Walking noise

arciere

We live in a small converted flat, first floor. Ground floor is occupied by another young couple with whom we have a pretty much horrible relationship (if you are curious, I wrote another post about issues we have had over the shared front garden).

This month's drama is about the noise that we apparently make when we walk in the flat.
The nice lady living downstairs wrote us an email (yep, we can hear each other sneezing but they send emails) saying that we should walk 'more lightly', asking us why 'do you constantly need to walk back and forth', or even 'I was working at home on Friday and thought you would come home at 6 pm as usual, but you came back at 2!'.

Apart from the absurdity of some of the things they've said, and apart from the fact that we try to be as respectful as possible (no running in the flat, no music, we try to walk as lightly as possible but still can't fly), is there anything that they could potentially do about this? I mean, is it just a case of 'this is the house we both purchased, so live with it' or can they take any action against us if they decided to?

GDB2222

What sorts of flooring do you have, and does that comply with the lease?

G_M

What does your lease say? For example it may specify you must have carpets.

Even if it does not, carpets /rugs will help. That is, assuming you have bare floorboards.

arciere

The lease says:

At all times to cover and keep covered with carpet and underlay or properly
sound insulated wood effect or wood flooring the floors of the Demised
Premises other than those of the Kitchen and Bathroom and at all times
suitably and properly to cover and keep covered the floors of the Kitchen and
Bathroom Provided the Lessee may lay and use stripped wooden floor
coverings instead of carpets subject to the Lessee first installing noise
reduction material and there not being any noise emanating from the Demised
Premises as a result of the use of the said stripped wooden floor coverings
which causes a nuisance or annoyance to the Lessor.

Note that we are both freeholders (2 flats in total), however we didn't make any changes to the flooring (we have the floors that the previous flat owners, and owners of the freehold until we recently took over, originally had). It is all engineered wood+underlay. Kitchen and bathroom are tiled.

G_M

The flooring you inherited is irrelevant.
The fact that you share the freehold is irrelevant (unless you and your joint freeholder agree to change the leases).

You must comply with the wording in your lease, or be in breach of it.

arciere

G_M wrote: »

You must comply with the wording in your lease, or be in breach of it.

So does the lease say we can't have wooden floor? I understand it says "properly
sound insulated wood effect or wood flooring", but to my understanding we already have 'sound reduction' underlay, so who will decide if they are 'properly sound insulated'? Does the fact that they can 'hear us walking' imply they are not properly insulated?

G_M

There may be some industry standard for sound insulation - do some googling. But the fact that the noise is carrying certainly suggests inadequate insulation.

But irrespective of the lease, and just in terms of being neighbourly, I'd buy cheap rugs to put down and always remove shoes indoors (if you don't already).

Have you been down yourself to experience the noise ie with you partner/a friend walking around?

It's a common problem and frankly living in a flat where noise carries downwards can be hugely annoying.It's one of the downsides of close living esp in poorly insulated buildings......


compare:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6071875/laminate-flooring-noise-nuisance

davidmcn

arciere wrote: »

So does the lease say we can't have wooden floor? I understand it says "properly
sound insulated wood effect or wood flooring", but to my understanding we already have 'sound reduction' underlay, so who will decide if they are 'properly sound insulated'? Does the fact that they can 'hear us walking' imply they are not properly insulated?

The fact it's bad enough for them to be complaining about the noise certainly suggests it isn't properly insulated. Have you gone downstairs to check what it actually sounds like?

G_M

see


https://www.noisehelp.com/soundproofing-a-floor.html


https://www.flooringfirst.co.uk/wood-floor-fitting/floor-insulation-fitting-and-sound-proofing.html


https://www.flooringsuppliescentre.co.uk/browse/floor_fitting_products/1/underlay_and_insulation/index.html


etc etc

gomer

For a start you should use the 'block' button in your email. Then just live your life normally & don't allow her to bully you into tip toeing about. Tell her to make a noise complaint to environmental health & not bother you again.

Skiddaw1

davidmcn wrote: »

The fact it's bad enough for them to be complaining about the noise certainly suggests it isn't properly insulated. Have you gone downstairs to check what it actually sounds like?

I agree I think it's worth doing that - if nothing else, it shows the issue is being taken seriously- but from OP's previous (shared garden) post I do get the strong impression that the neighbours are serial complainers and that even if this issue is sorted out they'll find something else to give off about.


Good luck OP