Harassing Neighbors

[LizY]

Jurisdiction

Florida

We have neighbors who moved into the apartment below us about 6 months ago. Since then they have constantly complained about my young children running around our house and playing. While we have told them that we do ask our children to settle down and stop running around the house, they are now telling us that they want to take legal action against us. Not only that they are trying to tell people that we neglect our children. They have been to our residence 3 times complaining to us and have written letters to the office on several occasions. We feel like these people are harassing trying to get us to move out. We have lived here for about 4 years and have never had a problem with anyone else. What can or should we do?

 

[mightymoose]

There is no legal action for them to take against you. Next time they say that just smile at them and move along.
What to do? Ignore them. Take any concerns you have to the landlord. If the landlord has received multiple complaints and has not evicted you then it seems to indicate the landlord is not at all concerned. Stay on the landlord's good side and completely ignore the folks downstairs.

 

[army judge]

We have neighbors who moved into the apartment below us about 6 months ago. Since then they have constantly complained about my young children running around our house and playing. While we have told them that we do ask our children to settle down and stop running around the house, they are now telling us that they want to take legal action against us. Not only that they are trying to tell people that we neglect our children. They have been to our residence 3 times complaining to us and have written letters to the office on several occasions. We feel like these people are harassing trying to get us to move out. We have lived here for about 4 years and have never had a problem with anyone else. What can or should we do?

In some cases, a family with younger children can ask the landlord if it would be possible to be relocated to a first floor unit to so that the movement of your children won't disturb other tenants in the community.

 

[Betty3]

Just try to ignore the complaints the best that you can - most likely nothing will come of them. The landlord doesn't seem concerned.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

Unless there is actual neglect, telling others that you neglect your children in a manner that clearly implies a problem can result in civil liability, such as damages for slander or libel if written. Unless your children are making excessive noises during late hours, it is highly unlikely that the tenant below has any recourse. it's the unfortunate problem of apartment living, especially in buildings that don't have much space and insulation between the units. Note whether there is a carpeting or floor requirement. Many buildings have them and also for this reason - keeping down noise levels in an apartment building.