noise problems with neighbors - what can be done.

[andye30m3]

I've got some major noise issues with the new tenants above me.

I'm on the first floor of a block of converted flats, the original house was built around 1890 and the conversion was done in the 70's and not very well.

When I first moved in there was an old guy upstairs who never really made much noise and therefore everything was fine until he moved to Germany to live with his son.

ever since his son has been renting the flat out to various tenants.

The latest ones are a nightmare just so noisy, mainly due to kids running around upstairs all evening.

No I don't expect anyone to sit around in silence so am quite prepared to pay to upgrade the partly floor. Its the impact sound which is the biggest issue.

Any I approached the landlord with regards to upgrading the floor and got a very negative response. What I would like to do is replace the existing floor boards upstairs with something along the lines of http://www.hush.uk.com/systems/hush-system-2003.ph...

I see this as having minimal impact to the flat above and hopefully greatly improving the noise reduction.

I think they guy's above reluctance was down to him thinking I'd expect him to pay for it as he's a bit of a st when in come to money. We looked as selling some of the grounds, had a price agreed with a purchaser and he went back behind our backs and tried to double the price.

Is there anything I can do to make him give me access to carryout upgrading works?, I do have the joy of being the chairman of the residents committee if that makes any odds.

Edited to amend lack of understanding of the English language by andye30m3 on Friday 2nd October 11:39

Edited by andye30m3 on Friday 2nd October 11:40

[Simpo Two]

I guess it comes down to what's in your contract. Personally if my tenant wants to make the property better at their own expense, then as long as I like what they're doing I'd be daft to stop them.



Love 'comity' BTW!

[andye30m3]

sorry what I'm asking is that as the owner of an adjoining property can I make him give me access to upgrade the sound proofing?

so long as there is no negative impact on his property

[Wings]

For noise pollution advice talk to your local Council’s Environmental Office, they have wide ranging powers, that can even stop a landlord renting the flat out.

They will even carry out sound acoustic engineering tests in both flats.

[MrV]

If you are in an older place have you the height in your rooms to carry out sound proofing from underneath ?(Very quick breakdown) you would need to leave a gap in between the existing ceiling and a new suspended one ,install soundproofing in that then tack it with 2 layers of sound proof plasterboard and skim it.

Its more expensive but means you do not have to get involved with the upstairs owner.

[andye30m3]

MrV said:

If you are in an older place have you the height in your rooms to carry out sound proofing from underneath ?(Very quick breakdown) you would need to leave a gap in between the existing ceiling and a new suspended one ,install soundproofing in that then tack it with 2 layers of sound proof plasterboard and skim it.

Its more expensive but means you do not have to get involved with the upstairs owner.

Would that not be more appropriate to stop air bourne sound e.g. TV, music, speaking although that is a bit of a problem its insignificant compared to the impact noise of walking, running and jumping of sofa's and beds.

I was looking at using a layer or 2 sound block on my ceilings in addition to the boards on top

[MrV]

andye30m3 said:

MrV said:

If you are in an older place have you the height in your rooms to carry out sound proofing from underneath ?(Very quick breakdown) you would need to leave a gap in between the existing ceiling and a new suspended one ,install soundproofing in that then tack it with 2 layers of sound proof plasterboard and skim it.

Its more expensive but means you do not have to get involved with the upstairs owner.

Would that not be more appropriate to stop air bourne sound e.g. TV, music, speaking although that is a bit of a problem its insignificant compared to the impact noise of walking, running and jumping of sofa's and beds.

I was looking at using a layer or 2 sound block on my ceilings in addition to the boards on top

It does kill impact sound as well as air borne although you will get some transference through shared walls what ever you do,the ideal solution and the one we use at work when converting units into flats is to do both the floor above and the ceiling below,not much good to you if the upstairs owner will not give you the go ahead.

[schmokin1]

i presume you have checked your deeds (or if you are on the ground floor, a friendly neighbour's who is above ground floor) for any restrictions on having baer floors/floorboards? In our old flat, owners were not allowed NOT to have carpet by covenant on the deeds...

[andye30m3]

schmokin1 said:

i presume you have checked your deeds (or if you are on the ground floor, a friendly neighbour's who is above ground floor) for any restrictions on having baer floors/floorboards? In our old flat, owners were not allowed NOT to have carpet by covenant on the deeds...

He has got carpet and as he keeps telling me very good underlay as if thats going to do anything.

I know a bit about specifying acoustic floors but what i need to know is if I can force this guy to give me access to fit it.

[T_Pot]

no you cant, sorry

[Pupp]

If the landlord is not receptive to assisting in resolving the issue, try involving the council. Depending on levels and frequency (ie how often you are distrubed), it could be that a statutory nuisance exists that can be actioned by the local authority. Difficulty (for them) is in dealing with it in a way that avoids penalising the upper neighbour for 'normal' living activity but it can be done. Worth remembering that where an EHO witnesses a stat nuisance, the authority is obliged to issue an abatement notice by law