Issues with Air BnB Neighbours

[ADAVIDH]

Hi all,

We live at the back of an Air BnB property.  It can sleep up to 10 people and has a pool and balcony that is 6 or so metres from our living areas and main bedroom.  Whenever anyone is on the balcony or in the backyard, we can hear most of what they say if we are in the living areas or main bedroom.  We can also hear them from our front bedrooms to a lesser extent.  We finally met with the landlords a few weeks ago, along with our next door neighbour who can also hear the Air BnB.  They were receptive to our concerns that, unlike normal neighbours who may be noisy every so often, the Air BnBers are far more likely to be noisy every night of their stay.  They imposed a curfew of 10pm and mention in their ad that they will fine the guests $200 if a legitimate complaint is made against them. This means the onus is very much on us to confront the Air BnBers and ask them to keep the noise down.  In fairness, they probably do not realise how much the noise carries but it's a struggle to be polite and ask people to be quieter when you're trying to get to sleep on a Friday night after working all week.  Calling the police is ineffective as there are few patrols over the weekends so they are busy elsewhere. I was told by the police that they are under no obligation to even attend the property. 

Prior to the landlords setting it up as an Air BnB, it had a man whose dog would bark during the night.  The council were a toothless tiger. Despite a signed petition from 5 neighbours and threats of fines, nothing changed until he moved out. Prior to him, the previous tenant subletted to backpackers who partied until the wee hours.  The council do not have an Air BnB policy. We feel like we live next to a hotel which we would have never chosen to do.  I've read councils in other countries taking action such as limiting the number of days a property can be rented out or issuing licences.

My question is if anyone had any suggestions on how to deal with this.  I accept that this is to be expected when you live in a holiday location.  There are other Air BnBs on the street (next door but one in fact) but they have never bothered us. It could be that they charge a lot more and have minimum stays of one week (although I'm not convinced there's a correlation between how much someone has paid for a place to stay and how much noise and/or consideration they show) or it could just be that the distance is great enough that we cannot really hear them.

[aconcannon]

I know this probably isn't what you want to hear but I think the only answer is to move. Completely unfair but as you say, the council don't have an Air BnB policy and the owenr of the property isn't likely to stop using the place as an Air BnB so I don't suppose there's anything you can do really?!

Edited June 2, 2017 by aconcannon

[calNgary]

I wouldnt be confronting the people staying there, i would be recording any noise and passing it onto the landlord for him to foloow through on his fine. It will also stop the 'he said' she said going on if its recorded.

I do feel for you and you shouldnt have to move, people should be respectful. We use Air BnB sometimes and have been in residential areas but its common sense that you are surronded by families living in their homes and to be mindful of that.

Cal x

[Collie]

Ok so it sounds like the issue isn't Airbnb per say but the proximity of the property and the sound carrying.  You say you had issues when there were permanent tenants there also.  At least with airbn bnb, there are probably long periods when the property is empty so it may be better than with a permanent tenant.

Is there a way you can improve the sound proofing of your own property?  maybe double glazing etc.

People are entitled to enjoy their holidays too.  If it's after midnight on a weekend, fair enough but before that I think it is unreasonable.  Maybe word up a polite note for the landlord to incude in his house rules mentioning that sound carries to neighbouring properties from the back balcony and ask guests to move inside after 10pm (weeknight), 11pm on a weekend.

Short of living in an isolated space, there has to be some give and take when living in a community.

[ADAVIDH]

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies.  I definitely appreciate them so please don't think that my counterarguments are showing lack of gratitude.  To answer the points raised:

1. The landlords told us to confront the guests.  When we met them they said we have to play a part to remedy any situations. I have their mobile and I texted around 10.30pm at night after confronting the guests. I did actually record the conversation although it was not required as the landlords accepted our complaints (as 2 other neighbours made the same complaint).  This was prior to the landlord mentioning the fine in the Airbnb ad.  The landlords live about 30 minutes away so I understand their perspective that to quickly fix the situation then we need to directly confront the guests.  If we just record the noise and the guests only stay for 1 or 2 nights then we have to put up with any noise until we can meet up with the landlords.  

