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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Help! I'm the neighbour from hell.

168 replies

12345678sh · 29/10/2023 08:40

So I've just moved into a new house, stupidly put laminate floor everywhere.. the noise is ridiculous. I'm literally telling the kids off for walk/breathing/anything.. they sound like elephants everytime they move. It's the frontroom that's the worst. I have one rug that doesn't seem to make to much difference. Im so worried about upsetting the neighbours. I have serious mum guilt and absolutely hating the house. I have 0 money left to buy carpets or do much. But Any advice?

I have so many bigger issues & theres so much worse happening in the world but for some reason this noise situation is really getting to me.

Helpppppppp!

OP posts:
Iturnedmyfaceaway · 29/10/2023 09:59

:)

KezzaMucklowe · Today 09:02

Maybe you've just been spending too much time on MN. Have you got any other symptoms?
Ignoring the doorbell ?
Eating massive salads ?
Can you see your children's ribs ?

Original poster
12345678sh · 29/10/2023 10:00

@Gummybear23 carpet wouldn't work I have young child, the carpet would need replacing nonstop, the table is in the frontroom (which is the main problem) food/arts and crafts would get on the carpet.. just wouldn't work.

OP posts:
Legendairy · 29/10/2023 10:00

I lived next to someone with laminate, at was really noisy, at around 3am every night it sounded like the neighbours were involved in some loud sexual activities as the banging was so loud. Turns out it was 2 very tiny kittens running up and down the hallway!

Laminate definitely seems much louder than LVT or the proper wood flooring at they are softer in sound.

Lots of rugs and slippers/slipper socks as everyone has suggested.

WhateverMate · 29/10/2023 10:01

When you first laminate a room it always sounds loud and takes a while to get used to.

Nextdoor to me have loads of kids and an open plan house with laminate, but we just see it as part and parcel of living nextdoor to a young family 🤷‍♂️

Iturnedmyfaceaway · 29/10/2023 10:01

“carpet wouldn't work I have young child, the carpet would need replacing nonstop, the table is in the frontroom (which is the main problem) food/arts and crafts would get on the carpet.. just wouldn't work.”

Vacuum Cleaner?

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 29/10/2023 10:01

12345678sh · 29/10/2023 10:00

@Gummybear23 carpet wouldn't work I have young child, the carpet would need replacing nonstop, the table is in the frontroom (which is the main problem) food/arts and crafts would get on the carpet.. just wouldn't work.

How big is that space? What size would you need to cover?

BungleandGeorge · 29/10/2023 10:05

Did you put underlay under the laminate?

Original poster
12345678sh · 29/10/2023 10:06

@Iturnedmyfaceaway gravey/Paints/mash over time no matter how much you pick up and clean.. it gets smelly and ruined.. and take a lot longer to clean up. 2 toddlers and other children I'd rather not be wasting my time with carpet.

OP posts:
EarthSight · 29/10/2023 10:07

12345678sh · 29/10/2023 08:40

So I've just moved into a new house, stupidly put laminate floor everywhere.. the noise is ridiculous. I'm literally telling the kids off for walk/breathing/anything.. they sound like elephants everytime they move. It's the frontroom that's the worst. I have one rug that doesn't seem to make to much difference. Im so worried about upsetting the neighbours. I have serious mum guilt and absolutely hating the house. I have 0 money left to buy carpets or do much. But Any advice?

I have so many bigger issues & theres so much worse happening in the world but for some reason this noise situation is really getting to me.

Helpppppppp!

Do they wear slippers or comfortable indoor shoes around the house? If so, it will be similar to if you had a carpet.

Original poster
12345678sh · 29/10/2023 10:07

Underlay was used.. I don't think it was that thick though.

OP posts:
saraclara · 29/10/2023 10:07

It sounds as though you don't have the right (or any?) sound reducing underlay, if it's a lot louder than the laminate in your old house. Did you have it fitted professionally is was it a DIY job?

saraclara · 29/10/2023 10:08

Ah, cross posted with you, OP

EarthSight · 29/10/2023 10:08

Also bless you OP - if only more people were considerate like you.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 29/10/2023 10:08

12345678sh · 29/10/2023 10:06

@Iturnedmyfaceaway gravey/Paints/mash over time no matter how much you pick up and clean.. it gets smelly and ruined.. and take a lot longer to clean up. 2 toddlers and other children I'd rather not be wasting my time with carpet.

There are incredibly cheap carpets available online.

many are also machine washable (as long as they fit the machine). Which is why I asked about the amount of space you would need to cover…

Original poster
12345678sh · 29/10/2023 10:08

@EarthSight they wear socks mainly.. I'm going to get some soft slippers for them. Just really loud bangs as they walk.

OP posts:
Iturnedmyfaceaway · 29/10/2023 10:11

Hmmm, I think you need to lower your standards if your care as much about the judgment of neighbours as you say. Many millions of families have thrived despite gravy spilling from time to time.

“@Iturnedmyfaceaway gravey/Paints/mash over time no matter how much you pick up and clean.. it gets smelly and ruined.. and take a lot longer to clean up. 2 toddlers and other children I'd rather not be wasting my time with carpet.”

WITFITTO · 29/10/2023 10:13

I’m mid terrace and both neighbours have this flooring, I don’t hear their feet at all, but it makes their voices louder - like the effect you get in a hall where the voices seem to bounce. So I hear every conversation since they have had it done.

Original poster
12345678sh · 29/10/2023 10:14

@PumpkinsAndCoconuts not sure of the size exactly.. but I'll definitely look into these.
Thanks

OP posts:
EarthSight · 29/10/2023 10:15

12345678sh · 29/10/2023 10:08

@EarthSight they wear socks mainly.. I'm going to get some soft slippers for them. Just really loud bangs as they walk.

I'm not sure if that will help actually. Socks should already be softening the sound a lot. Depending on the type of slippers you buy, their softer thumping noises could be turned into slap-slap-slap noises! If it's a house as opposed to flat, you might be ok you know. The time of day to be most mindful of is after 10 pm and before 8am, for most people.

pineapplepinecones · 29/10/2023 10:19

Can you contact the people who laid it and complain?

also get an eufy robot hoover ! Not for the noise but for your sanity.

Original poster
12345678sh · 29/10/2023 10:19

@WITFITTO it's strange because I have kind of hear the kids muffled voices when they are upstairs but not that loud, but it's just the foot noise.. they are up there now and it's like crashing/banging.. it makes me jump but they are walk or running/playing.

@EarthSight yeah they aren't aloud to go playing upstair/garden till after 10/10.30 in the morning and 7pm is chill time.. that's always been the case.

OP posts:
ThanksItHasPockets · 29/10/2023 10:21

In your position I would get a set of interlocking foam mats for your sitting room to put down in the highest traffic areas. You can get them in a range of colours now, not just CBeebies primary colours.

TotalOverhaul · 29/10/2023 10:25

Get slipper socks for indoors. Laminate is only terrible if you are below a badly insulated flat and people above are roaming around.

And as PP said, look on Freecycle for rugs and runners. If you ask for them you might get several offers.

oOiluvfriendsOo · 29/10/2023 10:26

An end terrace should be fine, stop worrying.

Original poster
12345678sh · 29/10/2023 10:30

@Iturnedmyfaceaway you don't have young children do you? Lol toddlers favourite food are raspberries, strawberries, tomato soup, after a week I'd need new carpet.. hopefully your my neighbour and you won't care about the heard of elephants running around daily

OP posts: