new nextdoor and now new noise.

xythus

Hi, thanks, another possible scenario we thought off, we do have a copy of the planned word done, still shows chimney in place.(and we can see it through the window).
Noise doesn't come from chimney just walls either side.

xythus

thank you.....didn't notice I'd written a novel.

elsien

What did your solicitor suggest as the next step?

xythus

He has only suggested that his prices have gone up....unfortunately, and that maybe getting a surveyor into our side would be a good next step, like another answer on this thread.
I didn't think it would do any good but if they can it will be a good route to follow.
thanks

FreeBear

How old is the property ?

For many, many years, the party wall between two semis was constructed using a single width brick wall. Modern regs require thicker walls with a much higher mass to reduce noise transmission.

There are really only three options open to you. Move (expensive, and no guarantee that you will get a quiet neighbour). Purchase the adjoining property (expensive, but you get to decide who lives there). Finally, install some sound absorbing insulation your side of the party wall - Not an easy task as it needs to be done right and could end up being quite costly. On the bright side, gives you an excuse to redecorate (and make loads of noise yourself).

xythus

It's from the 20's so quite old, don't know exactly how the wall is constructed, but when we ripped the kitchen out of our back room. part of the party wall was brick and part was wood and plasterboard, which sticks out to the same level of the brick part to about 5 inches, we get the noise through the brick, im assuming its double brick. Just looks like it will be soundproofing... for now

Davesnave

No sane individual is going to attempt to thin a party wall, which is usually solid and not cavity; it just doesn't happen.

The other house is as it is, so your only realistic option, if intending to stay, is sound insulation, which is quite a complex, expensive business and not a DIY thing if you want sure results. Of course, you willl lose some space too going down that route.

Given the uncertainties, I'd probably look to move, though filling in the TA6 form would be tricky!

Doozergirl

If Building Control Approval has been obtained then they clearly have had the involvement of a structural engineer where it was required.

If they haven't removed the chimney breasts then what work was carried out that needed a party wall agreement?

If you contacted a letting agent, are you renting? In which case, the simple answer is to move.

Davesnave has already said it, but there is no reason I can think of that would ever cause someone to want to 'thin' one of their walls. It doesn't happen.

I'm not sure what you want to achieve with solicitors, other than to throw money away. Despite the essay, there is no evidence of your neighbour doing anything legally wrong at all.

This certainly isn't the first time we've read about new neighbours renovating a house and it being noisier. The answer probably lies in having a generally noisier neighbour making less predictable sounds; the fashion for open plan spaces, less belongings and having hard flooring instead of carpet. There is less to absorb sound.

My newer neighbours are more noisy than the last set. They're also nicer people, which I will take all day every day.

The answer is soundproofing or bust. You have no legal basis to demand that they do anything. You're the one with the problem.

moneyistooshorttomention

Could be that your best next move is to go in for a look yourselves (considering that they won't let you in with a surveyor) and take clear photos of everywhere (largest size possible) and it may well be that a surveyor would be able to tell what has happened from looking at photos.

Doozergirl

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

That sounds like a possible explanation.

Could be that your best next move is to go in for a look yourselves (considering that they won't let you in with a surveyor) and take clear photos of everywhere (largest size possible) and it may well be that a surveyor would be able to tell what has happened from looking at photos.

Read the posts. The chimneys are in place, that there is no noise from the chimney area and that they have copies of the planned work.