Noisy neighbours or just very thin walls!

FeelingLighterAlready

Hi all

I am slowly losing the plot here, I've lived in a flat on my own for the last 10 months and I have recently started working from home so need as much peace and quiet as possible (although the radio in my earphones helps, I do need to answer the phone!). A month after I moved in and had the place to myself officially, this young family moved in next door....with 2 young children....they wake me up in the morning (around 6 or 7) either banging a ball that just bounces (which I found out later was a cricket ball the 2 year old was given as a toy!) or running up and down the length of the flat or just generally banging things - it actually rocks my flat even when I am in the furthest room from the joining wall - which is my bedroom! As I sit here and type my TV is turned up (as cant hear it otherwise) but I can still here them running up and down and screaming....its so unfair as I try to be considerate even when closing doors.

As I am a tenant and the walls are painted concrete walls - can anybody suggest a cheap sound absorbing solution, like panels or something that could alleviate the noise. I even hear the woman stomping around...there musnt be proper sound insulation in these flats - please help!

I_have_spoken

Only option is to move out at the end of the tenancy. At least youhave that option, unlike an owner occupier!

fishybusiness

can anybody suggest a cheap sound absorbing solution, like panels or something that could alleviate the noise

Unfortunately there isn't one. It is possible to sound insulate but it will cost you a significant amount of money.

richy999

Screaming kids and shouting can be addressed but impact noise (stomping around, banging doors, bass from speakers etc) will be almost impossible and very expensive to insulate against as the impact travels through the fabric of the building.

Unfortunately, children have no concept of neighbourly conduct.

Get some noise cancelling headphones and a google 'telephone ringer alarm and flasher' for a product that will alert you to incoming phone calls.

floopnoodle

Try an iphone/ipad add called Noisli and run it through a stereo. It has a selection of background noises which really help in making loud, sudden noises less noticable.

DRP

It doesn't seem like the noise can be considered 'antisocial' in any way as it is just people getting up at a normal time and making normal noise.

Probably the easiest solution is to move.

martin1959

Sorry, but the obvious here is to perhaps have a word with the family next door? At the very least they could take the cricket ball off the kid!
You do not say whether you are council or private tenant? If private, does the landlord own both flats?


If the landlord thinks he is going to lose a good tenant (assuming you are) and may have difficulty in re letting the flat, he may do something about it.


We are moving into a property soon that will have our bedroom against the party wall, which adjoins the neighbours dining area. Not that we are expecting issues, but as they are a young couple who have one 3 year old (and may well have other kids), we are taking a couple of precautions...


We are using 2x2 battons, plasterboard and insulation to create a false wall, and we are having fitted wardrobes along the entire wall, so the clothes etc inside will minimise any possible noise transmission.


If all else fails, and the landlord is not helpful, then if you can, move.