Block of flats- night time noise help needed

jellybeans_2

Quick question:
When is a reasonable time to go to bed when you are living in a block of flats?

And the longer explanation:
My neighbour below me is complaining about the noise my floor makes (creaking, possibly the joists) when I walk to go to the loo etc at night. He also bangs on the ceiling when he is annoyed by my walking which makes me anxious- I often lie in bed worrying about getting out to go to the loo.

However I have lived here a couple of years, and it's only the past 3-4 months he has complained- which coincides with him having a difficult time at work and being stressed. The noise of me getting up wakes him up and he is blaming his bad night sleep on me and says I should go to bed earlier and not walk around at night.

I however would like to get up if I need to! And go to bed when I like! Today he has said that I'm not considerate- however I don't wear shoes which would make a impact noise, don't play loud music/TV, don't flush the loo after 11pm; it is just the noise of the creaking floor (even where the floor is carpeted- it is a mixture of carpet/lino/laminate throughout the flat- but it is all a problem, although he has only complained/banged in the past few months). If I do wake up early (around 6) I stay in bed until 7 so that I don't wake him up too early (although he has in the past banged to complain about me getting out of bed at 7 or 8 at the weekend). Putting down extra rugs/mats has made no difference to the creaking floor.

I find him quite intimidating and don't know what else I can do.He wants to sleep between 11-7 and not have me walking anywhere in my flat between these times.

Part of the problem is that I have long term health problems/disability and I often wake in the night due to pain or night sweats- I then want to get up and go to the loo, dry off, or take some painkillers. This happens about 4 times a week- and is annoying for me too! But I don't see how I can walk to the bathroom from my bed without making the floor creak. I also work part time due to my disability and have got into the habit that if I'm starting at 11am, I go to bed at midnight and get up at 8.30-9 so that I'm not up for too long before work and hence feeling more pain/ill sooner.

The landlord/agent says that they can't do anything. The whole building is not very well sound proofed.

So... is it reasonable for him to ask me to change my sleeping habits to fit in with his?
Any tips on how I can be quieter?

I do not want to be causing him a bad night and extra stress (however it wasn't a problem for 2 years, so I wonder if it won't be a problem again if his personal problems are sorted- although when you start to get annoyed by noise I know you hear it more!)

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

jc808

tell him to jog on

weavedribbon

He honestly has no right to try and dictate to you when you can or can't move in your own home. It certainly doesn't sound like you're making any sort of unreasonable level of noise at all so he hasn't got a leg to stand on.

I'd use your flat as normal and if he complains again keep a log of it and keep informing the lettings agency. It sounds like he's being quite intimidating and that sort of behaviour is not on. If he can't cope with somebody walking around, he needs to move out. End of.

duchy

If he has a problem he needs to take it to the managing agents. They will explain to him what they can require of you legally and what they can't.

Telling you to go to bed at 9pm and not get out of bed before 9am at the weekend isn't something they will ask you to do....... however as he is harassing you and intimidating you -there is nothing to stop you complaining to the agents about him. I suggest you start to keep a diary of these incidents .

If you were a six foot three rugby player he wouldn't be banging and making unreasonable demands I bet.
Overall though I agree with post 2

duchy

Just had a thought-if the sound proofing is that poor -Perhaps a friend could loudly advise you to report him to the police for harassment -when you know he's in ?

Ivana_Tinkle

This is harrassment. Keep a diary of when it happens, and seriously consider informing the police.

19lottie82

Buy a set of silicone ear plugs (about £4 from boots), and next time he complains tell him that you are sorry but you're not acting unreasonably. Present him with the ear plugs, along with numbers for the local noise team / environmental health hotline / building management company and tell him that if he disagrees, he should call these numbers to report you and see what they advise.

jellybeans_2

Thanks everyone.

I have just spoken to the council who say that there is no legal time to go to bed (I knew this lol) and if he wanted to make a complaint they could get the wardens involved to investigate the cause of the noise.

He doesn't bang every time I walk to the bathroom- but he says that I disturb him most nights so I worry about it!

I'm worried as I know he wants me to go to bed at 11, but I want to stay up later if I want to but I also don't like disturbing people/ knowing that they are angry at me.

I shall give him the number for the council if he complains again. I had suggested he write to my landlord about the floor/sound proofing when he complained in January but he hasn't done this.

If I do go to bed earlier I will still disturb him when/if I need to walk to the bathroom. I shall keep a note of his complaints, and try to ignore him!

Dan-Dan

Sounds like a bully to me , do you have any large , handy looking relatives/friends ?

Mallotum_X

ignore him, go to bed when u want, get up when you want go to the loo when you want.

You are being considerate if you are not flushing at night or keeping the tv on loudly into the evening.

Tell him you are not being un-reasonable and to stop harassing you.

Jamie_Carter

I think you should write him a polite letter, explaining that you are doing all you can to minimise any noise, but you won't be bullied by him telling you what time you should go to bed. Also mention that he didn't complain for two years, but has only started recently. Include details of the letting agent, and the council in case he wants to complain to them.

Include a pair of ear plugs with the letter.