No Soundproofing in New Council Property: I'm living in a prison!

kawaii-lobster

I'm 21 years old and very have recently moved into my first ever property, a small flat owned by the council. The flat was in a disgusting state when I first moved in, but have managed to do it up since and have turned it into a comfortable home to be in. There's a big issue, in that the set of flats I live in, which houses 3 individual flats and myself being on the very top floor, were built without any soundproofing whatsoever.
I am receiving continuous noise complaints from the tenants below us who have been living in the flats for 7 years now. At first I was bit miffed and thinking that they were just being moany because I am genuinely not making any loud noises, not a single party, never had friends round apart from to show them the new flat and I NEVER play loud music. The noise complaints are the result of general day to day living, things like drying my hair, having a shower, rolling around in bed, DIY during the day and even simply walking around too late at night.
The couple below us have lived here much longer than us and there is genuinely a problem here because I can also hear them, though not as much. I have been down to their flat and confirmed for myself how bad it is. At night I am unable to even talk to my partner in the bedroom, and you can forget lovemaking altogether.
I have an elliptical that I cannot use fullstop, not even during the day as it disturbs the people below us, so as a result I'm putting on weight.

I hate it so much. This is supposed to be my first property, but it feels like I'm living in a prison. I don't want to disturb the neighbors but I want to be able to feel comfortable in my own home, not have to come in and tiptoe from room to room. It's awful, I'm getting very depressed about it. I know I should feel lucky for getting a flat in the first place, but this isn't living.

I spoke to the couple downstairs and they said that were the building to be built by today's standards it would actually be illegal, but that they've been to the council in the past and fobbed off repeatedly by them.

I'm going down to my local council office tomorrow to speak to them about it, because something needs to be done. Either soundproofing installed, or for me to sadly be moved on. I say sadly because I've just finishing turning the flat from something out of a Life of Grime to a beautiful, cozy little nest.

I need some advice on how to go about doing this. I'm very easily fobbed off and turned away so I need to know what I need to say and how to explain how badly this is impacting on my life. I sit here writing this in tears, following another complaint 10 minutes ago for talking to my friends on Skype because the woman below me can apparently hear every word I'm saying and is unable to sleep because of it.

I don't want to live like this, I need some help.

Thrugelmir

As a basic step. What floor covering have you got?

kawaii-lobster

I also need to add, I have had to have my kitty rehomed because of this. At night he generally has these mad 5 minutes where he starts bouncing off of the walls and running around. I was getting so many complaints about him, initially I had to keep him out of the bedroom at night because of him moving around, then shut him in the living room at. Eventually I decided it was cruel to him and that he would be better off in a home where he was allowed to roam free.

It is that bad that I had to get rid of my pet. Do you think this will hold any weight when trying to reason with the council?

kawaii-lobster

Thrugelmir wrote: »

As a basic step. What floor covering have you got?

Carpets in some rooms and the plastic imitation wood floorboards in others. It apparently makes no difference as the previous tenant had carpets in every room and the neighbors below still suffered.

ruggedtoast

Sounds like it's them who have the problem to be honest.

It pays to be considerate but I certainly wouldn't be creeping about like a mouse in my own flat.

Time to man up.

kawaii-lobster

At first I felt like that, but I have to take into consideration that I've been here just over a month and they've been here 7 years. I have been into the flat and can confirm that there is a severe problem.

I don't know what to do, I can't imagine having to live like this for the next few years.

shonzyd

i had a similar problem only in a semi detached house that i privately rented. It got to the point where i couldnt even have a conversation at night without my neighbours rudely banging on the wall. In the end i just starting banging back and that soon put a stop to it. It not your fault theres no sound proofing or the walls/floors are thin. Carry on as you are. I wouldnt tip toe around for anyone. I think my neighbours were just moany old ***** and they had lived in there house a long time, so thought they had more rights than me. I eventually put a complaint to the council about them for harrasment because there moaning and whining was constant. They even started approaching visitors to the property. and as like you mine was just everyday noise, and they refused to acknowledge that i could hear the same amount of noise from them. They even had the cheek to whine about the noise when i was moving my furniture in.

I had very inconsiderate neighbours who would whine about anything, and because theyd been there a long time they thought it was my fault. Thankfully ive just moved out of there but like someone else suggested it sounds like it is them who have the problem, there needs to be a certain amount of toleration both sides.

kawaii-lobster

The thing is, I'm a very timid person. I can't stand up to people like that. I really, reaaaalllly don't want their to be any animosity between us as we're going to be meeting each other on the stairs regularly and outside. It would create an uncomfortable situation between us that would also be difficult to live with.

I don't know what to do. It doesn't seem fair on them, but then it also doesn't seem fair on me.

Is there really no way I can get the council to do something? I mean, surely if the soundproofing is so inadequate that there is a legal issue here?

kawaii-lobster

Oh and congratulations on your new home Shonzyd! Well done!

Ciderarmy1987

kawaii-lobster wrote: »

The thing is, I'm a very timid person. I can't stand up to people like that. I really, reaaaalllly don't want their to be any animosity between us as we're going to be meeting each other on the stairs regularly and outside. It would create an uncomfortable situation between us that would also be difficult to live with.

I don't know what to do. It doesn't seem fair on them, but then it also doesn't seem fair on me.

Is there really no way I can get the council to do something? I mean, surely if the soundproofing is so inadequate that there is a legal issue here?

As said above this isnt totally your issue, if it is causing your neighbours a massive discomfort it is there job to hassle the council.

You have said that previous tenants were the same. They have lived there for 7 years and no what to expect therefore I find it very unfair of them to complain to you about it when they fully know what to expect when you moved in.

kawaii-lobster

Ciderarmy1987 wrote: »

As said above this isnt totally your issue, if it is causing your neighbours a massive discomfort it is there job to hassle the council.

You have said that previous tenants were the same. They have lived there for 7 years and no what to expect therefore I find it very unfair of them to complain to you about it when they fully know what to expect when you moved in.

What do I do when they come upstairs complaining though? I can't just ignore the knock, they know when I'm in. If I say no and refuse, the woman says she cannot sleep because she says she has a condition that causes severe fatigue and kidney problems.

I don't know what to do. My partner is annoyed and has said that if us talking at night is causing problems that they should just wear earplugs, but I don't know how to say that to them without sounding rude...