Flat Above Has Noisy Laminate Flooring - Any Advice

Greenr

Hi

There is a clause in all our flat leases which states that laminate should not be used in the main rooms (hallway is ok) of the flats in our block. We bought our flat a year ago and noticed that upstairs do have laminate. As I'm now part of the Management Company for the block I was wondering if anyone could advise on how I should address the situation? Should I write a letter to the sellers of the flat stating that laminate should not be used as per the lease or should I wait to hear from the buyers solicitors (once a buyer has been found) to notify them of them problem?

Thanks!

Captain_Mainwaring_2

Take it easy - is there any requirement to lay any floor covering?

Better just quietly let them know and ask them if they wouldn't mind laying a couple of rugs.

Greenr

They shouldn't have put wooden flooring down to start with as per all of our leases... it's very noisy for those living below.

I wouldn't want to delay sale if they find a buyer so was thinking of maybe writing them a letter asking them to put carpet down before they sell... alternatively making the buyers solicitor aware once a buyer is found?

mrs_deadline

A letter out of the blue can really put people's backs up. Unless you want the noise problem to get worse before it gets better, I would definitely speak to them personally to start with - and be as tactful as you would want them to be if they had an issue about some aspect of your lifestyle :-)

Captain_Mainwaring_2

Greenr wrote: »

They shouldn't have put wooden flooring down to start with as per all of our leases... it's very noisy for those living below.

I wouldn't want to delay sale if they find a buyer so was thinking of maybe writing them a letter asking them to put carpet down before they sell... alternatively making the buyers solicitor aware once a buyer is found?

Firstly, are you living below? and if not have there been any complaints?

I ask again is there a requirement to lay any floorcovering? What is the exact wording WRT "laminate" ?

Greenr

Captain_Mainwaring wrote: »

Firstly, are you living below? and if not have there been any complaints?

I ask again is there a requirement to lay any floorcovering? What is the exact wording WRT "laminate" ?

Yes, I'm living below. The owners have moved out so I don't see them anymore so I'm not just able to knock and have a chat. The lease states that carpet must be laid in the living room and bedrooms but other flooring is allowed in hallways and kitchen. I'm guessing it would be easier for this to be sorted out before a new owner or tennant moves in....

Captain_Mainwaring_2

Greenr wrote: »

Yes, I'm living below. The owners have moved out so I don't see them anymore so I'm not just able to knock and have a chat. The lease states that carpet must be laid in the living room and bedrooms but other flooring is allowed in hallways and kitchen. I'm guessing it would be easier for this to be sorted out before a new owner or tennant moves in....

Is it that noisy?

Be careful about contacting any potential purchaser before completion - if you put them off then there could be a really nasty situation.

The lawyer should find it in the lease in any case - let it complete then drop by and remind the purchaser of the requirement and ask if he could take care of it as soon as he has settled in.

Greenr

Captain_Mainwaring wrote: »

Is it that noisy?

Be careful about contacting any potential purchaser before completion - if you put them off then there could be a really nasty situation.

The lawyer should find it in the lease in any case - let it complete then drop by and remind the purchaser of the requirement and ask if he could take care of it as soon as he has settled in.

Yes, you can hear a penny drop etc! I'd never dream of putting wooden flooring down with someone living below me... I'll highlight the clause in the lease once the buyers solicitor contacts me and hopefully that should solve the problem.

thanks for your advice

Alan_M_2

I once lived below a flat that was renovated with laminate flooring. Living there became unbearable, their 2 year old child was flat footed, and we couldn't hear the TV when she decided to walk anywhere. It really was intolerable and we moved solely for that reason.

dander

If it's on the market, is it worth dropping the estate agent a line to just let them know that the floors are not as per the lease? That way any potential buyers could be told that they'd have to put some rugs down or change the flooring before it becomes an issue.

Also, why don't you, as the management company put a welcome pack together for when a new tenant moves in - you could put a card and a bottle of wine in with all the information about bins, recycling, meters, maintenance etc, and make sure there's a bit in there about rugs on floors.

pinkshoes

Is it a converted flat rather than purpose built? I don't know any converted flats that allow laminate/wooden flooring due to the poor sound insulation between the floors.