Nursing School Apartment Living

[camelbakhi, BSN, RN]

Okay, so here's a brief summary of what's going on and why I need advice. So basically, I lived in the dorms my first two years of college and had a great roommate who moved away the first year, and then second year it was too late so I got stuck with a random and that year of school was miserable for me, especially as my first year in the nursing program it was impossible to live with this girl and my stress was at an all time high. So this year, my third year, second year in the program - I moved off campus onto an apartment with two roommates who are really quiet. Everything is so much better than the dorms here. My main problem right now, (now I don't know if this is because I am just so filled with stress and anxiety over the junior year of nursing, or if I have a legit concern that needs to be addressed) is the people BELOW me. At random points in the day they BLAST music and their bass shakes my floor and my desk. Being the person I am, I cannot study at all when this is going on. Since there's so much readings to do during the day, I cannot read with the floor shaking. My apartment is not close enough to campus for me to just pack up and leave, and I personally do not have a car. Also, the music usually starts at 7PM and then goes until like sometimes even midnight-1AM. I contacted my apartment manager today and he said that he "left a message on their voicemail and they definitely got it" and that they have been warned. Today, their music, at like 7PM was blasting and my desk and floor were vibrating. Do they have a right to do this as long as it is before 10PM? Am I being irrational and do I have to stick ear-plugs in to study when I pay 500 dollars a month to live in this apartment?

Just looking for some advice from some fellow nursing students who have the same stress as me which as you guys know, makes everything like 4059x worse! But i'm not exaggerating with the music though. Literally shakes floor and booming bass.

thank you!

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

If their music is THAT loud you are ALL paying rent there. You have a right to be comfortable in your home. If the music is disturbing you go knock on their door & tell them to lower it. If they don't, CALL THE COPS! Your apartment complex obviously isn't doing anything about it so you need to. Good luck!

[ruralnurse84]

I agree with PP...call the cops. I lived in an apartment like that once, this guy below us was almost completely deaf and he would play his obnoxious music all through the day and night. We got the apartment manager involved but finally had to get the cops involved because it just did not get resolved. He finally got kicked out.

[lauraline]

Don't call the cops just yet. I work in property management and I have seen this situation. Their contract probably states that they must keep the noise to a reasonable level, but that definition is usually very broad. It basically means they must keep it down, but do have a right to play the music especially if it is for a purpose such as they are musicians of some sort. Anyway, it can get complicated. My advice is to write a letter to your neighbors. It would be in your best interest to remain on civil terms with your neighbor. Write to them and explain your circumstance. Many times they may not realize how loud their music is or that where you study is directly above. Some neighbors are just not used to apartment living. If you get cops involved then that will just **** them off, and then instead of loud music you may get harassed. I have seen it a million times.

By the way, they most likely cannot get evicted based on noise unless nearly all your neighbors also complain. However, if you complain to your landlord/property manager enough, then it may compel them to deny your neighbors of a lease renewal. Other options are moving to a different apartment within the community. Management may also be able to install additional insulation to buffer sound between your unit(s), I have also seen this help.

Good luck.

[akilah530]

I would call the police and just remain anonymous. I wouldn't bother writing them a letter because if you ever have to call the police in the future, they are going to know its you. It could get nasty really quick. They have already been warned by management, call the police.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I'd start banging on the floor at 3am.

Here is the deal....they have a right to play music. You have a right for quiet. I would see if they can negotiate with you for quiet times....prearranged study times.

If they won't negotiate call the PD....unfortunately with reverse 911 many police stations know exactly where the call originated from and what number the call came from. Anonymity may not be possible......

Or buy noise canceling headphones to keep the peace and help you study.