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Original poster

Neighbour Problem

52 replies

Fallingleaves75 · 15/11/2021 15:04

Hi all

Just wondering on opinions if anyone has moved due to neighbours. I know there are hundreds of threads on this but just wanted my own.

I live in a beautiful ground floor flat owned. There are a couple upstairs with a little one and the noise has been getting worse and worse. They rent.I’ve been awake most of the night due to the noise. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not loud music or parties, just horrific impact noise. I have spoken to their landlord about it before as they admitted they were being heavy footed up there. There was also a drugs problem as well back up by other neighbours but the landlord refused to move them as it was just a bit of weed. Apparently she’s getting a good rent off them. I know I should expect noise in a ground floor flat but its slowing getting worse and worse. They are also constantly back and forth and in and out of the communal stairway. Some evenings it can be up to 20 times. I think it’s to do with the drugs as do other neighbours so I get a lot of slamming doors.

I can’t see them moving anytime soon and wonder for the sake of my mental health whether it’s worth moving myself. I don’t have a mortgage and have savings so could buy a small property outright. It’s just that I love it here, there’s parking and convenient for town and the train station. I am nearly 60 and saw myself retiring here. They are early 20s.

It’s very tense when I see them now but wondering whether for the sake of mental health, it’s worth making the more or see if they move once the little one gets bigger and they need a garden.

I know some people have worse neighbours but having someone pounding over your head for most of the day and night (I work from home) is really starting to take its toll.

Many thanks.

OP posts:
bigbluebus · 16/11/2021 09:43

If she's just been made redundant is there a possibility they will no longer be able to afford the rent and have to move?

BingBongToTheMoon · 16/11/2021 09:51

I would move too.

Original poster
Fallingleaves75 · 16/11/2021 09:54

Hi Bigblue. I have thought about that. She works locally in a call centre I think and has been there just over 3 years so I wouldn’t imagine her payout would be brilliant, but you never know. She’s only in her 20s as well so I know payouts for the younger generation are less than if you are older.

OP posts:
dgirluk · 16/11/2021 10:08

@Fallingleaves75

Thanks dgirkuk. The circumstances are exactly similar to mine. The little one upstairs is 9 months and will soon be walking and running.

She doesn’t go out much either apart from to smoke and whatever else she is doing and I’ve heard from another neighbour that she has just been made redundant.

Like you, I love my peace and quiet although appreciate that living with someone above you, you will get noise. Before the child came, it was manageable as they were obviously smoking in their flat so the constant activity in and out wasn’t as bad.

Did you move to a house in the end ?

Yes, moved to a small semi detached house. It was great until the council built a playground in the park next to it a few years later 🤣. Then moved to a detached and been here for a few years and love it.

In the flat there was always noise, but you expect that. But when they had the baby it was a special noise. Of course the crying etc., but it even got to the point that I was listening to the chit chatting, playing, gurgling, running around etc. All totally normal life noises and not their fault at all, but just constant. I also WFH a lot and the spare room (office) was under the nursery. I and the neighbour above them, actually both ended up selling up because of it. I forget how long I lasted but it was a while and i was a mess.

Again totally not their fault, they weren’t bad neighbours, just poorly designed flats combined with hard wood floors.

Original poster
Fallingleaves75 · 16/11/2021 11:16

Thanks dgirkuk. I really appreciate your post. I’ve currently got the baby in some kind of bouncer I assume literally bouncing right above my head and it’s been doing it all morning non stop. How can a little one make so much noise. It even causes the floor boards to squeak.

Yes detached is definitely the way forward but that would just be too big for me.

I’m so sorry it the noise made you a mess. I’m heading for the same way. Even when there is no noise, I’m waiting for it to start and it doesn’t take long …..

OP posts:
dgirluk · 16/11/2021 11:45

I know exactly how you feel. You get so sensitised to it.

Detached doesn’t mean enormous - there are small detached houses around. Or semi, at least it’s just one neighbour. Or end of terrace etc.

I know how desperate it feels though :hugs:

Original poster
Fallingleaves75 · 16/11/2021 16:05

Thanks dgirkuk. Our situations are so similar.

It’s just the houses round here are over £1 million so mega bucks and I love the area. I just don’t know what to do.

I know what you mean. You start listening out for every single sound.

OP posts:
flapjackfairy · 16/11/2021 16:11

Could you look at sound insulation for the ceilings if you really dont want to move ?

