Tenant complaining of noise from downstairs tenant - both are new

[Jim Bouchard]

Hi there,

I've read several forum posts about noise complaints and everyone's feedback has been really helpful.  That said, I'm not sure how to go about resolving this issue...

Both our upstairs and downstairs tenants moved in July 1.  Both are on autopay, have insurance, keep their places clean, and are civil to each other.

The upstairs tenant is a school teacher in her late 40's.  She's kind of a high maintenance person to begin with. The downstairs tenants are a young couple, one works about 30 minutes away and the other goes to school as an engineer. They've been fabulous from the very beginning, responsive, polite, paid their first month's rent and deposit early, etc. They're seldom home during the day and on weekends.

The upstairs tenant texted me yesterday (I do have a separate phone line for our properties) saying she's having noise issues with the downstairs tenants: banging the screen door closed after she's gone to sleep on weeknights (11:00pm), talking on the phone at 1:30am, up and about at 2:30am on the weekend. No loud music, parties or anything of that kind.

The house was built in 1908 and not soundproof.

She said she's talked to them directly and hopes that will solve the problem, but she starts school next week and is worried about her sleep.

I haven't approached the downstairs tenants yet.

There is a noise clause in our House Rules, which mentions "quiet hours between 10pm and 6am", which everyone has signed.

I don't want to take sides or get in the middle of this issue, but I also don't want to risk losing good tenants (on either side of the argument).

Any advice would be welcome and appreciated - thanks so much!

[Theresa Harris]

Just remind the tenants that they need to keep it quiet between 10 pm and 6 am.  Remind them that sound does travel between the units, so if they are on a late night phone call with their friends, to perhaps not sit in the room directly under the upstairs bedrooms.