Landlord complaining about child noise.

I'm so overwhelmed. My husband and I live in the suburbs of NYC, where the rents are ridiculously expensive and inventory is limited. We are both teachers in the suburbs. In August, we moved into a larger apartment that costs 3k per month because we had a toddler and a baby on the way. The interview process for the apartment was lengthy, and involved background checks and proof of funds and references. After that process, we interviewed with the landlords in the apartment. We brought our two year old son, who was running around and making lots of noise. I pointed out that we clearly have a very active toddler, and that this was a great representation of him, and asked if this would be a problem living above them? I realize it would be an issue for some people. They both were very adamant it would be no issue, they've had kids up there before, they're grandparents, etc. We also shared he gets up at 5:30am sometimes. He goes to sleep at 7pm and is in daycare during the work day. The husband made it clear that we would have no complaints from them as long as rent comes on time. My husband and I were reluctant at first to live above a landlord, or on a second floor because of having young children, but felt so confident moving forward after these people saw our son running around in the space and were fine with it. So we signed a lease with them. Day two after moving in, we got a knock on the door at 7:30am. It was the wife saying our son was loud and asking if we could keep him confined to one area of the apartment. We were pretty shocked to see her complaining about this, let alone on day two when our boxes weren't even unpacked, but we agreed to try to do that. We gated off the bedroom areas and hallway to keep our son confined to the living and dining room areas. Days later, another complaint from the wife, asking if we were using a noise cancellation machine at night (which we have for our child) because it was keeping her awake at night. Days later, another complaint about our son and asking if we could put socks on his feet. Days later, another complaint saying she realizes our son is a toddler but her ceiling fan is shaking. In the first two weeks, she came up with four noise complaints. I had had enough. I sent a text back asking if they were sure they wanted to rent to a family with young children, reminding her that they saw him and said there would be no issues, and that I was pregnant with another on the way and a newborn could be crying throughout the night. We had a meeting with the couple, and they agreed to try to get use to the noise. Fast forward, it's been 5 months here and we haven't heard any other complaints until recently. The wife came up to complain about how loud my husband walks down the stairs. Then, I just had my baby last week. I'm a week postpartum and the husband has come up to my husband to say the toddler noise is just too much, our son is too loud, and he wakes up too early, and we should start looking for another place to live. He says he's not "kicking us out" (because legally he can't) but he won't hold us to our lease and his wife can't get a good night of sleep. First of all, their timing couldn't be any worse as I've just given birth and now we have to try to find new housing, but I'm so angry because this was all avoidable. These people made it seem like this would not be ab issue, and it was an issue the day after we moved in. Not to mention, they keep blaming my son like he's some unusual toddler - news flash, people, toddler make NOISE. They run, jump, dance, squeal, scream, laugh, etc. The wife is an executive director at daycare and she should know a thing or two about toddlers. Now, I'm a week postpartum and instead of focusing on trying to enjoy my newborn and my toddler, I have to focus on trying to find a new place to live in an impossible market while I'm on unpaid parental leave. I feel anxious every time my toddler comes home that they're judging the noise, and I feel it's no longer a healthy environment for any of us. Anyone else ever deal with this? So sick of renting.

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Maybe tell them to start wearing noise canceling headphones at night? Try some earplugs. Or put on some soothing sounds to sleep to that could drown out the sounds? I used to use the alexa to put on "rain sounds" at night to drown out sounds from neighbors. Worked like a charm! Bring it up to them. Worth a try.

@Brittany at our first meeting, I suggested ear plugs or noise canceling machine, and explained that I started using one when renting because it helped with noise, and the wife said she'll never wear ear plugs or anything in her ears and wouldn't comment on the noise machine - but clearly she hasn't tried it.

Either insulate the floor or move out. No pleasing a person like that.

That’s ridiculously unfair, I suspect they were desperate for renters at the time although not sure if that would be likely but they really lulled you into a false sense of security, you have every right to be angry.

i would stay. f them. both parties agreed to a toddler and baby on the way. this is a very vulnerable time. let them complain and what not. don’t move out until you are READY. until then their complaints should fall on deaf ears. if they want to evict then take it to court. no judge should side with them. enjoy your time with your baby.

I hate them for you

@Sable it's a private family home. Two family house. We are renting the upstairs, and the landlords live downstairs.

Maybe you can put your toddlers noise machine on timer so it goes off within an hour. Idk if you will ever please them though xx

I don’t know the laws in NYC but don’t they have to pay to relocate you if they are unhappy with you? Also screw that enjoy your baby and don’t answer when they come to the door. They said as long as you pay rent on time noise isn’t an issue so let their discomfort be their issue and their problem?

Don’t drive yourself crazy finding a new place but you casually should. They are impossible and there is no pleasing people like that. You also want to be able to have a positive reference if you need it and you don’t want to deal with their nonsense. Congratulations on your baby, don’t sweat it until you move.

My husband and I had a downstairs neighbor like this for 2 years who constantly complained about the noise. We are a family of 3 and it’s an old home and it’s just impossible to not make noise walking around. She made our lives so miserable and caused so much anxiety. We literally all started walking around on our tip toes 🙄 I’ll never forget the look on her face the day she saw my pregnant belly lol she moved out a month later after 11 years and people in the neighborhood thanked us bc she was just awful calling the police on neighbors for playing music in their backyard or using snow blowers too early. Anyway just want to say I’ve been in your shoes and it’s very stressful. Especially with a new baby. How inconsiderate of them to say this to you now. I’m really so sorry this happening but I would say to do your best to focus on your baby right now and be stern with them again that they agreed to this arrangement and ask them please not to continue to make complaints.

You have time on your lease. Enjoy baby. You cannot get these days back. As you can look for a new place but don't let it cause anxiety. They can shove it. Definitely look up your rights. And if you do leave early get something in writing saying you are free and clear

I would straight up stop answering the door to them. Send your rent payment electronically or in the mail. If they want to call the cops on a toddler, let them. Take your time looking for an apartment. Don’t let them keep you from enjoying their baby. I mean I get being frustrated when upstairs people make noise, but I don’t understand the entitlement of expecting people to stop living a normal life. My upstairs neighbors are loud and their grandkids are always running like crazy. But kids need to be kids. I would never even dream of complaining about them.

I would eventually find a way to leave. They sound like miserable people. They don’t even seem satisfied and it seems like they are always going to find something wrong. With that payment for rent, I think peace is important. You don’t have time to worry about how the landlord feels. They also don’t seem like people who keep their word and that would make me uncomfortable because I would need to know that my kids have a safe place to live and nobody will be harassing us. Every battle is not worth a fight. I know it’s hard to move and that will be a temporary challenge v.s a long term headache

@Linda exsctly! They are the ones with the problem not you. Let them file a complaint with the city then, (court will throw it out immediately) Get an attorney and record everything moving forward!

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I do not see the situation getting any better. You just found a really shitty landlord. I would definitely start looking for something else when you can, I’m sorry. Some people have to learn the hard way, maybe next time they won’t rent to someone with toddlers. Like someone else stated just because they are complaining doesn’t mean they can kick you out.

Honestly sounds like they need to find a way to work around it. Kids are kids. They could insulate the floor more. Don't answer their knocks and just pay. Enjoy the kids and rest. I'd ask co-workers or families you know if they know anyone renting out something. But no I'm not a big one for renting around owners- too many horror stories, especially with kids. For own sanity take time to be out when feel it and have kids getting air and break from home with you both and ignore them back. No need to be nasty but yeah I'm po'd for you guys too

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