I have tried being polite to my neighbours and have attempted understanding their 16 year old son is incapable of not slamming doors, playing his music too loud and must under all circumstances yell continuously at his mother.
I have spoken to my landlord and he just shrugs and says "they come from Kosovo. It's the way they are." I have a ground floor flat and the place is poorly done so I get all the noise from upstairs. Some of it is normal living and I won't get mad at anyone for walking but STOMPING is really ridiculous. The boy is really the pits. I can't talk to his mother she says "Nicht verstehen, nicht verstehen" and the boy only scowls when I talk to him, trying to explain that a little noise yes, but rattling my windows with his music is unacceptable at 7 am.
I guess some people are just a'holes no matter what.
It wouldn't be so awful if I didn't work from home. Concentrating during the day is tough so I have started working at night when they're quiet, but this really sucks.

__________________
A valuable but incomplete strand of thought...

The "shhhh" gesture, finger in front of lips - isn't that universal?

Now that you know where they are from, maybe get a phrasebook or work out a couple sentences with Google Translate? "Your son is too loud. I work at home. Please, your son, no more yelling and loud music. I call the police." Even if the grammar isn't perfect it'll get the message across.

However, I have to say - asking his mum to make him be quiet isn't likely to be a brilliant success anyway. I'll bet she doesn't think much of his yelling or his music either. Teenagers, eh?

If the landlord refuses to get involved, you may have to decide whether it is worth calling the police. Before you do that though, I would consider leaving a note in their mailbox. I know it seems a bit passive-aggressive to do that instead of talking to them, but you've already tried talking to them. Maybe the mum's written German is better than spoken, or maybe she can get her husband to read it or something.

__________________
Need help? Contact a mod.

I'd buy a copy of the Kanun of Lek Dukagjin and a couple of bullets and leave them next to the door.

They'll get the hint. Trust me.

You should move out. IMO, there's bugger all you can do to shut someone up and this includes talking nicely and calling the cops. I'm sure the mother would also rather the brat was silent, but if she can't accomplish it, I doubt anyone can.

I also have problems with the upstairs neighbors stomping too loudly. Problem is, they don't start stomping until after 10:30pm (guess they're sitting around watching tv until then?), and at least one of them wakes up at 7, so I don't have the luxury of going to bed early or sleeping in late.

Is there anything one can do about too-thin ceilings?

I think it's kind of neat that the landlord has the idea that Kosovars are noisy and just shrugs his shoulders at it, "you know, what can you do?". Goes to show that not all Swiss have the police on speed-dial . If he's Swiss that is, and is a he.

For a solution, I'd keep it simple. If there is a list of house rules, stick them in an envelope with a note that you really need some peace. If not, then stick a note in their box just saying you really need peace and will have to take things to an official level if it doesn't happen. Broomsticks on the ceiling are usually effective, but if you are going to get all official on them then you can't give them any ammunition "well they're hammering away on something all the time, sounds like they're beating on the ceiling it's so loud".

If you're really motivated you could have the note translated into Albanian. Maybe the translator will give you some insight into dealing with those noisy Kosovars .

As with everything and everyone, keep a file. Record each disturbance over a week and present a copy to them. Perhaps being shown how it affects your day and night in Swiss style detail may make a bigger picture.

"02.20: Stomping about, wakes me, doors slamming"
"06.30: loud, bass heavy music wakes me up, rattles windows"
"07.40: shouting, door slamming"
"07.50: more shouting, several minutes"
"08.10: Yelling in hallway. Doors slamming"
etc.

Being told by the landlord that they're from Kosovo is rather cowardly and rude, IMO. Does being from your country give you license to behave as you please? Occassional parties or the odd slamming door is normal, but if you're truly getting disturbed by it, take it to them.

__________________
Wave ¦ Synthpop ¦ 80's ¦ Alternative ¦ Party ¦ Sat 24.03 Provitreff Zurich

I dont think that there is a way you can make them stop. Moving out is the only solution that I see.

