Measuring decibels (noisy neighbors)- what to buy?

[lizerdbits]

I need to buy something that will measure A weighted decibels since that's how my county measures for their noise ordinance rules. I have no idea what kind of equipment is good or bad and can't spend too much. Does anyone have experience with what type/brand of equipment is good? Is there something that will also simultaneously record the actual sound?

I am going to contact the county to see what specifically I need to do to force them to be quiet with financial/legal penalties. I don't know if I can just measure decibels (how do I prove I wasn't standing next to the machine yelling?) and I'd rather not bother the police 3-4 times a week since that's how often they are waking me up/preventing me from falling asleep. Plus the 2 times I called they responded very quickly but they crank the bass in spurts so in that 10-15 minutes they weren't as loud as when they woke me up so I almost looked stupid for calling.

Thanks to anyone who can help! :)

[flvegan]

1. It would seem to me that you taking a decibel measurement keeps this a civil matter.

Meaning, you really can't do nor enforce much of anything with your data. Without certification, much like a radar gun clocking a speeding car, your data may not carry any weight.

Best to just let the police do their jobs. If your neighbors are loud, waking you up, unreasonable, etc, then that's what the cops are there for. PLUS, their report and testimony is admissible in court for a citation/ruling.

[lizerdbits]

2. Unfortunately I think you're right

I'd rather not bother the police that often for noise but if that's what I have to do to get them to STFU then I will. This is really getting out of hand though, I've been over there to get them to turn it down so it's not like it's one incident and I'm calling police first. I was hoping if I could get something that would record sound as well as measure decibels I wouldn't have to call them that much because it might be admissible but you are probably right.

My condo association manager said they can hold a hearing about the noise and can be fined for each subsequent violation, I just need to find out if that requires a police presence each time which I assume it does. Otherwise anyone could make up anything about a neighbor they don't like and get them fined.

[MrsBrady]

5. just depends on the condo association rules....

find out what the rules state. If you are owning you should have a copy of the condo rules, and tenants are normally given copies as well at the time of lease.

I would make a point to keep a log of the date and time of the noise,
that way you can show how often it is happening.

And I would also physically write a post letter to your association, police report or not.

If they are leasing, find out the owner of the unit and let them know about the noise as well.

I worked in property management for condo associations for 3 years.

[lizerdbits]

12. Thanks

I did start keeping a log right before going on vacation and will continue it. I don't see anything in the by laws I have about noise so I'll have to check at the next meeting in a couple weeks. I will keep in mind writing a letter to the association. My current understanding is that the discussion is documented in the meeting minutes. At the last meeting a few weeks ago the manager said he was going to send them a letter about the noise (and a bunch of trash he noticed they have on their porch which I wouldn't care about unless I was trying to sell) so that will be documented as well. What I don't know is if it's being rented will a letter be sent to the owner only, the tenants only, or both.

So for the next meeting I'm asking:
Is this unit rented?
If so was the letter sent to the owner and tenants?
What are the specific noise rules if they are different than the county ordinance?
What evidence do I need for eventually fining them if they keep it up? Does it require police reports? Do I have to go through the county for that or through the association?

[alarimer]

3. They might be in violation of their lease terms

I'd also call the landlord (or apartment complex management) every time as well. They can be evicted for this but your landlord needs a record of the calls to police too.

[lizerdbits]

7. They are TH style condos so they are owned but can be rented out by owner

I don't know for sure if that unit is being rented or not. The first time I asked the association manager he said no and 2 weeks ago when I mentioned it again he said it was more of a problem with tenants than owners so I thought it was being rented. Leasing does have to go through the association and I don't know the details, I assume that people would have to abide by the same rules. If they are renting it would be easier to get rid of them, if the residents own I don't know what action could be taken other than eventually fining them. I don't see anything in the by laws I have about noise.

Every time I go over there a different person answers the door so I don't know who the owner is. I did look up the property title online through the state and it lists one woman and 'no' next to primary place of residence. I don't know how often that's updated so that could be old information. I haven't seen a woman there in several years so I'm suspecting it's rented since I never saw a for sale sign since around that time. Although she could live there as well, as opposed to living elsewhere and renting out the whole thing. In that case I'll have to check if renting a room requires going through the association as it does if you rent the whole unit.

[MrsBrady]

18. well, if the property records list her

why not give her a call and let her know.

She may have a leasing agent working for her (yet another person into the mix)..or sometimes owners manage them themselves. Just ask her.

That's what I would do.

[pokerfan]

4. Radio Shack sells one for fifty bucks

I've actually used it.

[lizerdbits]

8. Cool, I can probably spare $50 NT.

[pokerfan]

17. Kind of a shame to blow $50

on something you're only going to use a coupel of times. At least I needed mine for work.

You might be able to resell it on Ebay or maybe you should look on Ebay first...

[Greyskye]

19. Secondary use:

If you, or someone you know is into home theater, get the analog version (meter as opposed to the digital readout) and use it to calibrate your home theater setup. Using an SPL meter and a calibration DVD, you can really dial in your home theater and subwoofer (if you have one) to get a real audio experience in your home. :D

[petronius]

6. I wouldn't go to all the trouble of buying equipment

Just call the management, and the police, and describe exactly what is happening. Explain that the noise is intermittent, and you won't look stupid - I'm sure that your circumstances are perfectly familiar to both landlords and cops...

[lizerdbits]

9. That's what I've been doing for the last year

It's time to move on to something more effective like fining their asses.

[TZ]

10. Sorry to hear your neighbors are still being a-holes..

However, bear in mind things could be worse..Here's what happened in my complex on Saturday:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7784315
:yoiks:

[lizerdbits]

14. Sure, "one of your neighbors"

Stop driving drunk! You're going to hurt people! :P

[hobbit709]

11. You can always do what a friend of mine did.

He had some neighbors that played the stereo so loud late that the far wall of his house would vibrate. He'd ask them to turn it down and they'd tell him off. He would call the cops and they'd turn it down until the cops left and then turn it up even louder. Finally one night at about 2 AM he'd had enough. He went over to their meter and outside switch box, turned it off and put a padlock on it. The next morning he went out and took the lock off. After that, no more problems.

[lizerdbits]

13. There's an idea!

I'll have to look into that.....

[skygazer]

15. Except I'm pretty sure it's illegal

It would be pretty silly for you to end up arrested for trying to deal with a nuisance.

[mainegreen]

22. That's perfect.

Understated, yet forceful. Like poetry.

[Inchworm]

16. start stealing their mail

sneak over and turn on all their outside spigots

1/2" roofing tacks in their drive

oh, wait..

Your idea was prolly better.

:hide:

[SoxFan]

20. This should do the trick

[RadiationTherapy]

21. You buy a gun. If their noise is louder than your gun, call the cops. nt

[Wcross]

23. A house. In West Virginia. With at least 30 acres.

You lose sleep now anyway, might as well get up a little earlier, arrive home a little later & enjoy the silence of rural living while you are there. I used to live in Silver Spring 20 years ago, I couldn't do it now. Now it is silence 24/7! The only thing that "pisses me off" is when the air guard flies their C-130's over my house on a low level training mission. That has been the ONLY noise issue in the 6 years I have lived here.

[Pierre.Suave]

24. If you would like

I can come over with my stereo and some good loud albums, I am sure we can return the favor...

What kind of music do you like and what do you drink? We can make this fun...

:P