Need neighbor advice

Kaytee241

My neighbor's dog howled and whined from 7:30-9 this morning. Building quiet hours go until 8 (it's in the lease), and I know for sure dogs aren't allowed in the building and my landlord would be pissed if he knew they even had one let alone how noisy it is (for example, I'm not allowed to play my flute at any time of the day because it would disturb the neighbors). They moved in a couple of weeks ago, and though the dog hasn't woken me up before, it's been noisy at other times of the day (usually in the evening). What would you do?

ootmother2

accept the fact that apartment living includes noiseAlso your neighbors probably love their dog and turning them into the landlord would be a sh!tty thing to do

ninjette04

I live in an apartment, so I think I have a different look on this.  I think that while yes, apartment living includes noise, there should be a reasonable amount of respect for neighbors.  I think what would piss me off the most, is that if I ws told I couldn't play my musical instrument, but someone else breaks the lease with a noisy animal.  To me, I'm sure they love their dog, but it's hard to have a dog in an apartment b/c they don't have room to play, and it's not fair to the dog.  I think I would talk to them and if the dog woke ME up at that time of day again, I would leave a note/message for the landlord. 

Cneajna

Turn the in. Part of being a responsible pet owner is adhering to lease rules and respecting neighbors and noise issues. We had the same problem in our last apt before we moved into a house. They hadn't paid the pet fees or deposits and lied to the landlord about how long they were keeping the dog.

Knottie_22382080

If this was the first time I would let it go.  Because I agree with OOT.  If it continues, I would (in a nice non-confrontational manner) knock on their door and let them know that their sweet pup has woken you up.  I am sure they are not sleeping through it themselves and they don't want to give up their pup ortheir apt.  would you be posting here if it was a baby?

SarahBethBR

but it's hard to have a dog in an apartment b/c they don't have room to play, and it's not fair to the dog.Apartment living is perfectly fine for a lot of dogs.  And they may take their dog to a dog park all day, for all you know.I would let it go.  It was 7:30, not 4:30 am.  I definitely wouldn't call the landlord over it.  If it really bothers you, then I would talk to your neighbor.Personally, people practicing musical instruments is a million times more annoying than a dog.  I lived next door to a drummer (in detached houses, not apartments) for two years and it was insanely annoying.  Much more so than our upstairs neighbor's dogs.

ootmother2

I have lived in an apartment in NYC since I graduated from college.  Some noise just happens with every day life.I have only reported dog barking when it was for an extended period of time (more than a few hours) when I feared the dog was abandoned or tied up on someone's terrace.The 7 year old with the trampoline above me?  I let it go, I had a 7 year old once and they are noisy.Is there actually a clause in your least that prohibits you from playing your flute at any time of the day?  That I have never heard of.

ootmother2

*lease

Kaytee241

Trust me, no baby could have made that much noise (I've had neighbors with an infant). They weren't home, and the dog was at their front door, howling at the top of its labrador lungs.The lease doesn't specifically prohibit musical instruments, but my landlord found out about mine and I was told not to play. The lease does have provisions about noise and specifically quiet hours (10-8) where loud music, vacuuming, laundry, and use of excerise equipment is prohibited.Also, although I understand how important pets are to people, it is irresponsible to sign a lease that prohibits you having your animal in the first place.It's probably a moot point, though, because I'm sure whichever neighbor reported my flute playing in the middle of the day will definitely report a dog barking early in the morning on the weekend.

KristenBtobe

I wouldn't complain unless it becomes regular and at earlier times of the morning. Maybe you aren't a very good flautist.

the_mulva

I'm not allowed to play my flute at any time of the day because it would disturb the neighbors). what about a skin flute? can you play that at all hours?"

Kaytee241

I wasn't planning to complain to the landlord (not yet, anyway). I was thinking about leaving a note - maybe they don't know how obnoxious their dogs (two, apparently) are when they aren't home.

ninjette04

Ok, maybe I said it wrong, your right, alot of dogs do fine in apartments, but I think that if you get an apartment that does not allow dogs to be there, that dog is being treated unfairly because you have to sneak it in and out whenever you want to go somewhere.  If you have a pet, you should find a building that allows them, or be prepared to find a good trusting friend or family member to take them for a while.

TSD

If dogs aren't allowed, then I would totally say something to them about the noise, then if they didn't do anything about it then I'd tell the landlord. I don't care how sweet the dog is, if my quality of life is affected, someone's going to hear about it. If you have a dog, then don't move into an apartment that doesn't allow dogs. Yes, if you live in apt, there's a certain amt of noise you have to put up with, but if you move into a place knowing it doesn't allow dogs, to have one waking you up totally violates your right to live in a dog-free zone. I can't believe some of these responses. No dogs means no dogs, loud ones or quiet ones. That should be the end of the answer. I'm not into any pets and when I lived in an apt I made sure it was a no pets allowed. If I saw a pet, I'd be pissed.

