Noisy Neighbor in Portland City Limits (renters, assessors, home)

[GattonFratton]

I am looking for a suggestions to quiet my noisy neighbors. They play their stereo loudly for hours at a time, so loudly that they can be heard all the way down the block. I have asked many times for them to be quiet. This worked for a time, but now they don't care, claiming they can do what they want until 10 p.m. (I actually met the Portland Noise Control officer once, socially, who told me this is not actually true, that's just when the police will intervene.) They are renters so I plan to contact the landlord next. I'd rather avoid the expense of a legal dispute, but it is getting to the point that it will be worth the peace and quiet.

[LeftCoastee]

It doesn't sound like there is any further point in trying to have a good relationship with your neighbor. You've asked politely and they couldn't care less how what they do affects you.

Community Alliance of Tenants | Neighbors and Noise Problems

This article does corroborate what the Noise Control Officer told you, that police won't get involved unless this occurs after 10pm. If you hear noise at 10:01pm, call immediately.

Regardless, your neighbor is potentially violating the city code:

Chapter 18.12 Noises Prohibited (Section B) where it states "Operating or permitting the use or operation of any device designed for sound production or reproduction in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance".

I'd definitely contact your landlord in writing and by phone. I would also file a city noise complaint in writing (let your landlord know you'll be doing this):

Public Nuisance Noise

I wouldn't expect much to happen from the noise complaint, but at least it will be documented.

Ultimately, your landlord should be the one to enforce the rules. If he doesn't, you may want to look in to your rental agreement / contract to see if it states anything with respect to what the landlord must provide to you in terms of your rights.

[subsound]

Call the cops, after awhile they get sick of being called and start the fines...after that you're hitting their pocket book.

[Pippa]

I called the cops on them every night and then I would go over there and bang on their door to wake them up at oh, say, 7am. Pretty funny They mellowed out.

[fearnofish]

We used to have a neighbor like this in the past. Just call the police and report a noise complaint everytime it is disturbing you. Then after this should stop the problem or they will get tired of it and move away. Good luck.

[kimhamblin]

Contacting the landlord is a good idea. If you don't know who owns it, you can call the assessors office and give them the address and they can tell you.
I would bring up the noise ordinances with the landlord, tell them you don't want to have to take it so far to involve the police (who have much more to do!), but you will.
Hopefully, they will respond. Good luck.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Go down, bang on the door, ask for a brew and party with them.

[subsound]

Your other solution is to feed them vast amounts of high calorie foods, like dropping off a tub of cookie dough from Costco or leaving pizzas. Once they get really large the parties will probably stop.

[DezertGirl]

Originally Posted by BLAZER PROPHET

Go down, bang on the door, ask for a brew and party with them.

They can't be partying that good if they aren't bothered by cops...

[GattonFratton]

I'm glad the consensus is that I'm not being unrealistic to expect some peace and quiet (especially on days when I'm home sick.) I did find the landlord's address through Portlandmaps.com . I will definitely include the city ordinance in that letter (good idea.) The mom doesn't seem to have any sense of how to be a good neighbor. If I did this more than once, my parents would have put my stereo right in the trash.