Recently moved into a new build apartment and the upstairs neighbours run around their apartment at all hours keeping me and my 1 year old awake or with very little sleep

[ThisBrightFox]

I'm writing this very sleep-deprived and grumpy.

We moved about two weeks ago and had a couple of external noises but after getting earplugs to sleep, it didn't bother me. Our neighbours moved in last week and the noise is constant and earplugs don't block the sound. My only guess is they have a toddler or an older child who doesn't sleep and runs around the apartment for about 12 hours a day. I am probably wrong as it doesn't seem realistic but that is what it sounds like. From 1 pm in the day and even at 2 am this morning it was constant. I'm not sure if it stopped or I just passed out. I even went out to the communal hallway and it could be heard there so I thought maybe kids were running up and down the communal hallway...

I can't be certain but my partner has said no way to go up to speak with a neighbour as he has friends who have "discussed "with their neighbours about noise and have ended up in violent feuds. I am not a violent person at all and would speak to them like another person as maybe they don't realise.

Moving isn't an option right now and our council suggest calling the police which seems extreme. Has anyone ever successfully soundproofed their home in a similar situation? My daughter is waking up 5/6 times in the night and I think it's the noise as she usually sleeps through maybe waking once.

To add, I expect noise in a block and having a toddler myself who sometimes throws things and runs around but I am conscious of neighbours below and try to control it.

I would go have a polite word with them, find out if they are running around or whether they're just walking around and there's no soundproofing at all.
I was a "noisy" upstairs neighbour in one flat, the people downstairs sent us passive aggressive notes about us running around but it was just the sound of us walking about the flat.
I would have much preferred a polite visit, but in reality there was nothing we could do about it and they should have been asking the landlord to get soundproofing.
This website might be useful to you:
https://www.askthe.police.uk/view-category/?id=7ac7e112-6ad2-eb11-bacb-000d3ad61986#:~:text=If%20it%20is%20a%20one,police%20via%20their%20101%20number.

Maybe you will get used to it in a little while, your kid will.

this sounds really tough. it does sound like a child running around. I've experienced a noisy neighbour from upstairs a few times - but they were adults on most occasions, the last experience was with a child running.

One was doing a reno to their flat but working til 11pm, I called the police and involved the council and the entire block. They were forced to reduce work upto 6pm.

The second was some students who moved in above us (daddy's money to pay the rent). They were very entitled and thought they could blast music loudly all day and night. Involved the council, they still didn't stop. People don't realise but the law states you cannot play loud music that disturbs others in the day even. Eventually involved the police - that didn't scare them either. Anyways, after a few weeks, we heard some terrible banging and screaming noise. it was quite frightening. Later, we peeked up and saw their door and hallway entrance was absolutely trashed. I think their neighbour to the left basically had enough and went crazy. That's what noise and lack of sleep does to people. After that, there wasn't a problem with the noise. It's awful that it took this to make them behave considerately.

The experience with the child was towards the end of our tenancy. They're just a child and have evry right to play in their home, but the parents are always the issue. We checked with our council and children playing isn't something they will do anything about, but they can enforce thick rugs/carpet to the flooring etc. I would speak to the parents, take your baby and partner with you and be super friendly and welcoming. let them see you have a baby and it makes the complaint more human. Most people do understand, especially families. If they don't own the property above you, contact their landlords too to help them make the flooring more soundproof.

But I would definitely say something. just remember they may be stressed too with children, and try to work it out with them which will take awhile to figure out what works best for all. the main issue is sound proofing.

Do you rent or own? if you own then you should have a management company. Complain to them - leases usually stipulate that flats should be carpeted to prevent noise.

Maybe you will get used to it in a little while, your kid will

What, being sleep deprived and having non-stop noise overhead? to start with, why should OP get used to it? maybe the neighbours could stop being inconsiderate.

That sounds like a nightmare! I completely understand the sleep deprivation and anger because last night I had enough, after 4 nights of constant running around (it sounds like a small elephant running around) I was so angry I felt like banging my mop against the ceiling!

I do understand children need to be free to run around and play and during the day I could get used to it, to be fair, on my days off we like to get out so it's not a problem. But late into the night is something different and unfortunately, I am judging the parents because thankfully I have my little one tucked in bed by 7:30 pm. Then I feel bad and think maybe the kids have ADHD and are difficult to control, maybe they're excited but at the end of the day, I can't live like that!

I think once I've calmed down I will go to speak with them and myself and partner have (finally) agreed to give them some time to settle in and go from there.

You heard banging and a scream which was quite frightening yet you didn’t call the police ?! Just peeked later? Someone could have been being attacked?

The council can put sound recording equipment in your flat and if they deem it unacceptable they can write to the neighbours- if it carries on after they have been warned the council will fine them

Don't buy a flat? On a serious note I would speak to them sooner rather than later, if it's a new build I would put money on the developer has skimped on or missed the insulation. DS was never in bed at 7:30 he would have been up for the day at 4am. Bed time before he started school was 11pm with us.

it could be poor insulation. Is your flat within the 2 year NHBC warranty? If yes, you need to report it asap and claim a defect.

Yes, thanks for that helpful advice!

Yes, it's a new build! Thank you, I will get on to it :)