New tenants

ankspon

We had numerous problems with the previous tenants in the flat above but thankfully they moved out.The new tenants are moving in today so would you approach them and let them know what we can hear.We can hear them using the toilet,cooking,closing cupboard doors,talking etc and i know this is not there fault,it is the rubbish soundproofing.The last tenants knew this and became anti social,basically taking the p##s.So should i say something and make them aware of the problems with the soundproofing and hope they understand.

poppysarah

You need the soundproofing sorting out.

Do you own your flat?

ankspon

I know that and we have a builder coming to give a quote,the last quote we got from a company that specialised in it was £2500 per 9ftx8ft wall,ridiculous.In the meantime would you make them aware of the problems.

GCH888

Hopefully you'll have decent tenants upstairs. Otherwise you've just given them the perfect weak spots to annoy you in the middle of the night.

RuthnJasper

Why not go up with a small 'welcome' gift (like some chocolate or a bottle of wine) and introduce yourself? Offer them a hand or the chance to ask you about local stuff (e.g. nearest decent pub, etc.) Then, you could casually, in a light-hearted way, mention the noise problem. Be informal and friendly and then your new neighbours will be more likely to listen. If you go in straight away, all guns blazing, you'll only succeed in getting their backs up.

It's easier to start off on a friendly footing - the new folk may very well be sympathetic towards you (maybe they even moved to get away from annoying neighbours themselves).

Good luck. Hope all goes well. x

celyn90

I just go round and introduce myself, say hello and ask them if the need anything. That way you'll be in a position if you find the noise difficult to deal with again, to raise it gently and calmly with them and start to build a good relationship with them as a good neighbour.

If you came round to us the day we moved in and told us how noisy it was and that we couldn't do x,y,z, I'd be really upset and probably too scared to do anything in my flat. I'd also think you were a bit strange to be honest I can see how some people would react badly to that too, depending on how it was put across.

But if it is a problem to you, you need to get the soundproofing sorted regardless of cost. You can't expect people to tip-toe round their flat because the build quality is so poor you can hear everything. It is hardly their fault. I do sympathise - we can hear everything through our walls too (every door, everytime the loo is flushed, if the shower or washing machine is used. I know they have breadmaker... list goes on). I'm sure our neighbours can hear us too. I have rugs down to deaden any noise so the people below us don't suffer, I don't play music or have a TV, but these are my choices and it isn't anyone elses fault really but the idiot who built this block of houses on the cheap. I'd be put out if our neighbours had the stereo on all hours or held loud parties, but they are just living normally and we happen to be able to hear them. cel x

ankspon

Yes we own the flat.We did greet the previous tenants in a friendly way but they just made more noise.It got to the stage where they received a final warning and when it happened again the landlord said she would take no more action against them and the management co are useless.Fingers crossed the new ones behave like human beings not animals like the last lot.

ankspon

celyn90 wrote: »

I just go round and introduce myself, say hello and ask them if the need anything. That way you'll be in a position if you find the noise difficult to deal with again, to raise it gently and calmly with them and start to build a good relationship with them as a good neighbour.

If you came round to us the day we moved in and told us how noisy it was and that we couldn't do x,y,z, I'd be really upset and probably too scared to do anything in my flat. I'd also think you were a bit strange to be honest I can see how some people would react badly to that too, depending on how it was put across.

But if it is a problem to you, you need to get the soundproofing sorted regardless of cost. You can't expect people to tip-toe round their flat because the build quality is so poor you can hear everything. It is hardly their fault. I do sympathise - we can hear everything through our walls too (every door, everytime the loo is flushed, if the shower or washing machine is used. I know they have breadmaker... list goes on). I'm sure our neighbours can hear us too. I have rugs down to deaden any noise so the people below us don't suffer, I don't play music or have a TV, but these are my choices and it isn't anyone elses fault really but the idiot who built this block of houses on the cheap. I'd be put out if our neighbours had the stereo on all hours or held loud parties, but they are just living normally and we happen to be able to hear them. cel x

I wouldn't say you can't do xyz,it would be just making them aware of what we can hear,i'm sure they would be just as embarrased as us if they knew we could hear them use the toilet,having sex,etc.I want to start on the right footing.I knew how much debt etc the previous ones had as we could hear them

celyn90

davidhwdn wrote: »

I wouldn't say you can't do xyz,it would be just making them aware of what we can hear,i'm sure they would be just as embarrased as us if they knew we could hear them use the toilet,having sex,etc.I want to start on the right footing.I knew how much debt etc the previous ones had as we could hear them

These don't really sound to me like things you can change though. I can't see how you can be quieter when you use the toilet (I can also hear when our neighbours use the loo, so I do understand - but I'd guess they can hear us as well). I don't expect people to talk in hushed voices. I think the thing is that your flat - like ours - does not allow for people to live without hearing what is going on in other peoples lives and that is the fault of the build, not the occupants, so the build is what you need to correct.

I just don't think raising it when they haven't actually done anything is good idea. I am sorry you have had bad experiences with your neighbours before, but these people are new and don't deserve your doubt at this stage.

GCH888

davidhwdn wrote: »

I wouldn't say you can't do xyz,it would be just making them aware of what we can hear,i'm sure they would be just as embarrased as us if they knew we could hear them use the toilet,having sex,etc.I want to start on the right footing.I knew how much debt etc the previous ones had as we could hear them

Hmmm ... think how you would feel if you've just moved in and the people downstairs knock on the door to tell you that they can hear everything you do. I would actually seriously regret moving in because I wouldn't want to spend my time at home on tip toe, whispering and watching TV with the headphones on. And knowing that everytime I'm on the loo, the people downstairs can hear how regular I am ...

Not nice is all I'm saying.

Marvel1

I don't think I would like it if I moved in and a neighbour informed me they can hear everything. I would be too scared to go the toilet, talk and wonder if the TV is quiet enough but loud enough for me to hear etc.