Living in apartment complexes requires a delicate balance of tolerance and consideration. The sounds of everyday life often become the background music to our existence, whether it's the clinking of dishes, the chatter of conversation, or the occasional thud of a dropped book.​

However, when the volume of these sounds increases, it can disrupt harmony and lead to tension among neighbours.

An incident that occurred in the bustling suburbs of Meadowbank in Sydney’s west started a debate among Aussies. A man's 'exceptionally loud' habit has raised the question: when does a personal activity cross the line into antisocial behaviour?


A resident captured footage of his neighbour, a passionate vocalist, practising vocal scales in his apartment.

The singer's powerful voice didn't just fill his own living space; it echoed through the courtyard and into the surrounding apartment blocks.


‘The gentleman in question carries out the same scale over and over for approximately one and a half hours every Sunday,’ the neighbour said online.

‘Would it be fair to politely ask him to partake in his vocal practice somewhere else?’, he continued.

The resident admitted that he got irritated with his neighbours singing and asked others if it was considered ‘antisocial behaviour’ to ask him to refrain.


The singing neighbour footage quickly became a topic of conversation, with Aussies divided in their opinions. While some acknowledged the man's talent, praising his 'great voice’, they also empathised with the frustration of hearing the same scales on repeat every weekend.

'Oh jeez, that would do my head in after five minutes,' one said.

Others saw the situation in a different light, suggesting that such experiences are part of ‘apartment living’.


A few even found a silver lining, with one person humorously saying, ‘Complimentary concert, no need to go to the Opera House.’

But not everyone was amused. Some labelled the practice as a 'terrible nuisance' and said the singer should at least ‘close his windows’.

Deciding if noise from a neighbour is unacceptable can be challenging since the criteria vary between councils and building strata schemes. One resident handled a similar situation differently by resorting to passive-aggressive notes to his noisy neighbours.


In the City of Ryde, where the operatic rehearsals took place, council guidelines advise residents to assess if the noise is significantly louder than the background noise, has any irritating qualities like tone or suddenness, and to consider its frequency and the number of people affected.

Residents can report such noise complaints to the council, which will then investigate the matter. Alternatively, the issue could be referred into the buildings strata board.



Have you ever experienced a similar situation with a noisy neighbour? How did you handle it? Did you approach them directly, or did you seek assistance from your local council or strata board? Share your stories with us in the comments below.