Well, 6 days to be exact. My wife and I live in a condo in the middle of the city–inexplicably the unit directly across from us (about 10 feet away) security alarm has been sounding since last Friday. We own the condo—don’t think any units are rentals. I called the police the first night and they informed me they responded to the alarm and no one was home. Walked over there myself and there was a note on the door from the police stating as much. Given the proximity to our bedroom the alarm is rather loud and has seriously messed with my sleep. Not a big deal as these things happen.
Come Monday I got in touch with the Homeowners Association—they said they have been calling the owner’s mobile but he has not answered. Called the (non-emergency) police line and while understanding they said their was nothing that can be done. Ditto for the company that services the alarm. Basically we all suffer until the owner gets back from Pago Pago or wherever or hope the alarm battery dies.
I’m pretty patient and understanding but this is beyond the pale. One week of an alarm going off ten feet away ain’t cool. Major sleep loss, headaches, etc. and there is no end in sight to this.
What do you guys recommend? I really feel like I should be exempt from HOA dues or compensated for the nuisance. Any insights are much appreciated.
A citation or five will at least make the owner a little more careful next time.
A priority-mail letter from your lawyer to the Homeowners Association, asking them to use their passkey to go in and turn the alarm off, with a veiled warning of a lawsuit if they don’t, might do the trick.
Or… I don’t suppose there’s a wire somewhere outside that you can snip…?
Exactly, why the hell can’t the Association access the property and turn it off? Also, how does anyone know the owner isn’t still in the unit and dead? Maybe a failed robbery attempt, or something? Does the Association have an emergency contact that can be reached?
Put some meat out in the sun, and then start complaining about the smell of decay. Co Tell the police you’re concerned that someone might be dead inside the condo. They’ll go in.
I get the impression the Homeowners Assoc is willing to do that but not having the password to the alarm it wouldn’t do any good. The alarm company won’t do anything unless they are speaking to the owner and he/she has the password/security answer.
Good question, we’re dealing with the head of the Association and while sympathetic to our plight they state there is nothing they can do.
No idea re possibility of dead owner. FWIW all lights are off and blinds drawn. Oddly these jokers usually keep their curtains open with the lights on 24/7 allowing everyone to see right thru the place.
Purchase a white noise machine to try to defeat (or at least lessen) the noise. It looks like you can get one for $50 (small price to pay if it helps you sleep). Although not enforceable, you should inform your asshole neighbour that the decent thing for them to do would be to reimburse you for the expense.
Also, I would recommend you file multiple complaints with the HOA and the local police.
You’ve already talked to the cops, but maybe another neighbor could sort of play dumb about the owner traveling and call the cops, too, saying “Hey, the alarm’s been going off for a while in my friend’s home and I’m a little worried about him. I didn’t see him at the neighborhood block party last night, come to think of it … could you guys check and make sure he’s not lying there dead or something?”
I agree tickets now won’t help this time, but they might prevent a repeat performance in the future.
Re: entry by the HOA, when my wife owned a condo, she was free to change the locks as she saw fit, and didn’t have to give a spare key to anyone. As the OP notes that these residences aren’t rentals, does the HOA actually have a key (and the authority) to access condo owners’ private properties?
Are there stickers on the outside of the unit indicating the alarm’s manufacturer? If it’s monitored, maybe you could call the monitoring company and ask what they can do.
Re: exemption from dues, the HOA is making a good-faith effort to contact the alarm owner; it’s not their fault he won’t answer his phone. If you’re seeking compensation, my guess is it would have to come directly from the alarm’s owner.
How can the alarm company not turn it off? I mean, they can come to the place to check it out, or talk to the cops to ensure there isn’t a break in, but they HAVE to be able to turn it off somehow. Has the alarm company not come by? I thought they did when the alarm went off?
I would have gone nuts and broken my way in by now to turn it off.
As a member of the local news media in DC I can affirm without question you should contact a local tv station to come out and show your problem. They will then go start asking various authorities “what can be done?” and if anyone can do something about it, they will. Stories like this make for great television.