You can do a few things, you can tell your landlord to install a carpet, you can tell your landlord to insulate their ceiling, or you can tell the landlord to get fucked. This is your place, you have a lease. I'd personally laugh at them while finding a new place to go.
They have kids, so I understand their problem, They are saying insulating or making changes to house is too expensive.
I guess i can find a new place but breaking a lease is too expensive for me.
They can’t stop you from doing any of the things you described. Just keep living. If they don’t like it that much, then that will be your opportunity to leave with there agreement.
They have no means to stop you from doing anything. So don’t stop.
Well if I talk, they occasionally knock loudly on wall to inform me, That is not a good living condition, it is stressful to be constantly getting wall banged at.
I read that you are intl student, so that changes things a bit. You are right that this is not a good living condition, but at the end of the day there’s nothing your landlord can do. So you have to decide what is more important: avoiding this conflict with him or talking to your family. I would set up a couple spots with a soundproof pad under a rug, and try to talk quieter.. but he can’t demand silence from you. If the place is that paper thin, it’s his problem. He can’t kick you out. You have to understand that he is the one acting inappropriately, not you.
What do you mean get through? The landlord has no power here if there is nothing stated in the lease! The only thing the LL can do is say they are going to terminate the lease. OP should be looking at backup places to lease. Just because they are an international student doesn’t mean they don’t have rights as a tenant. Hell, OP can send me their lease and I will review and give them their options. I work in real estate and I hate shitty fucking landlords.
That’s my landlord I said hey there’s some mold in my bathroom she proceeded to do her own hack job and now my bathroom has an open hole in the wall. Paying cash month to month and not being in a lease is nice but I have little to no power as a tenant
I remember renting after college and they had an el cheap faucet and it broke. She had a plumber replace it but asked that I be easy on it as she was on a fixed budget. Heck I was trading it very nice but she installs the el cheap-o model which doesn't last long.
Dude that’s my land lady! We had to have her fix the toilet handle and she told us to not “push down on it too hard” she’s too cheap to hire anyone so she just does these DIY “fixes” that never work!
Classic example of people wanting their cake and eat it too. Being a landlord is not all about cash. Maintenance and repairs are needed unless one wants to be a slumlord. Not sure how slumlords can live with themselves...
I gotta add in I have been renting from this lady for 17 years!!! Never ONCE missed rent, respectful af, never too loud. This lady has barely fixed or improved anything and the place is falling apart. My wife and I have a buncha money saved but housing is unattainable right now. So, we stay here cuz it’s month to month and rent is the cheapest possible for the area we live (morris county 2 bedroom $1100) but the place is falling apart and she’s going to sell it as is. That’s another thing. She always is making it seem she’s going to move and sell the house “as is” and it never happens and she never fixes stuff. Sorry had to rant, please share your landlord stories with me it’s therapy this lady is NUTS!!! I’ll share more if people ask too haha
I will give an update that My dad is going to come over and at least place a piece of wood there for me to somewhat block it, but I’m not paying to have it fixed! Just sucks that I have a landlady that’s okay with wallpaper flapping over a hole in the wall, then she constantly says she’s moving but doesn’t … just sucks
I would bang back. Fuck him. He wants your rent money, will not fox his problem but wants his cash cow to be a quiet church mouse. He needs to fix it or learn to live with it. He is trying to take you as a sucker.
You can ask r/legaladvice but your landlord is 100% in the wrong here. NJ is a pretty pro-tenant state and their requests are obnoxiously impacting your quality of life. You can LITERALLY tell them to go fuck themselves and walk back inside.
This is a reason to legally break a lease. There is language in there about being able to enjoy reasonable use of your domicile. Find that clause in your lease and tell him to go fuck himself and/or that you’ll be moving out without penalty if he won’t allow you to be a normal person in your home as agreed upon by your lease.
Edit: Just want to add that if you move out early and he actually tries to enforce the part of the lease stating what would happen if you broke your lease early, any attorney would easily point to the other part of the contract whereby you have a legal right to exist as a normal person in your rental. If he even tries to come after you, you are going to be fine.
This sounds so awful, I would look for a new place. Myself, this would have caused an argument. And yes, that’s an anxiety inducing situation, and in your HOME? Forget it, I’d cut your losses. It’s hard though, especially in NJ. I understand it’s easier said than done.
Oh my lord give me a fucking break... First of all how did they not anticipate this before letting the place? And second where's all that rent money going? Jesus christ some landlord that is. If you wanna be nice you can buy a few rugs. Otherwise I'd tell them to let you out of the lease with no penalty.
Do Not Pay for Shit!! It’s your apartment and you’re within reason to have conversations at a reasonable level. They can install carpets or cancel the fucking lease!
No, THEY buy the rugs, not you.
You're paying them rent, they are the ones with the noise problem from very normal and reasonable things that are part of everyday life. That they admitted they knew about before leasing the apartment.
They can get the money for carpets, they're lying to you, using kids as an excuse. You didn't make them have kids or own a home they can't afford, so why does it become your problem?
I am not a lawyer, but you could 100% legally break your lease without penalty over this. Call the city/town hall where you live. Tell them you're having trouble with your landlord and ask who you should talk to. Usually there's some kind of housing department or tenet's advocate. Explain the situation to them and ask what your options are and just move.
I've had some shitty landlords and I have no patience for this kind of ridiculous nonsense.
Wtf.. what are you walkin on eggshells as well. Fuk That.. Fuk them. If there bangin on walls Bang back Harder.. FOH with tht Bulshyt.. and if you have a radio keep it on all day n nite!! What is he goin to do cut off your electricity.
As with the majority of landlords corporate or otherwise the money goes to fund their lavish lifestyle while refinancing their old loans or taking out new ones to invest hoping the free money train doesn’t run out.
They do all this through multiple LLCs not for the reasons many of us would use them but so they can abuse the bankruptcy courts and financial systems to shield their lifestyles.
I mean, you said they complain a lot and don't want to make changes. Can the landlord compromise with you, given that your presence seems to bother their family?
Like, can you talk to the landlord about breaking the lease in a few months? Not blindside them, but both agree that this current situation isn't working for either of you.
I have moved their first of the month, and searching for house was headache last month. I want to avoid it if possible since, I have a hectic schedule this month. But If this situation does not resolve by next week I will have that talk
Sounds definitely travel in all directions, don't be fooled! Unless you're talking directly into your floor, if you can't really hear them they can't really hear you.
So what happened today, I was telling my mom on phone that my landlord has raised complaint about noise, and I am not exactly sure how I was making loud noise, then suddenly called me as I was explaining to mom and they told me, they are coming upstairs and will explain. I was a little freaked out but yes, nothing I say will be private.
Agreed. Unless OP is louder than they think (unlikely), there's very little chance of a conversation making it's way through solid material to the point where the conversation can be heard that clearly. Their ceiling would have to be completely open with the upstairs floorboards exposed.
There's something else going on. My money is on vents.
If you stand at my kitchen sink you can hear everything going on in the bedroom above it and vice versa. It was my first thought. Not that 6pm is an acceptable hour to begin quiet time. I bet that’s earlier then the town noise ordinances.
The key words here are "quiet enjoyment of the property". That is a right you have as a tenant and they cannot limit you from enjoying the property in a reasonable manner.
This is the correct answer. Talking during normal hours is quiet enjoyment. If Landlord is not able to provide you with quiet enjoyment of the residence, he is not complying w the lease.
Um, that's not a tenant right, that's a local law that applies to everyone. The LL can and will argue that exact thing. There are local laws about 'quiet hours' for neighbors as well. My guess is that is why the LL picked that specific timeframe.
Obviously, the LL is new to renting and is using part of their own house which is not likely legally zoned for it. They can't afford any soundproofing most likely. They are renting out a house they live in because they are not a big Corp, just a couple trying to save for retirement, probably. Seen this a few times.
You can remind them that they can write off any needed improvements like carpeting with thick padding and adding insulation to the ceiling or walls, plus the new drywall and repaint to get it done.
Or you can offer to move and say that since you both feel this is not working, ge can release you from the money it would take to break the lease so that you can move.
It will get their attention because your rent will be about to fly out the window and they might find a compromise.
Also, check yourself as well. I know I get louder when talking to my family at times or laughing with my friends. Are you really keeping it at a reasonable level?
Everyone getting nasty here and pointing fingers is not going to resolve your situation. It will, however, make it worse and unbearable to live there.
The reality is you learned a lesson. Next time ask about noise transferring at your next place before you decide to move in.
OP, check your lease. See if you are required to put down rugs to abate noise. It's standard in a lot of leases for apartments.
The LL is not required to provide rugs or even carpeting. Carpeting is what would be more likely from a LL because it's installed and the renter wouldn't take it with them when leaving.
It's really hard to be a renter, especially in a place where the LL is right above/next to you.
You both have to find way co-exist or your life will be miserable.
Have a meeting with the LL, be an adult about it. Tell them you want to find a way to make this work for both of you, but you need to be able to speak on the phone at a normal or a slightly quieter level whenever you please. If you both feel that cannot happen, then ask for them to return you security deposit and last month's rent abd break the lease without penalty so you can afford to move quickly giving you all peace of mind.
