Apartment Community Etiquette: Noise Levels

While apartment living has many benefits - community amenities, urban lifestyle, on-site maintenance, and much more - it can come with a set of trade-offs for renters. One of those trade-offs is the potential for excessive noise that comes with adjoining walls, nearby neighbors, and even some community amenities. Unwanted noise can be especially prevalent in apartment communities in urban settings, with the sounds of city living such as sirens, honking cars, and construction.

A certain amount of everyday sound is part of living in a multifamily community. Footsteps, conversations, doors opening and closing, appliances, pets, and activity in shared spaces may occasionally be heard from neighboring apartments or common areas. Keeping realistic expectations while being mindful of the noise you create can help make apartment living more comfortable for everyone.

Even though you may have moved into your dream apartment with realistic expectations, the barking dog next door or rumbling trash chute across the hall may have you thinking that you might explode if your upstairs neighbor slams the door one more time. In turn, you may be asking yourself: "Do I make that much noise?" Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to be a considerate neighbor when it comes to noise within your apartment community.

What Is Proper Apartment Noise Etiquette?

1. Take Inventory

Before regulating your own noise, you have to make sure you're aware of all the potential sources. Common noise issues can come from exercising, shoes on hard-surface floors, lively video calls, conversations, moving furniture, or activity in shared spaces. Additional noises outside your apartment to be conscious of include loud voices in the hallway or stairwell, slamming doors, and that convenient, albeit loud, trash chute.

There are also noises attributable to non-human sources, such as barking dogs, TVs at high volumes, sound systems playing loud music, appliances like washers and vacuums, alarm clocks, and HVAC units.

2. Reevaluate

Once you've taken inventory, you can put your noise levels to the test. Try turning the TV or music to your normal volume and then stepping into the hallway with your apartment door closed. If you can clearly hear it, consider lowering the volume.

Similarly, think about when you run louder appliances such as a washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Even normal household sounds may be more noticeable late at night or early in the morning. If you're comfortable doing so and know your neighbors, you can also ask whether a regular activity, such as an at-home workout, is creating more noise than you realized.

3. Decorate Your Apartment to Dampen Sound

Whether you've identified some potential noise issues or you want to be extra courteous, there are some strategic tweaks you can make to your apartment layout and décor that can help reduce sound. Consider which walls you share with other renters and avoid placing TVs or speakers directly against those walls when possible.

Place rugs in high-traffic areas with tile or hardwood floors. Curtains can help soften sound around windows, while upholstered furniture, plants, acoustic panels designed for renters, and even some artwork may help absorb sound within a room. Before attaching acoustic products or making other modifications, check your lease or community guidelines.

4. Follow the Rules

Apartment communities typically have policies related to noise, which may be detailed in your lease agreement or community rules. These policies can include quiet hours, expectations for activity in common areas and amenities, and guidelines for visitors.

Local cities and municipalities may also have their own noise ordinances. Because rules can vary by community and location, review your lease and community policies or contact your property management team if you're unsure what applies where you live.

5. Be Proactive

If you're currently apartment hunting, it's not too early to think about noise. When touring apartment communities and viewing homes, take note of where the apartment is located in relation to potential sources such as elevators, amenity spaces, streets, parking areas, dog parks, trash rooms, and other high-traffic areas.

If noise is an important consideration for you, ask the leasing team about the building layout and visit the area at the times of day when you're most likely to be home. Keep in mind that no apartment location can guarantee complete quiet, and everyday sounds are a normal part of multifamily living.

For more help dealing with loud neighbors, read our related article or reach out to your apartment community's property management team.