Loud druggie neighbors.... (Scottsdale: real estate, apartment complex, leases)

[Needsleep77]

Does ANYONE know what the laws are here in AZ, about lease breaking due to neighbors and their activities? I have been in my apt for 2 years and since we have new managers for the complex, all of my new neighbors are loud and rediculous...i have like 4 months eft on my lease but i can't stick it out, i need to sleep! Please fee free to send me some advice if ya have any...thanks!

[jimj]

Originally Posted by Needsleep77

Does ANYONE know what the laws are here in AZ, about lease breaking due to neighbors and their activities? I have been in my apt for 2 years and since we have new managers for the complex, all of my new neighbors are loud and rediculous...i have like 4 months eft on my lease but i can't stick it out, i need to sleep! Please fee free to send me some advice if ya have any...thanks!

First, send the owners not the managers a letter detailing the issues. Second, call the cops, call 'em again, call 'em again. Plead your case to the officers, many will understand and will act if your neighbors are out of line.

[Captain Bill]

Here is the landlord tenant law: Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

Keep a log of the times, duration and volume of the noise. Record it from inside your apartment.

If you discuss the issue with your neighbors, do that before making any complaint. If they threaten you, then make a note of that, and report the threat to the police.

When you make a complaint to the owner, discuss it verbally and be sure to send a written complaint.

Mail two letters. One should be regular mail. The second should be certified mail with return signature requested.

If you call the police, get a copy of the police report to keep with your report files.

This is not legal advice. It is only meant to mention some of your options. For legal advice you'll need to contact a real estate attorney.

[ReadyFreddy]

I think you probably have more likelihood of getting the neighbors to shut up at night than getting out of your lease. The law is on your side on that first one. Call the police when they're noisy after 10pm or whatever the law is in your area.

[Packard fan]

Originally Posted by ReadyFreddy

I think you probably have more likelihood of getting the neighbors to shut up at night than getting out of your lease. The law is on your side on that first one. Call the police when they're noisy after 10pm or whatever the law is in your area.

It depends on the city. I've had problems with noisy partying neighbors in Scottsdale and the cops here WON'T do a thing even after 10 pm.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by Packard fan

It depends on the city. I've had problems with noisy partying neighbors in Scottsdale and the cops here WON'T do a thing even after 10 pm.

That's where small claims comes into play. Been used in CA for years now, especially against reticent landlords.

[AZ Tracy]

If all of the above fails, try ear plugs or a sound machine to get you through the next few months.

[S. Chris Webb]

"Does ANYONE know what the laws are here in AZ, about lease breaking due to neighbors and their activities?"

You can't break a lease because you don't like that your neighbors are noisy, or do "x activities". Your landlord is obligated to keep the building fit and habitable, but generally they don't have a lot of control over the external environment. If your neighbors are doing something illegal, even if it's just making a nuisance amount of noise, that is a job for the police. That doesn't mean that sending a written complaint, clearly stating the problems, who is creating them, and when the problems are occuring, to the property managers definitely won't have a positive outcome. If your neighbors' units are being managed by the same managers, they may be breaking their lease by creating that kind of environment - most leases have clauses about respecting city ordinances and not engaging in illegal activities. In that case, the managers need to know about it. I have a feeling, if your neighbors are really that bad, they won't be there long.Best of luck to you.

This is not intended to be taken as legal advice, I am not a legal expert.

[Gunluvver2]

I live in an apartment complex with two six plexes back to back. In the summer I like to sleep with the windows open. One of the neighbors in the unit next door liked to invite friends over to drink beer, party and play loud music from about midnight to four A.M. Things would wind down at about six A.M. I have a high quality reel to reel tape recorder with some old 500 Watt MacIntosh speakers. After most of the neighbors leave for work I would play back the noise from the obnoxious neighbors wild party from the night before. My system puts out out some serious wall shaking sound. They played hell with his hangover. When the Cops came I invited them in and explained the situation to them. He moved shortly after.

GL2

[redvelvet709]

Sometimes, these situations need to be less about who is right than what is in your best interest.
I would move.
Can't be very safe.