How do you handle loud, constantly partying neighbors?

[Anonymous]

We live in Arlington and have the terrible luck of living near two rentals that are filled with partying youngsters. They have loud parties almost every weekend, which keep me awake and often wakes up DC. I have called the cops a few times, but that doesn't stop them from starting back up the next weekend. Any thoughts on a more permanent solution? Is there a way to put the landlord on the hook?

Any practical tips would be very appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Move. They can't and won't be stopped. I know of what I speak.

[Anonymous]

Any chance of illegal activity (drugs or underage drinking) going on at the parties? Some arrests might encourage the landlord to find a different type of tenants.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you see if you can catch one of them on their way to/from work and have a conversation. Tell them about/show them your child and ask them to let you know when they plan to have a party and also ask if they could keep everyone inside after a certain hour. They are young but one or two of them might have a conscience. FWIW I lived in a group house post-college- we were in an upscale residential neighborhood and we always told the neighbors to let us know if we ever disturbed them etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and have the terrible luck of living near two rentals that are filled with partying youngsters. They have loud parties almost every weekend, which keep me awake and often wakes up DC. I have called the cops a few times, but that doesn't stop them from starting back up the next weekend. Any thoughts on a more permanent solution? Is there a way to put the landlord on the hook?

Any practical tips would be very appreciated!

Oh, yes, there is something you can do: call the police because there are loud noise ordnances in Arlington, Fairfax County and just about everywhere. I had a neighbor like this and I kept calling police until he finally got the message. You can also find owner of property and call them about noise and party problem.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, calling the cops probably had an opposite affect: they now think you are the rude neighbor that called the cops vs coming over and talking to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, calling the cops probably had an opposite affect: they now think you are the rude neighbor that called the cops vs coming over and talking to them.

I remember when I was young and rude and loud. Lived in a group house the year after college and we had wild parties all the time. When neighbors came over to complain, I just laughed in their face and offered them a beer. Calling the cops will be more effective.

[Anonymous]

Keep calling the cops. And check with your landlord - some landlords (in apartment buildings anyway) have policies related to loud noise, etc.

I've noticed the volume level going up where I live as well. And speaking as a grad student who lives in this area year round - gah I hate college kids (and high school kids) sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, calling the cops probably had an opposite affect: they now think you are the rude neighbor that called the cops vs coming over and talking to them.

I can tell you that calling the police did, indeed, work because after three calls a fine was imposed for disturbing the peace. Never happened again. OP Call the police, it works.

[Anonymous]

Oh boy, if I had the answer to that, I'd be a happy camper. The house next door to mine is used as a vacation rental in the summer months and this year has been horrible for obnoxious vacations. This summer has had an abundance of really loud cellphone talkers who decide that 2AM is the best time to talk on their cells. I was considering taking out my buffalo drum and playing it really loud while they're trying to sleep or letting my daughter play her viola in front of the house while they sleep, but if I do that, then I'll be the asshole who is waking the neighbors!

[Anonymous]

Call the cops but also track down the owner and let him/her know about the problem and know that you will be calling the cops each and every time there is a disturbance.

[Anonymous]

Keep calling. Just don't call 911 - call the non-emergency number. The police won't reveal who sent them, and will shut the party down if it is in violation of Arlington law.

If it becomes too annoying to renew their lease, they won't. Maybe next year you will get some nicer neighbors.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the advice. I hate calling the cops over and over, but it sounds like the only thing that might work. I'm wondering if there is any way to force eviction. . . . Probably not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the advice. I hate calling the cops over and over, but it sounds like the only thing that might work. I'm wondering if there is any way to force eviction. . . . Probably not.

Once again, find the owner because there is probably something in their lease concerning noisy parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the advice. I hate calling the cops over and over, but it sounds like the only thing that might work. I'm wondering if there is any way to force eviction. . . . Probably not.

We had the same problem in our court. We called the cops multiple times and they came by and they turned down the music temporarily. But the real problem was that the guests left the party drunk and then drove home. Scary. They also came outside to chat on their cell phones until all hrs. My neighbor went as far as to try to document that they were renting out rooms which is illegal here. I think only 2-3 unrelated people are allowed to live in one house and they had more than that. Not easy to do. The couple renting the house finally got married and grew up a bit. I approached the husband one day when he was walking his dog and told him that one of his guests woke my son up the night before. He was embarrassed and I think he talked to his wife about it. She was a real piece of work. Our other neighbors moved b/c of the noise, rude behavior and state of their home.