Building Code Noise Standards for Apartments

The Law tells us that any tenant in an apartment complex has a legal right to make reasonable noise. If there is a problem with noise in an apartment complex, it is almost always the landlord's fault. The landlord is required by Code and by the Implied Warranty of Habitability to build an apartment which is noise proof, between apartments, up to 120 decibals. For older apartment buildings it is possible to put in sound proofing at a later date. Thus, for a landlord to hassle or even attempt to evict a tenant for "excessive noise," the landlord must prove that the noise coming through the apartment walls or ceiling, or floors is above 120 decibals. Unfortunately, many substandard apartment buildings only have soundproofing at a decibal rating of 10 decibals, which is clearly a Building Code violation. (C)Perpetual Copyright (2011) by Anthony J. Faber, and Anthony J. Fejfar, and Neothomism, P.C. (PA)