While we all prefer to maintain good relations with our neighbors, certain nuisances can lead to conflicts. Among them, are the annoying noises that disturb your peace, day and night. Let’s see how best to react to this noise pollution.
You may have noisy neighbors, late-night partygoers, or parents of happy toddlers who rub their toys on the floor, creating noise in your home that is difficult to bear.
But you may also be responsible for certain noise pollution in your building. Let’s see what the law says about daytime and nighttime noise.
A commotion at any time of the day
Among the most common neighborhood disturbances is noise. Voluntary or involuntary, day or night, it can be responsible for tensions between the different residents of a building or co-ownership.
Among the different types of noise punishable by law, we find those that come directly from an individual (such as shouting, the sound of heels, or singing), noises caused by an object (noisy air conditioning, the practice of a musical instrument, the use of a DIY tool, etc.) and sounds caused by an animal (a barking dog, a caged bird, etc.). They can come from inside a home or from the street.
If this noise pollution is intentional and the person causing it does nothing to stop it, then we will speak of “noise” or even “neighborhood disturbance”. In reality, the law does not provide for a decibel ceiling or a precise time slot. By convention, we speak of nighttime noise when the noise occurs between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. During the day, the noise in question must be repetitive and persistent for it to be considered daytime noise.
Reactions to adopt in the event of nuisance
In the case of a disturbance, whether daytime or nighttime, several attitudes can be adopted. The simplest is to try to resolve the dispute amicably, by contacting your neighbor directly or the person causing the trouble. Perhaps she is not aware of the noise caused? Sometimes, a simple courteous dialogue is enough to defuse a conflict of this type. If you do not know the author or origin of the noise, post a small note in your elevator or the lobby of your building to alert you of the inconvenience.
If the discussion is not sufficient, you can consult your town hall or the co-ownership regulations to see if a noise ordinance is available. By sending a simple letter (followed by a registered letter, if the problem does not stop), you could put an end to the inconvenience.
Unfortunately, it happens that amicable resolutions are not possible and that the author of the nuisance does not want to know anything. In this case, you can contact the gendarmerie or the police. If it is a nighttime disturbance and it is noted by the police, the troublemaker is liable to a fine of 68 euros (if it is paid immediately or within 45 days). following) or 108 euros thereafter. If it is in broad daylight, the amount of the fine remains the same but the nuisance must be repeated and potentially accompanied by insults, to be considered an offense. If the noise pollution persists, then things will be resolved in court. You will then have to present as much evidence as possible to assert your rights.
More civility for less inconvenience
The best way to avoid disputes caused by noise at night or noise during the day is to be civil. After 10 p.m., it is advisable not to listen to music at too high a volume, nor to turn the television on loud. We will also avoid raising our voices, walking in heels, shouting in the street, or doing karaoke in the middle of the night in our living room. If you are organizing a party that promises to be noisy, warn your neighbors! This rule of decorum guarantees you greater tolerance.
Follow this same attitude on days when you have to tinker or when a particular activity risks generating noise (a violin lesson, repairing a sink, the arrival of a puppy at home, etc.). By respecting these good manners, cohabitation with your neighbors should not pose a problem.