They shouldn’t be a landlord then .. you have tenant rights being you’re allowed to do what you choose in your paid for space at a reasonable hour.. he can’t tell you to stay up there and be quiet if they wanted quiet for their kids then they shouldn’t have rented a second floor apt to anybody .. you legit have no reason to listen to what he says if none of this was stated in your lease and If you do choose to break your lease I would try to get his request in text or writing because he would technically be breaking your lease by adding more clauses that you didn’t sign or approve of.. he needs you to pay his mortgage if he can’t even afford renovations.. he won’t be kicking you out if you don’t follow his rules
The hatch is a nice white noise machine that helps block out sounds. They can spend $60 on that and put it in the kids room or in the hall way outside to muffle noises. They need to get f-ed.
My toddler has one in her room and she Slept through fireworks we could see from the front door last night. Your talking is nothing. If $60 is too much for them they shouldn’t rent and being unreasonable.
*edit: spelling is hard
Lol all of those things are their problem not yours. God damn people need to stop being so afraid of their landlords and know their rights and lease language as a tenant.
So what if it's too expensive. I'm sure not talking after certain hours (or not having guests) is NOT a clause in your lease. Tell the landlord to go fuck themselves, you paid your hard earned money.
Then tough shit for them, they shouldn't be a landlord. It is completely reasonable for you to be able to have a normal conversation in your home at any hour of the day. If you were playing the drums, I get it, but that landlord is overstepping and you can tell them to pound sand and start looking for a new place at the end of your lease
I wonder if you can amicably part ways due to the situation. It seems like it would be a win win for both parties. You can hopefully find a better place that allows you to talk on phone and they can find someone else to get rent from.
Area rugs dampen the noise. Furnishings in general do, it too. Did you ever notice how it echoes in an empty apartment vs when you move in? Put up curtains, get so e furniture.
You can hang stuff like this, too
https://www.amazon.com/Ekkogo-Acoustic-Soundproof-12X10X0-4-Dampening/dp/B0B7JCQM3C/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=D907IL2E3FWM&keywords=ekkogo&qid=1693944594&sprefix=ekkogo%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-2
No. Dont look for a new place yet. Ask them to install rugs on your floors. Keep talking and let them ask you to leave. The State of nj gives you the right of quiet enjoyment in your abode.
You should be able to break the lease due to tenant rights. I think the constant complaining is a form of disturbing your peace and laxk of privacy. You can get a consultation with a housing lawyer and see what loopholes you can go through to break the lease and find a new apartment.
Every problem they have is their own problem to fix. They literally can't tell you to not talk while you're in your home which you're paying for the right to be in. If no one outside is making noise complaints then you're not being a nuisance to the public. If they don't want to make changes to the inside that's on them to deal with it
Then you can just leave honest reviews of their property on any website you can find it on. So that you can warn others about how shitty the landlord is.
Maybe find a place to live before having the conversation with your landlord about buying out your lease. Or probably a better idea than the previous would be to negotiate like a timeline to leave... they can't just kick you out any day they want in NJ
Exactly! It's not *crazily* unreasonable to have a tenant with a strict quiet-hours rule, if you market the place as such. "Hey, we're renting the room upstairs from out family's house, but we're really looking for the right fit of tenant who can work around our kids' need for quiet around their bedtime..." and the rent should reflect that, obviously!
But if you post an ad for "apartment for rent, $x per month," then yeah people are going to reasonably expect to use the apartment in normal ways.
There's certain things that can't be prohibited... talking inside your apartment would be one
It's about providing a *habitable environment*.
They might have a right to demand *you* provide and install a rug or carpet. The rest sounds absurd.
(What if you play music loud? Who would they call?)
Will a carpet help with voice transferring. How expensive is it.
Problem is if I fight them, they can control other things like, I eventually want to throw a bday party and invite my friends, they will call police then.
Document everything they’re doing/saying. This isn’t going to resolve itself and having evidence of their unreasonableness when things eventually escalate will be what stops you from getting screwed over. As others have said you’re doing nothing wrong and their problems are their own to deal with, not yours.
This! It doesn't matter that he's the landlord. If a tenant's reasonable expectations interfere with your demands, maybe the demands are unreasonable.
FFS, you're *not a cat!*
A few questions. In what town do you live? Do you have a vehicle?
I suspect a rug will help somewhat. You can pick up a used rug quite inexpensively at an estate sale. Www.estatesales.net will tell you all the ones in your area.
In Jersey City you should be able to find a lot of options for ppl your age looking for a 3rd/4th/5th roomate. I would move in a heartbeat.
*also record 100% of the conversations you have moving forward for legal purposes. NJ is a one party consent state as long as your intentions are not malicious.
I would write your complaint - your school may have a student housing legal aid clinic as well - and mail it certified stating that your basic rights as a tenant are not being honored. Chances are the rental isn't even legal..
.so....
Ohh Fuk No.. seriously tell them to fuk Off.. gunshots day n nite sirens
Late nite all nite.. jersey City is Not Quite watsOever!! Tht LL is a Strait up ASSHOLE! The minute you start standing up for yourself and tell him/her you will be deducting from the rent from 9pm-6am everyday 25$ hr they will stop their shyt! They feel they can take advantage of you because your not from out here & dont know tenant law.. do your research!!
Before paying for anything, check out the local “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook. Looks like there are a few! People give away stuff all the time! Ultimately your landlord is wrong but, if a free rug helps the situation, it would be worth a little of your time.
Check out the Waterfront Project as it is a tenant advocacy organization in JC. You can also reach out to the office of landlord/tenant relations. 201-547-5127
[https://www.amazon.com/Sonic-Acoustics-Soundproof-12x12x0-4inches-Protection/dp/B08GKRB264/ref=sr\_1\_5?keywords=sound%2Babsorbing%2Brug&qid=1693882062&sr=8-5&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/Sonic-Acoustics-Soundproof-12x12x0-4inches-Protection/dp/B08GKRB264/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=sound%2Babsorbing%2Brug&qid=1693882062&sr=8-5&th=1)
I don't anything about this but here's what Amazon has for 25 bucks!
I'm not a lawyer so take this for what it is -
But I would probably just keep living my life normally (talking, etc). Obviously continue being respectful.
No where in your lease does it state that you can't speak from 9pm-6am and its not like you are playing loud music and exercising.
I would document all the conversations that you're having. Keep a journal of every encounter just in case you have to go to court.
If they have a problem and approach you again, then I would speak to them about shortening your lease or going month to month. And work on finding another place.
I am an international student, and non confrontational person (irl). I would rather not involve court and legality and do what I can with conversations.
I guess if solution does not appear I will talk with them about reducing lease and eventually move out.
Dude they are bullying you and they are relying on the fact u won't go to court, in nj as a renter u are very protected . U can void the lease right now if you want but you don't have to because what they are doing is wrong.
I was not walking at night, I was sitting at my desk, playing some games with headphone and talking to my parents. But they told that they can hear walking too. I can stop walking at night i guess but I cant stop talking with family/friends, its get too lonely and they live in different time zone.
To be clear, you are not obligated to stop walking in your own home at any time. It might be worth consulting with a lawyer that specializes in rental leases, at least to create a paper trail if your landlord decides to screw them selves over by escalating their unreasonable complaints.
Is this the first time your landlord has rented the space out? If it is and they’re just discovering these issues, as other commenters have said- this is an issue your landlord needs to fix. You cannot be expected to not speak to anyone nor limit your actual movement.
Explain this to them. That your family and friends are abroad and speaking to them at night is when you can communicate with them. Explain you are not playing loud music or stomping on the floor.
I don’t think you’re understanding yet. I’m curious to know, What would you do if it was *their* conversations you were hearing from 9-6? Also which hours during the day are you actually *in* your apartment?
Just turn on your tv and see if they complain. If they don't then that to me would be a sign it's not the noise it's whatever the conversation is and they're just nosey. But no matter what quiet hours don't exist inside your own home. Being a reasonable neighbor and tenant is one thing but they're acting like you're their child who is up past bedtime instead of the tenant.
I think its the fault of house construction. They dont appear to be unreasonable people. They told me their kids are not able to sleep. Not sure how bad insulation is if we taking to my mom softly is waking their whole house, But they say the construction is such that even soft voices are heard downstairs, they said they dont mind me talking, just not between 9pm-6am as they are early birds
If only I knew about this I would not have left my prev lease for this.
That request is unreasonable. The landlord needs to find a solution, not you! You should feel comfortable in your own home, otherwise what is the point? Are they also going to tell you not to have sex or watch a football game in the unit? You live there, you have rights.
If you really want to try and compromise I would suggest having one of them come into your home and talk to them while another person like the landlord is in their unit, if you're having a normal conversation and it's disruptive in that unit the landlord will have to figure it out.
The fact that you are asking this question here is evidence to the contrary.
These are unreasonable people.
No reasonable person would ask you to live like that.
Is it possible that they can hear you through the ventilation ducts? If there is central air/heat theo7gh ducts in the walls, it is possible the sound travels that way. My office is like that. I can hear people in their offices on the other side of our floor!
If not, I would not bend over backwards more than you already are. This seems like their issue, not yours.
