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Frequent noise complaints can make it difficult for neighbours to enjoy their homes and create a headache for the property owner.
A woman covers her ears. Credit: Psychology Today
Ongoing noise from a tenant can quickly wear down neighbouring units in a building. Loud music late at night, heavy stomping, shouting and parties raging into the early morning can often lead to complaints from other residents who just want to peacefully enjoy their homes.
Landlords often find that what starts as a mild and occasional disturbance can turn into a regular and ongoing pattern affecting the quality of life for neighbours. Some of those factors might be loss of sleep or interference with daily activities such as working from home or other focus-based tasks. In this sort of situation, the focus shirts towards documenting the issue clearly and addressing it through the Landlord and Tenant Board (the LTB).
Building a strong position begins with record keeping. Landlords often encourage affected tenants to note specific dates, times, and descriptions of the noise, while keeping their own log of complaints received and any conversations held with the noisy tenant. Warning letters to the tenant could show that the matter was taken seriously and that attempts were made to resolve the issue informally before the need for LTB intervention. Statements from tenants setting out how the noise has impacted them can also be helpful. The goal here is to draw a clear picture of how the behaviour has exceeded normal sounds of living and has created ongoing disruption.
When informal steps don’t lead to change, a landlord might consider issuing an N5 Notice to End your Tenancy for Interfering with Others, Damage or Overcrowding (N5). An N5 addresses issues such as substantial interference with reasonable enjoyment. After serving an N5, a tenant has seven days to correct the behaviour – this is called the voiding period. It’s just as important during the voiding period to document any disturbances to prove that the issues persisted. If the N5 remains unvoided, the Landlord could apply to the LTB, where evidence such as detailed logs, witness accounts and prior attempts to resolve the issue can be relied on.
Noise issues can be frustrating for everyone involved and can often overlap with other factors such as mental health or family circumstances. When a landlord approaches these kinds of situations with patience and documentation, they tend to be better prepared if the matter requires the LTB.
