Neighbor woes..... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Plantman · #1 03-22-2004, 11:41 AM

I recently moved my business to a new warehouse complex.

I saved some money and got larger space to boot.

Met both of my immediate neighbors, explained to them the nature of my business and that I would have a band practicing in there a couple of night per week. Both said no problem, in fact one liked the music(R&B, classic rock) so much he dropped $20.00 on them one night to play a few more songs.

Anyway, this past Saturday, they went to practice and we got our first complaint from the other neighbor, claiming the music was so loud he couldn't hear his phone ring. Never mind that he owns a body shop, pressure washes cars/engines outside and generally makes quite bit of noise himself.

Needless to say, the landlord visited me this morning and explained that the band practices would have to cease.

The friggin ******* could have come to me and explained instead of going to the landlord.

Anyway, don't have the heart to tell my young cousin that his music career will be interrupted for now.

I am actually going to speak to my other neighbor and see if he'd like to assume my lease so I can buy a place.

Just venting.

Jim Anderson · #2 03-22-2004, 12:01 PM

Can you hear your phone ring?

rickg · #3 03-22-2004, 12:07 PM

Can't they just turn down the volume? It is just practice anyway.

G-Benz · #4 03-22-2004, 12:17 PM

What kind of structure is this new warehouse?

Speaking from someone who is a musician with a church whose structure is a heavily-renovated former grocery store complex located on a strip mall...and we have three bands going full tilt in the different sanctuaries within, for three weekend services and a few during the week...not including practices!

It is a brick structure, and the different sanctuaries are acoustically isolated with simple inexpensive tweaks such as thick full-length curtains and acoutsic insulation between the drywall studs.

If you are having musicians performing in a metal building with no damping whatsoever for instance, what you have is primarily a huge rectangular speaker cabinet designed to fill the entire city block with sound!

Even the most tolerant neighbor might grow tired of the constant volume! Granted, I think your neighbor should have confronted you about it first.

Anyway, step outside your building while the band rehearses and monitor the volume levels adjacent to your neighbor's establishment.

Also check local noise ordinances...you (or your neighbor) may be in violation...

Plantman · #5 03-22-2004, 12:40 PM

I neglected to mention one thing;

Prior to this Saturday, they have always practiced late at night(8-11) w/o incident. The complaining neighbor works at his shop from 4 pm to 11-12am sometimes.

He typically has no customers at this time. Apparently, this Saturday he had a few customers(and beers) and his claim was he couldn't hear his phone over the band, but could hear it over the compressor and power washer his guys were using. Not to mention air tools and such.

This particular guys owns two units, while I am a renter. HE has been there 20 years while I have been there 3 months.

Local ordinances state no loud music/noises gatherings after 11

m. If anyting he violates that ordinance routinely.

I am in a no-win situation. The landlord told me to stop.
I will try and get out of my lease to buy a place. If I can't I'll make his life a little difficult by playing loud cd's inside the warehouse instead of the live band.

G-Benz · #6 03-22-2004, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Plantman
I am in a no-win situation. The landlord told me to stop.
I will try and get out of my lease to buy a place.

I agree...not worth fighting the issue unless you own the place...

...save your strength and look elsewhere...specifically, a place where the zoning allows you to make as much noise as you want...