Noise & Nuisance Policy

Purpose:

This policy establishes standards for acceptable noise levels and conduct at all residential properties managed by The Lucas Organization, LLC. Every tenant has the right to quiet enjoyment of their home, and every tenant shares the responsibility of preserving that right for their neighbors. This policy ensures compliance with Massachusetts law and the City of Boston noise ordinance while maintaining a respectful and peaceful living environment for all residents.

1. Quiet Hours

All tenants are required to observe quiet hours during the following times:

During quiet hours, tenants must keep all noise — including music, television, conversation, and any other sound-producing activity — at a level that cannot be heard in neighboring units or common areas.

2. General Noise Standards

At all times — not only during quiet hours — tenants are expected to maintain reasonable noise levels that do not interfere with the comfort or quiet enjoyment of other residents. The following standards apply at all hours:

• Music, television, and audio equipment must be kept at a volume that does not penetrate walls, floors, or ceilings into neighboring units.
• Bass-heavy audio equipment and subwoofers must be used at low levels at all times.
• Loud conversations, shouting, or raised voices in units or common areas are prohibited when they can be heard by neighboring tenants.
• Power tools, drills, hammers, and other construction-related equipment may only be used between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM on weekdays and between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM on weekends.
• Moving furniture or heavy objects must be done with care to minimize impact noise transmitted through floors.

3. Prohibited Nuisance Conduct

The following conduct is strictly prohibited at all times and constitutes a nuisance under this policy and Massachusetts law:

• Hosting parties or gatherings that generate noise audible outside the unit.
• Playing musical instruments at a volume that disturbs neighboring tenants.
• Allowing pets to bark, howl, or otherwise create persistent noise disturbances.
• Slamming doors, cabinets, or windows repeatedly.
• Operating appliances (washing machines, dishwashers, etc.) during quiet hours when they produce noise detectable in neighboring units.
• Engaging in or permitting any conduct that constitutes a nuisance under M.G.L. Chapter 139, Section 19.
• Any conduct that threatens the health, safety, or peaceful enjoyment of other tenants.

4. Common Areas

Tenants and their guests must observe the following standards in all common areas, including hallways, stairwells, entryways, laundry rooms, and any shared outdoor spaces:

• Keep voices at a conversational level at all times.
• Do not congregate in hallways or stairwells in a manner that creates noise or blocks passage.
• Do not play music or audio through speakers in common areas without prior written approval from management.
• Do not allow children to run, shout, or play in hallways or stairwells.
• Close entry and exit doors quietly at all times.

5. Guests and Visitors

Tenants are responsible for the conduct of all guests and visitors to their unit. This includes:

• Ensuring guests comply with all provisions of this policy.
• Ensuring guests do not create noise or nuisance in common areas.
• Limiting the number of guests to a reasonable number that does not create a disturbance.
• Ensuring guests depart the property quietly, particularly during quiet hours.

A tenant whose guests violate this policy is subject to the same enforcement consequences as if the tenant had committed the violation directly.

6. Reporting a Noise or Nuisance Complaint

6.1 Reporting to Management:

Tenants who experience a noise or nuisance disturbance are encouraged to report it to property management in writing as soon as possible. Reports should include:

• The date, time, and duration of the disturbance.
• A description of the nature of the noise or nuisance.
• The unit or location from which the disturbance originated, if known.

6.2 Emergency Situations:

If a noise or nuisance situation poses an immediate threat to health or safety, tenants should contact the City of Boston Police Department (non-emergency line: 617-343-4683) or call 911 in the case of an emergency before contacting management.

6.3 City of Boston Noise Ordinance:

Tenants may also file a complaint with the City of Boston's 311 service for violations of the Boston Noise Ordinance (Boston Municipal Code, Chapter 16, Section 26). Management will cooperate fully with any municipal investigation.

7. Enforcement and Violations

7.1 First Violation:

Upon a confirmed first violation, management will issue a written notice to the tenant identifying the violation and requiring immediate corrective action.

7.2 Repeat Violations:

Repeat violations or failure to cure a violation within the time specified in the notice may result in:

• A formal lease violation notice.
• Fines or fees as permitted under the lease agreement.
• Initiation of eviction proceedings under Massachusetts law.

7.3 Severe Violations:

A single severe violation — including conduct that threatens the safety of other tenants or constitutes a criminal nuisance — may result in immediate lease termination proceedings without a prior warning notice, as permitted by Massachusetts law.

8. Legal Compliance

This policy is intended to comply with all applicable laws, including:

• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186 (landlord-tenant obligations and quiet enjoyment).
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 139, Section 19 (nuisance in tenements).
• City of Boston Noise Ordinance (Boston Municipal Code, Chapter 16, Section 26).
• City of Boston Building and Housing Codes.

9. Contact Information

For questions about this policy or to submit a noise or nuisance complaint, please contact us:

10. Policy Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to ensure compliance with applicable laws and to address the needs of tenants and operations. Tenants will be notified of material changes in writing with reasonable advance notice as required by Massachusetts law.

Effective Date: 23rd day of October 2023