To write to the landlord?

[OrangeSquashTallGlass]

I've lived in flats nearly all my life and this flat in particular for 3 years. In that time three different groups of people have lived in the flat above us; a couple, a couple with a toddler and now another couple. Basically the soundproofing is non existent, to the point where you can hear conversations so I'm sure you can see where this is going...

Our current neighbours play music all the time. We usually ignore it (live and let live right?) but today the bass was especially penetrating so I went up to ask if they could turn it down. For the year they've lived here for we've probably asked 4 times in total, the last time we went up being 3 months ago. The previous three times they've begrudgingly turned it down and on the third we invited them down to hear it for themselves. Anyway, this time I was met with "No, I can't actually. It's not loud." followed by a really angry conversation about how when you live in a flat you just have to put up with neighbour noise.

I completely understand that. Right now I can hear people on the street, traffic, a next door neighbour doing diy and I understand that that's all part of living in a city flat. So, is putting up with other people's music part of that too? Or am I allowed to request that they turn it down a bit when it gets too loud?

His attitude today very clearly showed that he's not willing to compromise and now I don't know what to do in the future. Should I write to the landlord about soundproofing and if so what on earth do I say? Or am I BU in being bothered by the music in the first place?

[Imnotaslimjim]

I would write to them, yes. Explain that you have been to see them and ask them politely but that they were rude to you about it

I'm sure that there will be something that you can add to the ceiling to calm the noise a little

[Sunnyshores]

If it bothers you then it bothers you and you need to find a solution.

What about other neighbours? Does it bother them? If there are several of you, you could write to the managing agent for the flats and report him. They would contact his ll and that may be more of a threat to him.

If its just you are you going to move because of it? Again you could contact the managing agent, but with just one complaint they're unlikely to care much. Contact your ll, who should be bothered that his tenant is unhappy and at least try and do something. I think soundproofing would be too expensive for him to consider but he may know the owner or be able to bring more pressure to bear on the managing agent.

Sympathies, would drive me mad..

[OrangeSquashTallGlass]

It's a converted house with only one flat on each floor. A different person owns each flat which adds to the hassle. The person who bought and now rents out the flat under ours added soundproofing so our downstairs neighbour doesn't have the same issue and the flat under them did the same. Our above neighbour can hear our conversations etc as well (as he delighted in telling me) so it must be an issue for him too. But I doubt he's going to be agreeable enough to join forces with me. And the only other flat is in the attic.

Although, maybe I shoulkd just ask Mr Upstairs if he could bring up the issue with his landlord too. I guess I won't know if I don't ask! I'll just have to be in the right mood first so I can cope with being shouted at...

[OrangeSquashTallGlass]

And no, I really don't want to move

[Zettina]

I would get in touch with your local authority - the environmental health department, and report the noise as a nuisance. And from now on keep a written record of the noise, and of all the times you have asked them to turn it down.

[grapejuicerocks]

Just ask the landlord and say that it has obviously been a problem for others too, as many of the other flats have soundproofing.

[Sunnyshores]

I wouldnt involve anyone else until youve told your ll

[karbonfootprint]

You need to record the actual decibels, otherwise it is just you saying it is too loud, and your neighbour saying it isn't.

[OrangeSquashTallGlass]

I've emailed the managing agents/landlord. I hope I did the right thing! Thanks all!

Karbon how do I go about recording decibels? Is there a noise-o-meter I need to buy?

[TheCatsMother99]

I'm a Property Manager for blocks of flats and you've done the right thing by notifying the managing agent. You should definitely speak to environmental health too though as they're the ones who are able to step in a bit more. Having said that, the leases for the flats will state the hours that noise audible from outside the flat is permitted (for example 9am - 11pm) and if you can hear them outside those hours then they are in break of the terms of the lease which can be a serious thing albeit hard to enforce- hence why enviromental health should get involved too.

[muirsicle]

I could have written your post. The people upstairs from me are owner occupiers and I'm in a housing association flat. I've been told there is very little I can do. They have laminate floor too, so there's no buffer between their clompy feet & our ceiling. Try speaking to the Landlord, they will hopefully be helpful. The local area police officer was very kind & reassuring when I emailed him. Sorry I don't have much to say to help, but I understand exactly how you feel and how intrusive the noise is. I try to use relaxation techniques when it gets too much.

[Heidi122]

I don't have any advice but felt your pain. We lived on aground floor flats d the floorboards above were so creaky they sounded like thunder and the resident walked around till all hours of the morning. It's very frustrating and makes your blood boil. I would 100% write to the landlord. A friend of mine also put superglue in the door locks of her loud arrogant neighbours but that's a matter for you.......