Quiet enjoyment is one of those hazy terms in a NYC rental lease that is often implied rather than spelled out. What it means is that you have the right to live in your apartment in peace and without interference. This has been debated in housing courts, and when there are extreme situations, a tenant can sue for damages and injunctions.
It is the responsibility of the landlord to remedy the situation, but there are things you can do to help the situation if it is more minor in nature. Noisy neighbors with odd hours can make life miserable, but there are things that can help.
Soundproofing Aids For New York City Rentals
Tenants in rental units do not have he luxury of adding major construction to combat noise. Most NYC apartments have hardwood floors so the number one recommendation for making a place quieter. The thicker the rug or carpet and its padding, the better it will damper down noise. Adding tapestries or bookshelves with books in them is also a great addition.
The next item to purchase is a white noise machine or even a fan will help diminish the sounds of voices from above or below. The sound of these devices can be annoying at first, but they do tend to neutralize outside sounds. Also if your mattress is directly on the floor, it’s time to buy a platform or a real bed. Being up off the floor stops some of the sound from being conducted.
If the situation can’t be corrected with these and you have to resort to earplugs to get sleep, then it is time for retaliatory action or contacting the police and landlord.
Getting Even With Noisemakers
If or when the noise that bothers you is done after 11 p.m., then it is perfectly acceptable to either write or speak with the landlord. And if there is no change, contact the management company by letter. Technically, by allowing too much noise to go on, it is a breach of your lease terms. You are, simply put, paying for something that you aren’t receiving – ‘quiet enjoyment’ of your apartment. In tough situations, many tenants take it personally enough to enjoy a bit of retaliation of their own making. If your neighbors party late into the night, start vacuuming early in the morning before work. Do some stomping around in boots or high heels while you make breakfast. Or even do a little before work hammering. Eventually, it gets their attention when their own sleep is interrupted.
Sleep deprivation is a tough state in which to make decisions, so watch out on how vengeful you get. Start out being nice, but if that doesn’t work, feel free to go for the jugular. You are paying rent and have rights, and city law backs you up.
