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How to Stop a Tenant from Playing Loud Music in New York

Living in or managing rental property in New York comes with unique challenges, and one of the most common is dealing with noise complaints. A tenant who plays loud music late at night can disrupt neighbors, create tension in the building, and even expose a landlord to complaints from other residents. If you’re trying to figure out how to stop a tenant from playing loud music in New York, there are clear, practical steps you can take.

Understanding Noise Laws in New York

New York has both statewide and local noise rules, many of which establish quiet hours. For example, in New York City, quiet hours are generally between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., during which loud music and other disruptive noises are prohibited. Other cities and towns across the state have similar ordinances. Violating these rules can result in fines, but more importantly for landlords, they create a legal standard to enforce against tenants who disturb the peace. If you’re wondering how to stop a tenant from playing loud music in New York without immediately going to court, knowing your local code is step one.


§ 24-244 Sound reproduction devices. (a) Except as otherwise provided in section 10-108 of the code, no person shall operate or use or cause to be operated or used any sound reproduction device in such a manner as to create unreasonable noise.” N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 24-244(a)

§ 24-231 Commercial music.
“(a) No person shall make or cause or permit to be made or caused any music originating from or in connection with the operation of any commercial establishment or enterprise when the level of sound attributable to such music, as measured inside any receiving property dwelling unit:
(1) is in excess of 42 dB(A) as measured with a sound level meter; or
(2) is in excess of 45 dB in any one-third octave band having a center frequency between 63 hertz and 500 hertz (ANSI bands numbers 18 through 27, Inclusive), in accordance with American National Standards Institute standard S1.6-1984; or
(3) causes a 6 dB(C) or more increase in the total sound level above the ambient sound level as measured in decibels in the ‘C’ weighting network provided that the ambient sound level is in excess of 62 dB(C).” N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 24-231(a)(1)–(3)

Lease Agreements and Quiet Hours

Most leases prohibit behavior that unreasonably disturbs other residents. Even if “quiet hours” aren’t listed word for word, New York nuisance rules still protect a tenant’s right to reasonable peace and quiet. If someone is blasting music late at night, you can treat it as a lease breach and require them to stop. Clear lease language makes enforcement straightforward for landlords who are figuring out how to stop a tenant from playing loud music in New York.

Serving a Notice to the Tenant

The first step to stop a tenant from playing loud music in New York is to serve a notice to cure or notice to cease. This notice should:

  • Describe the problem (loud music after quiet hours).
  • Cite the specific lease provision or legal standard being violated.
  • Provide a reasonable period to fix the issue, often 5–10 days.
    This puts the tenant on official notice that the behavior must stop or more serious action will follow.

SAMPLE NOTICE TO CURE (Lease Violation — Excessive Noise / Loud Music)

September 26, 2025

Attention Tenant:
Jordan Rivera
Apartment 4B
125 West 88th Street
New York, NY 10024

Nature of Violation

You have created repeated, unreasonable noise disturbances by playing amplified music at excessive volume during late-night hours. These disturbances have interfered with neighboring tenants’ quiet enjoyment and violate the Lease and the building’s House Rules. The conduct also conflicts with local noise regulations (including New York City “quiet hours” typically observed between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.).

Specific Incidents:
  • Thursday, September 12, 2025 — 11:45 p.m.–1:20 a.m.: Multiple complaints from 4th-floor and 5th-floor residents (Apts. 4A, 5B) regarding subwoofer bass and loud vocals emanating from Apt. 4B.
  • Saturday, September 14, 2025 — 12:10 a.m.–2:05 a.m.: Building superintendent (Luis Reyes) documented sustained high-volume music. Management received three written complaints and a video clip.
  • Wednesday, September 18, 2025 — 11:30 p.m.–12:40 a.m.: NYPD non-emergency call logged by Apt. 4A; quiet returned briefly, then resumed. Superintendent notes on file.

We previously emailed warning notices on September 15, 2025 and September 19, 2025, reminding you of your obligations and requesting immediate compliance.

Lease & House Rule Violations

Your conduct violates:

  • Quiet Enjoyment / Nuisance: Prohibiting behavior that unreasonably disturbs other occupants, including amplified music at disruptive volumes.
  • House Rules (Noise): Requiring residents to keep music and gatherings at reasonable levels and to avoid audible disturbances, particularly during overnight hours.
Required Cure: What You Must Do

You are hereby directed to cure the above defaults within seven (7) days after service of this Notice by doing all of the following:

  1. Cease playing amplified music, bass-heavy audio, or hosting gatherings that cause noise to be audible in common areas or neighboring apartments, especially between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
  2. Maintain reasonable volume for all music and media at all times. If you use speakers or a subwoofer, install vibration pads and keep bass settings low enough to be inaudible outside your apartment.
  3. Confirm in writing to management (email acceptable) within the cure period that you will comply going forward.
  4. Avoid recurrence: No further noise violations may occur after the cure period ends.
Failure to Cure

If you fail to cure within the seven-day period, the Landlord may serve a Notice of Termination and commence a holdover proceeding in housing court to recover possession of the Premises, in addition to any other remedies available under the Lease and applicable law (including recovery of legal fees, if provided by the Lease).

Access & Contact

If you need reasonable time to implement noise-reduction measures or to review House Rules, contact Riverside Management Group at (212) 555-0142 or notices@riversidemanage.com within 48 hours of receipt of this Notice. We are available to clarify expectations so this matter can be resolved without further action.

Date: September 26, 2025

By: ____________________
LANDLORD / MANAGING AGENT
Hudson Heights Properties LLC

When the Tenant Refuses to Stop

If the tenant ignores your notice and continues playing music at disruptive levels, serve a notice to quit or termination notice. This warns that their lease is ending because of repeated violations. If they still refuse to comply, file an eviction case in housing court. New York law requires due process, but courts regularly treat repeated noise violations as valid grounds for eviction. Taken together, these steps explain how to stop a tenant from playing loud music in New York when warnings have not worked.

Using Local Authorities for Support

While the landlord-tenant process is the primary enforcement tool, you also have help from local authorities. Police and code enforcement officers can issue citations under local noise ordinances. These reports serve as strong evidence that the tenant is breaking both the law and the lease. Even if you do not go to court immediately, a noise violation on record often encourages tenants to take your warnings seriously.

Documenting the Noise Problem

Documentation is essential. Keep a written log of dates, times, and descriptions of the noise. Save complaints from neighbors, emails, or texts related to the issue. If police or building security are called, obtain copies of their reports. If you move forward with eviction or need to respond to a counterclaim, this record shows you acted fairly and that the problem was real and ongoing. Thorough, time-stamped documentation is often the deciding factor in how to stop a tenant from Playing loud music in New York.

Legal Remedies for Landlords in New York

To stop a tenant from playing loud music in New York, landlords can rely on three key remedies:

  1. Lease enforcement through notices to cure and quit.
  2. Eviction proceedings for repeated or serious violations.
  3. Local ordinance enforcement through noise complaints to the police or city code offices.

By combining lease rights with municipal enforcement, landlords have a strong framework to protect other tenants and maintain peace in their buildings.

Conclusion

Dealing with a noisy tenant can be frustrating, but landlords in New York have effective legal tools to stop a tenant from playing loud music after quiet hours. Start with a clear notice, document everything, and be prepared to escalate to eviction if necessary. By following the proper steps, you not only resolve the issue but also protect your property, your other tenants, and your own peace of mind.