Bad neighbors are, in any sort of apartment situation, pretty much unavoidable. Whether it be in a complex, a dorm, or a converted house, you’re going to have neighbors by the very definition of apartment living, and at least one of them is going to be bad. Whether they have shouting matches all day and night or they leave their laundry in the community washer or they’re just plain rude, you’re going to find yourself having to spend at least a tiny fraction of your day wishing them harm.

Here are some possible solutions to this problem that has plagued renters like you and I for generations.

Notes

This is probably the worst possible solution. Passive aggressive notes, while therapeutic to write, will only make your neighbor even more passive aggressive or, if you’re really unlucky, aggressive. Anonymous notes serve to annoy and signed notes serve to enrage (as well as let the recipient know that you don’t have the guts to come and tell them yourself). And don’t use that, “Well, they weren’t home so I just left a note,” response. Grow a pair. If you’re going to write a note, use the old trick of putting it in your desk drawer for a couple days first. That might take the edge off your anger while not instigating someone you already have a problem with. Actually posting the note will probably result in the next step option.

Go to war

Whether you got here via the notes or you skipped that step and just went straight to the action, this is also probably not a good idea. However, it can be fun. They turn up their music, you turn yours up louder. They leave their laundry in the washer, guess that means they want it all over the floor when someone else has to use it. Whatever the situation may be, doing it back bigger and better will feel good for a while. But, have you ever heard the saying “Don’t argue with a fool because from a distance, no one call tell difference?” Of course you have. Just keep in mind that reciprocating foolish behavior probably isn’t good for you and probably won’t resolve the situation.

Go to the landlord

This might work. You never know. You can try it out if you want to. Of course, your landlord might attempt to solve the problem via notes as well, or just not say anything, but it really could work out in the end. This is an easy solution, as your landlord basically has to be civil with you and cater to your requests at least a little because you pay him hundreds of dollars a month. The neighbor doesn’t owe you anything, so they might be less receptive to your requests. However, it might just be simpler to skip right to this next step.

Go talk to them

I know this can be hard and that most Americans fear public speaking more than death, but this is the simplest way to solve your problems with your neighbor. Just go ask them to turn their music down, or to stop having drunken shouting matches at 3 a.m., or whatever they’re doing. There’s always the chance that they don’t even realize they’re making someone else furious, so this could solve the problem instantly. Of course, there’s always the chance that this won’t work at all, in which case you are left with only one final option.

Live with it / go back to war

You tried. You tried to be civil; you tried to act like an adult. Now the problem persists, despite your most polite attempts, and there’s nothing left to do. Once you’ve done all the talking you can do, you’ve just got to get on with your life and deal with the neighbors that life dealt you.

Do you have any neighbor horror stories or have found a solution that’s worked in dealing with less-than-terrific neighbors?  Post here!

Related posts:

1. An Awkward Predicament: Noisy…Intimate…Neighbors
2. DDR – Are Good Times Getting You Angry Neighbors?!
3. 5 Ways to Lower Your Noise Volumes
4. Dealing With Trashy Neighbors
5. Top 10 Things Neighbors Do That Annoy You

Tags: annoyance, Community, confrontation, How to, Neighbors, noise, Passive–aggressive behavior, War