what would you do?

JemmaM91

Hi

I know im probably in the wrong but just wondering what you would do in this situation.

I live in a 1st floor flat with my partner and 2 year old son.

My 2 year old is fairly lively (as I assume most are), so he dances to his tree fu tom dvd or is running around playing with his toys.

My problem is the flat below us are complaining that they can hear his footsteps. I havent yet got carpet as we moved in 3 months ago and cant yet afford it, but he has a thick rug in his room.

He also doesnt understand that his playing is upsetting the neighbours. I try taking him out most of the day so he doesnt bother anyone. But im starting to think its not fair he cant play at home in his own room.

What would you do?

victory

JemmaM91 wrote: »

Hi

I know im probably in the wrong but just wondering what you would do in this situation.

I live in a 1st floor flat with my partner and 2 year old son.

My 2 year old is fairly lively (as I assume most are), so he dances to his tree fu tom dvd or is running around playing with his toys.

My problem is the flat below us are complaining that they can hear his footsteps. I havent yet got carpet as we moved in 3 months ago and cant yet afford it, but he has a thick rug in his room.

He also doesnt understand that his playing is upsetting the neighbours. I try taking him out most of the day so he doesnt bother anyone. But im starting to think its not fair he cant play at home in his own room.

What would you do?

The thing is from downstairs the noise that your son makes upstairs does sound louder than it actually is, it just is, having said that your son should be able to jump, play, hop and skip all he wants in his own flat, a carpet would be ideal, as you said, sound proofing would be prohibitally expensive:eek: is it at an unearthly hour of the day that they object to?

JemmaM91

Nope. They literally just complained 10 minutes ago. The thing is they have children so thought they'd understand. We are usually out of the flat between 9 -6 everyday to avoid the complaints. Im just tired of having to go out everyday. Hes asleep between 7pm -7am so I wouldnt say its at unreasonable hours.

Person_one

He has a thick rug in his room, but is it just in his room where he's running and jumping around?

It really is miserable living with a lot of noise from neighbours, and most people will put up with a lot and not complain lightly, so do your best to help them out.

I'd say get some big cheap rugs to cover all the floors where he plays, and make sure that when he is jumping around he isn't wearing heavy or clunky shoes that will make more noise. You don't need to be out all day, surely he doesn't run round like a mad thing all day long? You must have quieter time where he plays sitting down, or you read together and so on?

balletshoes

get a carpet or some rugs for the other rooms he plays in. They dont have to be expensive - check out freegle or gumtree, see if you can get some that way.

January20

As I'm sitting here, I can hear my neighbours upstairs and nextdoor. It is sometimes irritating when there is a lot of noise but I have to say that I think your neighbours are OTT. MY neighbours do make a multitude of noises: walking, children playing, talking, music playing occasionally, etc. They don't have carpet but laminated flooring so noise carries, really well !

You have a 2 year old child who makes noise during the day. So what? Surely, he doesn't make as much noise as a brass band does he? My neighbours make noise during the day. So what? They have to live their life!

If your child is really asleep and quiet from 7pm-7am, I think your neighbours have nothing to complain about!

I think your neighbours have got in the habit of complaining to you. They know you will comply, take the child out etc. They are being unfair. Perhaps you need to make it clear to them that the situation will not change until you can afford carpet. No point in complaining.

Georgiegirl256

The only thing that is really going to solve this is to get a carpet or to get a bigger rug for the area that he plays in, but then again, the bigger rug won't really solve the problem if he's running around, as two year olds do! It really isn't fair on the neighbours below. Even a little two year olds footsteps will sound like the BFG when you are in the flat below!

My Mam and Dad live in a ground floor flat, and you can hear the neighbours above, not overly so, but you still can, I hate to think what it would be like without carpets.

Artytarty

I agree, try and get a few rugs from charity shops or free ycle, or ask the neighbours if they have a spare as they will benefit? No, only kidding, that s a bit cheeky!

Harryonesock

I think your neighbours are being very mean. They have kids themselves so know that kids run and make a noise. You certainly shouldn't be bowing down to them and staying out all day to please them!! My daughter had a woman who lived below her who complained about my grandaughter crying!!! She was 5 months old at the time!!! Babies cry, toddlers run and shout, kids are noisy!!! Are you in social housing?? If so I'd get onto them and explain that neighbors are complaining and keep a diary.

74jax

JemmaM91 wrote: »

Hi

I know im probably in the wrong but just wondering what you would do in this situation.

I live in a 1st floor flat with my partner and 2 year old son.

My 2 year old is fairly lively (as I assume most are), so he dances to his tree fu tom dvd or is running around playing with his toys.

My problem is the flat below us are complaining that they can hear his footsteps. I havent yet got carpet as we moved in 3 months ago and cant yet afford it, but he has a thick rug in his room.

He also doesnt understand that his playing is upsetting the neighbours. I try taking him out most of the day so he doesnt bother anyone. But im starting to think its not fair he cant play at home in his own room.

What would you do?

Probably just as you are doing and save for a carpet.

Person_one

Harryonesock wrote: »

I think your neighbours are being very mean. They have kids themselves so know that kids run and make a noise. You certainly shouldn't be bowing down to them and staying out all day to please them!! My daughter had a woman who lived below her who complained about my grandaughter crying!!! She was 5 months old at the time!!! Babies cry, toddlers run and shout, kids are noisy!!! Are you in social housing?? If so I'd get onto them and explain that neighbors are complaining and keep a diary.

The fact that they have kids and know that they run around/shout/make noise etc. makes me more likely to think that perhaps the level of noise from the OP is actually excessive.

Because yes, it does seem strange for parents of young children to complain the ordinary sounds of young children.