Just moved in and neighbour already complaining

[Jasmine2233]

Well i haven't moved my stuff yet, i will this Monday.
I went to the property yesterday and i was cleaning the window and the elderly man from downstairs rang my bell to tell me i was walking to loud. I showed him there is no flooring and i will not have money for another 2months to get flooring. He then started complaining about the last woman here and her kids.
I do have a 17month old but i didn't tell him because i wasn't looking for an argument i was trying to clean!

Went there again today and as soon as i pulled my car up he came outside asking if i needed help, i said no then he made some excuse trying to follow me inside then kept talking.

I had to leave because he wouldn't leave! He kept talking about the man above me who apparently is a "bendy bus" person as he put it and the last woman
Wtf why does he think i care!

I haven't even moved my stuff yet, I'm trying to decorate before i move in but this guy is to friendly its irritating!

I also went through DV thats why i live in social housing and i don't like people i don't know in my flat or knowing my business or around my lil girl, she is also scared of strangers. Im really not a friendly type of neighbour, i like to be left alone.
In regards to the flooring i am going to get good installation, I'm not an arsehole but its like i cannot even breath without this guy complaining.

Maybe i am dramatic, it has only been two days but tbh I'm dreading when my baby gets here and he complains about her walking and stuff. I just cant afford flooring now.

What should i do? How do i handle this?
Aibu?

You don't have to talk to the neighbour, just tell him you're busy and need to get on, or that you're expecting visitors or a phone call. Don't feel under pressure to be polite. He sounds like a lonely, grumpy old man who will intrude on your time more and more if given an inch. Be as private as you like, there's nothing wrong with this.

However, you are BVU about the floor covering. Your child is going to drive him nuts running around on an uncovered floor. Its your responsibility to cover floor with something. Try FreeCycle for rubber mats, thick rugs, carpet etc. Or look in charity shops. I recommend you save up for some proper sound-insulated floor covering, like isotonic matting. The sound of a toddler running is very loud to people below, they run with flat feet at this age and will wake neighbours next door as well as below.
Definitely wear slippers not shoes, walk softly and teach your DD not to bang toys on floor, run at night or jump up and down.
I once lived below a toddler and it was a nightmare, i ended up moving because the running, jumping, banging and screeching was unbearable. Its much louder than you think to people below!

Re bendy bus tell him you're a lesbian, he will leave you alone if he doesn't like 'that sort of person.'

Don't let him in. It's your flat, you don't have to be social or listen to him rant.

But do get some floor-coverings, that is essential in a flat. And walk barefoot until then. Teach your DD not to jump around indoors and remind her to walk softly, no running etc. You can get foam mats and heavyduty rubber floor coverings cheaply. He can't soundproof his ceiling but you can soundproof your floor.

Oh, modern architecture is a disaster. I agree about not wearing heels or clackety shoes but not about inhibiting your child's play. Your child is developing and needs to be able to run around, though fortunately the weather is getting better, so maybe she can burn off more energy outside. Always smile and be nice. If a complaint is justified apologise and promise not to do that thing again, but I do not agree with people complaining about children playing healthily because the building is badly made.

I remember having a neighbour like this once.

He was complaining about the communal door making too much noise when it closed. I got a joiner in and he put some sponge in to muffle in, but ultimately it was a slow closing door and without getting a buzzer on it - which would have been a shared expense there was nothing I could do.

I tried to pacify him which in retrospect was a bad move as his complaints intensified and involved him letting me know who had been in my flat. I felt I didn't need the aggravation and got a solicitor to send him a letter which at the time (10yrs ago) cost £25 and totally did the trick.

It was quite sad as he was obviously lonely, at one of his tirades he got me in and started showing me pictures of his family, but I was at a difficult period in my life and didn't have the negotiation skills to work round it. He died about 18 months after I moved in.

Yes, so I agree with others about doing what you can re the floor noise - ultimately if you can't afford flooring right now, then you can't. Summers suggestions are good re free carpets etc.

THIS type of underlay provides some sound insulation from impact noise. Maybe you could consider using something like that in your DDs bedroom.

A bendy bus person. That really floored me.

Sorry - I wasn't making any allusion there.