Thin Walls / Reporting noise to a landlord or HOA

How to Report Neighbor Noise to Your Landlord or HOA

When noise keeps happening, a short written message with a dated log is easier for a landlord or HOA to act on than a general complaint. This guide covers what to check first, what to put in the message and what to do if nothing changes.

General information, not legal advice. Rules differ by state, city, lease and HOA. Thin Walls does not send complaints for you, and no landlord, HOA or city has promised to accept its reports.

1. Check the rules that apply to you

  • Your lease may have a noise or quiet hours clause. A California tenant law group's guide also tells tenants to look at their lease and any rules and regulations.
  • Your HOA's governing documents (the CC&Rs, bylaws and rules) hold the noise rule and, often, the way to complain. Associa, an HOA management company, says to review them first. Its steps mention a complaint form or a written letter, depending on the community.
  • Your city or county may set its own quiet hours. The same California guide gives 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. as an example and says to check your city's website or ask the local government.

2. Keep a dated log before you write

Both guides say to write things down. The California guide says to note when the noise occurs, how long it lasts and how it affects your daily life, with dates, times and the type of noise. Associa's advice is to keep a record of the dates, times and nature of the noise.

Use the noise log template for the columns. Write what you heard, not who you think made it.

3. A polite note first, if it is safe and possible

Both guides suggest that a neighbor may not know the noise carries, and that a polite word or a short note is a first step. The California guide adds that if you leave a written note, you should make a copy or take a picture of it first. Skip this step if you do not feel safe.

4. What to put in a message to the landlord or HOA

  • Your name and your unit or address, and where you hear the noise from (for example, through the bedroom ceiling). Use another person's name or unit only if the organization asks for it.
  • The dates, start and end times, and how long each event lasted. Attach or paste your log.
  • A neutral description of the sound, such as "repeated thuds" or "bass music".
  • How it affects you, including lost sleep. The California guide says to mention health effects such as sleeplessness.
  • What you have already tried, such as a note, and what happened.
  • What you are asking for, for example that they look into it, and when you can expect a reply. The California guide says it is ultimately the landlord's responsibility to fix the problem, so you do not have to suggest a solution.

Keep a copy of what you send, and write down the date you sent it.

5. If nothing changes

  • Write again. The California guide suggests a second message after a reasonable time (it gives "a few days to a week" as an example, depending on how serious the problem is). Say you wrote before, share the log again and ask for a fix by a specific date.
  • Mediation. The same guide notes that many California cities offer free or low-cost mediation between tenants and neighbors. Check what your area offers.
  • City or county office. If the noise breaks a local noise rule, the guide says you can complain to the city or county. For extreme cases, it mentions the police.
  • Legal help. If your landlord does not act, the guide suggests getting legal advice, and notes that tenant rights groups in California offer free advice. Laws in other states differ.

6. What a noise log can and cannot do

A log is your own dated record. It helps you remember the pattern and explain it clearly. It does not show who made a sound or that a rule was broken, and the receiving office decides what it will accept. Some guides also suggest audio or video where it is lawful. Thin Walls does not save audio, and recording laws vary by place. Portland's noise program, for one, says smartphone readings are informational and cannot be used for its official purposes (see the template page).

Keep the log with Thin Walls

Thin Walls is an iPhone noise log app. Start a log before bed. It keeps estimated sound levels and times overnight, shows any time it was not recording and lets you add notes. You can make a Landlord / HOA, Night Summary or Detailed log PDF. Your first PDF report is free. Further reports are a one-time in-app purchase with no subscription. The U.S. price is US$9.99, and Apple shows the price before you buy. See the fictional sample report, or read the FAQ. The app is waiting for App Store review.

Sources

Both pages were read on October 13, 2026. Check your own lease, HOA documents and local rules.