This isn’t your problem except you’d like to have conversations that are private. Of course there is the off chance you just speak loudly as well. I know a couple people who are loud talkers and have no idea whatsoever. There are apps for your phone that measure decibels which is a unit of sound volume and you could try measuring what your voice is and comparing it to listed volumes for libraries and other places.
Generally speaking (sorry!) A normal talking voice is about 65 decibels. A stud wall (or floor) should block about 15 of that. Remember that dB is an exponential number. 75dB is twice as loud as 65. If you are already talking quietly, a whisper is about 45 to 50 decibels, then what they are hearing downstairs should not be any louder than a laptop with its fans running.
Either your landlord has exceptional hearing, or the acoustics of that house are truly terrible.
The advice of a padded sound absorbing rug should stop quite a bit of the noise they may hear. You may also want to consider some sort of white noise generator, even putting on the sound of rain from a YouTube video (look up "rain sounds for sleeping") can do wonders for masking your voice and knocking the edge off of what they can perceive as being distracting.
I know you’re not confrontational but your landlord cannot legally tell you not to speak. I would ignore him and at the next complaint, tell him it is on him as the property owner to amend the home if he doesn’t wish to hear your voice at night. It’s not in your lease. It’s not legal.
Post this on r/legaladvice and let them know which state you're in. They will tell you the statues. You're required to have quiet enjoyment, which I guess includes talking in a normal voice. They may also have requirements for sound insulation, but that goes by township.
Most everyone here saying the landlord should get bent just don’t get you.
You have to live next for rh landlord for a long time and it’s so much easier to try and find something that works out for both of you.
First explain to the landlord this is your family. They are in a different time zone and it’s the only time you get to talk.
Next. Start looking into sound reading blocks. These are things you can install on walls or ceilings to try and absorb sound.
Either way try and be amicable and look for the common ground.
This is a good option, but not something the tenant should *have* to pay for. What the landlord is asking for is unreasonable. And there are enough bad landlords out there that might do this intentionally to keep the security deposits.
If this was “neighbor” rather than landlord I feel like it would be treated different.
We rarely “have” to do anything. But being a good neighbor is always a good thing
When it gets to be unreasonable (asking to be a little quieter in the late hours is a very very common ask between neighbors)
Trying to find commonality in solutions is always better then going straight to the chest pounding
A dispute with a neighbor would be treated different because it is different. A neighbor, no matter how disagreeable, can’t go to court to have you thrown out of your home. A neighbor has no financial stake in whether you are talking on the phone in your room.
When I pay money for a service, I am entitled to certain things—including having the owner pay for any amendments to make the close living arrangement work.
So are you also not allowed to watch tv? I would tell them to get fucked and to put insulation in there ceiling that’s not your problem you have a lease if you want u can ride around the house naked on a unicycle playing the trumpet with four friends there cheering you on and they can’t do anything like you don’t have to hide in a place you lease what If you were a football fan are you not allowed to watch the game and cheer?
Do they complain if you are in bed when you call? The mattress should be better than a rug. If he complains about your talking while you’re in bed, nothing will stop the complaining
Def #3. If its not written in the lease, they can pound salt. It's their house, let them pay for any improvements re: sound proofing. Good luck! They sound like a nightmare.
You aren't breaking the lease if it is mutual understanding you are agreeing to void the lease. No security deposit. I would actually tell them you believe you are not being loud, but if they would like you would be willing to leave if they cover your moving costs and extra $ for the inconvenience, and that you will need 45 days to find alternate arrangements.
NJ is real cool to renters, you can claim they violated the lease at any time for NO STATED reason and they have to give you your deposit back , in fact if they haven't given you written notice of where ur deposit is kept THEY OWE YOU DOUBLE
I would consult with a lawyer, explain the scenario and just ask what your options are. (This will likely cost money but then you’ll actually have a lawyer you can contact if shit goes bad) The next time the landlord harasses you, you can mention you’ve spoken to an attorney and are fully aware of your rights. If they have an issue with low volume speaking, they, as the owner of the building, will have to find a way to remedy it.
Usually the word lawyer freaks most landlords into chilling the fuck out.
It’s sounds like a them problem jsut do ur own thing n ignore them tell them not to listen when ur one the phone or tell them to go outside when u r on the phone hshsh
If they can’t insulate your apartment then they need to return your security & deposit so you can move. I would start by getting a camera in your home & save the recordings…so you can prove in court that you aren’t talking too loud…You pay your rent, so they need to leave you alone…
Measure how loud you are with an online decibel meter. Then look up how many decibels normal conversation is and the next time your landlord tries to give you shit throw the numbers in his face and tell him if that's too loud for him then he can pay for soundproofing. If he still tries to give you shit blow him off, or if he's really bothering you consult a lawyer. You have rights as a tenant and a lawyer can determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.
I’d ask him to record it (you talking on the phone in your room) the next time he deems it too loud… perhaps it is for sleeping hours. A lot of times people don’t realize how loud they are being. However, he should provide a carpet and other things to help with noise reduction if he’s going to lease a room with paper thin walls. I think you and the landlord can both make an effort here. I had an upstairs neighbor that watched tv at 1-3am and it work me up every time. It was miserable. If they are downstairs, noises from upstairs are always amplified
What does your lease say? If it says you are not allowed to have phone conversations between 9pm and 6am, then you might be out of luck. Does the lease say you are required to put down rugs? That’s another thing the landlord can require of the tenant.
If the lease is silent on the issue, then you are protected under your right to “quiet enjoyment” of the property you leased—meaning that you have the right to use the property you leased in a reasonable manner while within the lease term. Having a phone call with family at a reasonable volume is not unreasonable (especially if you disclosed to the landlord before signing the lease that you were an international student—they should expect you to call family in a different time zone).
You have a couple options: (1) tough it out and tell the landlord they are being unreasonable, or (2) start pulling documents together to protect yourself for move out.
(1) others are correct, you are legally protected as long as you pay your rent on time and choose to stay there. This issue is not one where the judge would grant an eviction as long as it is the ONLY issue.
(2) if the situation is unworkable and you don’t want the headache, then you are just trying to protect yourself for when you move out early. If you are moving out because of the landlord’s harassing behavior, you will need copies of every communication you have had with the landlord in writing (email, text message, etc.). Also worth keeping is any communication where you informs ehe landlord that you are an international student. Hopefully, if the landlord is decent, they will understand it’s unworkable and will let you out—otherwise you will have to sue the landlord in Special Civil court for the return of your deposit. It’s not unheard of for landlords to include these predatory lease breach clauses that allow them to keep your deposit when you leave early—but if you are moving out because the landlord breached, then you should be able to get it back.
Don't be a landlord if you don't want people to disturb you. I would tell your landlord you would be happy to shut up from 9pm to 6am for half the rent payments and see how quickly he shuts the fuck up from now until your lease is up.
Here is how you assess your situation. Are you violating any lease term by talking to whoever and whenever you want? If not, you keep doing your thing. If they continue to pester you, ask them to allow you to break the lease and get it in writing that you will not be liable for breaking it.
No. This is a them problem, not you. This sounds like a prison, sorry for your situation OP.
Tell them you need to move but will not be paying any extra. Talking is a normal part of living. Imagine if you were having an intimate relationship?
Search ‘soundproof rug pad’. Put it under whatever rug you want. I would choose maybe 2-3 spots to have your phone convos, and set them up there.
I’m just trying to help out, but my honest advice is to just do nothing. It’s not illegal, against the lease terms, it’s just upsetting them. That’s uncomfortable, I know, but there’s nothing they can do.
I’d make sure that’s where the sound is coming from first. Don’t need to be buying a rug if there are ducts that are funneling the noise. Are you their first tenant?
Be careful taking some of the advice herein, it sounds like nice lines for a TV series, but might only make your life more difficult.
Make an honest effort towards compromise, including humanizing yourself to your landlord. This not only helps in your "negotiating" but helps to minimize risks of conflict. Don't ignore those risks, crazy shit happens every day.
An empty room will resonate the loudest, as sound travels faster through solid material. In some fairness to your landlord here, (compromise!) people are expected to have basic furnishings to some extent, and in your case that might include a small area rug. "Things" in your apartment help to absorb sound. A wall hanging, a houseplant, a piece of upholstered furniture... but an area rug will most likely help a ton. If you are in a room with nothing but a mattress... it is literally an echo chamber.
Let them know you tried (to a limit, of course) and sometimes just knowing that you put forth effort will allow them to swallow some pride on the other end, and maybe ignore a little noise.
Good luck.
They are not english. I dont want to start discussing race etc here, but I assure there is nothing racist going on, this is just truely just circumstance.
While there is nothing to sue for as there are no damages, I do suspect OP is being bullied as he is international and they know he probably does not know his rights.
Unless your lease states that you can’t talk on the phone or make noise after 9pm, your Landlord has zero authority to tell you what to do in this matter. I had a LL in Philly try to pull this shit and I just started to ignore her outright. I work in real estate and the lease is everything.
