Upstairs neighbours installed Saniflo toilet above our living room

[carrie105]

Our upstairs neighbours wanted to build an ensuite bathroom to their master bedroom which is above our living room. We said we had no problem with that as you can't stop people doing these things, and we don't want to fall out with our neighbours as I am pregnant and they are childless in their early 40s and I am very aware our baby will be annoying them enough in the near future.

They actually completed the work while we were on an extended holiday (partially planned by us to co-inside with the time they were doing the work).

We have returned to them telling us that proper plumbing was too expensive and they have installed a Saniflo unit. Anyone with any experience with these will know what I mean when I say they sound like a helicopter taking off! We literally have to pause our TV now when they have done their business while the machine chops up whatever it is they have done, it makes our ceiling shake (and its very obvious to us what they have done by the kind of noise the machine makes), and its quite disgusting also to have the neighbours 'business' so in our faces when we are sat down for dinner.

Obviously its quite a big deal to ask them to remove it and I dont feel like I can. I just wish they would use their normal bathroom during evening hours so we can have some peace in our living room. Ive tried mentioning the 'vibrations' in a jokey way, but they just laugh it off. Is it weird for me to invite one of them down to see how much noise it makes in our living room?

Sorry for the rant.

[Beastofburden]

Report them to building regulations. That isnt something you have to declare when you sell, I think? in fact, it may well come up on the survey and make your flat hard to sell, so sort it now.

[CandidaDoyle]

I have no advice about the toilet, but I wouldn't be concerned about the tumble dryer affecting the baby's day time naps.

The tumble dryer will only be for a couple hours at most? Most babies will fall straight asleep with noise in the background anyway. Our neighbours did a whole house conversion when I had a new baby. The drilling was a godsend in sending dd off to sleep in the daytime

[squoosh]

YADNBU.

Report it right away, being on good terms with your neighbours needs to take a back seat to your home's potential loss of value.

[LiegeAndLief]

We have a Saniflo in the downstairs toilet (on the ground floor and not sharing a wall with anyone!) and I can confirm they are noisy. We have recently had ours replaced as a visitor flushed half a pack of baby wipes down it, and got a proper macerator-type plumber in who knew all about the different types. Apparently you can now get one which is very very quiet, although it's a bit more expensive, so maybe that is an option - although I guess they are unlikely to want to shell out.

Incidentally I would not go with the previous suggestion of going to see them, asking to use the toilet and flushing a pack of wipes down. I can confirm that this results in a large volume of sewage on the floor, which is probably likely to seep into your living room.

[ajandjjmum]

Phone the planning department and speak to a building control officer. Ask them for advice.

It could be that they haven't gone through the proper channels.

I too would be very worried about it failing - for this reason we never recommend them to our clients.

[comingintomyown]

What NoMoreMad said

[snailhunter]

When we changed part of our bedroom into an ensuite, we had to get permission under building regs. There are all kind of issues - not just plumbing but also ventilation - that need to conform with the regs. I would certainly give your local council's planning department a call.

[YouHaveAGoodPoint]

I would try and have a word with the nieghbour. It might be that a few simple alterations, that you could offer to pay for, would make a big difference.
The unit could be put on put on to a sound insulating mat or it could be secured better etc etc.

[Nanny0gg]

If it's against Building Regs there is no point in having polite words about sound insulation.

The OP will struggle to sell with this as much as if there is a neighbour dispute.

She must speak to the council.

[squoosh]

I certainly wouldn't be offering to pay for noise minimising alterations!

[Sallyingforth]

And check the details of the lease which will almost certainly have controls on what building works can be done.

[carrie105]

Thanks so much for everyone's advice and being so understanding.

So I spoke to Wandsworth and the answer pretty much was that you don’t need planning permission to install a Saniflo toilet, technically you do need building regulations but this is a tiny technical thing – even if they didn’t apply for it at the time they would just retrospectively pass the building regs on it.

So its looking like there is nothing we can do apart from try to convince them to come down a take a listen and appeal to their better nature as to when they use it. Bit depressing!

[carrie105]

I am also very concerned now about my Living Room ceiling collapsing down on my husband, myself and our cats! (and in a few months time our baby), this is actually worrying me more now than the noise!

[hippermiddleton]

carrie I feel terrible now for introducing that image into your head - I'm sure it'll be absolutely fine! Noisy and irritating, but fine!

I agree with the suggestions to ask them to come and listen to it in action. Apart from anything, it'll lodge the subtle reminder in their subconscious that you'll be able to hear them going to the loo something that always puts me off going

[JustinBsMum]

Have just read this

Q Do I need planning permission ?
A
You do not need planning permission specifically to install a Saniflo unit. However, the installation of new toilet facilities has to comply with building regulations (eg drainage, ventilation and electrics) and so Building Control should be notified so that they can inspect the installation for compliance. For example under regualtion P, if new cabling is run this should either be installed by a qualified electrician or if not, it should be checked and certified by someone who is.

here
www.saniflo.co.uk/support/faq/get-theme/lang/en/type/part/theme/1

It says it can be boxed to reduce noise.

[thelittlemothersucker]

Could you cheer loudly every time they take a dump? Embarrass them into using it less?

[squoosh]

Definitely get them to experience the noise from where you're sitting. Maybe then they'll restrict their use of it.

[Elfhame]

Running a tumble dryer late at night in a flat was unreasonable.

You have to declare official noise complaints when you sell.

Best off to politely ask them in to listen to it and try to keep the complaint friendly and informal.

I think they are either a bit clueless or a bit selfish.

[Sallyingforth]

I'll ask again: have you checked the lease?

[zower]

what Elfame said. hope you get to sort it OP.

[microserf]

Check the lease terms. They may be outside these. I am also a wandsworth person and I am guessing you're in a building with one flat upstairs and one flat downstairs. If you are desperate get a local solicitor to give the lease a once over. We did when upstairs tried to install laminate flooring curse their souls! Fortunately the forces of light triumphed over the forces of EVIL on that occasion. Beige carpet was installed to the tranquility of all involved...

Remember. You did not give permission for a saniflo. You gave permission for a loo.

Also, from experience. Just try the council one more time, in a week or two. You might get a different answer.

Finally. Do not forget shame. Show them exactly how bad it is. Make them thick about you every time it's time for number two. Trust me, unless they are high functioning sociopaths or just arseholes, they will think twice about announcing their bowel movements through the ceilings.

[microserf]

Damn you autocorrect. Make them THINK about you. FFS.

[ReluctantBeing]

I like the cheering idea!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Planning will often take the lazy approach, especially now that with funding cuts they are often struggling with work loads. You need to push them into action sometimes by quoting regs and perhaps getting a local councillor on board.