What level of noise shall I put up with from neighbours?

Brightspark87

The upstairs neighbours I had issue with could not change the flooring as part of their tenancy and I just text my old landlord (ref something else too!) and he confirmed that the lease holder would not allow wooden flooring throughout (although unsure of specifics) - might be worth checking?

transgression1

I used to be a bit like the OP, in that upstairs would really annoy me.I would sometimes hear heavy footsteps (sounded like stomping rather then walking). This used to REALLY annoy me mainly as it was so intermittent. I could have one evening where I could hear them and then days and days without so much as a sound. It annoyed me even more due to the fact that the previous 3 years there had been two different tenants (one with a young child) that I hardly herd a peep from.

Over time, I've became less annoyed by it and I don't "listen" for it as often. I also have the advantage of a 6 week old baby now so I fear now we are the noisy ones. Were now moving to a 1930's semi and even there you can faintly hear the TV next door, though not much else. Its life. there will be days where YOU annoy your neighbors, intentionally or not. Especially if you ever have a child or do your own DIY. If you can find a way to stop children playing and crying then you would be a very rich man and wouldn't need to worry about even having neighbors.

As a side note, people are odd when it comes to their property. I lived with my partner in a small (badly) converted block where the floors were like those in a cheap house, not solid like a block of flats. You could hear a lot. The neighbor (lady) downstairs was very aggressive to the point where we had to call the police several times. It wasn't until I snapped and went downstairs my self and told her in no uncertain terms that if this carried on I would deal with this myself (not advising this action, but you do eventually get to a point...). Since then she was perfectly amicable.

Just be thankful your not living next to a neighbor like those you read about on this forum that sound like hostile, despicable people.

cr1mson

As my mother would say you are stewing in your own juices here.

Pop a note through the door (I only ever answer my door if I know who it is) and invite them for GMs infamous tea and cake. Assuming they accept dispense general pleasantries and then casually ask if they could let you know when they are DIYing as you are a shift worker. Tell them to drop you a text or whatever.

mrxry

No idea about their lease but their landlord is well known to be a nightmare and been on tv before for tenant issues so doubt he cares or will be any help.

A mini update, not heard much since then noise level is pretty much the same if not a tiny bit worse in some ways and better in others.

What I do think now is they have a dog and that could be what I hear pacing about once or twice a day for about 15-30 minutes maybe around times it needs to go out as that same night I spoke to neighbour and was polite despite by clothes being covered in sawdust and they didn't seem bothered I saw the male on the street chatting to someone who had a dog and he had his own dog, as soon as they noticed me they both gave me nasty looks and stopped talking that may seem paranoid but the looks I was given seemed to be of anger/annoyance.

I am a little paranoid of being blamed for things as have a habit over the years of being blamed for other peoples problems as I am quiet and shy such as one property had a neighbour on one side so noisy it passed through my walls and to my neighbour on other side who didn't believe it was from the person on my other side, even had my landlord phone me and say he was giving me a warning and other such similar experiences have made me wary of noise.

At least the noise has calmed down overall though.

Delphinum

My first thought when reading your posts was that they'd taken up the carpets. What a silly thing to do when you live above someone. I guess it's easier to clean with the dog and kid though.
I have been in your situation before - single person, likes reading and quiet tv. I was also studying so I couldn't concentrate with the constant loud music, shouting and computer games going - and it was a nightmare. I moved out. My mental health couldn't take any more of the sleepless nights or feeling anxious about being at home so you have my sympathy. It sounds like you've highlighted the issue to them, wait a while and if nothing changes talk again. You can ask if they hear your noise too and say "Aaah that's because you removed the carpet" Hopefully they might think about putting rugs down. If all else fails, you might have to involve the council.
(P.s. I now have loads of kids who play outside my house when it's sunny so I wear silicone moulded earplugs to avoid hearing their screeching)