Noisy kids upstairs, should the previous owner disclose this when selling? Help pleas

Mojisola

newbian wrote: »

That would be typical but OP is claiming during his work day they run around all day. Either OP is exaggerating or they are not in school/nursery/playgroup at the moment.

If they are stuck in a flat all the time, it's no wonder they race about the place and don't go to bed until late.

embob74

While I feel sorry for the OP I do feel sorry for the people in the flat above OP.
My niece is in a flat on the 3rd floor with 2 kids and struggles to get out as it's difficult to carry a toddler, a newborn and a double buggy up and down stairs. So if the kids are stuck in a flat maybe it's because it's difficult for the parents to get out?

I have had a baby with colic and for the first year of her life she cried constantly. Or at least it seemed that way and no matter what I did she cried. If I could have shut her up I would have! I doubt I would have been very receptive if a neighbour had come whining to me that they were unable to concentrate on their work!!

That somebody can put children in the same category as dogs is appalling :mad: it isn't like you can rehome a child because they make too much noise.....or maybe that's acceptable to others?! Hell why not bind and gag all the children so a select few adults can make the mistake of investing a lot of money into a home which they have obviously not checked sufficiently at varying times of the day. It's called "buyer beware" for a reason :rotfl:

As for recommending the OP contacts EH and hassles the tenants LL in order to get them chucked out - shame on you!!
Perhaps the OP should start a noise diary and hopefully the neighbours will start a harassment diary.

Of course all of it has to be taken in context. We will never know if the neighbours are disrespectful or if the OP is just being over sensitive. A little consideration on either side is the key. What consideration has OP given to his neighbours?

FeistyFidget

I don't think anyone was trying to lump children and animals into the same category. They were just highlighting that a dog is of lower intelligence and yet legally must be trained not to make noise, or disturb neighbors - children are obviously of much higher intelligence and yet for some reason it is thought that they lack the capacity to learn how to play quietly, respect others etc.

I agree it is buyer beware, but it just isn't practical for a potential buyer to observe the full spectrum of neighborly interactions during viewings.

I think the OP has tried to be accommodating, he initially spoke to the parents, only when there was no joy (and an irate Father at having the subject being brought up again) did he try to contact the landlord. The OP is trying to find a solution to this scenario, telling him he should just go the expense of buying a new property as the parents shouldn't have to adjust their living arrangements/expectations is shocking.

embob74

Children can be taught to play quietly but as a mother of 2 siblings I can state without a fact that no matter how many episodes of Supernanny I watch there will be times when the siblings make noise. Mostly it is because they both want the same toy and haven't yet learned to vocalise their wants or to be patient and wait their turn. I try to teach them how to play nicely together, to take turns and that one toy at a time is sufficient but there will still be times when they make noise. As my children are not animals I will not teach them with a whistle, a rolled up newspaper or an electric shock collar. Sorry to disappoint and it means that gentle teaching takes time and is not always totally effective.

I am just adding my view that as a parent who is quite considerate I would feel very affronted if somebody approached me and asked me to keep my children quiet. If a neighbour knocked on my door to complain about the fact my child wakes in the night crying I'd be furious (mainly because I am tired from the fact my child wakes in the night crying!)

OP may not be accommodating - we have no proof of how much or how little noise there actually is. Until we can assess for ourselves it is in dispute as to who is really in the wrong.
It seems OP is set on forcing the family out and as no mention has been made of any other person complaining about the noise it points to OP being the problem and causing harassment to a family living a normal life.

I suggest OP does start a noise diary and perhaps record the noise and get an independent person to assess it. Unfortunately when you are affected by noise you tend to get a little obsessive about and small annoyances soon seem big problems.
Perhaps OP should consider finding suitable work space, there is a reason offices are rarely situated underneath residential flats.

embob74

I am eagerly awaiting a new thread from a family who have been living happily in their flat for many years with no neighbour problems until recently a new neighbour moved in who has been constantly complaining to them about noise and has contacted their LL and the EH because their children walk on the floor.

Can't wait to see the advice given then......:rotfl:

clarabelle41

embob74 wrote: »

Children can be taught to play quietly but as a mother of 2 siblings I can state without a fact that no matter how many episodes of Supernanny I watch there will be times when the siblings make noise. Mostly it is because they both want the same toy and haven't yet learned to vocalise their wants or to be patient and wait their turn. I try to teach them how to play nicely together, to take turns and that one toy at a time is sufficient but there will still be times when they make noise. As my children are not animals I will not teach them with a whistle, a rolled up newspaper or an electric shock collar. Sorry to disappoint and it means that gentle teaching takes time and is not always totally effective.

I am just adding my view that as a parent who is quite considerate I would feel very affronted if somebody approached me and asked me to keep my children quiet. If a neighbour knocked on my door to complain about the fact my child wakes in the night crying I'd be furious (mainly because I am tired from the fact my child wakes in the night crying!)

OP may not be accommodating - we have no proof of how much or how little noise there actually is. Until we can assess for ourselves it is in dispute as to who is really in the wrong.
It seems OP is set on forcing the family out and as no mention has been made of any other person complaining about the noise it points to OP being the problem and causing harassment to a family living a normal life.

I suggest OP does start a noise diary and perhaps record the noise and get an independent person to assess it. Unfortunately when you are affected by noise you tend to get a little obsessive about and small annoyances soon seem big problems.
Perhaps OP should consider finding suitable work space, there is a reason offices are rarely situated underneath residential flats.

I think it's already been mentioned that the previous owner of the flat had similar issues with the noise & raised it with the tenant or LL.

Jenny.W

I do feel for the OP... We used to live in a maisonette with 2 adults above and that was bad enough.

I would hear him get up every morning at 5.15, walk around the bed, into the bathroom, just to the point where yiu tune into everything, especially at that time of the morning.

My husband and brother made false ceilings packed with lots of loft/sound insulation but I'm not sure if this is an option for you? It was a big job and did help but didn't eliminate the noise 100% but it did help, however I just found myself listening out for more noise.

We moved in the end

Mojisola

Jenny.W wrote: »

I just found myself listening out for more noise.

I think this is one of the problems - once it's become an issue, you become more sensitive to it and the problem grows and grows in your mind.

Before it gets too bad a trigger point, it would be worth jingledoghere trying some of the options suggested by posters - ear plugs, white noise earphones, playing background music - and trying to blank the noise out mentally as well.

persa

Well, my LL bans both pets and children for the simple reason that neither are suited to apartment living. They both make unavoidable noise which shouldn't be inflicted on neighbours - noisy people should live in houses, where the sound doesn't travel as much.

Doesn't sound like the LL here cares, the children can't be expected to care and the parents either can't or won't control the little angels. Moving could be an option, but if budget will only permit another flat rather than a house, it may not solve anything long term. OP could end up surrounded by families.

As galling as it may be to pay for works to someone else's property, I think in the OP's position I'd be exploring the cost of soundproofing. It might be worth it for sanity's sake.

mummyroysof3

Don't know if its applicable and is properly quite cheeky but do the children attend nursery if so ask for a list of when they out the flat then plan work that's most important for those times...just a thought