Topic: Noisy neighbours

[fuzzybutt]

Start cooking offensive smelling food.

get some kimchi and start simmering it.

[nickjtc]

The plot thickens. I had a visit from a young gal who lives across the 'street' that runs between my block and hers, and down about three houses. So thats about 20 metres away. She wanted to let me know that she heard the noise and the subsequent chat between me and the noisemaker. She said she thought he was going to pop me one, or set his bulldog on me.

Funny, but I didn't feel threatened at all.....I guess I was in awe at the total lack of self-respect the fellow has. I didn't mention...I'd put him at late twenties, early thirties.

Stay tuned. It looks like there might be an upwelling of social revolt about to happen hereabouts.

[Ecosse]

More power to you. It really sticks in my craw that social civility and respect for others has eroded so much.

I believe in confronting people like your neighbor but it's all in the manner you do it. The law is on your side and it sounds like there other neighbors who see a personal benefit to handling trouble makers. It also sounds like you're keeping your head about this. Kudos!

[750K2]

i've had trouble with some noisy neighbors in the apt building i live in.  after they kept all us neighbors awake until 3 am for several nights in a row, i took a two-prong approach.   the first move i made was to kick on their door at 0630 with my boots while screaming at them to come out.  nothing like having your young 20 something neighbor cower behind his locked door asking 'who is it'.  the boot marks are still there.

the second thing i did was to calmly speak with the complex manager and put my complaint in writing.  i then banded up the surrounding neighbors and had them put their complaints in writing.  things have been much quieter since..but there's still work to be done.

so in your case i'd say that the advice given here has yielded some excellent suggestions.  take notes, band together with neighbors, have witnesses when you converse with your neighbor calmly.  speak to the condo association as to their quiet enjoyment regulations and means of enforcement.  call police as necessary...and finally..though i hate to say this...and you live in canada so i don't have knowledge of your legal system:  be prepared to sue - the neighbor and the condo association named in the suit as well.   if you don't recieve satisfaction from your neighbor or the association then you must use the largest and most feared weapon in your arsenal....a good lawyer.

yes, i know...but when the going gets tough, the tough get lawyers. 

[Raul CB750K1]

You must be a lawyer, aren't you? 

[750K2]

raul - actually, i'm not  but they do have their uses.  everyone would like to imagine others being reasonable, rational, considerate beings but it just isn't so.  the noisy neighbor uses intimidation to get what he wants and has no reason to stop as long as that works for him.  the condo association is probably made up of people who would just like the problem to just 'go away'.  which it won't.  the police won't do much except knock on his door unless he has an outstanding warrant against him.  they are most useful when appearing in court to give expert testimony as to how many times they have been to that particular address.  there's no reason to suspect illegal activities within the neighbor's unit so unless he offers some sort of physical threat to the officers they probably won't haul the guy away.


the use of legal proceedings by tying the noisy neighbor in with the association is a last resort and based on actions - or inactions - of the association enforcing their existing bylaws.  everyone has the right to peaceful enjoyment.  the rope around the neck of the neighbor is tied by his ownership of the property and the association rules.  a lawsuit tossed into the lap of the association steering committee - backed up with data - is guaranteed to get their attention.  it will take away the committee member's spare time, force them to confront the situation, enforce their bylaws and possibly cost them money - money the association probably can't afford.  all of this backed up by the power of the courts, a place no one wants to be.   the idea is to make Nick's problem THEIR problem. and with every right to do so.  lawyers are skilled negotiators, have balance and experience and know how to make the legal system work to their advantage.  nick is trying to be reasonable and neighborly - something we'd all like to be.  but when such measures come to naught, there are very justifiable and effective means to bring the noisy neighbor to heel.

[my78k]

Nick, I hear ya on not being one for confrontation! I do have one thing in my favour though....I have a brother who LOVES it. He is about 6'2" and 230 compared to my 5'8 and 180 so that definitely helps too.

We had a neighbour at our cottage who has a right of way on our property and kept parking on it and leaving our gate open etc. Well my bro and his kids were up there one weekend and he did that (not to mention the fact that the kids were playing in the area at the time and buddy was driving way too fast). My brother let it slide when the kids were there but then followed him back to his house and had a chat with him explaining the consequences of his actions should it happen again. There were words and maybe a threat or two but no actual violence...he has since stopped parking on our property.

Pity that you live so far away or I am sure he would be happy to go out for a ride and pay him a visit as he is looking for an excuse to ride his brand new Decker!

Dennis

[TwoTired]

He was right on one count. I am a pussy, and will avoid confrontation at all cost. (Does that mean I'll be shunned by this forum..... ) This morning was the last straw. However, reverting back to my 'pussyness', I cannot bring myself to stoop to his level and do the same thing back at him.

So, how do you feel about polite conversations using a bullhorn?

[DammitDan]

So, how do you feel about polite conversations using a bullhorn?

Now that's not a bad idea...  Public humiliation can go a long way (and yes, even #$%*s can be humiliated).

[firecracker]

Have you considered leaving a note on his tank?  Be sure to use lots of tape...

 

[burmashave]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha

Can we cross post the bull horn suggestion to the taped note thread?

