I have a resident who is complaining about her neighbor's Christmas lights. She says it keeps her from sleeping.

I have a resident who is complaining about her neighbor's Christmas lights. She says it keeps her from sleeping because the lights shine into her window. However the lights that are next to her living room not the bedroom. She has alienated several of her neighbors since her move in because she complains so much and also glares at people when they come out of their own Apartments. We are having a decorating contest as we do every year. I sent out a recommendation that people turn their lights off by 10:00 p.m. but it's not a requirement. How would you handle this. The other residents have been here for 7 years and have never had a complaint buy any neighbor about them. She moved here 6 months ago and is very difficult to deal with.

If you're feeling especially generous - get her some blackout curtains and/or blinds

But them a $5 timer for their outside lights and ask them if they mind using it. Spend $100 buying a handful of them in the event of other complaints and be done with it.

Black out curtains should do the trick and an attitude adjustment!

Unhappy in life... Some people really do enjoy making others feel uncomfortable .

Tape up some heavy duty aluminum foil over her windows

Tell the resident to get black out curtains

Hand her a calendar and show her how soon Christmas will be over.

If she closed her blinds and curtains at 6p she should have no issue

Let her know the lights will be removed after the holidays

Consider adopting the same policy for lights as you do for noise and activity in the amenity spaces. Yes people can buy their own blackout blinds, but the real question is should they have to? Patio lights are an alteration to the premises in most leases, consider what are reasonable limits to the alterations. Many people have aversions to holiday lights, I am one of those. I would expect my management team to implement reasonable boundaries and limits to alterations that don’t diminish my ability to have peaceful enjoyment of my home.

In 6 months she will be gone.

Sounds like a grinch

Black out curtains as an early Christmas Gift! Scrooge is in the building!!

Few things: 1) Let her know this is temporary (Xmas is literally a week away).2) Ask her to send you photos (if you haven’t asked for proof already).3) Speak with the other resident and just let them know of the complaint and to turn off at 10. (You could provide them with a timer that they return to your offices after Xmas).4) Offer to upgrade blinds, or a window tint/cling. (Home Depot had tinted window cling that just peels off, so it can be removed when she leaves).After you have addressed the issue in one of those ways, let her know you’ve done your part. Any further complaints, and you suggest blackout curtains. Have a few recommendations for her ready to.But I would not buy her curtains. It is not something the property can use. Unless you have a model and wanna use them there.

Allie Gartside yes do not buy the curtains.

Christine Allen Yes, I was taught what you do for one you must do for all. I’m not about to buy everyone curtains lol.

Allie Gartside some would

How bright can the lights possibly be?

Jennifer McCoy normal Christmas lights nothing like the Griswalds Christmas lights.

Does she not have shades in her bedroom to block out the light? How bright are the lights? I don’t foresee anyone in the apartments having a light show on their balcony. It’s the week of Christmas and people will want lights on.

Ivan Molina the lights are not near her bedroom. They are near the living room.

Karin Marquez C Ht then she may be either a Scrooge or she wants attention. I would pay her no mind and just say I’ve spoken to your neighbors and made them aware of the issue that it may cause other neighbors.

It’s Christmas! That’s all……that’s the resolution!

You moved to an apartment… End of discussion…

I had a tenant Like that. After 10 yrs I was so tired of them complaining about every person that ever lived upstairs I didn’t renew their lease.

Belinda Clary Morgan i can believe you waited 10 years...

Jose Maciel I can’t neither.

Every time she calls, thank her for reminding you that her neighbor is participating in the contest. If she keeps it up, tell her to get some curtains. You don’t need to handle this at all. To quote whomever I stole this from - it sounds like she has a homeowner concern in a multifamily environment.

I’m thinking there could be something going on in life that none of us know. We lost my sister on Thanksgiving, it has been very hard for a family member. So much so she wanted to take down Christmas. My same sister had to bury her son several years ago. The first Christmas after it happened, she couldn’t bring herself to decorate or enjoy the lights of the season. I would politely ask if everything is ok with them? If it is then I would say, most enjoy the lights and we haven’t had any other complaints. Perhaps they might enjoy investing in some black out curtains. You can buy at Target or Walmart. If you don’t, the good news is they will be down soon January is right around the corner

Kim Donahoo Garrison my husband died 3 days before Christmas, I don't take it out on other people.

Non renew that Lease

Anonymously leave a night mask at her doorstep

Put aluminum foil on the window that is how we did it in Alaska during summer.

Power play. Ask if she would like to move to another unit. If yes, inform her it will take a couple of weeks.

Close the blinds

No I would definitely not tell a resident to turn their Christmas lights off. Just let her know that wearing an eye mask while sleeping or installing curtains would solve her issue.

Don't renew the lease

Tell her to go kick rocks

You can’t make everyone happy, and some people are just always going to complain. Suggest that you can let her out of her lease, and they can go find a place more to their liking… usually shuts them up.

Black out drapes from the office. Merry Christmas gift. Positive customer service and resolve the issue at the same time win win. I had a roommate like this once. But he was just crazy anyways so 99.99% it's nothing to do with the Christmas lights.Get her some Zzquil as a stocking stuffers

Sounds like fair housing to me. The other family is celebrating a religious holiday and you can't get involved as they are abiding by the lease agreement.

"Grinch" contest winner! I can't wait to get out of this business . I used to adore being the PM, but residents have become more difficult in the past few years. We are expected to deal with people that are mentally and emotionally unstable. We are expected to keep a smile on our face while we are being verbally abused and sometimes physically threatened. No other industry would allow this level of abuse to their workers. We wonder why we can't keep "good" people. It's not comforting being in an office where if you have to tell someone something they don't want to hear that you set yourself up for danger. I'm physically tired of the old adage about "customers" being right. In this day and age it doesn't work anymore.

Amy Gruver amen on that !!

Amy Gruver PREACH!

Most people sleep with their eyes shut. Tell her to try that.

Offer black out shades and a stocking full of coal.

Tell Karen to go volunteer at the homeless shelter and find out what she has to be thankful for!

If she’s this big a “pill” to deal with on a daily basis. Non renew and if you can’t wait that long let her out of her Lease and chalk it up to not a good fit. I had to do that after a week with a feisty old Lady. Peace on the property is under valued. Keep the long term tenants happy too.

Betty Wright "Pita"

Religious Freedom.

I’d recommend some quality blackout curtains and move on. The things people complain about anymore…

Tell her to get some black out curtains.

Do nothing. I value those other residents more than her. Might be a good non renewal when the time comes.

I would tell her that her complaint is not a lease violation and move on.

Some people that act like that r really lonely & would love some company. Why don’t u get a group of maybe 6-8 people & take her some Christmas treats & sing Christmas carols to her. Or some Christmas treats & a red, white & green flower bunch. You may just help her through what might be a very difficult time of year. Merry Christmas!!!

Tell her to stop throwing shade and get some shades

There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING you can do or say to a tenant like that, that is going to satisfy them, I got ride of one 3 months ago, and inadvertently got another... Now I know why it took them so longvto finda a place making 3x the rent and 760 ficos... I would let the complainer know the other tenant are not violation any terms of their contract, and tactfully address with the long term tenant asking them to turn them off at a certain time and provide a timer programed already.I would "Encourage" the complainer to move at reup.

She’s lonely and maybe bitter. Please be patient and kind with her.