Sound proofing in a rented property

CharlieRabbit01

Hi

I've recently moved into a ground floor flat as has the tenant upstairs, since moving in we've noticed we can hear everything, his tv, radio, phone conversations even when he is in the bath or shower.

We have had a complaint via the letting agent from the tenant upstairs saying he can hear us. Which doesn't surprise me in the slightest given what we can hear.

The property is very old we were told circa 1900 but i think its older than that, it used to be 2 houses but got converted into 2 flats, however my ceiling is basically his floor, is there a standard of sound proofing that should be in place?

warehouse

Read this thread OP:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4296879

CharlieRabbit01

This thread seems to refer to noise through walls?

All our walls are solid so noise is unlikely to travel through them.

t0rt0ise

I don't imagine there's any rules. I live in similar and part of the refurbishment that is going ahead now will add sound proofing between the floors but up until now there's been none.

Fraise

CharlieRabbit01 wrote: »

This thread seems to refer to noise through walls?

All our walls are solid so noise is unlikely to travel through them.

Noise finds an escape route and will travel across floors, down walls, through gaps in floorboards, through window frames.....the noise you describe is airborne rather than impact, and having acoustic matting fitted upstairs beneath a carpet should reduce the airborne noise considerably. When they fir the acoustic mat they don't just lay it down, they seal the edges with special material which prevents sounds escaping through the edges.

CharlieRabbit01

Is this anything we can request from the landlord?

I currently count myself lucky that its not a family with children as the noise from 2 men talking is annoying enough without children running about.

Fraise

CharlieRabbit01 wrote: »

Is this anything we can request from the landlord?

I currently count myself lucky that its not a family with children as the noise from 2 men talking is annoying enough without children running about.

You and your neighbour upstairs could ask your landlord to fit acoustic matting and carpet but he isn't obliged to. Though it would be in his interest to as otherwise his tenants may all end up constantly moving due to the noise. Have a word with him and see.