Apartment noise laws

By Rob

I came to look at an apartment with a real estate agent who is managing the property for somebody, and has been for a while. On the day I looked at the apartment, it was early afternoon and everything was quiet. He had the lease with him and I stopped before I signed it and asked if you can hear any noise from the neighbors because that is my one concern since I am a student and I need to study. He assured me that there was not going to be a noise a problem, so I signed the lease. Now, I have been here for a week, and I cant study, sleep, or even watch television because the music from below is so loud all day (it is a restaurant) and the noise from above is so loud that whenever they move, I can hear everything going on. I want to break the lease, but the agent now says that not only can we not get the security deposit back, and that we will not be able to get any rent back (we have only been here for 6 days), but he says they might also try to get us to pay damages. Since I have had this problem, it seems like everyone I talk to, including other agents, tell me that this unit is notorious for noise problems. Isn’t that agent responsible to me for assuring that there would not be a noise problem, especially since I made it clear that the only reason I signed the lease was because of his assurance?

Edited on: Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 1:37 pm

3 Responses to “Apartment noise laws”

My response: (We welcome stories, examples, explanations, answers and a touch of your personality)
 

anonymous

October 8th, 2008 8:57 pm

You are allowed to rent with quiet enjoyment. The only problem is that it is not a specifically regulated statute. I would suggest hiring an attorney or filing a complaint with the RPA.


anonymous

October 9th, 2008 1:33 pm

I would try to negotiate free meals from the restaurant below!!! Then maybe the noise won’t bother quite so much. haha 😉
That really stinks! It sounds kind of like the old bait and switch trick, except you actually got to go through the unit before you signed. I would consider breaking your lease. See what the rent penalties are if you break your lease. Even if it cost you money– you’re sanity has to be worth something, right?


bg

January 8th, 2011 8:41 am

I MOVE IN FOUR MONTH AGO, THERE HAS BEEN NOISE UP AND DOWN. HITTING ON THE WALL ,ON THE FLOOR. THESE ARE ADULT,ONE UP STAIR, A MAN AND WOMEN DOWN STAIR. ALREADY REPORT IT TO THE LANDLORD THEY SUMBIT A LETTER TO THE PEOPLE DOWN STAIR. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO.


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