2. Noise insulation isn't really an option.  We're on the Sunshine Coast where for at least 6/7 months of the year you have your windows open , including throughout the night unless aircon is used.

3. Collie, you raise a good point about moving inside. I do not believe the landlords are specific about that so I may suggest that if we have further issues.   It's a fine line we have to tread as we want to work with them.  The landlords specify a curfew of 10pm in the house rules.  Unfortunately I FIFO to Sydney (not for much longer I hope) so I'm only there at weekends so I don't get to enjoy those times when the property is vacant.

Interestingly, the landlords told us that the property only has to be occupied for 60% of the time in order for it to make the same amount of money as having a permanent tenant there.  That said, the landlords have to do all the cleaning themselves.  There is therefore hope that they do not achieve 60% and/or they tire of cleaning it so frequently.  The permanent tenant with the noisy dog was very quiet until a bitter divorce.

[Collie]

It sounds like the landlord is willing to work with you which is good.  A bit of communication and good will on all sides may resolve the isses and would be the optimal outcome.

[adele244]

Where on the Sunshine Coast do you live? I really feel for you, and I don't know what to suggest.

I think I will try to stay away from the large housing estates (if this is the case) the houses look beautiful but I worry about the noise of dogs and parties etc being so close to one another.

Really hope you find a solution x x x x 

[ADAVIDH]

I live in Noosa Heads.  I'm not too sure what your definition of large housing estates is but I'd say Noosa Heads is simply a collection of large housing estates (with no housing commission (aka council estates in the UK) to the best of my knowledge) that you would find anywhere.  Four out of the five neighbours are great.  We assumed that living away from the main tourist drags and in a retirees paradise, we would be less likely to be subjected to this.  We did all the due diligence we could although we bought before the rise of Airbnb.  Things change though.  The landlords do all the maintenance and cleaning themselves so they may tire of this and go back to permanent rentals or sell the place which could mean the problem solves itself.  Alternatively, we move into the hinterland which is tempting as it's a lovely part of the world.

 

[Petals]

Seems this is something we have to put up with.   Anywhere with tourist potential has these properties.   On the Mornington Peninsula here in Victoria there are many disgruntled retirees who complain to the paper and the council etc.  Also blocks of units, it might look nice to downsize into the city into a nice unit, only to find that most of the units are air bnbs these days.   Its a modern problem and what is the answer.   Move to acreage at least they are not right next door, of course that is not possible for most people.  Its just a shame that these days people do not respect other people and have no consideration.

 

[MARYROSE02]

There are units in my block which have been turned over to hostels, AirBnB, or just extra beds - four bunks in a bedroom plus one in the lounge, makes for much cheaper rent in a two-bedroom unit. in inner city Sydney.

The issues for me are noise from backpackers coming back at 3am drunk and not having a security key to the front door so they leave it open. What aspect of security don't they understand in an suburb with a high crime rate and lots of drug addicts.  Not having a security key also means not being able to access the garbage areas and sometimes leaving bags of rubbish outside the door.

I don't actually mind who my neighbours are and I don't usually complain about issues like washing hanging on balconies (which is against the strata laws) but leaving the front door wedged open irritates me and i have complained to the property managers.

The person who signs the lease or owns the property should be controlling some of those whinges I mentioned.

[Toots]

47 minutes ago, MARYROSE02 said:

There are units in my block which have been turned over to hostels, AirBnB, or just extra beds - four bunks in a bedroom plus one in the lounge, makes for much cheaper rent in a two-bedroom unit. in inner city Sydney.

The issues for me are noise from backpackers coming back at 3am drunk and not having a security key to the front door so they leave it open. What aspect of security don't they understand in an suburb with a high crime rate and lots of drug addicts.  Not having a security key also means not being able to access the garbage areas and sometimes leaving bags of rubbish outside the door.

I don't actually mind who my neighbours are and I don't usually complain about issues like washing hanging on balconies (which is against the strata laws) but leaving the front door wedged open irritates me and i have complained to the property managers.

