Dealing with Noisy Neighbours
Hi. I used to live in a flat in Oxford with my (now) wife. It was our first rental property together and we were really pleased to have found it. It was far and away the nicest place in our budget that we had seen - it was big enough, in a good location with good cycle routes and bus services into the city, and it had a great big garden which we loved. But it also came with a problem which was that it was the downstairs flat in a converted house and there was no sound insulation - and I mean none at all, zero, zip, nada sound insulation between the upstairs flat and ours.
Noisy neighbours
When we first moved in there was a couple upstairs that were about to move and quite frankly we could not be bothered to kick up a fuss when we knew they would only be there for another couple of weeks. We thought they were just inconsiderate and that the noise issue would be no more when new, nicer neighbours moved in to replace them. The upstairs flat then remained empty for about 6 weeks, maybe 2 months and in that time we really loved our place. Then a young newly wed couple moved in upstairs. They were very pleasant and when, as soon as they moved in, the noise started bothering us we mentioned it to them and they made a conscious effort to keep quiet. The thing was neither they nor we understood the true extent of the problem. After several weeks of us asking them to keep it down and them saying they were doing their best we finally grasped how bad the lack of insulation was - the fella was upstairs on his own with no T.V. or music on, his mobile phone was sitting on their coffee table on silent and my wife and I were sitting downstairs reading the paper when we heard his mobile phone (and I mean we really clearly heard it!) vibrating on the table! It was at this stage we realised that the problem was fatal!
What to do about noisy neighbours, and approaching your Landlord
We had exhausted all possibilities with simple solutions to the noise problem coming through the ceiling from the upstairs flat into our flat. There was just no way that negotiating with our neighbours upstairs could help the noise pollution problem. We had already raised the issue with the landlord over the phone and he had (understandably) told us to talk to the neighbours about it. Understanding, as we now did, that that was never going to resolve the issue we wrote to the landlord explaining the extent of the problem, informing him that it was completely unacceptable to us and offering a couple of ideas for solutions that we had thought of - namely laying nice thick carpets upstairs or installing some kind of sound insulation between the flats. We also asked his ideas on the problem. His response was that it would be too expensive and we needed to find our own solution. The second letter we wrote was a little more, erm, direct shall we say?! We explained again that we had tried and failed with simple solutions to the noise pollution from our neighbours, that the problem was structural and therefore his responsibility and also that if failed to resolve the issue which was completely intolerable to us that we would need for him to either allow us to break our lease without penalty or find us suitable accommodation in another of his properties. After the third letter our landlord got the message that we would not give up, that the noise pollution problem with our neighbours was not something we would ever accept. He showed us another flat he had on the market but it was just too small so he allowed us to break our lease without penalty. We moved out after six months of living there. It was a real shame for us though - we had really enjoyed living there until our neighbours moved in but unless the landlord had invested in soundproofing it was not somewhere we could have stayed. We actually really lucked out though - we moved out just before leaving for a worldwide trip lasting a month, so didn't have to pay any rent while we were away and then when we got back we found a really nice place really quickly so it all ended well in the end.
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Date Added: Tuesday 27th October 2009
"I live in a converted groundfloor flat and remember being so excited when about to move in - buying new sofa and constantly thinking about living there until the first night we moved in and heard the the noise from people walking upstairs. That was the most depressing night of my life as soon as moved in wanted to move out. We were on a 2 year mortgage so we could not move out until that was up and that was a year ago. Our flat is now on the market and am desperate to move. I have hurled myself agaisnt the walls, punched the ceiling and nearly broke my wrist due to absolute frustration, anxiety and stress, not come home and gone to bed at 8.30pm with earplugs so I didn't have to listen to a noise which was at best irritaing to absolute soul destroying depending on what was going on upstairs. I have feared for my health and only yesterday thought I should go to the doctors to get anti depressants. I spoke to someone yesterday and she reminded me that it was just a phase in my life and nothing is forever. Reading what others have written I truely hope you get it sorted too as we deserve to live in a safe and relexed environment"
jamie
Date Added: Thursday 8th October 2009
"My idea is to fine noisy neighbours or inconsiderate business a set fine each time they make noise. This will give power back to the police and should sort out the problem quickly. If you agree with my please sign my petition to the prime minister here: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/NoiseFine/ I know it probably wont make any difference but we have to at least try. "
james
Date Added: Tuesday 7th July 2009
"The whole situation is absolutely ridiculous. I have been told that if I were in Council accommodation something could be done but because it is Private - nothing - same building structure though. With the Government taking cuts from anything that moves called rental/landlord/rent etc, it is surely time for them to do something about residents who live above suffering others. I have even OFFERED to PAY for the insulation above me so that I can get some peace and quiet"
Deb
Date Added: Friday 3rd July 2009
"http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Noise-law1/ IF EVERYONE WHO HAS FACEBOOK OR BEBO PASTE THIS ON THERE PAGE WE WOULD GET MORE PEOPLE TO SIGN I HAVE JUST DONE THIS COME ON EVERYONE "
MICHELLE CARMICHAEL
Date Added: Thursday 28th May 2009
"My situation is so very similar to yours. I am living on the ground floor and although my neighbours (a couple with 2 young children)are aware of the sound proofing issue, they still continue invite all their friends and family with children to play football in the flat. This evening I counted 7 young children and 3 sets of parents. The noise was just horrendous. They were climbing and jumping off furniture, throwing items against the walls and smashing item on the bathroom and kitchen floors which are not carpeted. This continued for hours. I spoken to them on numerous occasions but it just gets worse. What can I do ?"
