Noisy neighbors: how to handle the problem

There is nothing worse than having a neighbor who enjoys making noise. Even though it is inevitable that the neighbor throws parties, or plays the piano, it is not good when they enjoy doing it every day at any time of the day. For starters, the Argentine Civil Code establishes that the emission of noise must not exceed the “normal tolerance”. It is estimated that the normal tolerance should not exceed the 45dB, although this level will vary according to the area of the city.

Now, the question is, what can I do if my neighbor likes making noise? First, you should try talking to him. If you go directly to his/her house, and explain the situation nicely, you may come to an agreement. You may have to do it more than once, although it is not ideal that you have to do it every day. If the noise continues, you could start telling your noisy neighbor that if he doesn’t stop making noise, you will have to call the police.

If this doesn’t work, you will need to take further actions. The City of Buenos Aires offers a service in which you may report your noisy neighbor in the “Centros de Gestion y Participacion” (Administrative agencies around the city), and a “community mediation” will be done. During this procedure, a notification will be sent to your neighbor and you will meet, together with a mediator, so you can negotiate the times and days where the neighbor can make (bearable) noise.

If you still have problems, you will have to make a judicial intervention. It is not the idea that you need to go this far, but there are some cases when people don’t have other choice. If you are going to sue you neighbor it would be best if you do it together with other neighbors that find the noise annoying.

Still, before filling a suit against your neighbor you should call 911, or the nearest police station and request the radio electric squad to go to your house, in order they can measure the decibels of noise. Moreover, you may also report your neighbor’s noises to the “Justicia Contravencional y de Faltas” [department of contraventions], at 0800-333-47225, or by sending an email at denuncias@jusbaires.gov.ar o in the Web: www.mpf.jusbaires.gov.ar. If you decide to file a complaint over the internet, you should add some type of evidence (a recording or something similar) to show how loud the noises are.