Page 4 | Offered a ground floor flat?

lookin4advice · 2026-08-05T22:24:11+00:00

I bid on several flats in the same block and I have been shortlisted for a ground floor flat. I received an email advising me my other bids had been slipped as I wanted to be considered for this home. I have security and privacy concerns with a ground floor flat. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity but as I was not asked which was my preferred choice would it be unreasonable to ask the HO at the housing association? AIBU

LakieLady · 06/08/2026 09:48

Foolish1984 · 06/08/2026 00:12

Yes lots of disabled people would want ground floor as lifts will inevitably break down and that would leave a disabled tenant stranded - potentially unable to get back into their property. Also housing associations don’t seem to buy bungalows anymore so ground floor flats are usually the only option for disabled people as existing social bungalows are never given up and if they are, they’re swapped immediately

The council here, and the neighbouring one, won't allow "swaps" of bungalows, as they have so many people waiting for them.

TigerRag · 06/08/2026 09:56

lookin4advice · 06/08/2026 09:42

To those who have lived in ground floor flats, did you hear much noise from the communal main door?

I am also scared of lifts so maybe it's a good thing being offered ground floor as I get anxious every time I go in a lift lol.

My gff is very close to the communal door so I do hear it, not helped by someone having the inability to shut the door quietly

BauhausOfEliott · 06/08/2026 10:47

bubbyen · 06/08/2026 00:04

Ground floor isn’t always the best, I live in a gff and the upstairs neighbours noise is horrific! So bare that in mind

OK, but if you lived in a first floor flat, you might have horrific noise from the upstairs neighbours AND the ground floor ones, so being on the ground floor halves the chances of noise from neighbours.

Any flat can have noise from above or below. Being on the top or the bottom means you'll only get noise from one of those directions, not both.

HollyhockDays · 06/08/2026 12:33

Can you look at google street view to give you an idea of what it might be like?

caringcarer · 06/08/2026 12:37

Personally I always though ground floor flats were like gold dust to get hold of because so many people want them. Disabled, people with pushchairs etc.

bubbyen · 06/08/2026 13:28

BauhausOfEliott · 06/08/2026 10:47

OK, but if you lived in a first floor flat, you might have horrific noise from the upstairs neighbours AND the ground floor ones, so being on the ground floor halves the chances of noise from neighbours.

Any flat can have noise from above or below. Being on the top or the bottom means you'll only get noise from one of those directions, not both.

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The noise living under someone is much worse than the noise living below someone! Ive lived in both. I hear footsteps, jumping, running, throwing things, dropping things, toys being played on the floor (cars) up and down, you really telling me that sound doesnt travel differently if it’s above you than below? 🤣 directly on your ceiling 🤔

SmokyPotato · 06/08/2026 14:38

New build apartments should have a higher level of soundproofing in comparison to many older homes. So hopefully any noise heard from the upstairs neighbours won't have much of an impact on your lives.

Thanks to improved building standards, a new home will retain heat so heating costs will be lower in the winter. I would hate to live on the upper floors of a new build apartment block in the summer, the heat could be unbearable. The ground level will be much cooler and more comfortable in the summer.

DoAWheelie · 06/08/2026 15:09

lookin4advice · 06/08/2026 09:42

To those who have lived in ground floor flats, did you hear much noise from the communal main door?

I am also scared of lifts so maybe it's a good thing being offered ground floor as I get anxious every time I go in a lift lol.

My block is fully soundproofed so there is no neighbour noise at all. The block is 18 three bedroom flats so mostly families with kids and I never hear anything. There are three kids in the flat above me.

I could hear the front door closing if it was slammed and I was in one specific room (the bathroom) that shares a wall with the corridor. But the housing association replaced the front door with a new door that can't be slammed (it uses magnets to catch the door on the last couple of inches and then slowly pull it closed).

Full disclosure, I am deaf, but my late OH wasn't and he also said he never heard anything.

Sartre · 06/08/2026 15:16

In what way is a ground floor flat more of a security risk than a house which is also “ground floor”? Of course it isn’t an issue unless it’s in a terrible area with a high crime rate so you’re worried about windows getting smashed and such.

I’ve never lived in a flat but would imagine bottom floor would be best, easier to get the furniture in and out of for starters and things like food shops.

StarCourt · 06/08/2026 15:47

lookin4advice · 05/08/2026 23:53

There is no garden unfortunately.

