Q: I live in an apartment, and my upstairs neighbor gets up to work out every day at 5 a.m. He’s often loud, dropping the weights and waking me up. I’m kind of at my wits’ end. I really don’t want to have to report him to the community, but I also need to get some sleep. What can I do? — Adrian

A: Living in an apartment comes with its own set of challenges, including dealing with noisy neighbors. Sometimes, it might be a barking dog, late-night parties, loud music, or, like in your case, an early-morning workout routine.

While every apartment community has its own rules and guidelines, the steps for addressing noise issues are generally the same.

Communication is always your first step.

Try to have a polite and respectful conversation with your neighbor. They may not be aware that their routine is bothering you, and a simple conversation may resolve the issue. Choose a time when you’re both calm and not in the middle of the problem, perhaps in the evening or on a weekend. Explain how the noise is impacting your sleep and ask if they could take steps to minimize it, like using a mat to cushion the weights or adjusting their routine slightly. Approach the conversation with understanding, and you might be surprised at how willing they are to cooperate.

If talking does not work or you’re uncomfortable addressing the issue directly, your next step is to document the problem. Keep a record of when the noise occurs, how long it lasts, and its impact on you. This can be helpful if you need to involve your property manager or landlord later.

Once you’ve gathered your information, reach out to your landlord or property management team. Most communities have noise policies in place, and can help resolve situations like this. Explain the steps you have already taken to resolve the issue and provide your documentation.

Be patient but persistent; property managers must balance multiple concerns, but a well-documented complaint is more likely to capture their attention.

In the meantime, consider ways to protect your own peace. White noise machines, earplugs, or noise-canceling headphones can help block out the sound and improve your sleep.

While these solutions don’t address the root of the problem, they can make the situation more bearable while you work toward a resolution.

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