OSULori

I agree with TSD-say something to the neighbors in question about the noise. Politely inform them that even though dogs aren't allowed you won't say anything to the landlord unless it happens again...and that if it does happen again they won't get the courtesy of you saying something to them before you go to the landlord. I'm sure they love their pets, but they have to have known that dogs weren't allowed when they signed their lease.

FallinAgain

Really?  Some noise comes from living in apts., but not a howling dog in a DOG-FREE building.  Call the landlord and them in and call back everytime you hear a peep out of it.

FallinAgain

Yeah, I'm with TSD.  Those of you who said you wouldn't tell the landlord, did you miss the no dogs allowed part or just think it doesn't matter that the dog isn't supposed to be there at all?

[Deleted User]

I would leave a note. Since dogs are not allowed, they will probably make sure the dog is quiet so no one complains to the landlord. It's possible that they are just dog sitting and the problem is short term.

salimoo

I'm with TSD. It's disrespectful and rude to the landlords and to your neighbors to willfully sign a lease saying no pets knowing full well you have two dogs. It's unfair to everyone involved.

ninjette04

TSD- I'm with you!

CaptainSerious

While the dogs should be there at all, I wouldn't care if the dogs didn't bother me.  So, I'd tell the owners and ask them to take steps to keep it from happening again.  Chances are they will, because they know they could get kicked out for having the dogs. Animals often take a while to get accustomed to new living arrangements.  It's possible the dogs are a little anxious being left in their new quarters, but that should get better as the dogs become more comfortable with their new digs.  If the dogs suffer separation anxiety, there are certain steps and even some medications the owners could take to ease their anxiety.  It's possible the owners don't even know the dogs carry on while they are gone.I'd give them a chance to take care of the noise first, before I'd turn them in.  The noise is my only concern, if that's handled, why tattle?

FallinAgain

Because it is a pet free building.  There are reasons for that far beyond noise. Why shouldn't she tattle?  Why shouldn't they live up to the rules they signed on for?I don't like dogs. I "tattle" every time I encounter one in the regular elevator rather than the service elevator or the stairs that the pet agreements states that you must use to bring animals in and out.   

FallinAgain

Also, there's no reason to assume that the owners weren't home at 7:30 on a Saturday.

ootmother2

I can see your points about the pet free building.  I think my attitude about this is a result of living in an 800+ apartment building with two sets of rules.Old & original tenants ( about 1/3 of tenants) fall under Rent Stablization and most of us are paying about 1/4 of market value.  The no pet rule is enforced for us.  I'm not an animal fan so the issue hasn't come up for me.Newer tenants bring in animals and nothing is every mentioned.  Yes, it's in all leases but will the landlord enforce the rule for a $10,000+ a month tenant?  Doesn't happen here.  Wrong?  Yes, but I certainly understand their profit motive.I pretty much keep my mouth shut unless someone's dog is crawling all over me in an elevator. THEN I ask the person to control their dog.  And noise?  As I said above, the only time I have taken action about a dog barking for a long period of time was when I was concerned the dog was hurt or chained up on the terrace.  And the kid above me with the trampoline?  I shut up, kids are kids and it should be the parents responsibility.I won't even touch that subject!

the_mulva

jesus..."b*tch"

ftnups

Hm, I am pretty much as "dog lover" as they come, but dog-free means dog-free. It's especially important to follow the rule because I'm sure people with allergies specifically look for apartment buildings like this one. What about the next tenant of that unit?My only hesitation in tattling would be knowing that they are clearly asshats and will probably just give away their dog rather than being responsible tenants and dog owners and finding a place that allows pets. That's one of the top reasons people surrender dogs to our rescue (and probably most rescues) - "moved to apartment that doesn't allow them." But in any case....no dogs means no dogs. I would say something to them first, and definitely ask them if they are aware of the no-dogs rule. See what they have to say.

SarahBethBR

Eh, my old landlord supposedly had "pet free buildings," but if someone wanted to rent their apartment who had a pet, they just crossed out that section of the lease and charged them pet rent.  So maybe some of our neighbors who never asked them thought they really were pet free.I'm just saying, if my only probem was the noise, I'd take it up with the owners first.

ftnups

Yeah, talk to them first and see what they say. Escalate as needed.

FallinAgain

I don't mind confrontation, but I pay rent partly not to have to deal with noisy neighbors (and maintenance, etc.).  I take all complaints to the office manager.  It's her job to handle people breaking the rules, not mine.

CaptainSerious

I assumed the owners weren't home because the OP said they weren't.And, I agree, if I had other worries about the pets being in the building, I would take it to the landlord.  But if my only complaint was the noise, I'd see if the owners could handle it first.  But I don't really see the need to complain about things that don't bother me, and the OP only complained about the noise.