I will speak to the Lettings Team and see what they can advise.

@avilsdedvocate I always thought ground floor flats were the ones nobody wanted lol.

I bought a ground floor flat and never wanted anything higher

Rainydays26 · 06/08/2026 15:49

SmokyPotato · 06/08/2026 14:38

New build apartments should have a higher level of soundproofing in comparison to many older homes. So hopefully any noise heard from the upstairs neighbours won't have much of an impact on your lives.

Thanks to improved building standards, a new home will retain heat so heating costs will be lower in the winter. I would hate to live on the upper floors of a new build apartment block in the summer, the heat could be unbearable. The ground level will be much cooler and more comfortable in the summer.

My dd was in a new build first person to move in she was on 2nd floor. The sound proofing was absolutely awful. It caused massive issues. Stress police, Threats etc

PixellatedPixie · 06/08/2026 15:53

Ground floor flats are safer if there are fires! 🔥

SmokyPotato · 06/08/2026 16:07

Rainydays26 · 06/08/2026 15:49

My dd was in a new build first person to move in she was on 2nd floor. The sound proofing was absolutely awful. It caused massive issues. Stress police, Threats etc

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😲That's terrible, they're supposed to be better, not worse! I'm sorry she had to go through that, I hope that wherever she's living now is much quieter.

MyDarlingRose · 06/08/2026 16:10

I don’t think they’ll accept security and privacy as reasons… considering you’re implying that nobody can live there without having security and privacy issues.

MyDarlingRose · 06/08/2026 16:11

Rainydays26 · 06/08/2026 15:49

My dd was in a new build first person to move in she was on 2nd floor. The sound proofing was absolutely awful. It caused massive issues. Stress police, Threats etc

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Same, I was too floor and the lawyer under me threatened litigation because of the noise I made apparently walking around my own flat at night.

Original poster

lookin4advice · 06/08/2026 19:15

@Rainydays26 Wow, sorry to hear that, I have heard mixed things about new build apartments.

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Original poster

lookin4advice · 06/08/2026 19:17

I currently live in a new build house and I can literally hear my next door neighbour on the toilet and the toilet flushing lol and they must hear me as well.
At times I can hear the convos as the living room's are back to back.

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gayestgal · 06/08/2026 19:19

Actually I want to agree with you. I prefer being higher up myself!

Yanbu to see whether you can ask for a higher one, especially as no garden

Rainydays26 · 06/08/2026 20:01

lookin4advice · 06/08/2026 19:17

I currently live in a new build house and I can literally hear my next door neighbour on the toilet and the toilet flushing lol and they must hear me as well.
At times I can hear the convos as the living room's are back to back.

Oh I'm in a new build house and don't hear thing. It seems to be a bit of a mix . Maybe it depends on who builds them .

LavenderSweetPea · 06/08/2026 20:20

Rainydays26 · 06/08/2026 20:01

Oh I'm in a new build house and don't hear thing. It seems to be a bit of a mix . Maybe it depends on who builds them .

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Agree, depends who builds them. I have friends in buildings where you can hear evvverrrryything, but I spent six years in my place and never heard anything from upstairs (and they had a dog running around up there)

Rainydays26 · 06/08/2026 21:33

LavenderSweetPea · 06/08/2026 20:20

Agree, depends who builds them. I have friends in buildings where you can hear evvverrrryything, but I spent six years in my place and never heard anything from upstairs (and they had a dog running around up there)

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I don't understand how they get away with it. Dd had to be moved out of her flat due to threats was really bad. Kids were effected crying at because they were so bad.

Original poster

lookin4advice · 07/08/2026 16:54

Update:
Just went to see it with OH and the building man kindly showed us round.

He told us 1st floor is best.

The window is right by the main front door.

I have emailed the HA as I have looked on there website and they should have asked me which one was my preference apparently looking at their allocations policy.

The window is right by the road as well.

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OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 07/08/2026 16:57

I would guess if the housing officer offers the ground floor flat to one of the successful bidders of a higher floor that they will say yes ! then you can have a higher one.

LathkillDale · 07/08/2026 17:00

JMSA · 06/08/2026 05:43

But you could have that on any level, unless at the very top
At least with ground floor you’ll have no one below you as well.

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We lived in a top floor flat. We had noise from the people below and at the side of us.

Doseofreality · 07/08/2026 17:02

Surely, in terms of security, living in a ground floor flat is just like living in a bungalow or being downstairs in a house.