I just moved into my dream apartment. Then I received this snarky note from the neighbours and realised I’d made a terrible mistake
Landing a top-floor apartment in a brand-new complex should have been the start of an exciting new chapter.
Instead, one tenant says he barely had time to unpack before anonymous notes began appearing at his door, accusing him of making so much noise that an entire floor of neighbours had ‘collectively’ turned against him.
Within days, the complaints escalated to building management, who warned him about everything from loud footsteps and dragging furniture to smoking on his balcony and allegedly making noise between midnight and 4am – claims he insists are impossible.
The bizarre dispute has struck a chord with renters, highlighting how quickly apartment living can descend into neighbourly warfare when complaints spiral and communication breaks down.
Anonymous notes accused him of disturbing ‘multiple neighbours’
The tenant said he and his partner had only recently moved into the newly built apartment when the first unsigned note appeared outside their door.
‘Hi. We all collectively agree that we need you to please be more aware of the amount of noise you make,’ it read.
‘We hear you at all hours of the night… this is multiple of your neighbours… please try to be more quiet.’
The tenant said he and his partner had only recently moved into the newly built apartment when the first unsigned note appeared outside their door
Less than 24 hours later, another note arrived: ‘We have all collectively asked you to be quiet… please be quiet.’
Concerned that he had unknowingly upset someone, the tenant tried to identify who had left the notes so they could resolve the issue in person.
After speaking with another resident and reviewing security camera footage, he approached the apartment believed to be responsible. Despite knocking on the door, nobody answered.
Noise complaints escalate
The matter soon escalated beyond handwritten notes.
Building management emailed the tenant after receiving complaints alleging furniture was being dragged across the floor, heavy objects dropped, doors slamming, walls being banged on, and even that someone was using a hand saw inside the apartment.
According to the email, neighbours said these disturbances were happening both during the day and between midnight and 4am.
Management also reminded the resident that the complex was smoke-free after receiving reports someone had been smoking on the balcony, warning that breaches could result in a $350 fine.
Less than 24 hours later, another note arrived: ‘We have all collectively asked you to be quiet… please be quiet’
The tenant said the allegations simply didn’t add up. He explained that both he and his spouse leave home around 7am for work each weekday and don’t return until the early evening.
‘We’re in bed by 10.30 every night so we can’t be making noises from 12am to 4am,’ he said.
He also denied owning a hand saw, said they hadn’t even hung pictures yet, and insisted they had only sat on their balcony a handful of times since moving in.
‘They even complained that we flush our toilets too loud,’ he added.
Hoping to clear up what he believed was a misunderstanding, the tenant again offered to meet the complainant through the leasing office.
According to the email, the neighbour declined and instead requested that all communication continue through building management.
The tenant was later told the neighbour claimed to feel threatened after he knocked on their door.
He also said the property manager confirmed there had not, in fact, been complaints from multiple neighbours as the anonymous letters claimed.
Some described receiving repeated complaints despite barely being home, while others recalled police attending over alleged disturbances that never actually occurred
‘I have never talked to these women or come off threatening in any way,’ he said.
He added that he’d spoken with several other residents without issue and believed he was being unfairly singled out.
Other renters reveal how neighbour disputes have spiralled
The story struck a nerve with many renters who shared that they’d experienced remarkably similar situations.
Some described receiving repeated complaints despite barely being home, while others recalled police attending over alleged disturbances that never actually occurred.
‘I was 21 and had a roommate. I worked the night shift, she worked at a bakery early rising shift so was in bed by 8 every night. Neighbors below us kept lodging complaints about excessive noise at night. Impossible,’ one shared.
Several encouraged the tenant to install indoor security cameras with audio so he could document what was happening inside his apartment if future complaints arose.
Others said the most frustrating part wasn’t the allegations themselves but the refusal to discuss the issue directly while continuing to lodge formal complaints.
‘They can’t insist you’re the problem, refuse to provide proof, and then also refuse to be civil with you while scapegoating you to the office,’ a man fumed.
Realities of apartment living
With more Australians living in apartments than ever before, disputes over noise have become a common feature of high-density living.
While genuine complaints do occur, misunderstandings are also inevitable when neighbours share walls, ceilings, and plumbing, particularly in newer buildings where sounds can travel in unexpected ways.
Housing experts generally recommend raising concerns directly and respectfully where it’s safe to do so before escalating matters through strata or property managers.
