Is soundproofing required for a semi-detached house owned by council converted into 4 flats ?

FredTheShed

I'm moving into supported housing mental health next month for people who cannot look after a normal flat. The flat is part of a semi detatched house  converted into 4 self contained flats in 2007 by a social housing landlord not private. Would they have been required to soundproof the ceiling / floor  inbetween ground and upstairs ? ( I know about the building regs part e but unsure if applied to social housing)

Any advice ? -- thank you

lincroft1710

If building regs were applied for, then the conversion would have to comply with those in force at the time of the conversion. The only way to find out in a particular case would be to ask the landlord or Building Control. 

macman

Building regs apply to social or private housing.

GDB2222

Soundproofing is incredibly difficult to do. Minor defects in the building can allow sounds through, even though it's been carefully designed.

Also, it's quite subjective - what bothers one person won't bother another. How your neighbours behave makes a huge difference.

Can you get prior access to the flat, to see what it's like? 

AdrianC

The fact it's social housing doesn't affect the building regs that needed to be conformed to at the time it was built/converted.

Can we be so bold as to presume that sound-proofing above normal levels would be required due to the condition that requires you to move there? I think you may still need to get the place adapted, if so.

NameUnavailable

If you have ever lived in a conversion flat you will understand that it requires a level of consideration for your neighbours in terms of noise. Typically, if the house has wooden floorboards between upstair and down they may have taken soundproofing measures such as insulation or a false ceiling below to give more space between flats as well as hardboard covering to the floors and usually a requirement to fit carpets not laminate flooring.

However, noise also carries through pipes and the inevitable gaps here and there. You need to live but being aware that if you play loud music, slam doors or stomp about your neighbour/s will hear it. Even a loud snorer can carry through the floors!