Handling a noise issue with a neighbour

Situation

A noise problem with a neighbour calls for tact. This dialogue shows how to raise the issue politely and find a compromise.

The roles

• You
  Listen

  Bonsoir, je suis votre voisin du dessous. Auriez-vous une minute ?

  Good evening, I'm your downstairs neighbour. Would you have a minute?

• The neighbour
  Listen

  Bien sûr, entrez. Il y a un problème ?

  Of course, come in. Is something wrong?

• You
  Listen

  Rien de grave, mais la musique se rend assez fort le soir, surtout après 22 h.

  Nothing serious, but the music carries quite loudly in the evening, especially after 10 p.m.

• The neighbour
  Listen

  Ah, je suis vraiment désolé, je ne m'en rendais pas compte.

  Oh, I'm really sorry, I hadn't realized.

• You
  Listen

  Ce n'est pas grave, ça arrive. Je voulais simplement vous en parler avant que ça devienne un irritant.

  It's all right, it happens. I just wanted to mention it before it became an irritant.