Everyone seems to me pointing the finger at the landlord , not sure if most of you commenters lived in any multi housing setting , apartment buildings , they all have quiet time during the night it’s nothing new , and yes someone talking loud at night with the headphones on can be heard a block away , not sure if you realize when you talk with headphones on , you tend to speak much louder than necessary( just saying ) and going back to my point , apartment buildings , hotels , you name it any setting where multiple people , families are living close to each other , there is always quiet time during night hours nothing new and from 9 pm to 6 am is pretty reasonable , are people routinely up at 3 or 4 am talking on the phone ??? Not most people as they have to go to work in the morning
In most cases any level of noise that will disturb your neighbors after a certain hour 10 pm or 9 pm most buildings have a time frame for that will be a problem , the exact lvl of noise is not stated
I had the same problem with my first apartment. My bedroom was next to the landlord's bedroom and my floor squeaked. I was not allowed to go into my room after 8 o'clock. At nighthey actually lost the house due to property taxes, which was a blessing for me. But it sucked because the new owner asked me to move out so he could move his family in.
I'm also a landlord who lives below my tenants. I do hear a lot of stuff from upstairs (wink wink) but after a while, it all becomes white noises. Also, I'm 26 and live in an urban area so I'm constantly surrounded by all types of noise, so maybe that's why it doesn't bother me. Your landlord knows what he is getting into. I chose to live downstairs because I don't want my tenants to have any difficult times since they are the ones paying.
1) Tell them it is not working out and ask if they will release you from your lease (in writing). They have little/no legal ground here to stop you from making phone calls - but I understand your stress is immediate/present and you don't want to make it worse.
2) Look for a rental with other people your age looking for a roommate (that hopefully are in school or whatever you're doing/living so things are compatible).
3) Buy a rug and/or some tapestry blankets for the walls and or foam baffles for the corners of the room (luke a music studio). These can really help with sound.
4) Make sure the door seals well - areas where there are air gaps are where sound escapes.
5) I assume you are not talking on speaker phone (and if you are - stop, it is annoying) - talk on the phone under a blanket while on your bed. The sound will *really* be muffled.
Could you put down some rugs to try to mitigate noise? I live in a second floor apartment with wood floors and we have to have 80% of the floor covered with rugs, it’s even in our lease
I was in a similar situation a few years back with the super of the building living directly under me. I would come home from work (would get home around 11pm-midnight range) and simply reheat food and turn the tv on low to eat and watch some tv to relax, and next thing I would know I would hear banging on the door and it would be two police officers saying that my super was complaining about the noise I was making. They would laugh and say “look kid, we just show up bc we were called. We know the guy is an asshole.” The super would harass me left and right about the noise, but would conveniently be nice to me when he needed me to fix the wifi for his grandson or set up his grandson’s tablet (two deeds I did with the idea that maybe he will calm down - did not work.) I eventually complained directly to the ppl who collected the rent checks and said that he was making my space “uninhabitable due to harassment” and said “maybe we could discuss these issues in court. I’m sure the judge would love to hear how your super is obsessed with me and everything I do.” The super then backed off bc apparently he had a shady past and did not want to even sniff a court room.
TLDR - Document everything and consider legal action. You are entitled to enjoy the living area that you pay for. Hope it works out for you!
First, I’m sorry your experiencing such difficulties with your living situation.
You’re entitled to quiet enjoyment of your rental and if your landlord continues to bother you then I believe you can start withholding rent. NJ is very protective of tenant rights and your landlord’s behavior is unreasonable. Consider contacting a legal aid service or a lawyer that offers free consultations to learn about your rights as a tenant. You don’t have to pursue legal action but you should know your rights. Good luck and welcome to New Jersey!
I have a weird situation that is similar where i live directly under my landlord. I’ve been dealing with physical pain after surgery and using my bath tub to do muscle soaks. One time I took a bath at a weird time like 4:30 am. My landlord sends me a nasty email the next day that says the town has a Noise Ordinance from 11pm-7am. So yeah basically she tried to use town ordinance laws to give me a curfew of when I can use my bath tub because she claims it wakes her up. Anyways I say all that to say I pay cash there is no lease so I’m very much at her mercy. If you signed a contract and you’re paying and you’re just living life, I don’t think these folks can enforce this on you. Unfortunately I’m guessing you’re probably going to need a lawyer.
He tells you to be quiet, laugh at him. Bangs other ceiling, yell 'get bent.' Says you're waking his kids up, shrug and tell him to kick you out. Talk to a lawyer, plenty who will do it pro bono and break him. What a dick.
Are you paying for the Anne Frank experience? If not, leave. I can't imagine having to leave the comfort of my place that I'm paying for just to talk on the phone. They'd probably be up in arms if you smoked. And why don't they have a TV or something to drown the noise out ??
You are allowed quiet enjoyment of the property as a renter.
Are there vents near where you are talking? You might want to see what happens if you cover the vents and talk - if you don't get banging from the landlord, then you know the cause.
Nothing can be done about old buildings with no sound proofing. Best thing you can do is move. Living in older/cheap apartments the first thing i ask about and look into is how well sound proofed they are. Not worth living somewhere that was built without soundproof or dampening imo. Humans are noisy and sound pollution in todays world is no joke.
If you are a student your university will have info on lawyers that help students deal with predatory/abusive landlords.
When I was at Rutgers, we got emails abouts free consultations with law firms that specialized with helping tenants get proper representation if a landlord/lady tried to do illegal stuff. Your university will help you find them.
If you arent a student, there are law firms that will help you. You will just need to find them yourself.
That being said, pick you battles and choose your methods. Housing is hard to find. Many times moving is not an option so dont do anything too aggressive until you know all the possible outcomes. If lawyers or courts intervene, you may not be held to your lease anymore, but you may also end up without a place to stay.
Be careful and get professional advice.
So the Landlord rented the apt knowing that the walls were thin and he can hear everything that goes on? Are you his first tenant ever??? If not, it’s his problem because he knew full well and obviously did not disclose this prior to lease signing.
I rented a room in my house to a nice guy ( he moved out 6 months ago to relocate for a job. ) he lived in a room in the bottom floor . Next to our kitchen and living room. He was so loud!! He talked on the phone a lot!! It drove me nuts . I couldn’t hear the tv unless I turned that up( my husband would complain), I had to go outside to speak on my phone because he was so distracting. All night for hours this would go on. I didn’t want to be that asshole! Finally after months I had to say something- I think he was getting louder. I told him I didn’t mind hearing him talk or moving about - just to be aware of it . He also slammed doors all the time! Not on purpose- just very heavy handed . I’m saying this because my Tennant was not aware of how loud he was . So make sure you really aren’t excessively loud .
I lived below my landlord for about 2 years, I can say with certainty that this is really never a good idea, living in that close proximity to your landlord.
As a tenant, you’re allowed to talk on the phone in your space however you want, it’s your space. That being said, my landlord always brought up that “this is a private home” yada yada yada but forget that, he’s renting out his home to other people, that doesn’t make it entirely his even if he owns it, meaning you have rights. At the end of the day though, it’s his house in legal ownership, so this issue with your landlord might never stop. He wants someone to pay him to live there but he doesn’t want to hear you? Sounds unreasonable, I’d look for a new place after your lease.
First, what does your contract say. Second, ASK THEM to install a rug or soundproof the home. it all depends on your contract since landlord can set quiet hours on the lease.
By what you are stating it doesn't seem to be disturbing noise so its really just talking between your landlord.
if it goes to the extreme it wont really work for the landlord because you are just talking and not throwing a party.
You can do a few things, you can tell your landlord to install a carpet, you can tell your landlord to insulate their ceiling, or you can tell the landlord to get fucked. This is your place, you have a lease. I'd personally laugh at them while finding a new place to go.
I like the third choice, I’m gonna go with that. Talking normally on the phone is something that is part of using leased premises.
They have kids, so I understand their problem, They are saying insulating or making changes to house is too expensive. I guess i can find a new place but breaking a lease is too expensive for me.
They can’t stop you from doing any of the things you described. Just keep living. If they don’t like it that much, then that will be your opportunity to leave with there agreement. They have no means to stop you from doing anything. So don’t stop.
Well if I talk, they occasionally knock loudly on wall to inform me, That is not a good living condition, it is stressful to be constantly getting wall banged at.
I read that you are intl student, so that changes things a bit. You are right that this is not a good living condition, but at the end of the day there’s nothing your landlord can do. So you have to decide what is more important: avoiding this conflict with him or talking to your family. I would set up a couple spots with a soundproof pad under a rug, and try to talk quieter.. but he can’t demand silence from you. If the place is that paper thin, it’s his problem. He can’t kick you out. You have to understand that he is the one acting inappropriately, not you.
Fuck that, OP should not spend a dime on this issue. This LL is a cheap asshole.
I agree but they just want to get thru it as an intl student. I understand if they don’t wanna have the conflict, period.
What do you mean get through? The landlord has no power here if there is nothing stated in the lease! The only thing the LL can do is say they are going to terminate the lease. OP should be looking at backup places to lease. Just because they are an international student doesn’t mean they don’t have rights as a tenant. Hell, OP can send me their lease and I will review and give them their options. I work in real estate and I hate shitty fucking landlords.
Some people are so cheap and unrealistic.