I hate angst ridden teenagers. all emo and think that its them against the world.

Seems like the mum has zero control over that brat. Talking to her really isnt going to improve anything. The landlord is useless too. Best is to go to the root of the problem: the next time you see him in the doorway, tell him in your most adult I-mean-business voice that he should cease all that racket or you WILL call the police. Dont let his scowling put you off.

Carry through that threat if he doesnt listen. House rules allow the play of music as normal apartment living but blasting it is taking the piss.

I know, thats super Swiss but that emo brat needs to shape up or learn to face the consequences. Maybe the police arriving on their doorstep will wake them up a little.

__________________
Remember when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, BUT it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and b****-slap the mother-f***er upside the head.

Im in the opposite situation. Its wayyyy too quiet here. Were on the 2nd floor and I have a 6 yr old who tends to stomp sometimes and im pretty clumsy sometimes in the kitchen. And im already scared i get scolded for it.

What about some revenge? Team up with the Family living above them. hehehe Screaming annoys everybody whether ur occupying floor below or above them.

Just say, "Mbajtur të qetë, ju të zhurmshme pederast".

Might help. If you pronounce it right.

I hope that doesn't mean the same thing in Albanian as it does in English

If you were in Basel I would have recommended that you take Insanely Hormonal and Pregnant forum member NIL to swing by your place. She's always very helpful and I am sure she would have been able to sort this out for you in 5 minutes flat. After meeting her either they would quite down or leave the apartment on their own.

Actually anyone of the ALL Star Girls (Also known as EF Vets) on the EF can take care of this issue for you. They take no prisoners.

But seriously call the cops on them that should rattle their chain in addition to having proof along the lines of what Uncle Max mentioned. This should put the LAW in your corner.

yeah I'd move out too, more annoying is the attitude of your landlord than that of your neighbors Some people can't help being idiots but your landlord should care of his customers!

So am I correct to assume that there is no 'Father' around to ask?
......... does this explain the little turds behaviour?


I agree with the other posts here. Clearly the Mum has no control so even if she could "Verstehe", I doubt she would do anything anyway.
If the landlord isn't on your side AT ALL, then moving out is the only real solution you have.


If I may suggest something though.......... just give notice and serve out the remaining time on your lease.

When anyone comes to visit the flat. Clearly tell them that the Neighbours are the reason you are moving, and that the landlord will do absolutely nothing to help and advise against their decision to take the place.

The landlord may not care about you, but he sure as hell will care about the lost rental income.

Perhaps then something might be done.

Check this out

If you think it is bad now, wait in a few weeks when the hormones switch into a sleepless post-partum depression...

OP, I'll come over to you and deal with them for free... I am looking for someone to get all the anger, rage and misery on!

Make the problem your landlords. Make it clear to him you will move out and you will explain to any visitors to your apartment that it is "very noisy, thats why your are moving out"

Maybe the loss of rental income will force him into action!!!

Before you do all this join the http://www.mieterverband.ch/ they can advise on your rights and you may be able to break the contract?

Some interesting suggestions. I am sure that threatening a 16-year-old boy with the cops is going to make him start behaving beautifully.

If moving is not really an option, I suggest taking a more tactful approach, although it involves a bit more time and effort on your part, which is not really fair as you have done nothing wrong. Why not try contacting a Albanian/Kosovar organization and asking their advice. Perhaps you could invite a member over and invite the mother and son down and through the interpreter make it clear that you don't want to escalate by calling the police but the situation is unbearable and you need to work etc. It may help alleviate the situation and allow all of you to live more peacefully together.

Here are two links I found that could help:
http://www.schweiz-albanien.ch/index.php?id=7&L=2
http://www.albinfo.ch/de/albanische-...e-vereine-1242

Dude it's really easy. Buy the son a pair of headphones and buy him a pc game that's really cool. Job done !