Tips for being a good neighbour in a flat

[Qwickwit]

Hi all,

I have been offered a council flat after a really horrific year and I'm so grateful, but I am already worrying about how to minimise impact on everyone else. I have 2 young DC, both with additional needs, and I know the key to this will be setting the rules from the start because they don't do well with retrospective rule changes - obviously if it happens it has to happen but everyone will be far happier if I can get it right from the outset.

Both kids are used to living in a house (first our home and since with family) and I see so many posts on here/Reddit about upstairs neighbours and noise. They're out most of the day at school/childcare and with their dad some of time so it wouldn't be constant, and I can't do anything about the meltdowns as and when they come unfortunately, but if I could mitigate some of the sound I would at least feel like I was trying! Do slippers help? Anything else to keep in mind? Or am I massively overthinking it and as long as I'm not letting them jump up and down for 12 hours or blasting music at 5am the others will just accept it as part of living in flats? It's only a small block of 4, so we will have one neighbour opposite, and one below (which I'm most anxious about!)

Don't get wooden flooring. Get decent underlay for under the carpets. I'm in a flat like yours and my little one has possible Sen so I know exactly how worried it makes you. I'd explain to your neighbours if you're going to introduce yourself. That way if there is a loud meltdown or similar, at least they will hopefully be understanding.

I really feel for you, families with young kids should be housed on the ground floor, but I know this isn’t the reality. You can’t stop the meltdowns but as pp said, try introducing yourself to the neighbours and explain the situation, but don’t stress, you’re clearly very considerate and can only do what you can.