Noise restrictions in Los Angeles and lease agreement?
by jpazkual
Question by tenant: Noise restrictions in Los Angeles and lease agreement?
I am renting an apartment in Los Angeles.
I regularly play ping pong in my living room (table stands there).
Recently tenant from apartment in the same building started
complaining that sound of jumping ping pong ball bothers him. I never
play after 10 am. Landlord sent me a letter demanding to stop playing
otherwise he will take further actions. He bases his demand on the lease agreement I signed.
it says:”No unnecessary Noise, Loud Talking, Romping or Playing is allowed at
any time. All musical instruments, tv sets, radios, stereos,
etc. are to be played ONLY between the HOURS of 9:00am and 10:00PM
and then ONLY at MODERATE VOLUME SO AS NOT TO DISTURB OTHER RESIDENTS”
it means you can not watch TV or listen to music after 10 PM at all!
LA City ordinance says that you should not
create a noise above certain level between 10PM and 7AM.
Is clause in lease legal? Even if it is much stricter then city limitations?
Should I abide lease agreement?
What Can I and landlord do in this case?
It looks to me that mjority of elase agreements looks like this one. if you sign employment agreement where you have to give at least 1 month notice, it is illegla, and you do not have to abide it [er California law.
I thought that maybe this clause is not legal too.
I also found that “Romping” means: “To play or run about in a lively boisterous way.”
The sound of ping pong ball is way lower then moderate TV sound.
Best answer:
Answer by ebosgramma
Why did you sign such a stupid lease agreement???
Unless there are laws that completely contradict the requirements of the lease then you are stuck with it.
This landlord sounds extreme! You could fight the lease based on what constitutes “moderate volume” if he chooses to persue a noise violation.
Good luck.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!