Noise problem with neighbours

QuirkyChemistry

Hi,

I'm after some advice please. I live in a rented semi-detached house with 4 other students and we have had trouble with noise complaints from our neighbours. The problem is that the party wall seems to be paper thin. We stay up late chatting but the neighbours complain about us shouting, which we do not do. The TV noise is not causing a problem (we have checked this). We try to be as quiet as possible and do not want to upset the neighbours but there does not seem to be a solution to the problem. We cannot soundproof as we are only there until July and there is not another room we can practically use as lounge. They have contacted Environmental Health about us and we have done the same about them. They often put on the TV very loud at 6am, waking me up in the morning. EH say that there is nothing we can do for the moment. So any possible solutions? Thank you for your help.

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD

Go to your beds earlier;)

neas

Aye, students are generally out of sync with the rest of society

Oldernotwiser

If you can hear your neighbours talking then it's the thickness of the walls that's the problem; if you can't then you're speaking more loudly than you think. If they're putting the tv on at that time in the morning they're either getting ready for work or have young children, neither of which goes well with late night student gatherings.

Why have you contacted EH about them? Was it just tit for tat?

epz_2

does the house have a house of multiple occupancy licence, if not i would start playing nice cause without one the landlord will need to kick half you out.

beecher

I'd get earplugs for the tv at 6am, and tone down the noise after 11pm - you need a bit of give and take when people's lifestyles aren't in synch. Any way you can sit in the kitchen or someone's room after that time? You may not think you're shouting, but it is amazing how loud people's voices sound during the night, when you're trying to sleep - especially if there's beer involved.

tbs624

Have you tried inviting them round for a chat and seeking a compromise on both sides? They perhaps don't know their telly can be heard or it may be their way of letting you know that if you keep disturbing them, then they'll disturb you when they have to get up for work. As a student household, most Unis will give you advice on how to get on with the local community - do they have anyone who could act as a mediator, or is there a mediation service for neighbour disputes at the local Council?

sammyjammy

I think part of the problem is like people have already said that your lives are out of synch, when someone is in a quiet room trying to sleep noise always sounds louder, if there are kids sitting on the wall outside my house at night I can hear every word/laugh, its really annoying but if they did it during the day I wouldn't even know they were there.

If you have a chat and explain this to them and suggest they keep the TV lower in the morning but it works both ways, perhaps you could congregate in the kitchen or somewhere else.

QuirkyChemistry

Thank you for your replies.

Unfortunately there isn't anywhere else we can go. The living room and kitchen are connected so it is just one big room and the dining room is now a bedroom. The only rooms that aren't on the party wall are a bathroom and the stairs.

I assume the house is appropriately regulated as it was let through an agency as a 5 person house.

I know you say our lives are out of sync and I guess it is true but the arts students I live with who have no need to be up in the morning would like to stay up chatting. We do lower our voices as much as possible.

Are there not any cheap soundproofing/deadening methods?

We aren't really able to speak to the neighbours. We have tried but their english is not very good and they don't seem willing to discuss it, especially as they are adamant that we shout.

Thank you again for your help.

Bungarm2001

Well, you could try some of the age old tried and tested methods of soundproofing....but I don't know how well they would go down with the LL!! :rotfl: :rotfl:

Years ago, as house sharers with thin walls, we used to stick all sorts of stuff to the walls to deaden the sounds...rugs and thick blankets were pretty good as were layers and layers of flattened cardboard boxes and newspapers. We had a real old fashioned house with picture rails, so we nailed all this stuff to it so it all hung down. You can always paint over the cardboard...give something for the arties to do..!

When my OH was in student accom. years ago (many! ) he lined the walls with egg boxes and egg trays that he snaffled from the local market stalls. He set up a recording studio in his room, and with several layers of old carpets on the floors, even the other housemates could barely hear him (alledgedly!!) Apparently, it looked great cos all his mates each painted a bit of it. Made his room considerably smaller tho...GAWD knows what the LL said when he left...I think he did a runner before he found out!!

I'm not saying you should actually do any of these things as it might harm the walls and you'd have all hell to pay if the LL got stroppy, but it's just to say there are always more solutions to a prob once you start thinking.

Maybe you could hang up a very thick duvet or something..??

Just thinking aloud...this thread has brought back good memories!

daisykinn1

If their not willing to discuss it then don't worry about it, it sounds like you're being very considerate! Live your life and be grateful you escape in July. The new tenants will no doubt be reported too!

Our old neighbours reported us too, complete mystery why! We weren't loud or untidy, but they still called the police when we had a bbq - which we invited them to and gave them notice. Sometimes you just can't win.