When Renovations Disrupt: The Battle Over Noise in Lithuania

When Renovations Disrupt: The Battle Over Noise in Lithuania

The Noise of Renovation: A Personal Struggle

Imagine living next to a construction site, not for a few weeks or months, but for over a year. This is the reality for one resident in Vilnius, Lithuania, who has been enduring the racket from a neighboring apartment’s renovation process. The complainant, referred to as Vilniete in this report, has found her daily life significantly disrupted by the incessant noise.

Adding to her frustration, Vilniete revealed that the apartment undergoing renovation was purchased by a foreigner, who is frequently absent from the residence, instead choosing to rent it out to tourists.

Violation of Construction Hours: A Silent Law?

Further exacerbating the situation is the blatant disregard for legal construction hours. Vilniete lamented that the construction work not only takes place during weekdays but spills over into evenings and weekends, flouting the regulations. Despite her best efforts to negotiate with the flat owner and involve authorities such as the police and the public health center, she has received no substantive help.

According to Lithuanian law, repairs in an apartment building may be carried out on weekdays from 7 am to 8 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Violation of these hours can lead to a fine. However, the effectiveness of this law heavily depends on the cooperation of the neighbors and the community.

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Expert Opinions: Legal and Community Perspectives

Giedrius Ambrozaitis, a lawyer, opined that the aggrieved neighbor has the right to call the police during non-working hours. If the police do not respond, the person can turn to the court. A civil lawsuit can be filed for damages and for disturbing the peace.

Adding to this, Raimondas Pilkauskas, the head of the Association of Apartment Building Communities, advised that such noise disputes can be avoided if the community cooperates. He suggested pre-construction discussions within the community and emphasized on reaching compromises and agreements to prevent such conflicts. He also advised that if disputes persist, the matter can be taken to court.

(Read Also: Unraveling Lithuania’s Law Enforcement: A Tale of Disparity and Dissatisfaction)

Cooperation and Respect: The Path Forward

What emerges from the story is the importance of neighborly respect and adherence to construction hours during renovations. The onus lies on neighbors to communicate and cooperate before starting any construction work. Effective implementation of the law is also crucial in preventing such conflicts.

In cases where disputes persist, legal channels such as filing a civil lawsuit can be explored to resolve the issue. This story underscores the importance of respecting the peace and tranquility of residential areas, and the need for stringent enforcement of laws to ensure the same.

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