The person who signs the lease or owns the property should be controlling some of those whinges I mentioned.

The property managers should be doing a lot more about what is happening in your block.  I really couldn't be doing with all the noise you are putting up with or the garbage bags issue.  Must be getting really grumpy in my old age.     I relish peace and quiet.

[Eera]

We actually do monitoring for nuisance noise, the stuff we do comes under the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (or DEHP / DERP or whatever they are called this week in QLD, changes regularly).  You can seek a noise abatement order, which our monitors are there to provide the info for.  The landlord is then responsible otherwise they get prosecuted.  You'd want to talk to an environmental consultant.  It ain't the cheapest thing in the world to get the monitoring done (anywhere between 2-4K depending on how long the monitors are in use for), but if it's seriously bothersome it's probably worth the investment, especially if you can get your neighbours on board.
 

[ScottieGirl]

On Tuesday, June 06, 2017 at 13:03, adele244 said:

Where on the Sunshine Coast do you live? I really feel for you, and I don't know what to suggest.

I think I will try to stay away from the large housing estates (if this is the case) the houses look beautiful but I worry about the noise of dogs and parties etc being so close to one another.

Really hope you find a solution x x x x 

Noise is a fact of life in Aus the properties don't have double glazing and Aussies prefer to throw open all the windows than use aircon. Many design outdoor spaces as extra rooms. So Aussies get used to noise and don't see it as an issue.

 I lived in Sydney and there were units nearby and every weekend someone somwhere would have a party. This was pre Air BnB. Then I moved to a suburb with family houses and swimming pools and stereo systems wired up for the poolside. It drove me nuts, I sleep so much better in the UK. 

 

[Jack91]

Think you might just have to deal with it..... The issue isn't with the AirBnB it's with the layout of your house and their house. You had problem with the previous owners dog. 

[Guest The Pom Queen]

7 hours ago, Eera said:

We actually do monitoring for nuisance noise, the stuff we do comes under the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (or DEHP / DERP or whatever they are called this week in QLD, changes regularly).  You can seek a noise abatement order, which our monitors are there to provide the info for.  The landlord is then responsible otherwise they get prosecuted.  You'd want to talk to an environmental consultant.  It ain't the cheapest thing in the world to get the monitoring done (anywhere between 2-4K depending on how long the monitors are in use for), but if it's seriously bothersome it's probably worth the investment, especially if you can get your neighbours on board.
 

Does it actually work though? Or is it just a pass the buck again, ie call the police etc.

[Guest The Pom Queen]

Could the council not help? Or is that like what @Eera deals with

[Eera]

14 hours ago, The Pom Queen said:

Does it actually work though? Or is it just a pass the buck again, ie call the police etc.

We've had success with noise prosecutions.  Our ones have tended to be against corporations making nuisance noises - we once had a brothel complaining that an engineering company was doing to much night testing in the vicinity and the vibrations were upsetting the customers (!) - but talking to a consultant who specialises in it will give the OP an indication of his chances.  Can't speak for everyone but we don't get involved in it if we don't think there's a valid complaint simply as it wastes our resources and the client's money.

[ADAVIDH]

Thanks The Pom Queen, Eera and the other either useful or kind posts.  Being told to 'deal with it' is not very helpful and I really do not understand why people waste their time posting such comments. I'd have thought it was obvious I was 'dealing with it' by having discussed with neighbours, the landlord, the council and raising it on a public forum to see if there was another avenue I could pursue.

For the record,  I've lived in far closer proximity to neighbours than I do in Noosa and not had any issues.  Also, I contacted the council could not help.  They said they do not have a policy regarding Air BnBs.  I noticed a newspaper article last week about some proposed legislation concerning Air BnBs and limiting the number of days landlords can rent out properties and taxing the landlords more heavily.  That would suggest others are experiencing similar issues.  I've not actually had any problems for the past couple of months which is probably a combination of it being cooler (so the guests are not staying outside) and the Air BnB ad that was changed to introduce a 10pm curfew has put off those people who wish to party and disturb several neighbours at 2am.

This is my last post on the topic and so I will move on and deal with other things in my life!