Thin walls and rental attached - bad combo

[bdot86]

We bought what we thought would be our “forever home” and I’m honestly starting to regret it. The house itself needs a lot of work, but it’s on a lovely, quiet street full of families… except for the house next door, which is rented out to students.

Over the summer the landlord ripped up all the carpets and put down laminate, and now every little sound travels straight through as if the walls are paper.

I was actually relieved when I met the new tenants last week - they’re polite, considerate postgrads from India (the previous tenants were also really nice, although we only caught them at the end of their tenancy). When I mentioned the walls were thin, they were very understanding. But every night they sit up chatting until late. It’s not parties, just normal conversation — but male voices really carry, and I can hear everything. Last night they had friends over until 1am, and I just lay there feeling trapped.

I’ve realised the problem isn’t really who the neighbours are, but the setup: multiple adults in every room, right up against our party wall, in a thin-walled 1930s semi. It’s just a bad combo.

We’re spending a fortune on soundproofing next month, but I’m dreading the wait and worried it won’t be enough. I also resent the landlord, who hasn’t even responded to our party wall notice about our extension (his right, I know). Do I raise it, or just leave it since the tenants aren’t technically doing anything wrong?

Has anyone had a soundproofing success story that really made a difference? Or felt like they hated their house at first and grew to love it? Has anyone had a student rental next door that eventually got sold up (this one has apparently been let out for 20 years…)

I just feel so down about the whole thing :(

PS: I know I was warned about living next to students in a previous Mumsnet post… maybe it’s my fault for not listening.

It sounds like the house is a HMO

I suggest contacting your local council to see if it has the appropriate consents/licences

That and look at soundproofing the walls

You’re really lucky to have students who sit and chat rather than partying. The fault is in the house structure.
I suggest ear plugs until the soundproofing is in. It may do the trick. If not, bookcases against your walls would help, and asking the landlord to put down rugs.

Another one where 'at least you don't have the party students - this year...'.
Get the sound proofing done and just decorate in a way which reduces sound.

They played music until 1am last night. Continued shouting. This was after we complained. So it’s not looking good! Hope soundproofing will sort this.

I was in the same position in my favourite house! I had sound proofing all along the side and it made a huge difference. You could still hear loud music and fire doors banging but I never heard their voices or the TV.

You could complain to the university directly? Or go to the council and they might contact the university. I doubt the landlord cares. The problem is you will have new people every year so you might get quieter or louder ones next time.

Great to hear that soundproofing made a difference! I can’t wait to get started. We’ll begin with the bedrooms and then tackle the downstairs as part of the bigger renovation works.

After we complained to them directly on Friday night about the loud music, the tenants knocked on our door the next morning to apologise. They were shocked that we could hear noise - apparently, they were just gaming and listening to music from their laptops, while working on their thesis! I can still hear them, but now they understand just how thin the walls are.

Update : The landlord of the student rental property next door is now seeking to remove the current tenants. He believes there are more occupants living in the property than the tenancy agreement allows, and the tenants have also been consistently late with rent payments.

In addition, several neighbours have made complaints about suspicious activity, including alleged drug dealers visiting the house late at night to deliver drugs. The tenants are also regularly seen smoking cannabis in the garden, causing ongoing concern in the neighbourhood which is full
or families and young kids (this is the only student house in the area).

The landlord is determined to take action to remove the tenants… how possible is this ?
Noise is still an issue… they had a party on Monday night until 1am, however seems like this is one of many issues.

I would imagine if they are in violation of their tenancy agreement it should be straightforward? Would it be an eviction notice?

When I rented the apartment tenants upstairs did all sorts including drug dealing and being overcrowded but it wasn't until the rent wasn't paid the landlord acted.

All the neighbours witnessed another drug deal to the house today. It also seems they’re smoking weed inside, which really frightens me as it’s happening right next to my children’s bedroom.

The landlord called me today- he’s very distressed and said he wants the tenants out. He’s asked me to gather all the neighbours’ complaints, any photos, and any other proof into one email. He also wants everyone to call the police so there’s an official record.

I completely agree, this should be a clear breach of tenancy and an easy eviction. But I’m still wondering: if he already believes us and wants them out, why is he asking for all this evidence first? Is this standard? He’s already sent them a warning email. My only concern is he’s trying to buy time so he doesn’t lose money but he has said they are not paying him on time !