Nobody wants to deal with noisy neighbors, especially when one of those noises is a loud car. Cars can be loud for a multitude of reasons. They may have loud exhausts, booming stereos, or alarms that keep blaring. But, what can you do about a neighbor with an overly loud car?
These loud noises can be a nuisance, and even disturb your daily life or sleep schedule. While many cities have ordinances for loud noises, this doesn’t always prevent loud cars.
If your neighbor’s car is consistently loud enough to bother you then there are a few different approaches you can take. The one you choose may depend on a variety of factors, such as where you live or the relationship you have with your neighbor and how comfortable you feel approaching them.
If your neighbor has a loud car there are a few approaches you can try; block out the noise, confront your neighbor, or take matters into your own hands by contacting the proper authorities or filing a complaint.
The effectiveness of these methods will depend on your situation, and your neighbor. Sometimes the only option may be to contact the local police if nothing else works, and your neighbor could even be faced with a fine.
The Legalities
Many people want to know if it is actually illegal to have a loud car before they consider reporting their neighbor. Most cities have their own rules and ordinances regarding car exhaust systems, or loud cars in general.
For the most part, cars can’t make noise that is considered “disturbing the peace.” This doesn’t mean loud cars don’t exist, and some people will even modify their vehicles to make them louder.
Some tips to stop the noise
1. Block Out The Noise
If you would rather block out the car noise over confronting your neighbor or calling the police then there are a few things you can try. One of the simplest methods is a white noise machine.
These can drown out a lot of unwelcome sounds, including loud cars. You can also use noise cancelling earphones, or put in earplugs. This isn’t the cheapest option, but is definitely worth a shot if you already have noise cancelling products.
While you can soundproof your entire home, that can be a hassle, and is the most expensive way to deal with your neighbor’s loud car. Keep in mind, this approach isn’t effective if you’re spending time in your yard or on your porch. Blocking out a loud car will be next to impossible when outside.
2. Talk To Your Neighbor
The most straightforward and direct way to address a noisy car is to just talk to your neighbor about it. They might not be aware it has been causing problems and will be able to fix it.
It’s likely your neighbor isn’t trying to cause a problem on purpose, and just hasn’t been made aware of how much of a nuisance their car is. When going with this approach, being nice and polite can get you a lot further than being confrontational and angry.
If you have a good relationship with your neighbor then this is probably the easiest way to address the issue. You should also be prepared for the possibility that your neighbor doesn’t do anything.
You could confront them several times about their loud car and they might just not care. If this is the case, the only real option you are left with is contacting local authorities.
3. Contact Authorities
Contacting your local police department might just be the most effective way to address your neighbor’s noisy car. Having an officer show up at their front door will surely get their attention, and make them take the problem seriously.
Not to mention most cities have ordinances against loud cars and noise disturbances. When you call the police there is a chance your neighbor will be given a pretty big fine. Even though it is effective, calling the police should be a last resort if you don’t want to strain your relationship with your neighbor.
There’s a chance they will find out you are the one who called, and they aren’t likely to appreciate it. Before doing this you can consider contacting your homeowners association or property manager depending on if you rent or own your home.
4. Filing A Complaint
It isn’t as uncommon as you might think to file a complaint against a noisy neighbor for any reason, even loud cars. Any excessive noise in your neighborhood that interferes with your daily life can be reported. You might not want to file a complaint against your neighbor, but sometimes it’s necessary. While you don’t want to be that neighbor that complains about everything, sometimes it’s necessary to resolve the issue.
Conclusion
Loud cars in your neighborhood can be a major disturbance, and there is more than one thing to be done about it. Before choosing to report your neighbor to the local police, you can attempt to confront them or find ways to block out the noise. You aren’t helpless when it comes to dealing with noisy neighbors, and there are multiple routes you can consider.