Original poster
Fallingleaves75 · 16/11/2021 16:15

Hi flapjack. I’ve looked into it but the reviews are 50/50 whether it has worked. My dentist had her ceiling done and she said it was a very expensive mistake as it didn’t work.

I’ve actually offered to pay for brand new carpet and proper thick underlay for the flat upstairs so it wouldn’t cost anyone a penny but their landlady said no.

OP posts:
flapjackfairy · 16/11/2021 18:02

@Fallingleaves75
Oh what a shame . So sorry you are being forced to consider moving.

RandomMess · 16/11/2021 18:29

What does it say in the lease and who owns the lease? So many flats do have conditions on them that they must be carpeted.

Unfortunately floors act like amplifiers. I know this because I have a 3 storey house and teens 😬

Original poster
Fallingleaves75 · 17/11/2021 07:18

Hi Random. It does say carpet and they definitely do have carpets in their living room and bedroom. The flat was in a bit of a state and very dirty due to their lifestyle.

I don’t know about the underlay either up there and what the quality of is it like.

The landlady has actually agreed to ring me today. Not sure if I’ve mentioned but the landlady is also the freeholder of the building so we shall see.

Yesterday I needed a few bits of fruit and I just popped out to the local shops. It’s such a lovely location and so convenient for all the little indie shops. I just don’t know what to do .

OP posts:
dgirluk · 17/11/2021 10:06

Good luck with the landlady, let us know! I guess the issue is (which was our issue) that babies make noise, it's not fair to expect them not to, and the noise levels were from "normal" life. It's obviously not right that 3 sets of people ended up moving out of their homes because of it, but equally it's not the baby/parent's fault either, so it's hard to be cross. We didn't have the hallway door slamming issue though.

HidingFromDD · 17/11/2021 12:35

Could you afford to buy it? Maybe see if the landlord is willing. You could then rent it out but have control over who is in there

Fluffymule · 17/11/2021 13:23

Could you perhaps rent your flat for a while and rent yourself somewhere else to live, to buy some time.

It would give you immediate respite from the noise, and you could wait and see if the upstairs couple are more likely to move or not through their changing circumstances.

It means you don't have to part with the flat you love right now, but would give you the opportunity to see if the benefit of not living with the noise and stress you currently experience might make up for permanently moving in the future.

Original poster
Fallingleaves75 · 17/11/2021 16:04

Hi Hiding

It’s funny because I have thought about buying it but she wants nearly £500k for it which is way over my budget. I have done some figures in the past but they just don’t add up. I only work a couple of days a week now and I would have to get a mortgage. It’s such a state up there that it would need gutting.

Hi Fluffy. Yes that’s an another option and I have been looking at rentals in the area. I could definitely afford to rent even up to a year.

I just think they are a very young couple with a baby, she’s been made redundant, never goes out anyway, do they really want to be stuck in a tiny flat with no outdoor space for much longer. I know she finds it difficult bringing the little one up and down the stairs and getting him in the car etc with all the gear.

OP posts:
70Cats · 17/11/2021 17:02

Are there any flats near you for over 50s? It’s an option I will be thinking of in the future.

BlueMongoose · 18/11/2021 10:12

I'd move. A friend had this happen and it ruined her health.

Newnameforabit · 18/11/2021 10:26

I hope the viewing goes well on Saturday, what a horrible situation for you to be in

Original poster
Fallingleaves75 · 19/11/2021 18:21

Well I spoke to the landlady and we have agreed that we can both inspect the carpet and underlay with a view to it getting replaced with top quality stuff and perhaps split the cost. So we are doing that this weekend and see what happens. Not sure it is the answer but it could be the answer.

Still getting my flat valued and seeing the house tomorrow.

Does anyone know about underlay? I need something thick.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 19/11/2021 18:30

When my DD played drums I asked for the most noise absorbing one they had I remember it being thick flat rubber stuff and it cost more than the carpet! Was really good though.

Original poster
Fallingleaves75 · 19/11/2021 18:44

Thanks Random. Was that from just a normal carpet shop or a specialist place ?

OP posts:
RandomMess · 19/11/2021 19:01

I'm sure it was a standard carpet place I was resolute that I need amazing underlay though!

Original poster
Fallingleaves75 · 19/11/2021 20:11

Thanks Random. So was that so you could not hear the drums downstairs. My problem is impact noise and not loud music etc. thanks again😊

OP posts:
RandomMess · 19/11/2021 20:26

The thump of the base pedal!!! So yeah impact sound.

Also DC generally thumping around above when trying to sleep!