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I could move, but I just got a new job so I need to save up for a bit before that is possible. Also, I have lived here for 6 years and it has only become an issue since this neighbor moved in. I would have to break the lease. Anyone can get a doctor to sign for a "support" dog....all that is is a way for people to abuse the fair housing act and not have to pay an animal deposit or look for a place that actually allows pets. There is no recourse in that matter. These complaints have happened when I'm playing as quietly as I possibly can, and with all of the things I listed in the original post. I've even measured myself with a decibel meter, and I cap out at 65dbs (which is about as loud as a washing machine). The only thing I haven't tried is the platform idea. Will assemble something by the end of this week and hopefully that resolves this. The reality is that it does not matter what the police think, if what I do----no matter what it is, is enough for a neighbor to complain----then I am in violation of that part of the lease.
For sure try the platform.
I think a rubber base, with a plastic bin filled with sand, then a rubber square sitting on top of the sand, would work very well and be cheap to do. Other ideas presented in this thread will work well too.
(Consider, while home, playing beautiful music you know and refining the performance. Music that sounds good will get fewer complaints. Vomit exercises and the like with Arco... find a bridge somewhere to play under.. perhaps..)
Also the unit downstairs likely has an identical layout to yours. So during practice time, try to be in a room that the neighbour is not in. ie. 5-6pm, if he is watching tv while prepping dinner, don't be in your living room or dining room right above him, be in a bedroom.
Another thing, is a lot of noise does go though the main apt door and down the hall. Being in a closed room, like a bedroom, is better to contain the sound than being in an open concept kitchen-dining-living area.
The letter you posted does show that you have rights too.
Paragraph A writes of "excessive noise"
Paragraph B, says you can play from 9am to 10pm hours at "moderate volume". You can even play later 10pm to 9am at "low volume". These are left open to interpretation on purpose. 65dB is moderate , perhaps even low, volume. This is not excessive noise by most reasonable standards.
You can respond to the building director that you are in compliance of the noise situation. Invite him to come visit you and hear you play to evaluate the steps you've taken to be a good neighbour, if he wants to pursue it further.
I'm sure your lease and building rules mention how harassment is not allowed. Find that rule, quote it, and let your building manager know that your lower neighbour is now harassing you. His harassment is preventing your from pursuing your own happiness in your residence. The director of property management will need to take your complaint of harassment seriously, and bring it up with the downstairs neighbour.
Tip: in the rules and laws, generally, the more important rules are first, less important rules are later. Eg. if the no harassment rule is #12 and the noise rule is #34, then #12 is more important than #34 and your complaint of harassment takes precedence over his complaint of noise.
Add to that, you've put much effort into dealing with the sounds, and from your posts, he has put in no effort in dealing with his harassment.
