As a homeowner, you have a legal right to enjoy your property and land without undue interference. Your neighbors also have the same right. People enjoy themselves and their home in different ways. For instance, you may enjoy sitting in your yard, taking in the peace and quiet. Your neighbor, on the other hand, may enjoy lively house parties.
There has to be give and take between neighbors sometimes, but you shouldn’t be prevented from enjoying your home on a regular basis and especially not at unsociable hours. There is a noise ordinance in Austin, Texas, for example, that prevents neighbors from making unreasonable noise between the hours of 10:30pm and 7:00am.
What are your options if your neighbor is violating your right to peace during “quiet hours”?
Take a calm approach
While you are understandably irritated by the excessive noise, it’s important to try and remain calm. Your neighbor may not realize the extent of the noise they are making and how much it is disturbing you. Calmly explain to them the dates and times that the noise has bothered you. Hopefully, they will be willing to compromise and keep the noise down going forward. Of course, this scenario is optimistic and it won’t always work out like this.
You have legal options
Ultimately, making excessive noise between the hours of 10:30pm and 7:00am could be unlawful. It might even be a criminal matter in some cases. If authorities are unwilling to act, then you may also be able to pursue civil litigation if the noise is unreasonable, is disturbing the enjoyment of your property and your neighbor has refused to cooperate.
Disputes between neighbors can be very stressful. Seeking legal guidance can help you to address the matter and get back to enjoying your home as you did before.
