Harassed by Downstairs Neighbor for Normal Footsteps. Now Police Were Called While We Slept. What Are Our Options?

Location: California

Hi everyone,

My partner and I have lived in the same apartment since 2019 with zero prior issues. Over the past six months, a new downstairs neighbor has been harassing us over normal living noises, specifically footsteps. We don’t throw parties, we don’t stomp around, and we even avoid wearing shoes inside. Despite that, the neighbor has:

• Cornered us in the elevator and berated us for 45 minutes
• Filed repeated complaints that have resulted in written warnings from management
• Claimed we were making noise while we were literally out of town
• Most recently, called the police on us while we were asleep

We’ve gone to management repeatedly, and while they acknowledge our side privately, they continue to enable this neighbor by issuing notices and taking no meaningful action. We now feel unsafe in shared spaces and uncomfortable in our own home.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation? Is there anything we can do legally to protect ourselves or hold management accountable? We’re documenting everything now and considering escalating, but would love advice on next steps or potential legal resources.