady opened right away; I introduced myself and asked “How long will the noise go for? Because it has been consistent since mid November?” She shrugged it off and said “I am just moving furniture around”. Then I mentioned that there was no noise for a couple months, to which she replied “That’s because I was working outta town!”
That night, the noise didn’t stop until 3 am! Then I realized, this woman has absolutely no morale! If my neighbor told me I was making noise, I’d at least mitigate or stop for the night, which she clearly didn’t even think about doing!
Anyway, I am sending an email to management tomorrow. I will tell them if she doesn’t alleviate the noise, I will have to break the lease and move! I live in constant anxiety and I find an excuse to leave the apartment!
I have a one year lease, and I got the first month free as a move in promo. There is no way I am finishing up the lease (7 months left), so if management doesn’t resolve the problem within the next two weeks, I will move out in the new year for sure!
I have the same problem! But this sick, twisted, psycho bitch above me does the same thing! She bangs on the wall or sink fixture when I am in the kitchen either cooking or washing dishes etc.,. I am like; wtf is her problem?!?!? I lived here before you did and you think I make noise?!?!? I get up at 5 am for work shower, I iron my uniforms the day before so no iron board is out to disturb no one. I try to be quiet I ease out the door and leave. But this crazy bitch gets up when I get up races to the bathroom and starts slamming cabinet doors and turns the water on and off continously. I try to sneak in the bathroom she runs in hers and keeps it going on and off with the water?!?!? Who does that? Then I go to the elevator her dumbs ass runs out of her apt to beat me to the elevator ,and her crazy childish ass hits every button causing me to stop on every floor before I make it to the lobby. I live on the 8th floor and it pisses me off because that is like 5 minutes wasted to get to work! So I just started taking the stairs.(I need to get my steps in anyway lol,). But it is annoying! Then I get home as soon as I get in the doorway she starts up! Stomping and dropping stuff on the floor that sounds like a baseball of some sort. Then she starts slamming her barstool or chair on the floor and against the wall. Then I get in the shower, it is like she stomps in the tub and I really don’t know why she does this! I try not to disturb no one but low and behold it always seems to happen to me! She is home all day every day and she is up all through out the night. (I don’t think this miserable bitch works) She would drop shit directly over my bed to give me a freaking anxiety attack I be really wanting to kill her! I hate this crazy bitch! She is mentally unstable and I don’t know what she is capable of. The apartment manager is a fat ass pudgy joke! He is a chicken shit with no balls or a backbone all he thinks about is money! But I will invest in a vibration machine because this psycho is ruining my life, my sanity, emotional well-being and I am sooo sleep deprived. When my lease is up I am moving to a house and hopefully neighbors that are a mile from me.
Everyone who posted here as tenants, be grateful. You can leave at the end of your lease. I am dealing with this issue an an owner. The upstairs neighbors own their unit, too. I can’t just move, I have a mortgage. Plus, prices have gone up so much, what can I afford, if I move?
@Bev, same here. I own a condo on the ground floor & the unit upstairs is own by the old lady. Her 40 year old loser son (who clearly has mental issues) continues to throw gallons of water off his balcony to clean his dogs piss. Even though I have asked nicely as well as the condo board, nothing has changed. He continues to do what he wants & people are tired of trying to address the issue so they stop & he continues to act inappropriately. How can I fix this?
@Sabrina, Try calling the ACT team in your area… assertive community team… they help those with serious mental issues… well first call the police and ask for the crisis team.. police trained in mental health. every county has a act team which helps 100 people in the community who have serious mental issues and nothing else has worked for them. It may help to have a record of annoyances. I have neighbor upstairs who has a drinking problem and the more he drinks, the louder he talks and yells at his partner. I haven’t called the police yet – I told them about it and they gave me a number to call and ask for a welfare check or a well check… where the police will check on them to make sure everything is ok. It is scary when they live so close because you don’t want to be fighting with disturbed people all the time. Pick your battles… a noise machine may work.. maybe i never heard them much before because I sleep with the television on and they used to keep their windows closed.
You don’t need to engage in any of this activity to stop a noisy neighbor upstairs – It’s much more simple legally
I had issues with noise people upstairs about three times , I had lived in houses up until that point and had no idea people were so disrespectful of other tenants- Most of the times it was people visiting the neighbor and would stay a few days and be rowdy and loud-
What I did was take a walking cane I used for my knee a few years ago and hit the ceiling at least 20 times which causes a booming sound.
As soon as I heard the noise I would bang the ceiling with the stick pretty hard which vibrates the floor and scares people into submission .
