Noise complaints are a widespread issue for rental property owners. Locating the correct balance between accommodating renters and allowing them to take on their own challenges can be quite tricky. Either way, it’s vital to pay attention to your renter and take on any noise complaints swiftly and professionally. In this article, we will discuss how to act upon if a noise complaint from renters is valid and some best practices for processing them.
How to Evaluate a Noise Complaint
When a renter files a noise complaint, it can be challenging for a Flemington property manager to know what to do. This is primarily true if you feel their complaint isn’t particularly serious or they have made the same complaints in the past. Nevertheless, it’s important to take every noise complaint seriously and respond without delay. This indicates to the renter that their concerns are important to you and can prevent the concern from escalating.
Prior to taking any action, it’s important to evaluate the noise complaint. Talk to the renter to gather more information and verify if the noise is coming from a certain area or location. You might consider requesting the renter to document the noise for you or try to do it yourself. You may need to take the time to listen for the noise yourself or ask a staff member to do so. This will help you determine if the complaint is valid and, if so, if it’s something that can be resolved quickly, such as a one-time loud party, or if it’s a persistent issue that may need to be addressed with the renter or their neighbors.
Best Practices for Handling Valid Noise Complaints
As soon as you have evaluated the noise complaint and concluded that it is valid, it’s time to act. Here are some best practices for tackling noise complaints from renters:
- Communicate with the renter and direct their concerns Let them know you have heard their complaint and will take suitable action to resolve it.
- Offer potential solutions to the issue. For example, if outside noises disturb your renter while inside the house, consider putting in extra insulation or soundproofing the property’s windows.
- Offer to mediate a conversation between the renter and their noisy neighbors. Let the neighbors know about the complaint and any community guidelines or noise ordinances that may be appropriate. If the complaints are related to excessive dog barking, offer the neighbor suggestions for keeping their pet quiet or provide information on local dog training programs.
- Contact the authorities. If the noise complaint is severe, recurring, and cannot be resolved through mediation, consider getting Flemington officers involved. You should research noise and other ordinances, and then contact the appropriate office or entity for help.
- Keep communication open. Ensure your renter that you are taking their concerns seriously and will continue to address any ongoing noise issues promptly.
Handling Other Noise Complaints
So, let’s say you carefully consider the noise complaint and either can’t verify the renter’s claims or the noise is related to regular activity. What should you do?
It’s still important to treat your renter professionally. Let them know that you have looked into their concerns and, if applicable, explain why the noise they are hearing is not unusual or disruptive. If necessary, remind the renter of any community guidelines or noise ordinances in place.
In certain circumstances, noise complaints may also be related to misunderstandings or issues with the renter’s personal preferences. In these situations, it may be appropriate to offer a different solution, such as allowing them to break their lease and move.
Overall, renter noise complaints can be tricky for rental property owners, yet they require attention. Of course, handling renter complaints of any kind takes time and effort, both of which may be in short supply. If that is the case, contact Real Property Management NJ Elite to learn more about our professional property management services. You can reach us by phone at 908-955-7487 or contact us online.
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