Friday, February 28, 2025

Dear Fred (not his real name),

As of today, I’ve been in my apartment for 263 days.

Only 100 days to go (yes, I’m counting the days).

When we spoke about 3 months ago, we discussed possible solutions to my issue with the sound volume from the unit above mine.

I’ve also spoken with the neighbor upstairs who said he had no idea there was a problem even though I’ve complained to your office twice.

At this point, I’m pretty much at wits end.  Granted there weren’t many wits to begin with.

A few months ago, I started using ear plugs to help me sleep – they help a bit but don’t block all the sounds – which include a loud thump that resonates through the ceiling and down the walls, followed by 4 to 6 steps when the neighbor gets out of bed to go to the bathroom.  This happens anywhere from 2 to 4 times a night.

That thud really scares the s****fing out of me and sadly my dog also gets anxious (she may need an Emotional Support Animal of her own soon).

I’ve purchased 4 different types of ear plugs, but none block the sounds from the unit above very well.

Unfortunately, the ear plugs make my ears hurt and I’ve gotten a couple ear infections over the last few months.

I also wear headphones and/or ear buds during the day when the neighbor gets home which is usually announced by a loud bang that resonates through the ceiling and down walls when he slams the door shut.

I sometimes hear my dishes rattle in the cupboard.

The headphones and ear buds hurt my ears after a few hours.

They have also made the tinnitus louder.

Worse, the ear plugs amplify the ringing sound of the tinnitus making it even more noticeable.

I’d been sober (no alcohol, cannabis or cigarettes) for about 3 years; but things have gotten so bad (in my own little mind), that I chose sanity over sobriety.

So last Tuesday, I bought some cannabis edibles and for the first time in almost 9 months, I was able to sleep the whole night (about 7 hours straight).  The edibles have helped a lot over the last week.  The sound level from above woke me up once last night around 4 AM, but I was able to go right back to sleep.

It’s amazing!  I woke up after the first night with the edibles and remembered what it was like to wake up fully rested, which has made such a difference in my morning and throughout the day.

I’d forgotten what it was like to be happy; having been so angry and disappointed in myself for the last 9 months.

So, before I start drinking and smoking cigarettes again (both are now very expensive addictions), I was hoping we could come up with a solution.

If possible, I would like to convert my lease to a month-to-month tenancy so I can start looking for a new place.

I’m still unemployed and Social Security doesn’t even cover the rent.

I’m hoping to find an income and age restricted apartment.

There are actually some new apartments in Lake Forest that one of the neighbors told me about.

Apparently, there are a few of us looking to make a change – can’t say as I blame them.

I completely understand if that’s not an option – a contract is a contract after all, and I will do my best hang on for another 100 days.

Besides, the weather is getting warmer, and the car won’t be so cold at night.

Please let me know if there’s anything that can be worked out.

Sorry for being so long winded, but I tend to ramble and having been unemployed now for almost 2 years, I get a little bored…

Oh, if you really want to see long winded rambling, you can check out my Heritage Park blog.

 My Heritage Park Yelp review.

My Heritage Park Apartments.com review.

Oh, and you can see what a wonder time 2023 and 2024 were on this site.

Oh, Oh, I keep referring to the sound from the apartment above as sound and not noise.

I’ve walked the halls upstairs (I wish I’d done that before signing the lease) and the floors are very soft due to poor quality construction and poor maintenance.

The “noise” is due to the complete lack of insulation between the floors and the wood hitting wood when people are walking around.

The neighbor upstairs also told me that he’s lived in his apartment for 10 years and in those 10 years, the fair quality carpets and padding have never been replaced.

That also explains the wood-on-wood noise.

He also mentioned that he bought rugs to cover up the old carpets.

I sure wish I’d walked the halls and talked to the neighbor before I signed my lease…

Thank you and please let me know if there’s anything that can be worked out,

I chose not to submit this letter to the rental office.

When I complained about the $400 monthly electric bills for the first 2 months after I’d moved in, the management company was kind enough to offer me $600 to help with the costs.

HOWEVER, the expected me to sign a contract that included a “Hold Harmless in Perpetuity” clause for any actual or imagined damages.

The reason the electric bills were so high was because of the Great Flood 2 days after I moved in.

For 2 months I breated in dirty, smelly, rotten, moldy air from the common hallways and my own unit.

I wasn’t going to sign a contract that held the management company harmless in case I cought the cancer or something from the filthy air after the Great Flood.

So, I’ve got 100 days to go.

I will make the best of the Cannabis, ear plugs and headphones/ear buds.

Wish me luck…