I play music in my room, and it's not very loud. But since the walls are not soundproof, my neighbors hear it. Sometimes they come and tell me it's loud even though I can barely hear it. Can they take legal action?
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Noble-
ANSWERS: 6
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The can sure call the police. And your music may not matter much any more when a policeman shows up at your door. I used to live in an apartment building that did not have any soundproofing at all. (The lack of it is a very common, stupid and unfortunate problem here in the U.S. and I can't believe that the builders and landlords are so freaking cheap. But this is a different discussion.) So a new guy moves in downstairs. Around 2 a.m. he cranks up his stereo so loud that both my wife and I feel like we are on top of his subwoofer. To make the story short, I talked to him a few times and we both understood the problem and tried to be quiet enough. There were a few times when he called us and asked us to be more quiet and we honored his request. So I think you should talk to your neighbours and figure it out with them before they do anything.
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Isolate your speakers using rubber from the floor and walls. These transport the vibrations througout the building. Build special soundisolating walls in front of the existing walls (you can also tuck you cables behind them). Look for info on these at recordingstudio's and radiostations. Thick karpeting on the floor and walls helps too, and also improve the sound. Make a mark on your volumebutton, find out what volume is reasonable. (And maybe, when having a party, inform the neigbours in advance. We do this.). Low tones carry further, try turning them down a bit. It's 2-way street, when your neighbours are to loud, discuss it with them too.
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I think to do this they would need to get proof that the sound they hear from their side is above the legal limit of decibals, and if as you say, you can hardly hear it, this is highly unlikely. Buy them some ear plugs for xmas, or even ask their taste in music!
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CUT BACK on the BASS a bit. This is what they are hearing. You live in an environment that is governed by rules. The Association may place sanctions against you IF you are in violation. Local "noise ordinances" vary, so the legal issue is a toss up. Sounds like you are also interested in being a good neighbor. Try taking over some baked goods someday when noise has not been an issue and make "friends" of them. Sounds trite, but we are much more tolerant of those we know and like as opposed to "the strange kid next door."
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You might want to use headphones, as I do.
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they would need a sound professional to measure the sound they get in their apartment. then they could take you to court.
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