‘My Sanity is Gone’: The Neighbour Who Plays Saxophone All Day
A New York City woman has described how her life has been turned into a daily torment by the relentless saxophone practice of her downstairs neighbour. The resident, who works from home, claims the incessant noise is severely impacting her mental wellbeing and professional life.
She moved into the apartment during the Covid pandemic and was immediately disturbed by the sound. Initially reluctant to cause conflict, she endured the noise for two years before finally confronting the musician.
A Hostile Confrontation and a Failed Compromise
The situation came to a head when she requested a single hour of quiet for a crucial job interview. She was met with a hostile and uncompromising attitude. The neighbour, who claimed to be teaching a student, refused to stop or lower the volume, insisting he had a right to practice in his own flat. True to his word, he played loudly throughout her interview the following day.
Months later, with her floor shaking despite her wearing headphones, she tried again. After knocking on the floor failed, she confronted him at his door. He again defended his actions, stating music was his livelihood. When she countered that her work was also her livelihood and pleaded for a compromise on volume, he flatly refused.
His only suggested solution was for her to rent a co-working space, arguing no one had ever complained before.
Landlord Sides With the Saxophonist, Leaving Her Trapped
With no resolution in sight, the woman escalated the issue to her landlord via email. To her dismay, the property manager appeared to side with the saxophonist. The landlord’s proposed solution was to release her from her lease so she could move out.
"Why would I have to move if I’m not the one being a nuisance to others in the building?" she fumed. She has kept a detailed log of noise levels, which she believes shows a breach of the NYC Noise Code, but her landlord now ignores her calls and emails.
Feeling unsafe to involve the police, she feels her right to quiet enjoyment is being violated daily with no recourse. "I’m bending over backwards to try and have some peace in my apartment, and it’s not fair," she said.
Readers Suggest Petty Revenge, But Warn of Consequences
In response to her story, some suggested fighting fire with fire. Ideas included blasting bagpipe music or a loop of ice cream truck tunes back through the floor during non-quiet hours.
However, others cautioned against a revenge noise war, sharing personal experiences where such tactics backfired spectacularly, leading to more noise and trouble with authorities while the original problem persisted or worsened.
