Losing my mind, bar downstairs playing music so loud my apartment vibrates!

cheylink

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It's official, I am leaving my home of 8 years because of a
landlord and his new bar that opened downstairs where it is impossible to sleep before 4 am 2 sometimes 3 nights a week! Make it worse, I'm not on the lease, and even though he has asked me to do work for him, I don't exist here. He told everyone I'm a crazy bitch, don't ever listen to me, only the person who is on the lease can complain, which is my ex, now best friend who has been fighting with them about the issue because it always gets ridiculous!
I have purchased carpet, I have purchased a Sharper Image atmosphere radio (it plays several different sounds to drown out noise), I have layers of neoprene rubber under the legs of my bed, I have purchased earplugs, I cant do anything more short of building a soundproof room inside my room, which is ridiculous! We have made several noise complaints, police always show up after the bar is closed because in NYC they have 8 hours to respond. The report still goes through though and when the landlord receives them he is pissed.
To make it worse my neighbor is the manager, and I thought we were friends, but I can barely look at her when I see her. This has gotten so out of hand that even if my friend goes in and talks to them they turn it down and slowly within an hour it goes back up, and tonight for example, louder then it was originally!
I am loosing my mind right now, it is driving me crazy
!
If anyone has some vibes to spare, I could use some just to keep me from doing something stupid! As well as finding a new home for Maia and I
 

thembcat

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I'm not sure what time you usually try calling to police, but I would try calling around 10:30. When you're on the phone with the police just politely let them know that this is an ongoing problem and that you've tried calling the police before but they always get there after its been closed up. Let them know that you've tried talking with the owner and the manager but you've been ignored. Also start a petition to have to music turned down to a certain level by a certain time and have your exboyfriend (since you said everyones been told to ignore you) pass it around to the different tenents to sign. I highly doubt you're the only one being bothered by this if its really as loud as you say so you shouldn't have any issues getting a lot of signatures. Make a copy and show the original to the owner and if he doesn't want to listen then take it up with the city. Make sure you bring a witness with you so if he tries to dispute you ever showing him the petition then you have someone to back your story up.
 

momto3boys

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How many apartments are in your building?

I agree, surely the other tentants are bothered by it as well?
Is it every night or just on the weekends?

Lots of vibes for you and Maia
 

pushylady

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Very frustrating situation.
I think it just boils down to the fact that the landlord doesn't give a rat's a$$ about anyone else. It seems to be the rule rather than the exception when renting.

Good luck with apartment hunting. It's unfair you have to move after all this time, but hopefully you'll end up somewhere even better.
 

feralvr

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Sleepless night!!!!!!! And so many, that is just no good for your health. You do need to get out of that place. Much luck in your move
 

gailc

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That is just wrong. The guy sounds like a class A jerk. Good luck on either getting this resolved or moving which I'm sure isn't easy to do.
 

ldg

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How can the people in the bar hear each other if it's that loud?????? If there's any way to get the other tenents together, I'd try that. But failing that, mega on finding a new place!!!!!
 

natalie_ca

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OMG! I'd be absolutely beside myself! It's bad enough that some people on my floor play their music loud enough to be heard down the hallway. During the day when I'm awake... or away, I don't care. But when I'm home and trying to unwind or even sleep, the last thing I want to hear is noise other than noise generated by me in my apartment.

Unfortunately if it's an actual bar/club there is likely nothing you can do. I doubt complaining to the police or the owner will do anything really.

Do you have a rentalsman department in your city? If so start there. Also contact the zoning department. If he built a night club below you, they should have put in sound proofing to contain the noise. It seems from what you describe, that didn't happen.
 

kittehtime

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whoa. i feel really bad for you...that's crap to be putting up with.

i'd start finding a new place. are you "allowed" to break your lease, like for a fee? if so, do it.
 

-_aj_-

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Did you move in before or after it was a pub if it was after you can't really complain because you chose to live above above a pub/bar but....... If it was after like said before sound proofing at the very least and continuous sound checks should of been carried out, I am sorry you have to put up with it though
 
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cheylink

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Just to answer some questions,I have been here for 8 years. There was a bar for the first 4 years but the music was never this loud. It was closed by the health department for 2 years and the owner renovated and reopened it as a lounge/bar with absolutely no respect for any neighbors! I'm not the only one who has complained, but I am the one who takes the worst of it living directly above. The person who lives in the apartment next door is the manager of the bar, and doesn't care, has become more and more difficult.
In NYC you can't simply call your local precinct to make a noise complaint, you have to call 311 and file a noise complaint where after the local police have 8 hours to respond to. The noise complaint is filed and the owner eventually receives a notice. Last night it was even worse! I couldn't believe how loud it was, my entire apartment was booming and vibrating. I called 311 at 12:45 and was on hold for 45 minutes before I could even file the complaint. I was happy I atleast got through because it is that difficult! The lease holder had already spoken to them earlier and had to come back and the b**ch manager acted like she couldn't understand what the problem was, even though they were screaming at each other just to hear
! They turned it down and 10 minutes later right back up
, this has been the game for weeks now. He goes back down stairs and she is arguing with him about what the issue is!
This is a situation that has gotten so out of hand...........I am trapped, need to move but have to find the right place. I don't want this to become a downward spiral of uncomfortable living situations.......I feel I have more rights then this f'ing bar, and I don't want to leave without a fight
 

MoochNNoodles

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Ugh that is terrible!! I hope you can find the right place for you. I could never live happily in a city!! I need quiet and I need space! And neighbors who care! Sheesh!
 

c1atsite

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Is there any chance they'll go out of business? Any chance you can outlast them? Bars in your area are a dime a dozen all competing to be the "nabe" hot spot. Also, moving can be a blessing in disguise, like a destiny thing. But oh my I do wish you the best. I've lived in NYC for over 3 decades and I've never liked your area because I think it's full of party animals. Vibes to you and everyone annoyed by this bar!
 

ducman69

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I would go down to the police station in person and just be very friendly and polite, and explain the situation.

Just let them know that this is a constant and repeat issue that is getting to the point that you're at a last ditch effort before being forced to move out of your home.

Tell them that since it is so reliably loud, that you'd like to speak to someone in charge and schedule them to come by at a certain time.

The neighbors were able to do this a few years back to get a cop posted on the street to catch this guy in a Camaro with an illegal exhaust that was reliably street racing. Sure enough, he was nabbed, and since it was explained to the officer that this is a very frequent problem and danger to the neighborhood the guy got the book thrown at him instead of just a regular slap on the wrist for a first offense. Cops are first and foremost PEACE OFFICERS, and their primary job is just that not law enforcement but keeping peace in the neighborhood and persistent noise pollution all through the night is in direct violation of that.
 

binkyhoo

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i feel for you. I recently had to move because of noise. I was told that you should call the police with noise complaints if only to get it on the record. Thats legal cause to brake a lease. Good luck.
 
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