AIBU to address noise with neighbours?

[Orchid14]

I live in a top floor flat, there are only two other flats beneath me in a block of six - if that makes sense.
The neighbours directly below me are quite noisy. I hear thumping and banging, crying, screaming (young children probably pre-school). It's only during the day mostly - if the children are sick we hear it and don't sleep. Its not the family's fault - the flats we live have not been built well I don't think. And they seem like a lovely family - they seem to put their children to bed at a good hour and always sound as if they are having fun etc. They do however at times sound as if they allow the children to literally jump off furniture. They also have hard wood floor even though our service agreement states no one can have it. I will add they are below me and I really wasn't thinking I would get this level of noise from below! (clearly naive)
Anyway - my daughter is going through her GCSE's over the next month and a half. She is trying to study in her room and can't concentrate because of the noise. So...... I sent an email requesting that noise be kept to a minimum during this period of time but now I am having second thoughts as addressed it and sent it to everyone in the block. I did attempt to knock on the door to talk to the family but they didn't answer (this is not the first time I have been ignored in this way).
AIBU to have sent this and to have requested this from neighbours?

Did you send an email to everyone in your block asking them to be quiet whilst your daughter does her exams?

Can your daughter not use ear plugs?

oh dear
I think that was mad sending it to everyone because of exams

you should have just asked the neighbours directly to keep the noise down.

I would be very eye-rolly at that email. Step up and speak directly to the flat causing the noise! Also, if they have hardwood floors and are not allowed to, why haven’t you contacted the landlord?

If I were one of the other flat residents, I'd think you were out of order to have sent that email, particularly if I weren't directly below you.
But I'd be extra mindful to minimise noise for your daughters sake, and wish her well if I bumped into her.
If I were you immediately below neighbour, I'd be miffed and think that you were unreasonable in asking us to keep down usual family noise. I'd also feel as though I had to take the young children out every day and be possibly resentful of that.
What was the tone of your email? Could it have been misinterpreted as arsey? Mightn't a quick chat have been a bit friendlier?

I have the exact same problem with a newborn who is a really light sleeper. Our problem is upstairs not downstairs. We reported it to the flat management company. They checked and found out the landlord had hard flooring upstairs which is why we can hear the neighbours upstairs so clearly. DH went upstairs to speak to them and realised they have a dog too which is part of the noise we can hear and we suspect they are sub letting one of their rooms too illegally. We've reported it but nothing is being done so we are moving soon. It's so hard as when my baby is asleep a big bang from upstairs or loads of heavy footsteps wake him up and I'm left in tears.

I would get your daughter to wear ear plugs if she can't concentrate, or listen to some white noise.

Yes I think you are unreasonable for requesting this from your neighbours - they have their own lives to lead and probably won't alter their behaviour due to your daughter's exams.

Best thing is to think of ways to help your daughter study effectively despite the noise.

So let me get this straight... Half of you think that OP's daughter and her grades are less important than a family not controlling the noise that they make? Huh. Okay then

I dont see how an email is coming across rude. It's better than going and confronting the family. I lived with my Aunt in a block of flats that had paper thin walls while I was a teenager and I wished someone had told my neighbours to shut the hell up while I was studying for my GCSE's. Most days I took myself to the local library after school

Is that something your daughter could do, OP? I'm sure if you ask at your local library they'll let her have a small space for her to study

You want them to be quiet in the day?

idontlikebirthdaycake

my concern is that OP emailed the entire block, instead of just the people making the noise.

You reported a newborn baby crying @maddieharrison ? Sorry if I read it wrong

I think when you live in this environment then you can expect volume to a degree. My baby cries/I sing/play loudly, clean etc I can hear upstairs neighbours dogs, cats and hear drunken people walking about on a weekend.

It's general daily living. I appreciate it that it can be a very stressful time for your DD but I agree with th earphones or even visiting a local library for peace.

@FireflyEden. The baby belongs to the poster and has been affected by external noises.

Orchid, you left your names in the email.

OP, we've removed the identifying details from your post. Do bear in mind that, given folk might still recognise you from the wording of the email you've sent so do let us know if you'd prefer us to remove your entire post.

OMG!

You didn't really send that email did you?

You can't ask people living in their own homes to worry about being quiet day and night because your DD had GCSEs!

If you were that worried you should've rented a holiday cottage with no neighbours near by until her exams were over. You can't expect people to change their lives to fit round people they literally have no interest in!

YABVU and slightly unhinged.

YANBU I've lived in an apartment with pre school kids you HAVE to put rugs down or the noise will be unbearable. Kids sound like herds of elephants when they walk around (despite weighing so much less than adults) let alone if they're jumping off furniture.

Oh, dear, I'm not sure about it, OP. It sort of reads that you don't want people going to the toilet for the next 6 weeks.

As you've already sent the email, there isn't much you can do about it now. So, I'd try not to worry and hope everyone will be understanding.

The neighbours directly below me are quite noisy.

It’s wrong of me but you lost me slightly here.
Top flat flats have NO IDEA...whatever you are going through, think of the poor buggers in the flat underneath this noisy family!

If it’s as bad I’m surprised they are t saying anything (have you spoken To them about noisy neighbours?)

The note was a bit much but what’s done is done.
Given they are breaching lease with hardwood flooring, I’d simply report to free holder and make them enforce it.
Also can your daughter study at a local library, friends house or similar?

I think it depends on the wording. Friendly chatty request = fine.

Arsey, stfu kind of tone and YABU.

I have lived in flats for almost 30 years and it is virtually scientific fact that the noise from flats above is way more invasive than from below. That's why top floor flats are generally more expensive to buy.
As others have said, the people below may have a child that cries, but they will literally hear you piss. Every time. Night or day.