NOISY Neighbors with Absent Parent!

Updated on December 15, 2006
C. asks from Fort Worth, TX
8 answers

Ok, this is more of a vent than anything. We live on a pretty quiet street, we actually love it here. But our next door neighbor's kid is driving me crazy! He got some drums last spring and has them in the garage. He is 19 and plays them as soon as he gets home from school which is around 3:30(I know, he is almost 20 and a senior in high school). Him and his sister live with their father most of the time, which is great, because we don't have to hear him bang on his drums so much, but lately he has been 'practicing' from the time he gets home until 8:00 (It WAS until 11:30 or so but some of us neighbors came over and asked him to please stop at 8:00 since most of us have little ones that have school the next day). His mother is NEVER home, seriously I haven't seen her car since Halloween. So whenever there is someone in the house it's just him, his younger sister (17) and their friends. It just sucks because my daughter naps religiously from 2:00 - 5:00 and when they're home the drums wake her up and she's a grouch the rest of the afternoon. PLUS hearing the same beat over and over again is really driving me nuts! I can't call the police (noise control unit) because they're not breaking any laws. I don't want to be mean or anything, I'm just frustrated.

What can I do next?

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

You CAN do something about this. There are several ways to go about this. First, if you have HOA, you and your neighbors can ban together and talk to them. More than likely they would get a warning and then a fine. You also can call the police if it continues at night. If you and your neighbors take turns calling the police (and I would start at 6 or 7). The police will get tired of the calls if they're not willing to do anything at first, and they'll check it out. Again, they'll just give a warning at first, but the next time will be a fine. They may not care that the parent isn't there because the boy is legally an adult, but it can't hurt to mention it.

We had a noise problem that wasn't near this bad, and it was taken care of. It was a neighbor who was never home, and their dog stayed outside 24/7 barking literally non stop all day and night. We all took turns calling, and police came every time. Finally they fined them.

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G.B.

answers from Dallas on

Hi C.!

There is a noise law, I am not sure what it is, but I have called the cops before due to the music being played too loud that I could here it in my living from another neighbor. I also told them I would call if this kept happening!

That is ridiculous. I would certainly speak to your HOA and send out a petition around your neighborhood about the noise. Noise that is heard outside of someone's home is disturbing to others and you just keep calling the cops on them. They will get tired of it and either do something about it. I do know their is a curfew for teenagers, but since he is home, it doesn't really do anything + he is of age. I just cannot believe that they cannot do NOTHING ABOUT it since he is disturbing the neighborhood............

I would go to your HOA and see what can be done!

Sorry this is happening to you!

G. B.

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S.L.

answers from Dallas on

C.,
I would check and see what the law is on decibels. If it is louder than the allowed decibels then you have the right to call the cops. But I would call the cops regardless. Have each neighbor take turns. By a certain time someone should be at the house plus I'm sure those kids are not just "hanging out". Two teenagers with friends and home alone. Suspicious I would mention that the mother isn't home at all.
Hence the reason they are suppose to be living with dad.

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T.O.

answers from Dallas on

I don't know if it would do much but there is some material that can go on the inside of the garage door that helps with weather. Maybe it would soundproof some as well. It is not expensive.

I know it's hard and I wouldn't like it. But they did respect your request to stop at 8 and that means alot. It could be alot worse. Count your blessings.

You could also try earplugs on your daughter. I use them to drown out the sound of snoring and it really helps.

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E.S.

answers from Dallas on

Well, I'm not sure if you can do anything about the noise. I would just politely continue asking him to please stop the noise by a specific time. Leave kind notes rather than mean ones, this may be helpful. Plus, the more you ask, the more he may realize he is bothering the neighborhood. He's not home all day, leave him notes! By the way, I live close to train tracks and the noise and whistle would often wake my kids when we first moved here. It seemed the train would blow the whistle right outside of our door. We hated it at first, but we invested in a good sized air purifier and it really drowns the noise. Now, they sleep right through the noise and are happier children because of it!

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J.M.

answers from Dallas on

Even if those kids are of age, and can be alone at the house, she is 17 and he is 20. Neither are drinking age. I am not saying they are, but if there friends are always there and he is 20 and a senior in high school, that situation should be evaluated.
Next time you here them having a full blown party with drumming and friends, why don't you let the cops pay them a visit since the girl is still a minor. If they are underage drinking or something else is going on, this will stop really fast. Absent parents = trouble. I am the mother of a teenager and we have very open talks. No telling what could be going on. If you so much as see a cigerette in the girls hand or a beer in the guys or anybody's, Call the police.
Maybe I am a bit extreme, I am just trying to be creative and help.
I feel for you. We live in such a quiet neighborhood in Frisco, and I am so thankful. I used to have neighbors like this, but I called the cops and said they were partying and they came and checked it out. I had to sleep so I could get up for work at 4:30 am. I do not regret my actions.
Good luck, I wish you the best and your sweet baby quiet naps! I will pray for you! (I find this highly effective):)

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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

Apparently the drums need to be moved into the house so they can annoy the other residents of the home. I would suggest you call your homeowner's association or the cops. The kids are well of age at which they can be home unattended, but the noise is breaking the law. I'm sure there is a noise ordinance and I'm sure you are not the only one that is being driven nuts.

Sorry you are going through this!!!

K.M.

answers from Dallas on

Ok, the drums can be heard by the residents in the house as much as the ones outside, i know from experience. May I suggest a trade, you and your neighbors find the cost of a rehersal space my b/f's is $200/mo i think his portion is $40 (in a band) and he mows your lawns every weekend for payment. You have your quiet, he has his drms ... 24/7 if he wants. I bet you his friends would all hang there with him too! Good Luck!

PS, Jodi ... no laws are being broken, most noise ordanances dont kick in until 8pm in SOME and 10pm in MOST. Again, the band used to practice in my garage before the baby and they had to get a studio space. IF you are in a HOA area there MIGHT be a rule against it, but highly doubtful.

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