Complaints from downstairs

DRP

princeofpounds wrote: »

The OP can do what they want at the moment, at least if it is normal domestic activity. Any concessions they have made is out of kindness, not coercion.

yeah of course the OP can do what they want - but the situation at the moment *may* result in a no-fault eviction if the LL gets generally peed off at continually receiving these (unwarranted imo) complaints...

The OP will have a better handle on the LL's way of thinking in these matters of course...

carefullycautious

why would a landlord put a young family into a flat above a funeral directors and then expect them to live like this. Children make noise as does everyday white goods.

There is no way I would be dictated to as to when I can use my washing machine or what my child is allowed to do.

I would look into moving on.

m0bov

Just live your life normally, its a normal residential flat, if there was nothing on the contract about using washing machines and no children then the worst is an S21. But the LL will just have the same issue next time.

Mallotum_X

you have been more than co-operative. Let the landlord sort it if hes the landlord to both parties. Perhaps if he sound proofs the void between the ceiling and floor would help.

I'd just live life normally. Use the machine when you need to.

benjus

One thing that strikes me from this thread is that you seem to be in fear of getting a bad reference from your LL, should you decide to look for somewhere else (which may well be your best option).

If you pay the rent on time, make no more noise than would be reasonably expected in normal family life, and cause no other issues it would be massively unfair for the LL to give you a bad reference, regardless of what the people downstairs complain about. Unfortunately there's nothing you can do to force the LL to give you a reference, but hopefully he would be reasonable about it.

Idiophreak

I'd just make it clear that you've made all reasonable efforts (and some unreasonable!) to keep the noise downs. If the noise levels are still excessive, it's for the LL to look at improving the noise insulation between the properties. You're paying to live in the flat, not to sleep there.

sulphate

The only thing I can think of is do you have a night setting on your washing machine - this might be quieter.

Otherwise I agree with the others, you have already been more than accommodating. Not everyone would want to rent a flat above a funeral directors.

Your LL will only have this problem with the next tenants even if they work 9-5, everyone has days off sometimes!

TBagpuss

It sounds as though you have been more than reasonable, and that your landlord knows you have been both a good tenant and very reasonable and accommodating to the funeral parlour.

It's very kind of you to limit when you use your washing machine, but it is unreasonable to expect you to stick to that timing, to restrict when and where you son can be *in your own home*.

I would be inlcined to put a short letter to the parlour (possibly ccd to your landlord) to say that you feel that their complaints amount to harassmnet of you, given that you are not making any unreasonable or inappropriate noise, ou are simply living in your home and going about your normal, day-to-day doemtic activities.

remind them that you have very generaously sought to accommodate them y reducing the times you use your washing machine during office hours, and by limiting where your child plays, but that it is unrealistic of them to expect you to live in silence in your own home.

State that you would, in future, prefer that they speak to you directly if they have any particular concerns, but that they are being unreasonable to expect you not to be able to live a normal life in your own home.

I *personally* would not use a night setting on the washing machine as I would not want the noise in my flat when I was trying to sleep, not would I want the clothes to be sitting, damp, all night until I could get up and hang them up.

It sounds as though they need to get over themselves.

Idiophreak

TBagpuss wrote: »

I *personally* would not use a night setting on the washing machine as I would not want the noise in my flat when I was trying to sleep, not would I want the clothes to be sitting, damp, all night until I could get up and hang them up.

I think the idea was to use the night setting *during the day* - just as it's likely to be a little quieter...

princeofpounds

I would be inlcined to put a short letter to the parlour (possibly ccd to your landlord) to say that you feel that their complaints amount to harassmnet of you, given that you are not making any unreasonable or inappropriate noise, ou are simply living in your home and going about your normal, day-to-day doemtic activities.

It's not harrassment, it's not even remotely close. Harassment is a crime, and it must be repeated and intended to intimidate. A bit of whinging is not on this scale.

I agree with much else you suggest, but I don't think it's even necessary to reply to anyone except the landlord (so they are aware of what is going on from the OP's perspective). Just get on with living normally.