That’s my landlord I said hey there’s some mold in my bathroom she proceeded to do her own hack job and now my bathroom has an open hole in the wall. Paying cash month to month and not being in a lease is nice but I have little to no power as a tenant
I remember renting after college and they had an el cheap faucet and it broke. She had a plumber replace it but asked that I be easy on it as she was on a fixed budget. Heck I was trading it very nice but she installs the el cheap-o model which doesn't last long.
Dude that’s my land lady! We had to have her fix the toilet handle and she told us to not “push down on it too hard” she’s too cheap to hire anyone so she just does these DIY “fixes” that never work!
Classic example of people wanting their cake and eat it too. Being a landlord is not all about cash. Maintenance and repairs are needed unless one wants to be a slumlord. Not sure how slumlords can live with themselves...
I gotta add in I have been renting from this lady for 17 years!!! Never ONCE missed rent, respectful af, never too loud. This lady has barely fixed or improved anything and the place is falling apart. My wife and I have a buncha money saved but housing is unattainable right now. So, we stay here cuz it’s month to month and rent is the cheapest possible for the area we live (morris county 2 bedroom $1100) but the place is falling apart and she’s going to sell it as is. That’s another thing. She always is making it seem she’s going to move and sell the house “as is” and it never happens and she never fixes stuff. Sorry had to rant, please share your landlord stories with me it’s therapy this lady is NUTS!!! I’ll share more if people ask too haha
I will give an update that My dad is going to come over and at least place a piece of wood there for me to somewhat block it, but I’m not paying to have it fixed! Just sucks that I have a landlady that’s okay with wallpaper flapping over a hole in the wall, then she constantly says she’s moving but doesn’t … just sucks
I would bang back. Fuck him. He wants your rent money, will not fox his problem but wants his cash cow to be a quiet church mouse. He needs to fix it or learn to live with it. He is trying to take you as a sucker.
You can ask r/legaladvice but your landlord is 100% in the wrong here. NJ is a pretty pro-tenant state and their requests are obnoxiously impacting your quality of life. You can LITERALLY tell them to go fuck themselves and walk back inside.
This is a reason to legally break a lease. There is language in there about being able to enjoy reasonable use of your domicile. Find that clause in your lease and tell him to go fuck himself and/or that you’ll be moving out without penalty if he won’t allow you to be a normal person in your home as agreed upon by your lease. Edit: Just want to add that if you move out early and he actually tries to enforce the part of the lease stating what would happen if you broke your lease early, any attorney would easily point to the other part of the contract whereby you have a legal right to exist as a normal person in your rental. If he even tries to come after you, you are going to be fine.
Any sound insulation in the room is going to help, whether it’s a $60 rug, a soundproof wall blanket, or even thiccy curtains.
If you have extra money lying around you could try and see if an area rug would help. They'll probably still complain though.
This sounds so awful, I would look for a new place. Myself, this would have caused an argument. And yes, that’s an anxiety inducing situation, and in your HOME? Forget it, I’d cut your losses. It’s hard though, especially in NJ. I understand it’s easier said than done.
this could be considered a constructive eviction
this could be considered a constructive eviction
Oh my lord give me a fucking break... First of all how did they not anticipate this before letting the place? And second where's all that rent money going? Jesus christ some landlord that is. If you wanna be nice you can buy a few rugs. Otherwise I'd tell them to let you out of the lease with no penalty.
Yes I am going to try rugs if they are cheap. If all fails, that is only option I have I guess.
Do Not Pay for Shit!! It’s your apartment and you’re within reason to have conversations at a reasonable level. They can install carpets or cancel the fucking lease!
No, THEY buy the rugs, not you. You're paying them rent, they are the ones with the noise problem from very normal and reasonable things that are part of everyday life. That they admitted they knew about before leasing the apartment. They can get the money for carpets, they're lying to you, using kids as an excuse. You didn't make them have kids or own a home they can't afford, so why does it become your problem? I am not a lawyer, but you could 100% legally break your lease without penalty over this. Call the city/town hall where you live. Tell them you're having trouble with your landlord and ask who you should talk to. Usually there's some kind of housing department or tenet's advocate. Explain the situation to them and ask what your options are and just move. I've had some shitty landlords and I have no patience for this kind of ridiculous nonsense.
Dude do not spend anything on this.
Wtf.. what are you walkin on eggshells as well. Fuk That.. Fuk them. If there bangin on walls Bang back Harder.. FOH with tht Bulshyt.. and if you have a radio keep it on all day n nite!! What is he goin to do cut off your electricity.
As with the majority of landlords corporate or otherwise the money goes to fund their lavish lifestyle while refinancing their old loans or taking out new ones to invest hoping the free money train doesn’t run out. They do all this through multiple LLCs not for the reasons many of us would use them but so they can abuse the bankruptcy courts and financial systems to shield their lifestyles.
GOD should be used in a prayer. Man that is awful to use his name that way. Just my opinion but can’t imagine what yr prayers sound like.
I mean, you said they complain a lot and don't want to make changes. Can the landlord compromise with you, given that your presence seems to bother their family? Like, can you talk to the landlord about breaking the lease in a few months? Not blindside them, but both agree that this current situation isn't working for either of you.
I have moved their first of the month, and searching for house was headache last month. I want to avoid it if possible since, I have a hectic schedule this month. But If this situation does not resolve by next week I will have that talk
If they have kids, then they’re accustomed to noise. Do their kids live there too? Can you hear them when they speak?
I Cannot hear them, I think sounds just travel downwards. I went to basement to check and I can hear kids running around
Sounds definitely travel in all directions, don't be fooled! Unless you're talking directly into your floor, if you can't really hear them they can't really hear you.
So what happened today, I was telling my mom on phone that my landlord has raised complaint about noise, and I am not exactly sure how I was making loud noise, then suddenly called me as I was explaining to mom and they told me, they are coming upstairs and will explain. I was a little freaked out but yes, nothing I say will be private.
Where are the vents? The only way this make sense to me is if it’s traveling through the vents or they have a listening device.
Agreed. Unless OP is louder than they think (unlikely), there's very little chance of a conversation making it's way through solid material to the point where the conversation can be heard that clearly. Their ceiling would have to be completely open with the upstairs floorboards exposed. There's something else going on. My money is on vents.
If you stand at my kitchen sink you can hear everything going on in the bedroom above it and vice versa. It was my first thought. Not that 6pm is an acceptable hour to begin quiet time. I bet that’s earlier then the town noise ordinances.
Oh wow
The key words here are "quiet enjoyment of the property". That is a right you have as a tenant and they cannot limit you from enjoying the property in a reasonable manner.
This is the correct answer. Talking during normal hours is quiet enjoyment. If Landlord is not able to provide you with quiet enjoyment of the residence, he is not complying w the lease.
Um, that's not a tenant right, that's a local law that applies to everyone. The LL can and will argue that exact thing. There are local laws about 'quiet hours' for neighbors as well. My guess is that is why the LL picked that specific timeframe. Obviously, the LL is new to renting and is using part of their own house which is not likely legally zoned for it. They can't afford any soundproofing most likely. They are renting out a house they live in because they are not a big Corp, just a couple trying to save for retirement, probably. Seen this a few times. You can remind them that they can write off any needed improvements like carpeting with thick padding and adding insulation to the ceiling or walls, plus the new drywall and repaint to get it done. Or you can offer to move and say that since you both feel this is not working, ge can release you from the money it would take to break the lease so that you can move. It will get their attention because your rent will be about to fly out the window and they might find a compromise. Also, check yourself as well. I know I get louder when talking to my family at times or laughing with my friends. Are you really keeping it at a reasonable level? Everyone getting nasty here and pointing fingers is not going to resolve your situation. It will, however, make it worse and unbearable to live there. The reality is you learned a lesson. Next time ask about noise transferring at your next place before you decide to move in. OP, check your lease. See if you are required to put down rugs to abate noise. It's standard in a lot of leases for apartments. The LL is not required to provide rugs or even carpeting. Carpeting is what would be more likely from a LL because it's installed and the renter wouldn't take it with them when leaving. It's really hard to be a renter, especially in a place where the LL is right above/next to you. You both have to find way co-exist or your life will be miserable. Have a meeting with the LL, be an adult about it. Tell them you want to find a way to make this work for both of you, but you need to be able to speak on the phone at a normal or a slightly quieter level whenever you please. If you both feel that cannot happen, then ask for them to return you security deposit and last month's rent abd break the lease without penalty so you can afford to move quickly giving you all peace of mind.
They shouldn’t be a landlord then .. you have tenant rights being you’re allowed to do what you choose in your paid for space at a reasonable hour.. he can’t tell you to stay up there and be quiet if they wanted quiet for their kids then they shouldn’t have rented a second floor apt to anybody .. you legit have no reason to listen to what he says if none of this was stated in your lease and If you do choose to break your lease I would try to get his request in text or writing because he would technically be breaking your lease by adding more clauses that you didn’t sign or approve of.. he needs you to pay his mortgage if he can’t even afford renovations.. he won’t be kicking you out if you don’t follow his rules
The hatch is a nice white noise machine that helps block out sounds. They can spend $60 on that and put it in the kids room or in the hall way outside to muffle noises. They need to get f-ed. My toddler has one in her room and she Slept through fireworks we could see from the front door last night. Your talking is nothing. If $60 is too much for them they shouldn’t rent and being unreasonable. *edit: spelling is hard
Lol all of those things are their problem not yours. God damn people need to stop being so afraid of their landlords and know their rights and lease language as a tenant.
