How to Document Noise for Your Landlord
You’ve been losing sleep for weeks. The noise from upstairs, next door, or outside is unbearable. You’ve complained verbally, but nothing changes. The problem? Verbal complaints are easy to ignore. Written complaints backed by evidence are not.
Here’s how to document noise disturbances so your landlord actually takes action.
Step 1: Start a Noise Log
Keep a consistent record of every noise event. For each entry, note:
- Date and time the noise started and stopped
- Duration of the disturbance
- Type of noise (music, construction, barking, footsteps, etc.)
- Decibel level if you can measure it
- Your location when you heard it
- Impact on you (couldn’t sleep, couldn’t work, etc.)
Consistency matters more than detail. A log showing noise at 11 PM every Friday for six weeks is more compelling than one detailed entry.
Step 2: Measure Decibel Levels
Subjective descriptions like “very loud” don’t carry weight. Objective measurements do. Use a sound level meter app on your phone to capture actual decibel readings during noise events.
SilentProof does this automatically: it continuously monitors sound levels, creates a visual timeline, and tags each measurement with GPS coordinates and timestamps. When you’re done, you have a complete evidence record, not just a number.
Step 3: Take Notes in Real Time
Add context to your measurements. What was happening? Where were you in your apartment? Could you hear the noise with windows closed? These details help establish that the noise is unreasonable and disruptive.
Step 4: Know Your Local Noise Code
Look up your city’s noise regulations. Most cities have specific decibel limits for residential areas, often different for daytime and nighttime. If you can show the noise exceeds these limits, your complaint has legal backing.
Step 5: Write a Formal Complaint
Send your landlord or property manager a written complaint. Include:
- A summary of the problem
- Your noise log or evidence pack
- Specific dates and times
- Decibel readings if available
- The relevant section of your local noise code
- What you’re asking them to do
Email is fine. It creates a paper trail. Keep copies of everything.
Step 6: Follow Up
If nothing changes after your written complaint, escalate:
- Send a follow-up email referencing your original complaint
- File a complaint with your city’s 311 service
- Contact your local tenant advocacy organization
- Consult a tenant rights lawyer if the situation is severe
The Key Principle
The difference between a complaint that gets ignored and one that gets results is evidence. Every noise event you document with real measurements strengthens your case. Tools like SilentProof make this easy by automating the capture of decibel levels, timestamps, and GPS data into a single evidence pack you can hand to your landlord or attach to a 311 report.
Start documenting tonight. The sooner you build your evidence log, the sooner you can get results.
Helpful Next Steps
- Landlord letter template: /templates/landlord-noise-complaint-letter
- 311 filing script: /templates/311-noise-complaint-script
- Free vs Pro details: /pricing