Asking vendor about squeaky floorboards

Southoftheriver_2

We're in the process of purchasing a our first flat, a ground floor converted flat with two smaller flats on the floor above.


On our last visit the tenant mentioned that there is a problem with noise from the flats above - specifically in a couple of rooms. He suggested that it's just a case of the floorboards needing to be nailed down properly rather than a massive soundproofing job.

We're obviously keen to do what we can before exchanging to investigate and resolve the problem. Especially as the vendor owns all three flats and is selling them at the same time, which means there should be a period when they are empty and much easier to do some work on the upstairs flats.

Having looked into it we know to highlight the issue to our solicitor who can check the lease - but does anyone have any advice about how we should approach the matter with the vendor and if this should be done through our solicitor or the EA? Our ideal would be that he has work done to fix the floorboards upstairs before we move in.

Thanks for your thoughts....

nickyg2000

Hello,

My advise would be to walk away. My girlfriend and I bought a purpose built flat 9 months ago and have similar problems with squeaky floorboards from the flat above. The problem is if you can hear squeeky floorboards you will also be able to hear everything else. Walking, talking, door opening closing, tv, music.

Only stuff built after 2003 will be soundproofed everything pr this will just be timber on joist and plaster board with the exception of high end luxury flats and ones with concrete floors. I thought our had concrete floors but it didn't.

I would have a sound test done if buying a flat again. or pay the guy upstairs to jump about when your viewing,

Fraise

NickyG you are wrong.

Squeaking floorboards can only be heard when walked on, which is impact noise. Voices etc is AIRBORNE noise....a totally different thing.

SouthoftheRiver, if you're still keen on the flat then ask the agent to tell the vendor to screw down the floorboards before exchanging. It would also be wise to ask if there is laminate or carpet above.

All upstairs flats should have either carpet with good impact underlay, or soundproofing if they want to lay laminate/wooden floors.

Hope that helps.

G_M

I'd be more concerned about the presence of a tenant!

When does their lease end?
Have they been given notice? What notice and served when, and how?
Have they indicated they will leave when asked?
do you believe them?
Might they change their minds?
Is their deposit protected (if not, the notice they were given is invalid)?

etc etc.

nickyg2000

Squeaky floorboards area combination of both impact and airborne noise. Part of the noise being structural due to the vibrations through the joists and part airborne. I know this having had two soundproofing professionals round to survey my flat.

If the the floor was floating with a suspended ceiling you would not likely hear creaky floorboards. Creaky floorboards are usually due to them being nailed in rather than screwed which sounds like it would have been done pre 2003 before sounds regs.

No way would you hear creaky floorboards though concrete.

SantaKlaus

do you really want to buy from a lazy vendor who can't even be bothered to fix a VERY easy problem? God knows what else they haven't fixed. All they have to do it screw down the floorboard or put talcum powder over the floorboard gaps to stop the squeaking!

thequant

squeaky floor boards usually mean gaps between them. You would be surprised at how much sound transmission that the minuteness of gaps give.


I'd seriously suggest getting a sound engineer in.


I stupidly ignored this problem on a conversion, fortunately it later fell through when the surveyor picked up the flat broke every building regulation going.


The squeaky floorboards were a symptom of the conversion not being done correctly.


I saved a lot of moolah on that, unlike the people who bought the other flat on sale who are now seriously stuffed.

Money_Bunny

My friend lives in a flat in a conversion. The flat above her's has floorboards and no carpet. There is no soundproofing.

It is driving her absolutely mental. It's not that the floorboards are squeaky, as such, it's just that she can hear every footfall. It's got to the point she can't sleep because she is listening out for the upstairs people to start padding about.

So I would think carefully before proceeding.

System

Fraise wrote: »

ask the agent to tell the vendor to screw down the floorboards before exchanging.

This is a no go. You need to forget that the vendor owns the flat upstairs as it has absolutely nothing to do with this sale. You need to treat the upstairs flat as being totally unconnected with the one for sale

How would you expect the vendor to approach his tenant and tell him/her that he wants to rip up the floors to stop the squeaks?

SantaKlaus

!!!!!! wrote: »

This is a no go. You need to forget that the vendor owns the flat upstairs as it has absolutely nothing to do with this sale. You need to treat the upstairs flat as being totally unconnected with the one for sale

How would you expect the vendor to approach his tenant and tell him/her that he wants to rip up the floors to stop the squeaks?

as the vendor is selling the above flat aswell then there is a good chance that there is no tenant, or will not be a tenant at exchange. Even if there is then its a 15 min job to do, if there is tenants still living there at exchange then the LL can just ask if they can quickly come in to do the repair, you don't even need to move out the furniture in the room to fix it, just move it away from the squeaking board and uplift that part of carpet, screw down the floorboard or put talc powder on gaps. Jobs a good un.

Just ask, the worse thing that can happen is the vendor could say no, But i doubt it, as they want the place selling, its a dead easy job that even i do myself, and i'm useless at DIY lol.

SantaKlaus

Money_Bunny wrote: »

My friend lives in a flat in a conversion. The flat above her's has floorboards and no carpet. There is no soundproofing.

It is driving her absolutely mental. It's not that the floorboards are squeaky, as such, it's just that she can hear every footfall. It's got to the point she can't sleep because she is listening out for the upstairs people to start padding about.

So I would think carefully before proceeding.

earplugs? they aren't expensive and are soft, i use them all the time.