That worked well, although at times the tenant with visitors would
attempt to retaliate with light tapping but it shut them down for the most part.
Keep in mind that the Best option, is to contact the Leasing Office and email them about this asap. Calling is fine at first but a paper trail is best.
This happened to me at a time the neighbor was moving as a result of
an illness and his family were uncivilized people from NY.
After I contacted the Management of the property, they immediately
told the visitors the noise had to stop or they would have to leave.
In addition, Property Management has a duty to evict noisy tenants
if the refuse to stop the noise. One tenant who was noisy I had them move her to another apartment because of her noise.
I’ve also been in situations where complaining to the office didn’t work so
I had to resolve the issues with a stick and cane to the ceiling.
You can also take the tenant to Court and file a Peace order.
If the noise doesn’t stop after these methods , contact the Police and
file a police report- After that is done, The Property Management , has to stop the noise by law or be sued by the tenant.
There are legal options, you can take them to civil court over this. If they’re disturbing your sleep, interfering in your daily tasks, or just downright being disruptive you can take them to civil court. A great example is that I own a business and my neighbor wakes me up three times a night, I could charge him $75 per instance plus $75 for each hour of sleep that I lose, overtime that builds up.You take it to a civil court and claim damages, see how well they like having their wages garnished.
I’m experiencing this. Reporting them to management doesn’t work because all they care about is getting their rent.
Talking to the neighbour likely won’t help if they are a psychopath as getting a reaction is their endgame.
What I’ve done is simply learnt to ignore it. I use earplugs at night coupled with white/black screen so my sleep isn’t affected by any late night random heavy object-dropping or door slamming.
Eventually the psycho will give up any attempt at getting a reaction. They will still try here and there but at a much reduced level.
Here is a list of my upstairs psycho’s methods:
Loud television
Loud stereo
Guitar playing
Stomping
Heavy object dropping
Internal door slamming
Loud farting (against floor for maximum effect by the sound of it)
He is a middle-aged man with no visitors or social life. He drinks and smokes. I imagine annoying neighbours and getting them to love out is the only form of entertainment/power he has. It’s important not to take it personally.
Unfortunately for me, I signed a three year lease with no break clause. I have one year and eight months to go.
One good thing is that I learnt how to acknowledge and regulate my emotions.
I own my apartment in a condo and the unit above me was rented out to a family with 3 young children that treated it like a playground every waking hour. They were low class section 8 family, so dealing with the single mom didn’t work, nor the owner of the rental ot the management company and board of directors. After being screwed around for years and police called, yeah that’s was thier solution, I got an attorney to sue. The people were forced to leave otherwise they would have to pay me since infringing on my right to peaceful enjoyment of apartment. Just the threat of legal action to the owner is enough for someone to take action finally. Document everything in writing, record the noise and time, date, and stay on top of it. You don’t have pay to live in hell.
@Juno, not all section 8 are low-class. I am single, 54, no kids. Brain trauma which caused me to live in my car, and then the horrid program opened up a world of nothing but thin-walled crapholes. I’m moving in about 9 days and cannot wait. No one above me, just one shared wall with hopefully a somewhat normal person omg. I’m a bottom apartment dweller with non-section 8 gamblers upstairs who scream at the tv and sometimes tweak all night. They are home all day every day and for a while we were at war. I’d blast my tv under them to 80 which made them go to their friends apartment two doors down. They’re all addicts/ friends who sit at home all day. I told him I’d kick his ass up and down the street. The one drunk I knew was on Section 8, so I reported his ass for dealing meth and they inspected his place and told him to knock it off, grow up, or he’s out of the program. They shouldn’t coddle drunks. I have a legit reason to be fkd up, so yeah, I’m upset that many are garbage people, but so are non-section 8 people. It’s got such a bad rap I cannot get a landlord to let me into one of their gorgeous places. I guess the TBI I acquired beyond my control means I’m a lowlife in most people’s eyes. For a while I wanted to murder this kid, but not worth jail time! Anyway I feel all you ‘bottom dwellers’ pain and wish you the best of luck.
I used a simple bluetooth speaker touching the ceiling on top of a pile of pillows starting from the wardrobe (to be sure to convey the max of the sound just to the ceilings). I wrote a small script that was playing from my laptop a single Disney sound (like trumpets, car crash, etc) every 30 minutes for the whole night.
My neighbour was an old woman who used to put on purpose very very loud radio from 6am to 8am but completely quiet for the rest of the day. The sounds i was playing were not loud at all but in the complete silence of the night must have been like a nightmare.
