How to File a Noise Complaint Against Upstairs Neighbors (Step-by-Step)
If your upstairs neighbor keeps you awake, verbal complaints often go nowhere. The fastest way to get action is to file a complaint with objective details and a clear pattern.
This guide gives you a practical process you can use tonight.
Informational guide only, not legal advice.
Step 1: Start a simple incident log
Track each event with:
- Date
- Start and end time
- Noise type (music, heavy footsteps, dragging furniture, shouting)
- Impact (could not sleep, interrupted work, woke children)
Consistency matters more than perfect formatting.
Step 2: Collect objective measurements
For each event, capture:
- Approximate decibel range
- Duration of the loudest period
- Context notes (for example, windows closed, bedroom location)
Objective evidence is harder to dismiss than “it was loud.”
Step 3: Contact your neighbor once (if safe)
If it is safe and reasonable, send one calm message:
- State the time window
- Describe the recurring pattern
- Ask for a specific change
Keep it short and polite. Save screenshots or copies.
Step 4: Send a formal written complaint to management
Use email so you have a paper trail. Include:
- Incident summary (frequency + time window)
- Objective evidence summary
- Requested action and response deadline
You can use a ready format from:
Step 5: Escalate if no response
If management does not act:
- Send a follow-up referencing your first complaint
- File with local city channels (for example 311)
- Keep logging new incidents while waiting
For 311 submissions, use:
What to avoid
- Emotional language without concrete details
- Filing one complaint without follow-up
- Sending only audio with no timeline or context
Why this works
Managers respond to risk and documentation quality. A clean timeline plus objective readings turns “neighbor conflict” into an issue with a clear record.
If you need unlimited evidence capture and PDF export, see: