Dealing with downstairs neighbor

[Ironhead]

I live in an apartment complex and I was wondering if anyone had some advice on how to handle a situation with my downstairs neighbor.

Basically we are pretty sure that our downstairs neighbors have recently purchased an apartment washing machine. You are not allowed to have one in our apartment complex and we typically wouldn't give a damn but in the past week the following two things have happened:

a) the other day when I got a glass of water it tasted a little like detergent
b) we are starting to lose water pressue in our apartment

Their kids were playing in a huge cardboard box recently, and we figure that was what the washer came in.

Now obviously I am not willing to put up with this. These are the two situations I see possible:

1) I could try to talk to our downstairs neighbor and explain that their use of the washer is having a negative impact on us.
Pros: Handle the situation without having to get our neighbor in trouble with the apartment complex
Cons: Neighbor is a hothead, they bought the washer and will be angry if they can't use it

2) We could call the supervisor and tell them we have suddenly lost water pressure in our apartment and we have no idea why. Let the supervisor investigate and deal with the situation.
Pros: The stress of dealing with the situation is out of our hands
Cons: The complex wants to throw our neighbors out anyway and this could be 1 more strike against them. We would rather not have them thrown out of the complex. Also, the supervisor might never figure out that they have a washing unit and the situation might not get resolved.

Any advice?

[ScottVib]

I'd call the apartment, and mention the loss of water pressure and the funny taste to the water and ask that they check it out. It will be most effective to call on a day you think they are doing laundry (and of course the symptoms are apparent). If they can't come until a few days later, just mention it seems to be happening periodically (perhaps mention maybe its just the neighbor using a lot of water or something so they have a reason to check down there).

If the water pressure is truly low the complex is likely smart enough to go and figure out why the pressure is so low (including checking for unusual use by the neighbors).


I never cared what my neighbors did, until it impacted my enjoyment/use of the apartment. If the lack of water pressure is doing that for you, you talking to them isn't likely to make them stop using the washer that they just paid for, plus you don't run the risk that you were incorrect and they don't really have one. (and if the neighbor is truly a hothead do you want to be the one dealing with them? Furthermore, no matter what happens with them from now on, they are likely to think you turned them in).

If you really want to talk to your neighbor, I'd start the conversation like this: Hey have you noticed anything funny with the water lately? I've lost a lot of water pressure and had my water taste a bit like detergent. Mention when it started, mention you figure maybe someone near by got a washing machine and that might be messing it up and that its against the rules. End of conversation. You didn't accuse him, you just mentioned your issue and your theory of how it may have occurred. Issue continues you call the landlord. (Personally I would start at #2, since there is really no way the water from the drain should be ending up in your tap water line)

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Ironhead

but in the past week the following two things have happened:

a) the other day when I got a glass of water it tasted a little like detergent
b) we are starting to lose water pressue in our apartment

Your statement in a) would bother me more than anything. That points to a potentially more serious problem with the plumbing in the place. No way that wastewater should be getting mixed in with fresh water.

As for the issue, I'd approach the neighbors first. As you said, they might not be aware of the restriction. If that doesn't work, then the next step is the management.

[Dutch]

I think #2 is your best bet. You don't know for sure they bought a washer, so there's no need to accuse them. Just explain the situation to your property manager and let them figure it out. Drop hints, but I wouldn't accuse anybody of anything. You should be able to get the same results. Or at least start off by being cool about it.

[RPI-Fan]

(a) sounds like you're begging for trouble.

I'm not a hothead at all and I'd get pissed if some jackass neighbor went around whining about what I do in my house (doesn't matter if it's against the rules or not).

**Note: The terminology is not what I, an observer, think of your actions. But if I were the neighbor, that's exactly what would be going through my head.

[bosshogg23]

I agree with Dutch. The property has a manager/supervisor for situations exactly like this.

I had the property manager called on me a time or so back in the day for putting coffee grounds in my garbage disposal and causing the neighbors disposal to back up. :o

[Edward64]

I vote for #2. I had an unfortunate incident (embarassing and never to be told) with a neighbor and I wish I had used the property manager first.

Avoid any possible confrontation. #2 gives you plausible deniability (ex. what, I didn't know you couldn't have a washer either!).

[DanGarion]

I'd suggest #2. Less confrontation.

[Desnudo]

I'd challenge him to a 3 round bare knuckles fight. Winner gets the washer box.

[Mota]

Originally Posted by Ironhead

I live in an apartment complex and I was wondering if anyone had some advice on how to handle a situation with my downstairs neighbor.

a) the other day when I got a glass of water it tasted a little like detergent
b) we are starting to lose water pressue in our apartment

1) I could try to talk to our downstairs neighbor and explain that their use of the washer is having a negative impact on us.

Be careful, if you piss off your neighbor he may piss in his dishwasher, imagine how bad your water will taste then!

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

(a) sounds like you're begging for trouble.

I'm not a hothead at all and I'd get pissed if some jackass neighbor went around whining about what I do in my house (doesn't matter if it's against the rules or not).

**Note: The terminology is not what I, an observer, think of your actions. But if I were the neighbor, that's exactly what would be going through my head.

How is he begging for trouble? Because he respects the rules of the apartment complex and this asshole doesn't?

Ironhead,

1. If your water is tasting like soap, that is a concern.
2. Call the apartment complex and let them handle it.

3. GET YOUR SELF A HOUSE.

I hated the apartment life.

[Fouts]

And here I thought this was a joke thread.

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by bosshogg23

I agree with Dutch. The property has a manager/supervisor for situations exactly like this.

I had the property manager called on me a time or so back in the day for putting coffee grounds in my garbage disposal and causing the neighbors disposal to back up. :o

Unless your complex was so utterly pathetic in its design that they have a single series drain(went out of use in the 50's) instead of an open loop drain there is no physical way your coffee grounds could cause your neighbor's drain to back up. At worst the main drain might get clogged but thats not your fault alone, its everyone whose living there at fault then.


The only exception to this would be if you put the filter down the disposal as well as the grounds in which case you're not the brightest bulb in the street lamps now are you

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

How is he begging for trouble? Because he respects the rules of the apartment complex and this asshole doesn't?

Ironhead,

1. If your water is tasting like soap, that is a concern.
2. Call the apartment complex and let them handle it.

3. GET YOUR SELF A HOUSE.

I hated the apartment life.

Ok you suggest EXACTLY the same course of action as me [for essentially the same reasons], and then roll your eyes?

[Swaggs]

Any updates on this?

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Ok you suggest EXACTLY the same course of action as me [for essentially the same reasons], and then roll your eyes?

Where in this post of yours did you suggest ANYTHING?

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

(a) sounds like you're begging for trouble.

I'm not a hothead at all and I'd get pissed if some jackass neighbor went around whining about what I do in my house (doesn't matter if it's against the rules or not).

**Note: The terminology is not what I, an observer, think of your actions. But if I were the neighbor, that's exactly what would be going through my head.

Please point it out to me.

[Ironhead]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am going to wait it out a little bit to see if I taste anything funny in the water again. If I don't then we might just let it slide. If we do taste anything else then we will probably call the super and let them know we have been losing water pressure.

[Joe]

just go to your neighbor and demand that he remove the washer while you stand there. don't leave until it is out.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Where in this post of yours did you suggest ANYTHING?



Please point it out to me.

I said I wouldn't do (a). I guess it takes a little bit of intuition to assume that I'm suggesting (b).

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by Fouts

And here I thought this was a joke thread.

It makes the replies even better. I think the parody thread got more serious replies than the real one.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

I said I wouldn't do (a). I guess it takes a little bit of intuition to assume that I'm suggesting (b).

Allrighty then.