What's better: Ground or first flr flat?

sterl1ng

whenever i look on property websites I only look for ground floor garden flats as that's all I know as I live in something similar for about 10yrs. However, with the neighbours upstairs changing every 5 mins I've had my faireshare of noisy neighbours so I wonder whether I should look at a first floor place instead? Just that with the requiremetn of a garden I'm thinking it would be easier to get to/from it. Also, if I want to exercise in my first floor living room it could be very noisy for my neighbours below so I want to avoid causing potential nuisance. Hard to say which is best to go with.

hazyjo

Horses for courses - go with whatever suits you! Mostly, top floor flats are more desirable because of noise issues and safety.

Ground floors sometimes get sole use of the garden (usually if a conversion).

Top floor sometimes gets use of the loft if there is one.

Unfortunately, that's the compromise when buying a flat - usually neighbours upstairs or below.

Are you talking about buying, or are you renting?

Personally I'd save 'til I could afford a house, or consider a cheaper area, but know those options won't suit everyone.

Jx

00ec25

hazyjo has said it all ...

Fire_Fox

Depends on the person and the location. Upper floor flats are less at risk of burglary and flooding from nearby waterways. If any upstairs tenant is noisy don't hesitate to involve Environmental Health. I live in a converted office block, hear little from neighbours in any direction except the occasional party with music at top volume. My parents live in a converted mill and again little issue with sound travelling.

breadlinebetty

sterl1ng wrote: »

whenever i look on property websites I only look for ground floor garden flats as that's all I know as I live in something similar for about 10yrs. However, with the neighbours upstairs changing every 5 mins I've had my faireshare of noisy neighbours so I wonder whether I should look at a first floor place instead? Just that with the requiremetn of a garden I'm thinking it would be easier to get to/from it. Also, if I want to exercise in my first floor living room it could be very noisy for my neighbours below so I want to avoid causing potential nuisance. Hard to say which is best to go with.

It depends on the flat and on your requirements/wishes.

Is the flat purpose built? Does it have a lift? Would you prefer nice views over easy access to your own garden in the summer? Is the flat a conversion?

There's so many variables, that it's hard to answer.

Some flats are wildly expensive and incredibly beautiful, just like certain houses are.

As regards neighbours, yes you can be troubled by noisy neighbours from above - and from below but then equally you can have noisy neighbours living next door to you whether it be a flat or a house. You can even have noisy neighbors living across the road from you"!:eek:

Crazy as it sounds, if you do have noisy neighbours above or below you in a flat, it's usually much easier (I am generalising - you'll always the exceptional case...) but it's easier to get the problem resolved than it is getting rid of neighbours living next door to you or across the road from you.

If you're worried about making noise living above someone (or you're worried about an upper flat's noise) Environmental Health will act for you - and they do!! They are due to bring out a new law whereby all upper flats have underlay/carpeting or/and soundproofing, and I think the council have already brought that law out on all council properties - but you'd need to check on that.

How long do you intend to live there for? If you have a first floor flat (or higher) and it has no lift, then you need to consider the stairs, especially with shopping, possible parking issues, and perhaps no access to a garden......older people or coples with children would probably plump for the ground floor - no stairs to climb, possible easy parking and maybe a garden too (I think gardens are very important - but that's just me)

Of course, you may have nicer views on an upper floor which is always a bonus and a selling point, but you can't beat a garden - it's almost like another room for some people.

I think it depends on your own lifestyle and what the flat is actually like. It's a very hard question to answer..........

sterl1ng

Thanks, a garden is definately important as I have my cats to think of, they love the outdoors and for it to not be accessible could be problem. I think its most likely ground floor flat is settled. Plus no stairs to think of. I'm not after a purpose built flat, more a conversion where I have a ground maisonette where i'd plan to live for few years. I don't want to hang around too long and giving myself maybe 6mths to year for more saving then to buy somewhere as being in London prices don't really go down that much and could potatently go further up so woulld prefer not to be left behind.

Werdnal

I would be more concerned about checking the flat allows pets at all! Most flats are leasehold and some leases prohibit pets.

dimbo61

Easy really BUY A HOUSE and then you have a ground floor with garden and an upstairs for sleeping in or making noise !!!

sterl1ng

Werdnal wrote: »

I would be more concerned about checking the flat allows pets at all! Most flats are leasehold and some leases prohibit pets.

I had no idea there could be such restrictions! Thanks for that. Worth a check. I can't afford a house in london with my budget and i'm actually look at outskirts!

Jellybean_Jo

sterl1ng wrote: »

Thanks, a garden is definately important as I have my cats to think of, they love the outdoors and for it to not be accessible could be problem. I think its most likely ground floor flat is settled. Plus no stairs to think of. I'm not after a purpose built flat, more a conversion where I have a ground maisonette where i'd plan to live for few years. I don't want to hang around too long and giving myself maybe 6mths to year for more saving then to buy somewhere as being in London prices don't really go down that much and could potatently go further up so woulld prefer not to be left behind.

I live in a ground floor flat with access to a shared garden, as I'm the only ground floor flat with direct access, I'm the only one who uses it and it is very much like an extra room to me and I use the space a lot. You can get noisy neighbours wherever you live.
If you can only afford a flat, and you'd be happy in it then go for it; but personally I wouldn't even contemplate buying anything if I only had in mind that I would stay there 6 months....the associated buying/selling fees associated with moving would make it really expensive!!

Whilst you're looking at the pet clauses, have a look and see if there are any clauses about flooring and that might give you an idea of what you're in for if you do buy it. My lease stipulates carpets with sound deadening (or words to that effect) underlay. I've lived below a flat with wooden/laminate flooring and it was hell on earth for 6 months!!

breadlinebetty

sterl1ng wrote: »

I had no idea there could be such restrictions! Thanks for that. Worth a check. I can't afford a house in london with my budget and i'm actually look at outskirts!

You could have share of freehold in a conversion, in which case you could keep pets on your own property.

Many flats (if not most) are leasehold, and I've never heard of anyone having issues with having cats or dogs. If you go for a ground floor maisonette it's almost like a house in some ways, what with the garden etc, so a cat is hardly going to be a problem!