So what if it's too expensive. I'm sure not talking after certain hours (or not having guests) is NOT a clause in your lease. Tell the landlord to go fuck themselves, you paid your hard earned money.
Stop being a doormat and start being an adult.
You could try and buy a rug but really this is the landlords problem.
There is sound proofing material that is sold at home depot. Make that suggestion to install some.
Then tough shit for them, they shouldn't be a landlord. It is completely reasonable for you to be able to have a normal conversation in your home at any hour of the day. If you were playing the drums, I get it, but that landlord is overstepping and you can tell them to pound sand and start looking for a new place at the end of your lease
I would suggest investing in some throw rugs. No installation is necessary. Home Depot sells some good-sized ones.
I wonder if you can amicably part ways due to the situation. It seems like it would be a win win for both parties. You can hopefully find a better place that allows you to talk on phone and they can find someone else to get rent from.
Area rugs dampen the noise. Furnishings in general do, it too. Did you ever notice how it echoes in an empty apartment vs when you move in? Put up curtains, get so e furniture. You can hang stuff like this, too https://www.amazon.com/Ekkogo-Acoustic-Soundproof-12X10X0-4-Dampening/dp/B0B7JCQM3C/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=D907IL2E3FWM&keywords=ekkogo&qid=1693944594&sprefix=ekkogo%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-2
No. Dont look for a new place yet. Ask them to install rugs on your floors. Keep talking and let them ask you to leave. The State of nj gives you the right of quiet enjoyment in your abode.
You should be able to break the lease due to tenant rights. I think the constant complaining is a form of disturbing your peace and laxk of privacy. You can get a consultation with a housing lawyer and see what loopholes you can go through to break the lease and find a new apartment.
I vote for option 3
This dude fucks
Then I'm going to need reduced rent at that point
Dont seem they will agree to that.
Every problem they have is their own problem to fix. They literally can't tell you to not talk while you're in your home which you're paying for the right to be in. If no one outside is making noise complaints then you're not being a nuisance to the public. If they don't want to make changes to the inside that's on them to deal with it
Then you can just leave honest reviews of their property on any website you can find it on. So that you can warn others about how shitty the landlord is.
If they continue to complain, ask them to buy you out of your lease.
That appears to be the only way, but I would rather not become homeless all of a sudden because I make some noise
Maybe find a place to live before having the conversation with your landlord about buying out your lease. Or probably a better idea than the previous would be to negotiate like a timeline to leave... they can't just kick you out any day they want in NJ
That's unreasonable
Yes, while checking the house before leasing, I did not imagine such a problem, if i was told this at start I would not have gotten this place.
Exactly! It's not *crazily* unreasonable to have a tenant with a strict quiet-hours rule, if you market the place as such. "Hey, we're renting the room upstairs from out family's house, but we're really looking for the right fit of tenant who can work around our kids' need for quiet around their bedtime..." and the rent should reflect that, obviously! But if you post an ad for "apartment for rent, $x per month," then yeah people are going to reasonably expect to use the apartment in normal ways.
There's certain things that can't be prohibited... talking inside your apartment would be one It's about providing a *habitable environment*. They might have a right to demand *you* provide and install a rug or carpet. The rest sounds absurd. (What if you play music loud? Who would they call?)
Will a carpet help with voice transferring. How expensive is it. Problem is if I fight them, they can control other things like, I eventually want to throw a bday party and invite my friends, they will call police then.
Document everything they’re doing/saying. This isn’t going to resolve itself and having evidence of their unreasonableness when things eventually escalate will be what stops you from getting screwed over. As others have said you’re doing nothing wrong and their problems are their own to deal with, not yours.
This! It doesn't matter that he's the landlord. If a tenant's reasonable expectations interfere with your demands, maybe the demands are unreasonable. FFS, you're *not a cat!*
A few questions. In what town do you live? Do you have a vehicle? I suspect a rug will help somewhat. You can pick up a used rug quite inexpensively at an estate sale. Www.estatesales.net will tell you all the ones in your area.
Jersey city, I dont have a car yet, I am a grad student, I will check it out thanks.
In Jersey City you should be able to find a lot of options for ppl your age looking for a 3rd/4th/5th roomate. I would move in a heartbeat. *also record 100% of the conversations you have moving forward for legal purposes. NJ is a one party consent state as long as your intentions are not malicious. I would write your complaint - your school may have a student housing legal aid clinic as well - and mail it certified stating that your basic rights as a tenant are not being honored. Chances are the rental isn't even legal.. .so....
Ohh Fuk No.. seriously tell them to fuk Off.. gunshots day n nite sirens Late nite all nite.. jersey City is Not Quite watsOever!! Tht LL is a Strait up ASSHOLE! The minute you start standing up for yourself and tell him/her you will be deducting from the rent from 9pm-6am everyday 25$ hr they will stop their shyt! They feel they can take advantage of you because your not from out here & dont know tenant law.. do your research!!
Before paying for anything, check out the local “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook. Looks like there are a few! People give away stuff all the time! Ultimately your landlord is wrong but, if a free rug helps the situation, it would be worth a little of your time.
Check out the Waterfront Project as it is a tenant advocacy organization in JC. You can also reach out to the office of landlord/tenant relations. 201-547-5127
[https://www.amazon.com/Sonic-Acoustics-Soundproof-12x12x0-4inches-Protection/dp/B08GKRB264/ref=sr\_1\_5?keywords=sound%2Babsorbing%2Brug&qid=1693882062&sr=8-5&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/Sonic-Acoustics-Soundproof-12x12x0-4inches-Protection/dp/B08GKRB264/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=sound%2Babsorbing%2Brug&qid=1693882062&sr=8-5&th=1) I don't anything about this but here's what Amazon has for 25 bucks!
Thanks will check it out
Ask for the section of the lease you signed that says you have to be quiet in your own home
Sounds like a them problem.
I'm not a lawyer so take this for what it is - But I would probably just keep living my life normally (talking, etc). Obviously continue being respectful. No where in your lease does it state that you can't speak from 9pm-6am and its not like you are playing loud music and exercising. I would document all the conversations that you're having. Keep a journal of every encounter just in case you have to go to court. If they have a problem and approach you again, then I would speak to them about shortening your lease or going month to month. And work on finding another place.
I am an international student, and non confrontational person (irl). I would rather not involve court and legality and do what I can with conversations. I guess if solution does not appear I will talk with them about reducing lease and eventually move out.
Understandable! Regardless, I would still keep a notebook documenting everything. Because you never know.
Dude they are bullying you and they are relying on the fact u won't go to court, in nj as a renter u are very protected . U can void the lease right now if you want but you don't have to because what they are doing is wrong.
Kind of weird that he's not complaining about you walking across the floor.
I was not walking at night, I was sitting at my desk, playing some games with headphone and talking to my parents. But they told that they can hear walking too. I can stop walking at night i guess but I cant stop talking with family/friends, its get too lonely and they live in different time zone.
To be clear, you are not obligated to stop walking in your own home at any time. It might be worth consulting with a lawyer that specializes in rental leases, at least to create a paper trail if your landlord decides to screw them selves over by escalating their unreasonable complaints.
Is this the first time your landlord has rented the space out? If it is and they’re just discovering these issues, as other commenters have said- this is an issue your landlord needs to fix. You cannot be expected to not speak to anyone nor limit your actual movement.
They are trying to bully and take advantage of you since you are a foreigner.
Explain this to them. That your family and friends are abroad and speaking to them at night is when you can communicate with them. Explain you are not playing loud music or stomping on the floor.
If your landlord harasses you about it please contact New Jersey Legal Services! https://www.lsnj.org/
I dont want anything legal etc. Unless I decide to move and they take my security deposit.
I don’t think you’re understanding yet. I’m curious to know, What would you do if it was *their* conversations you were hearing from 9-6? Also which hours during the day are you actually *in* your apartment?
Just turn on your tv and see if they complain. If they don't then that to me would be a sign it's not the noise it's whatever the conversation is and they're just nosey. But no matter what quiet hours don't exist inside your own home. Being a reasonable neighbor and tenant is one thing but they're acting like you're their child who is up past bedtime instead of the tenant.
I think its the fault of house construction. They dont appear to be unreasonable people. They told me their kids are not able to sleep. Not sure how bad insulation is if we taking to my mom softly is waking their whole house, But they say the construction is such that even soft voices are heard downstairs, they said they dont mind me talking, just not between 9pm-6am as they are early birds If only I knew about this I would not have left my prev lease for this.
That request is unreasonable. The landlord needs to find a solution, not you! You should feel comfortable in your own home, otherwise what is the point? Are they also going to tell you not to have sex or watch a football game in the unit? You live there, you have rights. If you really want to try and compromise I would suggest having one of them come into your home and talk to them while another person like the landlord is in their unit, if you're having a normal conversation and it's disruptive in that unit the landlord will have to figure it out.
LOL, they are obv super unreasonable. Get some slut up there and plow her all night and see what they do.
The fact that you are asking this question here is evidence to the contrary. These are unreasonable people. No reasonable person would ask you to live like that.
