HawthorneVillager.com

I have been living in Milton since 2013 and I live attached to someone who blasts music at all hours (literally ALL hours) and I have never said anything before, in an effort to keep the piece between neighbours.

After having a baby a few months ago, and being on Mat leave, I finally see how OFTEN he is blasting music. A few months ago, he began blasting music at almost midnight on a Sunday, woke us and my baby up. I went to knock on their door to ask them to lower the music as I didn't want to get police involved or anything like that. He came out on his balcony, swearing and telling me to get off his property. By the time I got home, the music was off so I just let it go. It stopped for a few weeks then started up again.

I have called the noisy neighbour line with the town and they can't do anything unless there are 2 incidents within a 2 week period. I have called the police maybe 5 or 6 times on the past 4 months, as now, the neighbour has began banging on our shared wall when he has his parties, trying to taunt and get some kind of reaction.

I feel like me constantly calling the police and nothing happening is just making the situation worse. He gets upset and will starts screaming and swearing through the walls, into my living room and will get into his car and drive around my house. Although, I have no other option. The music is so loud and can be heard from all rooms, disturbing all of us (last time I called, it was 3 am). The cops clearly don't take it seriously because they can't really be scaring him enough to stop.

It has begun to really get to me as even when I don't hear music, I am always anticipating it can happen any time, leading to the same situation: music, banging, screaming, police called, screaming, driving in front of my house. Not to mention I'm home alone with a baby all the time and it's starting to worry me that this guy will try to come to my house or something.

Not sure what I can do, as I seem to be the only person complaining about this guy.

Ah man, that sounds stressful, especially w an infant, so sorry to hear.

What part of town are you in? I wonder if your local ward councillor can help you get the police's attention better.

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What is the difference between ignorance and apathy? I don't know and I don't care.

We are in the Tight Court/Suitor Court area. Not sure who our councillor is?

Sorry to hear that, your neighbor is very rude and doesn't show any consideration for others.

Here is the ward map for Milton:
https://www.milton.ca/en/townhall/resou ... ap2015.pdf

Seems like your Councillor is Rick DiLorenzo.

That's awful. We had neighbours a few years that were just terrible too.. though admittedly not as terrible as yours. We were stressed out all the time with constant base bleeding through the walls. We would often have to ask them to turn their music down. We eventually started calling the non-emergency police line. The police were really sympathetic and came and spoke to them every time we called. Sadly, it didn't help long term though.. They would still blast their music whenever they felt like it. Thankfully they were also terrible at paying rent, so the homeowner decided to sell the house to his brother and they left. I don't know what I would have done if I had to put up with it any longer. I wish I had some advice for you, but I feel your pain a little bit. I'm sorry you have to deal with that.. especially while having a new baby to worry about. I really don't understand what people get out of making someone else's life harder. What a degenerate.

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No, no. You know who was right all along? The Mongolians. They knew that you just can't wall yourself off from the outside world. Putting walls up never helps anything. Tearing them down brings us together.
-Randy-South Park

Move somewhere else if possible.

Getting to him in the evening sounds like he is either under the influence or just in a different mental state. Obviously his condition is
not known , he can have a sick family member , a dying friend, or in alot of pain. There is no excuse for acting like a jerk but there is usually a reason for acting like that.
If it was me i think i would approach him or her in the daytime and reach out to him.
You did already once and then had the police involved, but approaching him in a calm yet
friendly way might turn your results in your favour. This might sound stupid but as the saying goes keep your friends close and
your enemies even closer. There is much truth in that saying.
That is not an easy task and i don't pretend to think it will be easy but it is the only option you have other than getting into
legal or worst case scenario a physical confrontation. Again no one really knows his deal and what is going on in his head.

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George Reppas


416 989 9923

At one time a neighbours cat used to crap daily in our front garden. I had no choice but to go to the neighbour and ask that they please figure out a way to stop this from happening. Ever since that day, they have never said hello and I'm sure they all think I'm an ass.

Some people lack the basic neurophysiological “hardwiring” that enables them to care for others. This "lack of empathy" is a hallmark characteristic of people who are often borderline psychopaths.

The result - As soon as you asked this person to modify his / their behaviour that was effecting you, it got worse.

Unfortunately it will likely never end and you may need to figure out a way to move to a detached home.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

I told our neighbour to kindly turn the music/bass down 4 months after we moved in, did it very nicely (he installed speakers on the wall adjoining our garage). Anyway, tried to be as nice as I could and let's just say we haven't exchanged any hellos or anything in 6 years. He said he was really embarrased and we embarassed him in front of his family.

You could go over with some really expensive headphones (perhaps they are wireless) and offer to give it to him to use.

I suggest you keep calling the police and also the town by-law officer - write down the dates and times and give to the by-law officer. The by-law officer will notify the offender and state that if it continues he/she will be assessed a fine and they will issue a $ fine.

I would hope anyone with a common wall would not own a stereo or a home theatre.

Would a concrete wall between homes help with this? Reason I ask is I have seen a few rows of towns go up with concrete walls between them. Why isn't this a code standard?

Yes, concrete block walls between townhomes is quieter but wood framing is cheaper.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

We had considered installing sound dampening materiel (like quietrock or whatever) on that shared wall. It would have been an annoying construction project, but still easier than moving. I don't know whether or not it would help enough, though.

If they can't do anything unless there are 2 incidents in a two week period, then make there be two incidents in a two week period.

You may also consult a contractor to measure the sound levels between homes - hopefully this dickhead neighbor would accommodate access for testing. After that, a fairly major construction job may be required, but honestly there is no price for your sanity and peace and quiet. It might also make the sale of your home easier if things escalate down the road.

From what I've seen, when there is a conflict between 2 neighbors it's ALWAYS the "good guy" who loses. There's nothing that can change the behaviour of irrational and selfish human beings.

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Unfortunately moving isn't really an option for us at this time being as I am still on Mat leave. I know living in a townhouse, I don't expect to hear total silence, but I do expect after a certain time for the bylaws to be respected. That is what they are in place for, no?

I just want to be able to sleep at night without myself or my child being woken up by someone being so inconsiderate.

I feel like if the police were to be like "Hey, if we need to come here again, we're writing a ticket" then maybe they would take it more seriously. When I called Halton police, he basically said "keep calling so there is a record, police don't really take these kinds of calls too seriously." He then told me that if there are enough calls on record, maybe they will. But for how long do I have to put up with this for?

So keep calling. Never stop calling.

Take it to the newspapers somehow if things are that bad. Keep spreading your story and eventually someone will be able to help.

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