Help! My Neighbor Is Driving Me NUTS!

If you are at all able to move - just do it. If it's a large enough complex that you can move to a different building, then give the landlord the opportunity to move you to a comparable apartment (if it's big enough, sometimes they are owned by larger managment corporations that own more than one complex too - something might be able to be arranged there). Otherwise, I'd look into the legal rights of breaking your lease under these circumstances.

It seems to me from your description that they've made it pretty clear to her that you're the one who's made the complaint. So she knows it's you and is taking her chances to make your life worse. Maybe she blames you that she's going to have to move? Whatever the reason, from her perspective she doesn't see that she's doing anything wrong and she's not going to stop. In fact, it may get worse. I'd get out, and quick.

Meanwhile, I agree with the suggestions to try and block the noise for your daughter. I had luck with an air filter in my son's room for white noise when I was trying to dull the noise of the rest of the house during his naps. He had the tendency to wake at the tiniest little noise and it seemed to do the trick in getting him to sleep through the night for us.

Good luck!

It's been a long time since I've had to remember this, but isn't there something called, "suit of quiet enjoyment"? You have a case to tell the complex, "deal with this neighbor, or I will legally get out of my lease." Be sure to let us know what happens and good luck. If you want, I know real estate lawyers that can give you answers.

I was an apartment manager for 6 years, and we would get complaints all the time. I know a lot of the complaints are valid but you need to understand that alot aren't. I would have them come over while the noise is a problem so they can hear for themselves. It also helps managment with who is telling the truth, because she may be saying she isn't making any noise. If it continues after they hear the noise you can ask them to give her a 5 day notice to either stop or move out. After two notices they can kick her out.

Wow, this would drive me insane. I would not confront her. It sounds like she may have mental issues. You surely don't want to put your family's safety in jeopardy. I hate to say it, but I would consider moving. You just don't need this kind of stress in your life. If you think the neighbor is doing this intentionally to piss you off b/c she knows you complained, then you probably want to stay away from her. Maybe there is another apt. in your same complex you could move to if you really like it there otherwise. I would keep my distance, that's for sure.

Pretty much in agreement with others. We learned the same way with a neighbor and lab that were awful. Just battled our way through the lease. Its tough because she could try to get back at you if she's that gamey. Also, if she is hurting herself or the dogs, more than likely, ER wouldn't let her go home, especially alone. As far as the dogs, the police would notice that. Sadly, people are unpredictable and it sounds like you are aware of her potential. It seems like the complex could give you some sort of idea. Have you asked to move to another apartment. At one point ours was going to let us do that....

We had this same experience last year with a couple that lived above us. We tried white noise machines and fans but sometimes, like you, it was SO loud that our whole unit would shake. They would scrape things across the floor constantly and you could track it from downstairs (we would tease that they were "sliding the bureau again" because it sounded like every night they dragged their entire rooms of furniture from end to end of their unit nightly!

I would try a white noise machine in your daughter's room or a combination of that and maybe some very low music. Often Walmart, Walgreens, Target, etc. sell these machines. We got a very small one for about $15 two years ago.

Unfortunately, the solution to our problem was that we move. My hubby had the condo before I met him and had bought it when the unit above was empty so he had no idea how their sounds would travel. They were late workers and spent most of the night awake making noise. My best advice is that if you ever do move, try to get the top unit yourself so no one is making noises above your head. I know that comes too late now!

Good luck!
-Amanda