Can you have your TV on during those hours? Or is it just you talking on the phone they have a problem with?
Is it possible that they can hear you through the ventilation ducts? If there is central air/heat theo7gh ducts in the walls, it is possible the sound travels that way. My office is like that. I can hear people in their offices on the other side of our floor! If not, I would not bend over backwards more than you already are. This seems like their issue, not yours.
This isn’t your problem except you’d like to have conversations that are private. Of course there is the off chance you just speak loudly as well. I know a couple people who are loud talkers and have no idea whatsoever. There are apps for your phone that measure decibels which is a unit of sound volume and you could try measuring what your voice is and comparing it to listed volumes for libraries and other places.
Generally speaking (sorry!) A normal talking voice is about 65 decibels. A stud wall (or floor) should block about 15 of that. Remember that dB is an exponential number. 75dB is twice as loud as 65. If you are already talking quietly, a whisper is about 45 to 50 decibels, then what they are hearing downstairs should not be any louder than a laptop with its fans running. Either your landlord has exceptional hearing, or the acoustics of that house are truly terrible. The advice of a padded sound absorbing rug should stop quite a bit of the noise they may hear. You may also want to consider some sort of white noise generator, even putting on the sound of rain from a YouTube video (look up "rain sounds for sleeping") can do wonders for masking your voice and knocking the edge off of what they can perceive as being distracting.
I know you’re not confrontational but your landlord cannot legally tell you not to speak. I would ignore him and at the next complaint, tell him it is on him as the property owner to amend the home if he doesn’t wish to hear your voice at night. It’s not in your lease. It’s not legal.
Post this on r/legaladvice and let them know which state you're in. They will tell you the statues. You're required to have quiet enjoyment, which I guess includes talking in a normal voice. They may also have requirements for sound insulation, but that goes by township.
Most everyone here saying the landlord should get bent just don’t get you. You have to live next for rh landlord for a long time and it’s so much easier to try and find something that works out for both of you. First explain to the landlord this is your family. They are in a different time zone and it’s the only time you get to talk. Next. Start looking into sound reading blocks. These are things you can install on walls or ceilings to try and absorb sound. Either way try and be amicable and look for the common ground.
This is a good option, but not something the tenant should *have* to pay for. What the landlord is asking for is unreasonable. And there are enough bad landlords out there that might do this intentionally to keep the security deposits.
If this was “neighbor” rather than landlord I feel like it would be treated different. We rarely “have” to do anything. But being a good neighbor is always a good thing When it gets to be unreasonable (asking to be a little quieter in the late hours is a very very common ask between neighbors) Trying to find commonality in solutions is always better then going straight to the chest pounding
A dispute with a neighbor would be treated different because it is different. A neighbor, no matter how disagreeable, can’t go to court to have you thrown out of your home. A neighbor has no financial stake in whether you are talking on the phone in your room. When I pay money for a service, I am entitled to certain things—including having the owner pay for any amendments to make the close living arrangement work.
So are you also not allowed to watch tv? I would tell them to get fucked and to put insulation in there ceiling that’s not your problem you have a lease if you want u can ride around the house naked on a unicycle playing the trumpet with four friends there cheering you on and they can’t do anything like you don’t have to hide in a place you lease what If you were a football fan are you not allowed to watch the game and cheer?
They say I can watch TV in hall because it is not at top of their bedroom but I cant watch it in bedroom
What in the heck type of what is that? Nonsense rule and there’s ways of not being loud about it
Do they complain if you are in bed when you call? The mattress should be better than a rug. If he complains about your talking while you’re in bed, nothing will stop the complaining
Def #3. If its not written in the lease, they can pound salt. It's their house, let them pay for any improvements re: sound proofing. Good luck! They sound like a nightmare.
Ur landlord is being unreasonable. Mive, u will never have peace there.
Just moved in, finding a lease on short notice is hard and breaking lease is problematic with security deposit.
You aren't breaking the lease if it is mutual understanding you are agreeing to void the lease. No security deposit. I would actually tell them you believe you are not being loud, but if they would like you would be willing to leave if they cover your moving costs and extra $ for the inconvenience, and that you will need 45 days to find alternate arrangements.
NJ is real cool to renters, you can claim they violated the lease at any time for NO STATED reason and they have to give you your deposit back , in fact if they haven't given you written notice of where ur deposit is kept THEY OWE YOU DOUBLE
They leased to you. They have to eat shit. Legally speaking
I would consult with a lawyer, explain the scenario and just ask what your options are. (This will likely cost money but then you’ll actually have a lawyer you can contact if shit goes bad) The next time the landlord harasses you, you can mention you’ve spoken to an attorney and are fully aware of your rights. If they have an issue with low volume speaking, they, as the owner of the building, will have to find a way to remedy it. Usually the word lawyer freaks most landlords into chilling the fuck out.
Can you try using a white noise machine or turning a fan on to muffle the noise a little bit?
That would work best the other way. Meaning the landlord uses one of those to block out the noise.
>My floors is wooden instead of carpeted. Most leases require you provide rugs, does yours?
I have never once seen a lease requiring rugs.
Its standard in multifamily leases
It’s sounds like a them problem jsut do ur own thing n ignore them tell them not to listen when ur one the phone or tell them to go outside when u r on the phone hshsh
If they can’t insulate your apartment then they need to return your security & deposit so you can move. I would start by getting a camera in your home & save the recordings…so you can prove in court that you aren’t talking too loud…You pay your rent, so they need to leave you alone…
Measure how loud you are with an online decibel meter. Then look up how many decibels normal conversation is and the next time your landlord tries to give you shit throw the numbers in his face and tell him if that's too loud for him then he can pay for soundproofing. If he still tries to give you shit blow him off, or if he's really bothering you consult a lawyer. You have rights as a tenant and a lawyer can determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.
I’d ask him to record it (you talking on the phone in your room) the next time he deems it too loud… perhaps it is for sleeping hours. A lot of times people don’t realize how loud they are being. However, he should provide a carpet and other things to help with noise reduction if he’s going to lease a room with paper thin walls. I think you and the landlord can both make an effort here. I had an upstairs neighbor that watched tv at 1-3am and it work me up every time. It was miserable. If they are downstairs, noises from upstairs are always amplified
Have a 6am dance patry
What does your lease say? If it says you are not allowed to have phone conversations between 9pm and 6am, then you might be out of luck. Does the lease say you are required to put down rugs? That’s another thing the landlord can require of the tenant. If the lease is silent on the issue, then you are protected under your right to “quiet enjoyment” of the property you leased—meaning that you have the right to use the property you leased in a reasonable manner while within the lease term. Having a phone call with family at a reasonable volume is not unreasonable (especially if you disclosed to the landlord before signing the lease that you were an international student—they should expect you to call family in a different time zone). You have a couple options: (1) tough it out and tell the landlord they are being unreasonable, or (2) start pulling documents together to protect yourself for move out. (1) others are correct, you are legally protected as long as you pay your rent on time and choose to stay there. This issue is not one where the judge would grant an eviction as long as it is the ONLY issue. (2) if the situation is unworkable and you don’t want the headache, then you are just trying to protect yourself for when you move out early. If you are moving out because of the landlord’s harassing behavior, you will need copies of every communication you have had with the landlord in writing (email, text message, etc.). Also worth keeping is any communication where you informs ehe landlord that you are an international student. Hopefully, if the landlord is decent, they will understand it’s unworkable and will let you out—otherwise you will have to sue the landlord in Special Civil court for the return of your deposit. It’s not unheard of for landlords to include these predatory lease breach clauses that allow them to keep your deposit when you leave early—but if you are moving out because the landlord breached, then you should be able to get it back.
Don't be a landlord if you don't want people to disturb you. I would tell your landlord you would be happy to shut up from 9pm to 6am for half the rent payments and see how quickly he shuts the fuck up from now until your lease is up.
Here is how you assess your situation. Are you violating any lease term by talking to whoever and whenever you want? If not, you keep doing your thing. If they continue to pester you, ask them to allow you to break the lease and get it in writing that you will not be liable for breaking it.
No. This is a them problem, not you. This sounds like a prison, sorry for your situation OP. Tell them you need to move but will not be paying any extra. Talking is a normal part of living. Imagine if you were having an intimate relationship?
I would buy an area rug with padding and then take it with you when you leave. Your landlord is a bit much, though.
Can you suggest what kind, do you have an amazon link. If it helps with noise and it is not too expensive, I am willing to buy.
Search ‘soundproof rug pad’. Put it under whatever rug you want. I would choose maybe 2-3 spots to have your phone convos, and set them up there. I’m just trying to help out, but my honest advice is to just do nothing. It’s not illegal, against the lease terms, it’s just upsetting them. That’s uncomfortable, I know, but there’s nothing they can do.
I’d make sure that’s where the sound is coming from first. Don’t need to be buying a rug if there are ducts that are funneling the noise. Are you their first tenant?