K
Date Added: Thursday 28th May 2009
"I am so in the same position, screaming child, banging on ceiling no interest from the managing agent or freeholder to put underlay down, so decide to try and get legislation changed, please sign my petition to number 10. Trying to change current legislation and the law would help so many people in the same position, pass to everyone you know. Your petition has been approved by the Number 10 web team, and is now available on the Number 10 website at the following address: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Noise-law1/"
Sheila
Date Added: Monday 25th May 2009
"Im glad Im not the only one who has extremely noisy neighbours, about three months ago a family moved in with three kids (I think) and the vibrations of constant running almost every hour of the day except school time is excruciating and creates a great deal of anxiety. I noticed cracks in the ceiling - thats how bad it is becoming, I spoke to the mother twice and my wife once but to no avail. I have also written a letter - I cant understand how some people living in flats above each other can be so inconsiderate to others. We are at our wits end with what else we can do."
SM
Date Added: Monday 25th May 2009
"I moved in to my 2-bed semi just under a year ago and apart for the odd barking dog and stereo from nearby it's been great. I had the perfect neighbour until he moved in with his girlfriend and rented out his house to a single mum with two teenage boys. The 17yr old is unemployed so spends his days sleeping but by night is constantly opening and closing the patio door which is vibrating right through to the bedroom..came to ahead last week when this was going on at 4am. I have spoken to the Mum a couple of times but get the feeling her sons are just too precious to be troublemakers so it continues. The 14yr is now drinking beer outside with his mates so I've decided now to sell..just hope all this hasn't greatly reduced my house value..now looking at a place in the country for the peace and quiet."
P Miller
Date Added: Friday 15th May 2009
"Trying to decide whether to move house - because of noise. Absolutely at my wits end, tearful, panicky and lonely. I live in Belgium, where you have to give 3 months' notice to your landlord to move. But landlords expect you to rent within 1 month of seeing the property - so you can't find a new place until after you have handed in notice on your current flat, making it quite a gamble to move. And there are hefty penalties if you don't find a new tenant for your flat. And, hardest of all for me, I am extremely busy with work in the next few months and I just haven't the time. I live in an old (terrace) house that has been subdivided into flats. Since I moved in, a year ago, the landlord has been doing constant building works above and below, knocking down walls, creating new rooms, building extensions, laying flooring, etc. etc. This happens Monday-Saturday, and very occasionally Sunday, in breach of our tenancy agreement. They've even let one builder move in to one of their flats...so he can work even longer hours. For all that, the landlord is friendly and, I think, well-intentioned. He does apologise for the noise. But it just keeps on.. The soundproofing in the house is zero. All floors are laminate. The landlord has installed a friend of his in the flat upstairs from mine, even while the work continues. This friend is considerate about noise, which is great. But he smokes, and I can smell his smoke in my flat. Also, he seems to have the keys to my flat...don't understand why. Either the landlord must have given it to him, or our locks are the same (possible as it was once one house). He's probably a lovely chap, but I just find it a bit creepy. Downstairs, I also have new neighbours. They seemed respectable when they moved in. But now I find the son - in his 30s - plays incredibly loud music. This went on for some time today, at a volume which made it impossible for me to listen to TV on headphones. So I went down and knocked. No response. Knocked louder. No response again. Since the new neighbours moved in downstairs, I've been especially careful, taking my shoes off when I get in, using headphones etc. so as not to disturb them. I could complain to the landlord - again - but I seem to write to them every week, and I am afraid they will think I am paranoid! It's a particular problem because I work from home - or at least I could - some of the time. It's a terribly hard decision to make: to move or not to move. I might end up with the same problems again. I've noone to discuss this with. What do you think?"
