How to deal with the noise of condo living
March 06, 2018
Condo living has many benefits, but noise complaints are among the most common issues property management and condo boards have to deal with. However, there are many different types of issues which require various responses.
The first rule of any noise complaint is documentation – either in writing to property management or by calling your concierge or security, who will record the date, time and nature of your complaint in their incident log.
What happens next typically depends on the type of noise complaint:
1 | Noisy party in the common areas, such as the party room, rooftop lounge or barbecue area
When a resident wants to use common area entertainment spaces, they should sign a “contract” with the condominium corporation, agreeing to the fees, terms and conditions and rules for use of the space. Therefore, condo boards can mitigate and manage potential problems by ensuring the rules are explicit and clear with respect to noise – such as what time all noise must stop (which must comply with city bylaws). Rules can also require residents to hire a security guard for their event.
This way, if there is a noise complaint, your concierge or security staff have the clear authority to handle the situation in the moment simply by enforcing the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. If the host resident remains non-compliant, then security can call the police, if they feel it’s necessary.
2 | Noisy party in your neighbour’s unit
If your neighbour is having a noisy party, you can try to deal with the situation yourself by speaking directly to your neighbour, or call security to report your complaint. Security should then personally go to the offending unit and ask them to keep the noise down. If the situation improves for a while but then recurs, security should be notified each time. This way, if the host resident remains non-compliant, then security can call the police if necessary.
3 | Noisy pets
Although dogs and other pets are typically considered by their owners as “part of the family,” they are really permitted in condominium apartment buildings only at the discretion of the condo corporations. Some condos do not allow any pets; however, most do allow domestic pets but subject to guidelines as to the type, number, size or weight and compliance with the common terms and conditions of communal living as set out in the Condominium Declaration.
Therefore, pets that are consistently noisy can be subject to the same noise complaint procedures as outlined above, based on the rationale of disturbing the reasonable quiet enjoyment of condominium living.
4 | Crying babies
More families are choosing to raise their children in condominiums, so there will be times when babies cry, including the middle of the night.
Please have compassion. Remember that no parents like to see their babies cry or in distress and know that they’re doing whatever they can. The parents likely feel as frustrated and upset as you do, and like you, they also probably need their sleep because they have to go to work in the morning.
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About Jeanhy Shim
Jeanhy Shim is an independent real estate market strategist and analyst with more than 25 years of experience in city building in the GTA, specializing in urban development. She is President of Housing Lab Toronto, as well as the Founder of the Children’s Discovery Centre. For more than a decade, Jeanhy has also served on the board of directors of two condominium corporations, including her current building where she has been President for the past six years.