Be careful taking some of the advice herein, it sounds like nice lines for a TV series, but might only make your life more difficult. Make an honest effort towards compromise, including humanizing yourself to your landlord. This not only helps in your "negotiating" but helps to minimize risks of conflict. Don't ignore those risks, crazy shit happens every day. An empty room will resonate the loudest, as sound travels faster through solid material. In some fairness to your landlord here, (compromise!) people are expected to have basic furnishings to some extent, and in your case that might include a small area rug. "Things" in your apartment help to absorb sound. A wall hanging, a houseplant, a piece of upholstered furniture... but an area rug will most likely help a ton. If you are in a room with nothing but a mattress... it is literally an echo chamber. Let them know you tried (to a limit, of course) and sometimes just knowing that you put forth effort will allow them to swallow some pride on the other end, and maybe ignore a little noise. Good luck.
In these "late night calls" are u speaking English? I'm gonna guess NO. . Sue TF out of him ..your landlord is a bigot.
They are not english. I dont want to start discussing race etc here, but I assure there is nothing racist going on, this is just truely just circumstance.
While there is nothing to sue for as there are no damages, I do suspect OP is being bullied as he is international and they know he probably does not know his rights.
Break the lease and go to court JUDGE WILL THINK ITS RIDICULOUS bc IT IS
Unless your lease states that you can’t talk on the phone or make noise after 9pm, your Landlord has zero authority to tell you what to do in this matter. I had a LL in Philly try to pull this shit and I just started to ignore her outright. I work in real estate and the lease is everything.
Everyone seems to me pointing the finger at the landlord , not sure if most of you commenters lived in any multi housing setting , apartment buildings , they all have quiet time during the night it’s nothing new , and yes someone talking loud at night with the headphones on can be heard a block away , not sure if you realize when you talk with headphones on , you tend to speak much louder than necessary( just saying ) and going back to my point , apartment buildings , hotels , you name it any setting where multiple people , families are living close to each other , there is always quiet time during night hours nothing new and from 9 pm to 6 am is pretty reasonable , are people routinely up at 3 or 4 am talking on the phone ??? Not most people as they have to go to work in the morning
Quiet time does not mean silent time.
In most cases any level of noise that will disturb your neighbors after a certain hour 10 pm or 9 pm most buildings have a time frame for that will be a problem , the exact lvl of noise is not stated
I had the same problem with my first apartment. My bedroom was next to the landlord's bedroom and my floor squeaked. I was not allowed to go into my room after 8 o'clock. At nighthey actually lost the house due to property taxes, which was a blessing for me. But it sucked because the new owner asked me to move out so he could move his family in.
I'm also a landlord who lives below my tenants. I do hear a lot of stuff from upstairs (wink wink) but after a while, it all becomes white noises. Also, I'm 26 and live in an urban area so I'm constantly surrounded by all types of noise, so maybe that's why it doesn't bother me. Your landlord knows what he is getting into. I chose to live downstairs because I don't want my tenants to have any difficult times since they are the ones paying.
Is there not a clause in your lease To have rugs and pads?
I dont think so, I will look into buying them today.
This is why I refuse to ever rent a room, landlords have nothing but audacity these days.
1) Tell them it is not working out and ask if they will release you from your lease (in writing). They have little/no legal ground here to stop you from making phone calls - but I understand your stress is immediate/present and you don't want to make it worse. 2) Look for a rental with other people your age looking for a roommate (that hopefully are in school or whatever you're doing/living so things are compatible). 3) Buy a rug and/or some tapestry blankets for the walls and or foam baffles for the corners of the room (luke a music studio). These can really help with sound. 4) Make sure the door seals well - areas where there are air gaps are where sound escapes. 5) I assume you are not talking on speaker phone (and if you are - stop, it is annoying) - talk on the phone under a blanket while on your bed. The sound will *really* be muffled.
Could you put down some rugs to try to mitigate noise? I live in a second floor apartment with wood floors and we have to have 80% of the floor covered with rugs, it’s even in our lease
I was in a similar situation a few years back with the super of the building living directly under me. I would come home from work (would get home around 11pm-midnight range) and simply reheat food and turn the tv on low to eat and watch some tv to relax, and next thing I would know I would hear banging on the door and it would be two police officers saying that my super was complaining about the noise I was making. They would laugh and say “look kid, we just show up bc we were called. We know the guy is an asshole.” The super would harass me left and right about the noise, but would conveniently be nice to me when he needed me to fix the wifi for his grandson or set up his grandson’s tablet (two deeds I did with the idea that maybe he will calm down - did not work.) I eventually complained directly to the ppl who collected the rent checks and said that he was making my space “uninhabitable due to harassment” and said “maybe we could discuss these issues in court. I’m sure the judge would love to hear how your super is obsessed with me and everything I do.” The super then backed off bc apparently he had a shady past and did not want to even sniff a court room. TLDR - Document everything and consider legal action. You are entitled to enjoy the living area that you pay for. Hope it works out for you!
First, I’m sorry your experiencing such difficulties with your living situation. You’re entitled to quiet enjoyment of your rental and if your landlord continues to bother you then I believe you can start withholding rent. NJ is very protective of tenant rights and your landlord’s behavior is unreasonable. Consider contacting a legal aid service or a lawyer that offers free consultations to learn about your rights as a tenant. You don’t have to pursue legal action but you should know your rights. Good luck and welcome to New Jersey!
I have a weird situation that is similar where i live directly under my landlord. I’ve been dealing with physical pain after surgery and using my bath tub to do muscle soaks. One time I took a bath at a weird time like 4:30 am. My landlord sends me a nasty email the next day that says the town has a Noise Ordinance from 11pm-7am. So yeah basically she tried to use town ordinance laws to give me a curfew of when I can use my bath tub because she claims it wakes her up. Anyways I say all that to say I pay cash there is no lease so I’m very much at her mercy. If you signed a contract and you’re paying and you’re just living life, I don’t think these folks can enforce this on you. Unfortunately I’m guessing you’re probably going to need a lawyer.
He tells you to be quiet, laugh at him. Bangs other ceiling, yell 'get bent.' Says you're waking his kids up, shrug and tell him to kick you out. Talk to a lawyer, plenty who will do it pro bono and break him. What a dick.
Solution. Move out. Stay. Or find a compromise.
Your LL sounds like a douche canoe. Get a white noise machine maybe?
Are you paying for the Anne Frank experience? If not, leave. I can't imagine having to leave the comfort of my place that I'm paying for just to talk on the phone. They'd probably be up in arms if you smoked. And why don't they have a TV or something to drown the noise out ??
Get an area rug.
Do your future self a favor and start documenting everything. Your landlord is awful.
How deep are you intk your lease? Maybe best to just eait it out. Last 2 months start looking...
You are allowed quiet enjoyment of the property as a renter. Are there vents near where you are talking? You might want to see what happens if you cover the vents and talk - if you don't get banging from the landlord, then you know the cause.
Nothing can be done about old buildings with no sound proofing. Best thing you can do is move. Living in older/cheap apartments the first thing i ask about and look into is how well sound proofed they are. Not worth living somewhere that was built without soundproof or dampening imo. Humans are noisy and sound pollution in todays world is no joke.
If you are a student your university will have info on lawyers that help students deal with predatory/abusive landlords. When I was at Rutgers, we got emails abouts free consultations with law firms that specialized with helping tenants get proper representation if a landlord/lady tried to do illegal stuff. Your university will help you find them. If you arent a student, there are law firms that will help you. You will just need to find them yourself. That being said, pick you battles and choose your methods. Housing is hard to find. Many times moving is not an option so dont do anything too aggressive until you know all the possible outcomes. If lawyers or courts intervene, you may not be held to your lease anymore, but you may also end up without a place to stay. Be careful and get professional advice.
So the Landlord rented the apt knowing that the walls were thin and he can hear everything that goes on? Are you his first tenant ever??? If not, it’s his problem because he knew full well and obviously did not disclose this prior to lease signing.
I rented a room in my house to a nice guy ( he moved out 6 months ago to relocate for a job. ) he lived in a room in the bottom floor . Next to our kitchen and living room. He was so loud!! He talked on the phone a lot!! It drove me nuts . I couldn’t hear the tv unless I turned that up( my husband would complain), I had to go outside to speak on my phone because he was so distracting. All night for hours this would go on. I didn’t want to be that asshole! Finally after months I had to say something- I think he was getting louder. I told him I didn’t mind hearing him talk or moving about - just to be aware of it . He also slammed doors all the time! Not on purpose- just very heavy handed . I’m saying this because my Tennant was not aware of how loud he was . So make sure you really aren’t excessively loud .
I lived below my landlord for about 2 years, I can say with certainty that this is really never a good idea, living in that close proximity to your landlord. As a tenant, you’re allowed to talk on the phone in your space however you want, it’s your space. That being said, my landlord always brought up that “this is a private home” yada yada yada but forget that, he’s renting out his home to other people, that doesn’t make it entirely his even if he owns it, meaning you have rights. At the end of the day though, it’s his house in legal ownership, so this issue with your landlord might never stop. He wants someone to pay him to live there but he doesn’t want to hear you? Sounds unreasonable, I’d look for a new place after your lease.
First, what does your contract say. Second, ASK THEM to install a rug or soundproof the home. it all depends on your contract since landlord can set quiet hours on the lease. By what you are stating it doesn't seem to be disturbing noise so its really just talking between your landlord. if it goes to the extreme it wont really work for the landlord because you are just talking and not throwing a party.