Emily
Date Added: Thursday 7th May 2009
"I am looking for people who have suffered from noisy neighbours for a an item on a television show. We want to give advice to viewers about how to deal with the problem. If you are someone who has or is dealing with noise problems then please give Ian a call on 02078277224. "
Ian Lynch
Date Added: Thursday 30th April 2009
"I have bought a leasehold in a quiet leafy neighbourhood. 6 months into this the flat below has been rented to a couple with 2 young children. Gratefully they have to sleep sometime so no noise from 11pm to 7.30am. But outside these hours every actions creates some sort of noise. Banging doors (100 times a day), screaming kids (400 screams at very high pitched levels per day), wardrobe doors banging, even playing football in the flat.....you get the idea. I don't think older flats are designed for kids, but even with kids you need to consider everyone who live around you. I have mentioned it to the management company, they sent a letter, no difference. I have spoken to them, no difference. I have tried using my mobile to record the constant screaming, running, banging, but the equipment isn't advanced enough to capture vibration, etc... don't know what to do as the noise is generally between 7.30am and 11pm and outside generally accepted sleep time. but I work from home and it impacts significantly on my life!! I know spend weekend at friends, work in my kitchen [small & cramped] and also my evenings, with the radio on high to drown out the shouting, but this still doesn't mask the vibrations."
billyboy
Date Added: Thursday 9th April 2009
"I live in a 2nd floor flat, and its lke a living nightmare! I dread going home from work, because of the noise, which is mainly music. My whole flat vibrates - the radiators literally bounce! She does not care what time of day or night she blares it, and if it isn't music, its banging, shouting, fighting...you name it, it happens. It's a Housing Association property, and I have contacted them on several occassions, only to be told that certain levels of noise are acceptable. Yeah, you get noise living in flats, but I dont wanna be woken up at 2am, 3am etc with music pounding through my floor. I mentioned sound-proofing to the H.A., as these places are paper thin, and they refuse to do anything. The problem has escalated now - I was so cheesed off one night with her music, I banged on the floor, then she had the cheek to knock on MY door telling me to keep the noise down!! A few choice words were said, believe me. And what do my H.A. say? They want me to go to mediation!! That seems to be the answer to everything!! I refused - why should I mediate with someone who knows what the problem is, yet still carries on her music etc, without consideration for anybody else! And why should I have to take time off from work, for something which would just be a waste of time and energy. My Tenancy Agreement is not worth the paper its written on, saying that though, if I was to not pay my rent for a month, I'm sure the H.A. would soon be on my case! Oh, it's now 22.39hrs, and the music is pounding again.....looks like I'm gonna have a great weekend!!"
Lorraine
Date Added: Wednesday 1st April 2009
"I am amazed there are people living in the same conditions as us. We are council tenants in a 2 bed flat with private landlord upstairs. He moved a lady with 4 children (& their friends at weekends)into the 2 bed flat above us and the noise is horrendous. We have been in touch with ASBO dept and all council depts that will listen but no-one seems to care as long as the rent's paid. We have asked the council to soundproof the flat (obvious explanation to solve the problem) but they refuse to do this as it costs money! I constantly feel like I am taking a nervous breakdown. We pay full rent-upstairs doesn't- now we are looking to soundproof flat ourselves as council wont move us-adequately housed they say! This is how I found this page on internet-looking for help on soundproofing! Something by law should be done about this to help us all live in peace!"
