Complaints from downstairs

Vickyh

Hi hoping someone can give me some advice.

I currently live in a 2 bedroom flat with my husband and 2 yr old son.

About 6months ago (and 6months into our tenancy) our landlord contacted us saying he had a complaint from downstairs. We live above a funeral directors, our bedrooms are over the office and the washing machine is above the chapel of rest the rest and our living area is above storage etc.

When we moved in our son was weaned off his dummy and screamed a lot- I went downstairs in person and apologised (as I thought it was loud) and the lady said she couldn't hear him.

The complaint was

Washing machine to noisy
Monthly electricity meter reading excessive (our meter is in their store room)
Nursery rhymes/ noise from sons bedroom

I agreed to

Only use washing outside the hrs of 9am- 5pm
Install a smart meter
We removed the offending toy ( our landlord actually said not to) and we don't let him play in his room as much. Musical toys in lounge

So we thought all was ok

2nd week of April our landlord contacted us again saying they had complained again.

Washing machine on during the day- I did ONE load as my son had vomited over his bedding, usually one about 4.30 spin cycle on about 5pm
Son running around - we go out 3 mornings week term time, least one day we will be out all day.

Now I think what I've done is more than enough, why can't they come and speak to me? Should I speak to them?

I already feel I am walking in egg shells, and us both working washing is getting to the stage I am doing loads at the weekend and drying it all in the tumble dryer.

My landlord seems okay with it and says we are good tenants.

Have I given them an inch and now wanting a mile?

Thank you

DaftyDuck

Do you hear any noise from below? Any at all? Sound travels less that way, obviously, but it'd be of interest.

The original complaint was, in my opinion, completely unreasonable. Washing machine making noise in the day.... emptying a meter once a month!!!

As your LL is content, I'd write him a brief note expressing that, although you will continue to strive to keep the noise at a minimum, you believe they are being unreasonable in their requests and, regrettably, he may receive more complaints.I would ask if he would mind writing to them, asking them to make any complaint to you in the first place.

I wonder if they tell a sobbing relative to shut the ... fuss up!

I do hope you are trying for twins!

originator

yeah but......
can you imagine being in a chapel of rest with a washing machine going full blast above?(I'm talking deceased relatives visiting here,not the corpse )

bellowfield

I can (in a way) understand where they are coming from.

If for instance they had some distraught relatives in the funeral home and there's a washing machine whirring in the background it could potentially upset the customers and in the end, lose them business.

I do however, completely agree that they are being un-reasonable.

I would do as DaftyDuck has said and write a short letter to you LL asking him to forward any complaints of noise directly to you.

Perhaps if you got speaking to the complainer you could work something out? Although I wouldn't move too much on what you are already doing!

AnnieO1234

I'm not being funny when I say this but if the chapel of rest was so concerned about the upstairs flat they should've bought it or rented it out permanently from the OPs landlord.

I do totally understand that a washing machine going near the chapel of rest is less than ideal, equally a child playing could be a kid outside not upstairs so there's not a lot of maneuver that way. If the chapel is so upset maybe they should soundproof their ceilings.

There is only so much that anyone could be expected to do, the funeral home chose to station it's business near a residential property. End of story.

X

DaftyDuck

It is the funeral home that has special, even excessive, requirements for quiet, and it is mainly (but not entirely) up to them to meet them. If they actively chose to locate next to a Primary School, it would be absurd to then complain about the noise at playtime, and demand the children stay inside.

There is a separately owned/rented space above their own, and it will be used. They either buy or rent it themselves, or accept the reasonable level of noise it generates. Tap-dancing classes? One makes more noise than generally accepted, the other requires more quiet.... both need to act to minimise the interference. However, the level of complaint they are making - "Monthly electricity meter reading excessive (our meter is in their store room)" - that is ridiculous. If once a month interferes, they should have paid any costs incurred by the OP.

You have done more than I would have done to meet these requirements, especially since you have satisfied your LL. Having suggested you write to him, I'd also add that you suspect any other tenant in the flat - other than a Carmelite nun - would make more noise now than you are, and would receive more complaints. Just so's he's not tempted to give you the heave and try re-renting!

propertyman

And why do I think that the flat has yes you guessed it wooden floorboard?

I do have some sympathy with the funeral directors, at a time of loss and grief, its hard to handle these affairs with a screaming or stomping kid ( its incredible how 40lbs of toddler can sound like a 4000lb elephant ) and a thundering washing machine.

Not sure why the meter is an issue if you are paying the bill....

That said the landlord has to address the fact that none of these activities are not normal use of a home and has to look at soundproofing, proper flooring e.g. carpets.

However while they should do that, they are more likely to look at terminating the tenancy as soon as possible to avoid the expense and for you its a balancing act of taking a stand and losing a good reference, as short of locking the child away (which I don't recommend!) and turning out the lights, the complaints won't stop.

I know that it is "wrong" but perhaps the pragmatic approach is to realise that ( the landlords response) and think that a move is the best option.

Vickyh

thank you everyone that's responded

The only part that has wooden flooring is the kitchen, and I have a child gate so he's not allowed in there.

I completely understand the chapel of rest issue- hence not using my machine for 6months during the day. That's why the one time I use it I thought they be okay- or should I of gone downstairs, outside with a vomiting child to ask permission?

I agree that they be only happy it was complete silence from up here.

I like to add I do put up with the banging of the nails going into the coffins!

googler

Which business was there first - your landlord or the funeral director?

If the funeral director was there first, who decided to install the washing machine above the chapel of rest? The landlord, maybe?

Vickyh

The LL owns both properties, and has for 30 years. The Funeral directors has been there for 10 years, and someone always has lived above (though not a child) and the machine plumbing is next the the bathroom.

It's also my own machine not the LL.

DRP

perhaps the difference is that you are at home during 9-5, whereas previous tenants were out at work? Hence those downstairs feel your noise is excessive.

Nonetheless, it doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong and have even tried to minimise your noise. It all appears to be 'normal' living to me. I would do as others have suggested and write to the LL to clarify you have made every effort to help.