Know a good lawyer or advocacy group for noise complaints?

antonia · December 2008

My landlord moved a noisy neighbor (a.k.a Godzilla) from her apartment into the one above me. I can't have a moment's peace or even sleep in my own bed if she's home because she's up stomping, banging, moving furniture, etc. until wee hours of the night practically every single day. The noise combined with vibration is unbearable and sometimes even painful as it frequently goes on for HOURS (as many at 10 straight hours of this craziness!!!), creates a ringing in my ears and makes my physically ill. I've been in this apartment almost 8 years with no such problems from the previous two tenants. The landlord knew about this woman and her previous downstairs neighbor complained everyday about her. He's ignored every phone call I've made and letter I've sent. And Godzilla is too selfish and inconsiderate to be a good neighbor on her own. I'm looking for an attorney (or an advocacy group) to help me STOP THE NOISE and take the landlord and the neighbor to court.

Any referrals?

konakazi · December 2008

Have you actually spoken to "Godzilla" directly and asked her what she's doing to create so much racket?

antonia · December 2008

Not only have I written friendly notes to Godzilla and spoken to her, but I also gave her an audio CD when the noise didn't quiet down so she could hear for herself just how loud she is. She never responded to the CD. When the super asked her if she listened to it, her response was, "Oh, that's me (giggle giggle)?" C'mon.

garfunky · December 2008

Subject: Re: Know a good lawyer or advocacy group for noise complaint

antonia wrote: My landlord moved a noisy neighbor (a.k.a Godzilla) from her apartment into the one above me. I can't have a moment's peace or even sleep in my own bed if she's home because she's up stomping, banging, moving furniture, etc. until wee hours of the night practically every single day. The noise combined with vibration is unbearable and sometimes even painful as it frequently goes on for HOURS (as many at 10 straight hours of this craziness!!!), creates a ringing in my ears and makes my physically ill. I've been in this apartment almost 8 years with no such problems from the previous two tenants. The landlord knew about this woman and her previous downstairs neighbor complained everyday about her. He's ignored every phone call I've made and letter I've sent. And Godzilla is too selfish and inconsiderate to be a good neighbor on her own. I'm looking for an attorney (or an advocacy group) to help me STOP THE NOISE and take the landlord and the neighbor to court.

Any referrals?

Best of luck, truly...

Sometimes LL cannot get rid of Godzilla , even thru the courts.

(elderly and or mentally ill)Godzilla
+
rent stabilized/rc apt or other city subsidy ?
=
Godzilla wins in court. :shock: :evil:

oh, and check out tenant.net
that should be helpful.

anastasia beaverhausen · December 2008

Come 6 AM on a Sunday morning, I'd start pounding the ceiling with a broom. You know. To get rid of cobwebs.

modsquad · December 2008

Short of having a sound studio or a reggae club you will not get the beast out. The best solution, and unfortunately it requires, how can I put this, growing some balls, is to fight fire with fire. It involves opening up your ceiling and attaching a 10" or 12" woofer to the gorilla's floor. Once you've done this leave the speaker in place. Call Eric, 718 345 0317, a master plasterer and he will seal the ceiling like new for $150. I know this seems extreme but it has worked twice for me, once personally and for a friend. Expect some blow back at first but ultimately you will prevail. Oh, I recommend a loop of "My Baby Does the Hanky Panky". I can hear it now.

A good Tenant Lawyer is Marty Silverman. 212 219 2100. Maybe he has a scheme, but I like my way better (cheaper too).

antonia · December 2008

I have actually been thinking about somehow attaching speakers to the ceiling and playing recordings of her own noise. I just may do that. That would make for a very interesting complaint. And thanks for the lawyer referral. I feel I should at the very least get a rent abatement since the landlord moved her in there knowing she was a problem.

PS. Can Eric make the opening as well?

downingbylaw · December 2008

Subject: Godzilla

For a moment I thought you lived in my building, for six years I had centaurs living above me who had a rude baby troll who wore wooden shoes all day.

After complaints to the landlord who acknowledged the situation, letters and a few unpleasant confrontations my wife and I moved upstairs to the apt adjacent to the centaurs,(my landlord was great and renovated the apt. before we moved in) while its better being next to the noise as opposed to below it we still had to disrupt our lives, pack and move upstairs.

Its been 4 yrs since we moved upstairs and I've come realize that some people(the majority of my neighbors) are just too self absorbed and oblivious to combat, and have no clue about being considerate. I sleep with earplugs and still can rarely watch a movie in peace.

It sucks-you're not alone.

modsquad · December 2008

antonia wrote:
PS. Can Eric make the opening as well?

Yes, Eric can do it that. I think you will need somebody else to place the speaker however (stuff some insulation around it before you seal it up). Walk by any construction site and pick up a handful. If you actually call him, PM me first and I'll tell him what's up, he doesn't know my "handle". He won't betray the speaker thing unless I tell him it's OK.

garfunky · December 2008

modsquad wrote: I recommend a loop of "My Baby Does the Hanky Panky"

roflmao

i was thinking op might want to start their
new career as a heavy metal cowbellist.

modsquad · December 2008

A simpler and happier time. Sniff

Know a good lawyer or advocacy group for noise complaints?

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