Noise from council house - council's responsibility?

project_c

Thanks everyone - yes, it's just kids being kids, and as I mentioned I like the neighbours, they're a nice family (but they just happen to like shouting a lot). My issue is really not with them, they're not doing anything wrong. The issue is with the lack of insulation on the party walls.

I have also just phoned the council and they've told me the property belongs to a housing association, which also makes things more complicated because as far as I can tell, I have no way of finding out who is actually responsible for the property.

carefullycautious

lstar337 wrote: »

You could offer to do the work on the neighbours side. I think you'll struggle to get any action from the council unless you want to start bad-mouthing your neighbours, and even then I think you'll struggle.

I used to live in a flat where noise from above was unbearable. The man above used to verbally and physically abuse his girlfriend on a virtually nightly basis. The council didn't want to know, and even the police said they had to be able to 'see' the abuse to act, and they had to be invited in as they were not allowed to force entry. Yep, I'm sure the abuser was going to invite them in to watch him beat on his girlfriend. :rolleyes:

Anyway, we moved. Now the noise of kids playing next door is bliss!

I had exactly the same for more years than I care to remember where we had no sleep as it went on all night every night. We too were moved with the help of the police so were lucky in that respect. I shudder just thinking about it

carefullycautious

project_c wrote: »

Thanks everyone - yes, it's just kids being kids, and as I mentioned I like the neighbours, they're a nice family (but they just happen to like shouting a lot). My issue is really not with them, they're not doing anything wrong. The issue is with the lack of insulation on the party walls.

I have also just phoned the council and they've told me the property belongs to a housing association, which also makes things more complicated because as far as I can tell, I have no way of finding out who is actually responsible for the property.

I was told that if a family are making noise during daytime there is nothing that can be done as it is not anti social. If it goes on all night you may have a case.


However, think carefully before tackling the neighbours as it may cause bad feeling and anger will be directed towards you for saying something, which may make it ten times worse.


Children do grow up and move away eventually.

Ozzuk

I'd tread carefully, if it is just 'normal' noise then no way is anyone (apart from you) going to spend money on it. The bigger you make this the more it will be an issue should you ever want to sell. Perhaps the previous owners didn't hear as well as you, perhaps they didn't mind (noise is subjective), or perhaps they were naughty and decided not to tell you - I can't see any way you'll prove it unless you asked them outright as part of your due diligence.

But if you are formally putting in complaints then you are less likely to be able to just brush it off if you want to sell.

Davesnave

project_c wrote: »

I have no way of finding out who is actually responsible for the property.

You can input the address at the Land Registry and find out the name of the registered owner for about £3.

https://eservices.landregistry.gov.uk/www/wps/portal/!ut/p/b1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOKNjSxMDA1NjDwsjM3MDTxN3dyNDUNMjQ1MjPWDU_P0C7IdFQG9k5Tz/

project_c

Thanks again everyone - just to reiterate, I am not going to make a complaint about them, as I mentioned earlier they're nice neighbours and they're doing nothing wrong, the only issue I have is that the walls that connect our 2 houses are inadequate. And as theirs is a council maintained property, I wanted to see if it was possible to ask the council to soundproof their side, so I don't have to do it all myself. I have emailed the council to see if they can do anything about the property itself and specified that the inquiry is not about the neighbours themselves who we have a good relationship with. Obviously the last thing I want to do is start a war, especially with people who we get on with.

Ultimately if nothing comes of it I'll just have to soundproof the upstairs of my house, but not only is this going to cost me a few grand, it will also affect the value of my house, as the upstairs will effectively shrink by about a foot. So that's why I'm asking about all this.

Chanes

project_c wrote: »

Thanks again everyone - just to reiterate, I am not going to make a complaint about them, as I mentioned earlier they're nice neighbours and they're doing nothing wrong, the only issue I have is that the walls that connect our 2 houses are inadequate. And as theirs is a council maintained property, I wanted to see if it was possible to ask the council to soundproof their side, so I don't have to do it all myself. I have emailed the council to see if they can do anything about the property itself and specified that the inquiry is not about the neighbours themselves who we have a good relationship with. Obviously the last thing I want to do is start a war, especially with people who we get on with.

Ultimately if nothing comes of it I'll just have to soundproof the upstairs of my house, but not only is this going to cost me a few grand, it will also affect the value of my house, as the upstairs will effectively shrink by about a foot. So that's why I'm asking about all this.

Lose a foot off a room and keep your sanity. Now you have found the noise to be annoying enough to seek help and advice it really can be a short time before it becomes an issue that can lead to neighbour problems, needlessly so too. Deal with it now if you are not selling is the best advice I can give you.

Norman_Castle

I've lived in poorly soundproofed flats for 30 years and the biggest factor in the amount of noise travelling between the properties is the tenants behaviour. Have a friendly conversation with them about the noise. If they are as decent as you think they will try to reduce their noise.
I've had complaints about my noise and I don't resent people complaining.

jamesperrett

project_c wrote: »

Ultimately if nothing comes of it I'll just have to soundproof the upstairs of my house, but not only is this going to cost me a few grand, it will also affect the value of my house, as the upstairs will effectively shrink by about a foot. So that's why I'm asking about all this.

Don't do any soundproofing without seeking knowledgeable advice first - the average builder has absolutely no idea how to effectively soundproof a room. Even if you soundproof the walls, the noise may also be transmitted through the floor and ceiling joists so you need to consider these too. If space is at a premium there may be alternative methods (using metal studs or resilient channel) that could save space but you really need to talk to an expert here.