K Cavell
Date Added: Tuesday 10th March 2009
"well i am glad i am not the only one, my parents had 2 flats and they where selling up i took on the smaller one and they sold the top one to a couple with a young child, before we sold the top flat we went through it an put down sound proof underlay and a basic but good quality carpet we tested it out with tv`s talking jumping around and there was virtually no sound at all,well the couple upstairs moved in a few months before me all was fine then i heard them doing some diy,and then i noticed there was a lot more noise especially foot steps and doors closing,well eventually at certain times of the day the noise was so bad i had to leave and go out,i made a nice complaint by letter just pointing out how things have got very noisy from above,i had no reply,6 months later i saw them load a a van up and they had gone with out a word, next thing i new i had a young couple expecting a baby in 4 weeks move in they also moved his parents in and they noise was horrendous then they got a parrot which his parents owned when they owned the local boozer so i had four adults living above me a new born child and a parrot who new every swear word on the planet and the local football chant "green army green army" i now have discover that the couple my parents sold the flat too have removed all carpet and under lay and replaced with laminate flooring the young couple now living there with one set of parents are related to the owners. i've had 2 bust ups about the noise and they retaliated with more noise and telling me i live in a flat what du ya expect. ive tried to contact the free holder but but the tenants upstairs wont give me a contact number or address. they also have a habit of coming back from there pub tanked up to the hills at 2:30 and carry on partying until 5am the last time i counted possible up to 8 people, i ended up getting up and hammering on my ceiling which in response i got a lot of laughter and more banging from above. i was just about phone the police when i heard there front door and there guests left. At the moment i feel worthless i hate coming home especially having to be in my flat in the evenings when the noise is at its worse, i've cotacted the EHO and they weren't that sympathetic, unfortunately the noise isn't every night, sometimes i get 3 to 4 days of bad noise then i might 2 days acceptable levels then a day of really bad noise and so you just cant pin it down to every night or just at week ends,oh and did mention the diy from 1730 until 2330 which they like to do on the odd occasions, anyway thanks for listening i thought i was on my own."
Brian
Date Added: Sunday 7th September 2008
"i sympathise with you for what you went through. i am going through a similar problem in that the flat where i live in wembley is badly insulated to the extent that whenever a neighbour moves his or her chair across the floor (which drives me crazy with frustration) i can hear it even though i live at the top of a four flat estate. these smaller estates were meant to be the long awaited answer to the incredibly bad estates that were created in the 1960s. i had the misfortune of living on chalkhill estate from the late 1980's to early 2000 and believe me that estate was really bad. kids playing football in the walk ways which made it impossible to sit in my flat and quietly watch tv because i would be constantly disturbed by the shout of feet running and balls bouncing of the walls, as well as the kids shouting and screaming. add to that the people next door scraping chairs across uncarpeted floors day and night, plus coackroach investation, mice,and pigeons....it is a wonder i didn't have a breakdown? now i am living where i am now and slowly but surely it is starting to turn into a chalkhill estate part 2. i can sit here in my living room and hear the sound of kids running up and down in their flat next door. as well as the persistant chair dragger oh and i not long discovered that i have mice infestation : ( this is the reality of housing association and council housing in london today. but it need not be like this but when you have builders contractors trying to cut corners and save money and meet government targets, your always gonna have bad housing. bad in poor sound insulation, and bad in the lack of heat insulation. i bet if someone did a simple test on these estates to see if they are properly insulated, i would not be surprised if all failed because this is the standard in london. just like to expect to see staight uncracked pavements is too much to ask, likewise, to expect housing to be of sound quality is to expect too much. not surprising then that rates of depression and frustration are most likely higher in london than anywhere else where standards are high and maintained. "
curcio
Date Added: Tuesday 8th July 2008
"I have exactly the same problem as your daughter - I live in a leasehold flat which I own. An elderly lady used to live upstairs and it was lovely and quite. I admit she used to have her TV on quite loud as she was hard of hearing, but it didn't bother me that much. Then a new young couple moved in. From day 1 they have been making noise all the time. If it's not him stomping about, they're dropping things on the floor, moving furniture, loud TV, talking very loudly when they have guests and to top it off they've just had a baby who cries constantly. I have approached them several times over the last couple of years but they always seem to retaliate buy making an even bigger noise. As there is no landlord, it seems even worse, as there is no-one really to go to. For example, when they moved in, they went out one night. When they came home at 1:15 in the morning, they 'forgot' to put their new bed together so proceeded to hammer and crash at it for an hour! It is really getting on my nerves and I don't see why I should move after 6 years. I completely understand your daughters predicament and greatly sympathise with her."
Kezza
Date Added: Tuesday 17th June 2008
"this sounds just like my daughters flat, except that she bought her flat leasehold. The previous owner had said she could 'occasionally' hear upstairs but boy was she lying!! You can as you say hear their mobile phone vibrating. They also have a one year old and laminate flooring all over!! its like the ceiling is coming in 24/7 its a nightmare and looks like she is going to have to move. She tried to discuss it nicely but once she did they just got noisier, ie putting his work boots on and stomping on the floor. nice people huh? "
J Bragg