She made my mornings so awful for so many months but still I regret I did it to her now that I experienced what really annoying upstairs neighbours sound like in my new flat. Time to find that script again…
Call the police and ask for the incident number. The last time the police came he said he was just going to arrest him. Talking to them. Arguing with them only made it worse. I walk to my car with a dagger now. My vehicle has so many scratches I can’t count them. Document everything. Record noise. I have an app on my phone. I record them arguing. Carrying guns and drugs being exchanged. Read your lease. Very state has a noise ordinance. You have a right to live peacefully. And talk to the property manager. Let them know you are documenting everything because they may be held responsible too. I’m done playing nice. I’ll see them all in court.
@Michelle, I have a horribly loud upstairs neighbor. I tried to reason peaceably but the fact that I even complained just spurred her on to be even louder and more obnoxious at all hours. My car has been damaged twice. They just break the windows to let me know they were there. I know it’s her, it always happens immediately after the day that I have tapped on the ceiling to let her know it’s just too loud. It’s so unfair. I’m old, and I’m not cranky and old. I just need to get some sleep and it’s not happening, some days I feel like I’m gonna have a breakdown. I went to the proprty manager in my building and that got me nowhere. He told me maybe I should go for Hypnosis and learn how to deal with it. Yup, that’s what he told me. So every day now I go online, I’m trying to find somewhere I can go where it will be quiet. Unfortunately I live in an area where real estate is very expensive, and if I move from here it will have a big impact. I thought about living in a motorhome, I don’t know what to do. I do know that noise has a really serious impact on your health, and I am really struggling.
@Ballou,
Why do you say that Chinese “EMP” device is legal? If you run a tenant out of their apartment can’t the landlord call the police or sue you?
It’s a legal thing in China. I bet its also legal here in the US. It only produces tapping and vibrating noises. Unless you go bragging about your “powerful ceiling vibrator, I’m certain it won’t get you in trouble.
Again, you only use it when your upstairs neighbors start their stomping on their floor. It’ll make them stop or drive them nuts.
Just play Baby Shark for 12 hours in a row non-stop. All of my neighbors moved out the next day
I am generally not one to take revenge and have lived in large cities my entire life. I’ve had neighbors who watched tv until 1am, held parties, listened to loud music, yelled at their children, got into arguments, and even got intimate. I let it all go because I understand that it sort of comes with city dwelling. None of these incidents have amounted to anything serious albeit annoying. However, I am at my wits end with my new upstairs neighbors who physically build furniture past 3am in the morning. The hammering have woken me up a couple times! I don’t even understand who does this. It is super inconsiderate and the all day elephant stomps and dragging of furniture do not help. It’s way past friendly talks. I’ll be employing some of these ideas, thanks!
Yikes. We are quite old and this is our first experience with impact noise from above. We know our neighbors are only walking in a normal fashion. It seems magnified when it hits our space.
Moving again at our age is troubling. But the unfamiliar thumps, chairs scraping the floor and things dropping with a loud kaboom are driving us crazy. This is not the way we want to live out whatever time we have left.
Management swore the soundproofing is excellent. The rent is over the top high. But they are not willing to do additional insulation.
I love some of your ideas, like the ceiling vibrator and tennis balls bouncing off the ceiling.
We are too polite to do either. Just asked to move to a top floor apartment when available.
My neighbour above me is no polar and a lunatic follows me about my flat especially the bathroom must be kinky,sick of her boyfriend not much better. Than her
Use the rubber hammer! It will help you asap:)
When odd time or midnight, girp the hammer and smash upper wall which heard some surrounding sounds. If you do that just one minute, your sweet neighbor would soon waking up, and knock on your house frontdoor.
Help with upstairs apt neighbors
Feel bit better,ive got sickos upstairs who switch lights on and off incessantly,and taps all night. Kids stamp,bodyslam smash everything they can find,now even more as ive complained. They are completely Mental,they hide in the bathroom and be quiet in the mornings like their playing a game. These are PARENTS FGS!!. Then they lie and say they dont do stuff!!. They have made up a name for me,and concoct this whole fantasy which they speal to their kids about how “woman gone”,or “womans leaving”. Then proceed to tell their kids half heartedly to be quiet!. They have a massive car but have nothing else. She pretends to be a “business woman” but she is not at all. She works in a shop. Completely DELUDED. Get up in the night and smash on kitchen tables,or knock on the floor,start banging things about.WHY?,,,do people do this?. Their children do it all aswell which i find AWFUL!!.