Banging noise from pipes in newly rented flat -Advice needed

Michy78

Hello,

I recently rented a top floor conversion flat through a local estate agent.Since i moved in, only 2 weeks ago , i had already 4 separate issues. Firstly i only found out after signing the contract and seeing the inventory that i have a communal water tank inside the flat storage eave and water pipes running along the flat and in my bedroom storage. This information was not disclosed to me when i went to see the flat and the tank was not visible as it is located at the end of the slope ceiling.
Firstly, i had issue with the tank who was making lot of noise when it filling up including during the night and early mornings. Luckily this has resolved as the agency sent the plumbers . After that, i had cold blowing air coming through the flat from the eaves and several holes and poor insulation as been discovered when the agency sent the engineer to check. Now the most annoying issue i have is a loud banging pipe noise coming from my bedroom storage space which is preventing me to use the bedroom to sleep and it has forced me to drag my mattress into the living room as otherwise i will have an interrupted sleep. The noise is generated when cold water or hot water is used in the flat below however the owners cannot hear the bang as the noise originates behind the wooden panel inside the bedroom storage space.Today the plumber came in and removed the panel , but found the insulation panel and said he could not removed it to investigate further which pipes are loose and generating the noise. The problem is that this flat been a loft conversion, has been only built 10 years ago and has a water tank which serves only the 6 flats below except mine as well as of course having the water pipes running in some places around the flat i rented.
The agency informed me today that the issue cannot be resolved as the pipework is boxed in and the plumber said there are also gas pipes running very close. The other residents below cannot hear the noise as of course generates inside my bedroom panel which is not insulated like the are flats so they cannot hear the banging when they use the bathroom taps and flashing the toilet. I am really angry about this as since i moved in i cannot sleep in my bedroom even if i am wearing the best ear plugs and listening to white noise sounds or relaxing sounds .I feel i am living in a studio flat although i am paying for a 1 bedroom flat.  It is very unfair that i am forced to use only half of the flat as the banging pipe noise happens more than 40 times a day including night time and early hours so it is driving me insane especially as i am working from home. Most times i can hear it on the other side of the flat with the door closed. As the owner of this flat is also the freeholder of the building and this flat inherited all the water pipes of the others flats below, shall he not have any responsibility in resolving this? I love the flat and i really don't want to leave in 6 months time due to this issue.What suggestions do you have? thank you in advance for the feedbacks

anselld

Whatever is boxed can be unboxed.  It is just a question of sending the right tradesperson.  Report in writing to the "address for serving notices" in your contract.

tacpot12

I would agree with anselld that this problem can be solved by spending enough money on it. When asking the agent/landlord to spend this extra money, you might help the process if you explain that it is really bad, that you think future tenants will also complaint, and if you offer to pay some of the extra cost yourself, e.g. 25%.  

RAS

Could there be an airlock? 

Bluebell1000

Do you have Fraggles?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I-X3Bltwgww

Sorry, couldn't help myself. I hope you get it sorted.

RedFraggle

Bluebell1000 said:

Do you have Fraggles?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I-X3Bltwgww

Sorry, couldn't help myself. I hope you get it sorted.

Not guilty

Michy78

Thank you All. There is definitely more likely an issue of loose pipes as far as i researched it and read other people with similar issues as me. The plumber said also the issue is more likely with loose pipe. I do agree with the comment @anselld "what it has been boxed in can be unboxed too" .
The agent said that if the flat below does not engage in the repair , they cannot do anything but i disagree because their pipes are under my wooden storage wall and since it was the decision of the freeholder to build this flat only 10 years and convert,it  it also inherits all the tank and pipes issues of the 6 flats below. The loud bang noise comes very loud and clear  , because the storage is not made by proper bricks but mainly made by wooden panels and there are gas pipes and water pipes running inside the bedroom storage space. Is it any association that i can contact perhaps if the agency refuse to do a repair and i cannot use m bedroom? I do see why i have to pay the full rental  price if i cannot use my bedroom because of noise wakes me up every single night and morning.

AdrianC

"I can't use the bedroom, so have to sleep in the lounge" is a bit excessive.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262776243812

Michy78

Dismissive and unnecessary comments @AdrianC. I am already using the strongest earplugs and the noise still wakes me up and inappropriate for you to judge it a bit excessive since you are not living with the noise. 
Don't need these type of advice .Thanks 

Slinky

Is it possible to swap usage of the rooms round so the lounge becomes the bedroom and vice versa? May not be ideal in terms of layout, but at least you can then use both rooms and get a decent night's sleep.

Michy78

Unfortunately i cannot swap the lounge as a bedroom, as it is open plan so i feel like i am living in a studio flat and have to get to the bedroom to get changed and get other stuff i need. The thing is also that the banging noise happens more than 40 times a day, so it is disruptive and disturbing when i work.