It is a fairly common problem that one tenant will complain that another tenant is playing music too loudly. As a landlord or property manager, this is a very common problem that you will be faced with. Receiving numerous phone calls from neighbors or other tenants can be frustrating and take up much of your time. There are some ways of handling this problem that are better than others, and keeping all of your renters happy is definitely a priority.

For landlords who own multi-unit properties, this is usually an even more important issue. With thin walls, other tenants may not want to be disturbed by a tenant’s music or instrument playing. If you do not handle the situation appropriately, you will end up having tenants moving out—and vacancies are not something you want to have on a regular basis. Also, you want to maintain a reputation as a fair landlord, so that you can continue to attract quality tenants in the future.

It is always best to clearly discuss (and provide in writing) a list of your expectations for your tenants, including any noise considerations, prior to having them move in. Often this will prevent problems before they even occur. Be certain that you clearly indicate if you expect there to be “quiet hours” on the property. This is critical when you have a multi-unit property, to keep all tenants happy. Some landlords will explicitly state in the lease that music cannot be played at a level that can be heard outside the unit earlier than 8 am or later than 10 pm. Most people would agree that these are reasonable guidelines, and learn to tolerate the mid-day noise a bit. These guidelines should apply to all types of noise, including television and gatherings as well.

If you have these guidelines in place, you should periodically check to see that all tenants are abiding by them. If you find that they are not following this rule, you should let them know that they are in violation of their lease. Allowing the issue to continue without any intervention on your part will make it more difficult for you if it comes to the point where the complaints are so many that you must consider the eviction process because you were sending a message that the action was acceptable.

While it may not always be feasible for you to check on the property during the early morning or late night hours, you can always ask other tenants or neighbors to let you know how things are going and ask if they are disturbed by the noise levels. When neighbors let you know as soon as a problem arises, it gives you a chance to fix the problem before they are inclined to call the police or the town about the issue. Neighbors need to know that you are a responsible landlord and that you will make sure the neighborhood has a good atmosphere and good residents (your tenants).

If a problem is identified with a specific tenant, you should first speak to the tenant verbally then follow up with a notice in writing detailing your discussion and any resolution that was decided upon. Your tenant needs to understand the severity of the situation (meaning they are in violation of their lease and in danger of being evicted if they do not immediately comply). The more documentation you have, the better it will be for you.

As with most situations, prevention is best. When your tenants know right off the bat that your rules are to be taken seriously, then they are more likely to follow them. Fewer infractions means happier tenants and a happier landlord. Establishing and maintaining a cordial relationship with all of your tenants is critical to being a good landlord. Owning rental property means you need to be a responsible landlord or property manager and ensure that your property is not a problem in the neighborhood.