Tenants complaining about noisy neighbours

[Onlyaphase]

I had an email this morning from my (relatively new) tenants. They rent a new flat in a new development from me.

It seems their nearest neighbours to the side are creating mess in the communal areas, and noise at random times of night - the email was sent at 2am as the tenant had been woken by them again.

Tenants are obviously stressed and upset by this, as I would be - it is hideous living with noisy neighbours who wake you. I'm less fussed by the mess, more bothered on their behalf by the noise.

However, it seems to me as though the tenants are asking me what steps they should take. They've told the sales office about the problem with no action being taken - TBH I wouldn't expect the sales office to do anything anyway, they aren't the management company.

Has any one else been through this - I'm not sure what is down to them and down to me IYSWIM. I've every sympathy with them, but don't want to get dragged into this if it isn't down to me to resolve it and/or would make it more complex if I got involved.

I've asked the tenants if they have approached the neighbours directly - no response yet. I'm happy to call the management company to log a complaint and start any necessary balls rolling. What else is there?

TIA

[Onlyaphase]

Sorry, am going out for day now too - will be back later.

[Kitsilano]

I had exactly the same with a new set of tenants. I phoned the council to check the procedure - there is a number you can call to report noise, they will come out and check the noise and warn the offenders if they catch them at it. But has to be the tenants who deal with it as they are the ones experiencing it.

The problem is then you'd have to declare this when you sold the property but I had no option as the tenants were being distressed by the noise.

Eventually I also paid for soundproofing in the bedroom to help the problem.

The noise continued and the council did eventually issue the neighbours with a warning notice and I think the situation has been better since then.

So basically your tenants should contact the relevant department of your local council who will have a procedure for dealing with noise complaints.

HTH

[lalalonglegs]

Is it "normal noise" or loud music/arguing/door slamming etc? If it falls under normal but is at anti-social hours, as it's a new block there are very high requirements for sound insulation between flats, you could check with building regs dept that these obligations have been met. You could then report it to NHBC (or whichever body has underwritten your flat) to see if there is anything they can do.

[Onlyaphase]

Thanks to both of you - Kitsilano I'm grateful for your words of wisdom. I'll look into that

Lalalonglegs I don't know what sort of noise it it yet - though at 2am I don't think I'd care! I'll find out if the noise is getting to them via the communal hallways or via the adjoining rooms, and then use that approach as well.