persistent low frequent noise - possible neighbourly dispute

saajan_12

EssexHebridean said:

Not everyone has the financial privilege to be able to not live in certain kinds of accommodation, and sometimes we need to take a step back and remember that. We wouldn't respond to someone living on the streets and concerned about their safety with "Well the solution is not to live in a cardboard box" (or at least, I HOPE we wouldn't!) and in the same way, sometimes a flat is someone's only option. As in life, there is always an option for us to take the view that if we can't say something constructive, we're probably better to say nothing and move onto another thread... 


OP - unless you are concerned that the reaction of the neighbours might leave you in a position where you would be unsafe, then that first conversational approach is probably a good one. You have several anecdotal situations in this thread which you could use as an approach "My friend was saying that they had an issue with noise travelling from X appliance when it was moved, might something along those lines have happened?" and that could keep it very non-confrontational.  I suspect if your use of "low" refers to the volume then recording equipment might not be able to pick up on it, so that might not help as much as ideal. 

There is a fine line between being kind and not helping. 

Someone living on the streets is more likely not to have significantly better options, so pointing this out is unhelpful and on balance it may be better to just be kind. 

Someone living in a flat in a city may be able to afford a more detatched property further away. Even if they couldn't afford anything else, being told (perhaps in different phrasing) that the described noise is part-and-parcel of living in a flat could genuinely save them the effort and expense of chasing a resolution that'll never come. 

MysteryMe

The OP has not responded since their opening post and we have not been provided with any information to explain why they think the noise is coming from the upstairs flat. If it's actually a hearing defect of the OP, where they live is moot.

BungalowBel

EssexHebridean said:

Not everyone has the financial privilege to be able to not live in certain kinds of accommodation, and sometimes we need to take a step back and remember that. We wouldn't respond to someone living on the streets and concerned about their safety with "Well the solution is not to live in a cardboard box" (or at least, I HOPE we wouldn't!) and in the same way, sometimes a flat is someone's only option. As in life, there is always an option for us to take the view that if we can't say something constructive, we're probably better to say nothing and move onto another thread... 


OP - unless you are concerned that the reaction of the neighbours might leave you in a position where you would be unsafe, then that first conversational approach is probably a good one. You have several anecdotal situations in this thread which you could use as an approach "My friend was saying that they had an issue with noise travelling from X appliance when it was moved, might something along those lines have happened?" and that could keep it very non-confrontational.  I suspect if your use of "low" refers to the volume then recording equipment might not be able to pick up on it, so that might not help as much as ideal. 

Whilst I agree that not everyone has the option of moving, if they live in a flat then they must be prepared to live with everyday noise

Leo2023

Thanks so much for your comments and suggestions.

I am convinced the stereo system of my upstairs neighbour is the main contributor. I already had the impression that the noise comes from above before I spoke to him a couple of days ago. While we discussed the matter I could both feel and hear the bass in his living room, which was the same as in my flat. Up to that point I heard the noise more than 50% of all my waking hours (but not after 10 pm).
I am very concerned about the consequences for the value of my flat both now with the noise penetrating and once I formally complain. Noise issues have to be disclosed when selling. I wasn't planning to move anytime soon before the issue started. 

I have been living in the flat for a couple of years and any similar issue could be quickly resolved by asking the neighbour to turn the music/TV down. The building is quite new and appears well insulated, so that the neighbours' TV or music usually aren't audible in other flats. Bass lines are different because low frequencies penetrate through wall and ceilings to a much greater extent. 

I am still considering my options and might rent recording equipment such as the one suggested by MeteredOut, both to document the noise and also to cross-check my perception of the noise. 

Tinnitus can't be the reason because I don't hear the noise elsewhere, for example a friend's flat or a local yoga place. The noise also reliably disappears between 8 and 10 pm, which would be very unusual for tinnitus. 

I will have another chat with the neighbour hoping he will concede to avoid a formal neighbour dispute on file with the managing agent or council and/or ask the managing agent to send a letter to residents asking to keep their music/TV out of other residents' flats. They put a sign in the lobby about the neighbours loving their quiet that includes "dial bass down", so I hope they'll do that.  

KxMx

I live in a ground floor flat, washing machine, vacuum, repairs, diy etc are all everyday noise. 

I never run my washing machine early or late, did have a previous neighbour who thought differently, I let it go in the interest of neighbourly relations. 

Music, tv volume or faulty electrical equipment fall into the realm of, can be adjusted and is it at a reasonable volume, is neighbour being considerate to others etc.

I know for a fact current neighbours are not fully carpeted as they are supposed to be, but since they are quieter than the last lot who were fully done, I'm quite happy & won't complain. 

user1977

Leo2023 said:

hoping he will concede to avoid a formal neighbour dispute on file with the managing agent or council 

Bear in mind that the relevant standard enquiries on a sale aren't restricted to "formal" disputes (whatever that would mean), but any disputes and matters liable to lead to a dispute. So you're probably already in the realms of that.

Herzlos

Leo2023 said:

Thanks so much for your comments and suggestions.

I am convinced the stereo system of my upstairs neighbour is the main contributor. I already had the impression that the noise comes from above before I spoke to him a couple of days ago. While we discussed the matter I could both feel and hear the bass in his living room, which was the same as in my flat. 

That's pretty good progress. Do you know how the speakers are configured? Could you potentially come with some arrangement with him where the speakers are moved off of the floor for example onto stands, so that the vibration doesn't carry as much?

EssexHebridean

This sounds like the same situation that sometimes arises when someone has really heavy bass levels on music playing in a car, that you can literally feel it as much as hear it. Deeply uncomfortable to be around. It's great that it sounds like the neighbour is amenable in conversation around it though - fingers crossed it will be straightforward enough to sort. 

martindow

Are his speakers placed directly on the floor?  If so acoustic mats to go under them could substantially reduce the noise transmission through the floor.  Your neighbour sounds friendly and in your position I would ask if he would try putting them in place to see if that helps (I would buy them if he agreed).

Leo2023

Thanks for your additional comments.

If martindow or others have suggestions of acoustic mats or other changes that have worked in the past, I'd be grateful for information about them, e.g. the brand name or model of the mat used.

I found a lot of information online that very low frequencies are very difficult to block out with noise insulation materials, so I am sceptical that a mat or high-density block of some material underneath the stereo system or speakers will work. E.g. would anybody have experience with using isolation stands? Example here.