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So, my neighbor is angry...

#81
5544 said:
I worked 3rd shift for 5 years. While there was no laws against mowing the grass at noon, it woke me up and I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep until the next day.

Put yourself in someone else's shoes for a change before you pass judgement.
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Getting drunk/beligerent and being too stupid to turn the volume up on a TV =/= can't get any sleep for work.
 
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#83
If you guys could talk over the music, and he was screaming... once you get your db meter try and measure:
Your practice, inside.
Your practice, outside
His screaming.

If his screaming exceeds your outside practice, file a noise complaint.
 
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#86
Cap'n Redbeard said:
The local ordinance says no noise can be audible at the property line between the hours of 10pm and 7am. This includes but is not limited to musical instruments or loudspeakers. I think that covers me legally but I still have to deal with a cranky neighbor. Bummer...
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Retired, huh? Don't most retired guys his age end up in the country?
 
#88
Freez said:
First of all, your jam space should have some kind of soundproofing, and you don't play at concert volume in a residential neighborhood. That being said...

I'm assuming you're in a private home and not an attached apartment, yes? If so, and if everything you said is true, then let him call the cops. There's one in every neighborhood, that guy that thinks because he pays taxes he's got a right to complete silence. He doesn't. You have rights too; as a property owner, of reasonable enjoyment of your property. That means you can play music at a reasonable hour and at a reasonable volume, which is what you say you were doing. Carry on, just don't be an obnoxious ass and you should be fine. If the cops have any common sense, they'll come out and listen for themselves. I have had the cops called twice in a decade for loud rehearsals at my home. Both times, cops said they could barely hear it at the property line so we were ok as long as we didn't get any louder. Both times they asked how late we planned on going. We're always finished by 7:30, maybe 8:00 pm at the latest. One time we got a gig out of it; cop liked what he heard and hired us for a police function. To this day, one of the most fun gigs I ever had; nobody parties like a bunch of cops... for real!
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This is great advice.

OP - make sure that you and all your activities are in compliance with any law or ordinance that applies. Be a good neighbor. He can call the police all he wants but if they can't observe a violation there is no consequence to you whatsoever. Also, if he has another outburst like the previous one, instruct him in a way that's assertive but otherwise not threatening that he is not allowed to come onto your property ever again. If he does, you have him on trespassing.
 
#89
If he needs absolute silence all the time, he should be the one living in the country. Similarly, if one is extremely noise-sensitive, don't move into an apartment building. Yes, we noise-makers need to respect those around us and try to keep the volume and hours of noise-making reasonable, but the noise-sensitive also need to take their sensitivity into account when choosing a living situation. I can't stand the smell of dogwood trees, and so when I was in the process of buying a house, I passed up a house that I really liked, but was on a street that was lined with dogwoods. I suppose I could have bought it and then demanded my neighbors cut theirs down....
 
#90
You were quite polite and did all you could. You should indeed let him call the cops next time. He likely won't if he is in that condition and if he does you can let the cops know what condition you found him in last time.

Also, you may want to record your next conversation with this guy on your smartphone. Just in case. I mean, it seems like he was pretty belligerent with you and I don't like that. Good to have evidence...
 
#92
DirtDog said:
Important question is: are you in a detached house or semi-detached (or other)? Basically do your two residences share any walls?

If so, I'd say full band practice, no matter what time of day, is offside.

If not, he's got no case if you are within ordinance limits.
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They are indeed two separate houses separated by about 25 feet. The basement windows never get opened and I will insulate between the outer and inner window. I'm also going to hang some insulation over head and possibly hang some old carpet on the cement walls. Most of this I can do with odds and ends I already have. And this will simply be an attempt at maintaining peace because I've read and reread the local ordinance and I'm well within my rights. Conflicts with neighbors bum me out.
 
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#96
I don't enjoy hearing my neighbors' yappin' spaniels in full-on bray mode either, but I don't go over to their house and cuss at them or threaten to call the cops. (I just turn my amp up a little more) ;)

It's the price of freedom. Booze costs too much.
 
#98
We used to practice in a two bedroom apartment in Boulder Colorado playing hardcore, and no one said a damn thing. It's amazing what two full grown Rottweilers will do for neighbors leaving you the hell alone. As long as you were within a reasonable time and volume, he can screw. If he wants peace and quiet he should move his old a** to the country. Quiet and peaceful enjoyment mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Any cop who rolls up on your place and you were doing what you were doing would say cut it off after 10:00 and have a nice day. I'd say next time turn it up when he leaves.
 
#99
I'm 54 and in a band with 5 others...the female singer is 38 and the rest of us north of 50. We had one neighbor call the cops on us multiple times. The rest of the neighbors liked us. Anyway, hilarity ensued when the cop, who couldn't have been more than 27 y.o, shows up to quite us down. Total reversal of the way it used to be :). What was really great was when the sargeant shows up, and he's our age and he says we sounded good. This happened enough that we taught ourselves 'Get Back" by the Beatles, .... You should know that we have two lawyers in the band, so we know the law in our town (and aren't intimidated by cops), and it requires the cops to bring a decible meter and measure the loudness...we have yet to get a ticket.
 
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#100
If you're withing the law regarding noise and he continues to get drunk and complain, you could always be a crappy neighbor.

"Hello, police? There's a guy on my front porch and he's acting disorderly. I think he may be intoxicated."
 

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