An argument between neighbours over noise in an apartment complex has sparked furious debate online about who is in the wrong.
The issue began when one resident found a note stuck to their door from a neighbour complaining about excessive noise.
The resident posted an image of the “super passive aggressive” online to seek feedback and advice from the public about how best to approach the situation.
“I asked to please stop your stomping, and it seems the message did not come across to you. So I ask again to respect your neighbours and be conscious of your actions,” the note read.
The noise complaints highlight a growing issue in Australia as apartment living continues to boom across the country.
Housing Industry Association figures released last year forecast 6.5 per cent growth in apartment construction in 2026, accelerating towards almost 100,000 new builds annually by the end of the decade.
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The ‘passive aggressive’ note was found stuck to the apartment door. Picture: Supplied
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The resident said the note was found the same day they had also received a formal complaint from their landlord.
“My roommate was home for only an hour and said he may have made some noise when taking off his boots,” the resident said.
“In less than an hour we got this stuck to our door. It’s the second noise complaint note we’ve received in the middle of the day.
“Now it feels like I can’t even walk around my apartment anymore.”
The resident said the complaints were even more frustrating given they lived in an older apartment block and had taken steps to reduce noise as much as possible.
“I’ve literally started tiptoeing around and we have lots of rugs in the living room and carpets in our bedrooms. I don’t know how much more we can even do to reduce the noise,” they said.
The noise issue quickly captured the attention of hundreds of readers, with the majority siding quickly with the resident and slamming their unreasonable neighbour.
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Apartment living is becoming more common in Australia as construction ramps up.
“Nobody has to relearn how to walk in order to live in an apartment,” one person said.
“It’s really not reasonable to expect someone above you to make no noise at all, especially during daytime hours,” said another.
“The amount of people who seem to move into apartment buildings expecting complete silence 24/7 is mind-boggling,” another person posted.
One commenter even suggested the resident fire back with a formal complaint of their own.
“I’d escalate this by sending in a formal complaint of my own against my neighbour being hostile and preventing me from enjoying the use of my home,” they said.
While noise regulations in Australia can vary for apartment block to apartment block based on specific Strata by-laws, there are universal restrictions that apply.
In NSW, music can’t be played before 8am and after midnight on Friday and Saturday or 10pm the rest of the week.
Power tools and garden equipment can’t be used after 8pm.
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