Hi, I'm bbsparkles, And I Am a 'Noisy' Neighbour

bbsparkles

We've lived in the same first floor flat above the same neighbours for 3 years. For the first 2.5 years, everything was fine and dandy between us and our downstairs neighbours - no complaints in either direction.

However, since my youngest son started to walk (and then to run and jump and dance) my neighbours have complained repeatedly about the noise he causes.

I really do feel for them. I believe them when they say it's awful. But I don't know what to do about it. The building was apparently very cheaply built and has virtually no soundproofing and our flat is rented so we can't carry out any major re-flooring projects.

I try to stop my son when I can see he is being excessively noisy, but he just walks heavily, because he's only 2, and he doesn't understand 'walk quietly' like my 7 year old does. It usually just has the effect of me feeling rotten at having to rain on his parade every time he is excited or happy.

I bought him a pair of thick soled slippers to wear indoors and cushion his heels but they are complaining just as frequently.

Short of physically restraining him so that he can't move about the flat (don't worry, I shan't be doing that ) I am stuck for ideas.

I feel so stressed out and feel physically sick every time the doorbell rings in case it's the neighbours come to tell me off again.

I have assured them that I am trying to help, and that it will improve naturally as he gets older and can understand more (and move with a bit more grace and subtlety) but I'm sure they think I'm all talk, that I don't give a damn and that my children are feral creatures that I allow to run rampant just to upset them.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Is there any sort of affordable soundproofing I can do? Any advice greatly appreciated.....

clockworks_2

Wooden or carpeted floors? Can you try and dampen the floor with a thick rug?

bbsparkles

Carpeted floors.

It might be an idea to get a thick rug for heavy traffic areas though. I hadn't thought of that.

clockworks_2

If you floor boards under the carpet and not the big chipboard sheets make sure they're all screwed down tightly so they don't creak. Then buy the thickest rug you can find!

Good luck

frannyann

Hi I am a ground floor flat with poor sound proofing, and I have to say I feel your neighbours are being a little unreasonable. I had a family of four living above me until recently, the youngest was about 8 when I moved in and he made noise, as thats what children do! I knew he'd be in bed by about 7pm so didn't worry about it. As I knew the sound proof was very poor when I moved in I 'double-lined' the ceiling which reduced the noise.
When they next complain, point out what you have done to reduce the noise, point out that he goes to bed at X time and there will be no further nosie after that and explain he will get quieter as he gets older. Then stop stressing!

bbsparkles

We have floorboards, and they are a bit dodgy now I come to think about it.
Didn't realise that could be a contributing factor.

Thanks a lot, you've given me a couple of new ideas to try.

Jem8472

We are a middle flat so people above and below. Our floors creak badly. The kitchen is worst. The floor boards are just big bits of chipboard.

We have had some heavy footed people above us and some silent, currently it is empty and up for sale. It can be annoying with noise but cant be the worst thing in the world.

Could you contact the landlord and see if he could help in anyway?

27col

Creaking floor boards are a great source of annoyance, and unnecessarily so. Most of the creaks can be removed by systematically going over the floor and renewing the fixings.I speak from experience, I did this to my bedroom floor and now there is only one small area that creaks when walked on. If I can be bothered to get off my bum, I will fix that area soon, as well. Of course, I am talking about creaking floors and not the noise made by small running feet.

dander

Hello, just adding, what kind of underlay have you got under the carpets? If there isn't much underlay then getting something thick and spongy underneath might help. Probably not hugely expensive, but a bit of upheaval to take the carpets up and relay. I don't know how receptive your landlord would be to paying out for that kind of change though, but you can only ask!

Bronnie

I don't mean to be rude or flippant in response to your problem and it may or may not be appropriate to your circumstances, but are you able to consider moving to another property now b oth your children are beyond the baby stage.

It could make life much easier, with regard to this particular problem and also maybe giving them safe access to an outside space as they get older and maybe more physical in their play. There are costs involved in making changes to your current home, it might be worth biting the bullet and putting that money towards future moving costs, if this is a feasible idea.

Good luck anyway!

2Sheds

Have you hardboard over your existing floorboards? Should be down for fire reason (see below), also may help with noise reduction.


The first floor over any habitable rooms under the landing should also have 30 minutes fire resistance. If the existing floor is plain edged boards, or badly fitting tongue and grooved boards, this should be overlaid with hardboard.