Lisa and the alleged noise nuisance
Lisa Leise:
I live with my boyfriend in a ring-fenced building. A new neighbor below us has now complained to us that we watch TV too loudly after 22:00. However, we are of the opinion that we should not cause excessive noise.
What should we do?
Answer:
Hello Lisa
You should first try to defuse the situation – if necessary with the involvement of the landlord. Our suggestion: Offer to take a noise measurement at your neighbor’s home. At night, the volume of your TV should not exceed 30db at the neighbor’s house. If the noise level is higher, you should take measures to reduce the volume (turn down the TV, use a carpet for sound insulation, etc.). Your neighbor has to accept less than 30db even at night. In this case, she would simply be oversensitive. In any case, the measurements you offer show your good will and that you take your neighbor seriously.
Matthias Fricker
Attorney at law and partner at Fricker and Füllemann Attorneys at Law
Studied at the University of St. Gallen, graduating with a Master in Law (M.A. HSG in Law) in 2012, registered in the Bar Register of the Canton of Zurich, member of the Zurich Bar Association.
Fabian Füllemann
Attorney at law and partner at Fricker and Füllemann Attorneys at Law
Studied at the Universities of St. Gallen and Zurich, graduating with a Master of Law UZH in 2013, registered with the Zurich Bar Registry, member of the Zurich Bar Association.