[nickjtc]

Have you considered leaving a note on his tank?  Be sure to use lots of tape...

Hmmmmm. He does have a sport bike.....

[754]

Staple a cat to his forehead,

and throw a pitbull at him..

that oughta get his attention.....

[Hush]

I have same sort of problem, live in low rent area and most of my neighbours are either drug dealing gang members or unemployed bums or crazies.
I do shift work and trying to sleep with doof doof music which mainly our native Maori NZers like is impossible.
Being a Corrections Officer it would be a bit dodgy for me to go banging on doors as some of these idiots are my past (and probably future) clients.
We do have what is called noise control here in NZ and I have introduced many of my neighbours to it since moving in here last year, doesn't endear me to them but Hell I'm working to pay enough tax so they can stay home making "P" and getting drunk. Being a Karate Black Belt never hurt either ha ha.
Anyhow I have a new thought on fixing them, siren on my ex police CB650 and red flashing pole light should scare the bejezzas out of them in the wee hours ha ha ha........

[nickjtc]

Had another confrontation last night.

I was outside working on the XT and he strolled up with a buddy and a girlie. I told him that he had asked me what I planned to do, so advised him that he wasn't just disturbing me but other neighbours too. He then proceeded to lambast me (with the help of his friend) about being a bad neighbour and 'banging on his door' and that if I was courteous about it (like my wife) he would respond appropriately.

Apparently he still thinks that noise in the wee small hours of the morning is acceptable.

There is no reasoning with the young fellow. And it turns out he doesn't own the place; it's his brothers. Explains a lot, and reintroduces my stereotyping of tenants. Sorry.

Anyhoo we parted with him telling me (yes, him telling me) that if I was being disturbed I should call the cops. Then buddy chimed in with "I hope my brother comes, because he's a cop."

I've had a chance to navel gaze over this whole episode and I've concluded that the thing that ticks me off the most is not the actual thoughtlessness itself, but the total lack of respect that this young fellow has for me, other neighbours, and at the root of this, himself.

Watch this space, and thanks for listening.

[troppo]

good luck nick
Hope it works out for you, isnt the body corp (or whatever its called over there) able to do something?

[edbikerii]

Don't fret over his buddy's brother being a cop.  If you are in the right, he will know it.  He probably also already knows that your neighbor is a prick, since he's his brother's buddy, after all.

[mystic_1]

and that if I was courteous about it (like my wife) he would respond appropriately.

That begs the question, why didn't he respond appropriately when your wife was courteous?  Pretty obvious BS in my opinion.

If you have any problem with the police because this dick's friend's brother shows up, report it to the shift supervisor.  Dealing with a misconduct report would be way more trouble for the cop than telling the guy to turn his stereo down.

mystic_1

[DME]

I have a neighbour (well, he lives 4 houses down the street) that seems to lack the same respect for other people.

At any our of the day, (he´s unemployed) he cranks up his Ha**ey with straight pipes.
Most often just fires it up, revs it 15 times, turns it off, wait ten minutes, does it all again.
Preferably at around 11 pm.

Or, fires it up, blips the throttle for 2 minutes, let it sit and idle, walks inside to get geared up, walks outside again and backs out on the street.
Blips the throttle all the time while backing out.
Snicks it into gear, or shall we say, more appropriatly, CLUNKS it into gear, and blasts up past my house on f-ing full throttle at midnight.

Being a biker myself, I don´t have anything against a bike making some niose.
But, when on a noisy bike I find it clever NOT to make the most noise on a small street with houses and families with kids all around!
And not at 11 to 12 pm!!

The thing is, he is the nicest guy otherwise, it´s just as if he doesn´t get that he is pissing people off with this behavior.




So, a small poll:

Is the guy

a)  so stupid he doesn´t get what he´s doing?
b) just evil?

[firecracker]

So stupid he's evil

Nah, he's just a pinhead. 

[burmashave]

[snip]
So, a small poll:

Is the guy

a)  so stupid he doesn´t get what he´s doing?
b) just evil?

DME, you didn't leave us much choice. Besides, he could be both. I vote that he is a jackass. Jackass pretty much covers both.

By the way, when I'm working on my bike at my place, I *hate* to rev it, even if I need to. I figgur the neighbors might not know the difference between being a jackass versus needing to rev it to test something.

[old76cr]

He just needs a Har**yectomy

[nickjtc]

From the SPB thread the other day:

What? Say again. Eh? Pardon me, I'm a trifle deaf. (There's a joke in there somewhere.) 

I'm feeling crabby after the delights of my 3.30am alarm call this morning......... just did a Skills Test with a guy on a you-know-what. Nice bike with all the bells and whistles and a custom paint job. But why, oh why, is it obligatory to have open pipes? My ears will be ringing all day.

And before you ask, we have to be close to the bike to be able to assess control usage.

Rant-of-the-day numero two over and done with. Thanks for listening. I'm NOT looking to open the "loud pipes save lives" discussion, so please don't engage on this one.

Thank you.

Nick, out.

[TwoTired]

What?  Wimpy ears, too?















Just joking!!!!

[nickjtc]

What?  Wimpy ears, too?

Pussy by name, pussy by hearing....