My neighbors’ meter box is making a loud humming noise. It sounds like someone is blasting an air horn aimed at my house! They’re renters and have called for maintenance, but the response was pretty ridiculous — they said it was just “air in the pipes when it’s windy.” Funny enough, the noise persists even when it’s completely calm outside.
I suspect it might be a faulty breaker when their circuit is under heavy load; it resembles some cases I’ve seen in videos online. While I’m not an electrician, it seems like there’s something wrong. Unfortunately, they don’t appear too motivated to follow up on getting it fixed.
I’m based in NSW, and this has only been happening for the past few months. I’d really like to resolve this situation amicably, as I’m sure it’s driving them crazy too. Is there a way I can assist them in encouraging their landlord to take action and have this issue properly addressed?
It sounds like a frustrating situation for both you and your neighbors! Since this sounds like a potential electrical issue, it’s definitely important to address it properly for safety reasons. Here are some options you might consider:
Document the Issue: Keep a record of the humming noise, including dates and times it occurs. This may help if you need to escalate the issue.
Encourage Your Neighbors: Talk to your neighbors and encourage them to follow up with their landlord or property management company. Sometimes a few reminders or expressing urgency about the noise might prompt them to take action.
Seek Professional Opinion: Suggest that your neighbors consult an independent electrician to inspect the meter box and the electrical system. An expert’s report can provide a clear assessment and help substantiate their case to the landlord.
Contact the Landlord Directly: If your neighbors are hesitant, you could consider reaching out to the landlord or property management company yourself. Politely explain your concerns about the noise and potential safety issues. They may appreciate your input, especially if it affects other tenants.
Community Help: If possible, consult any local tenant advocacy groups that could offer advice on how to handle this sort of situation. They may have resources or contacts that can help apply pressure to resolve the issue.
Local Authorities: If the situation doesn’t resolve and the noise continues to be disruptive, you may need to consider contacting your local council, especially if it’s impacting your quality of life. They may have noise regulations that can come into play.
Keep Communication Open: Whatever the outcome, keep communication open with your neighbors so you can work together towards a resolution. A united front often carries more weight.
It’s great that you want to solve this amicably. Hopefully, with some persistence, the landlord will take the necessary steps to address the issue!