How can I get my upstairs neighbours to put in soundproofing?

Question

The people upstairs from me in my new flat have got stripped floorboards, which means i can hear pretty much every word they say, and every footstep and movement. They're not noisy, they're just going about their lives as any normal person would, but it's like they're in the house with me. I believe that you're not actually allowed to have stripped floorboards in upstairs flats, but not sure if this is true? I haven't spoken to them yet as wanted to know where i stood before subtly raising the issue with them.

Answer 1

If your in a flat then there will be lease. You need to check the lease. I have a flat in London, and there is a clause in the lease which says that you must have carpet on the floors to reduce noise.

The other thing you can do is talk to them and explain how the noise travels. Maybe you could ask them to try to be a bit quieter between say 11pm and 7am.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Forget soundproofing, they are unlikely to do it, its prohibitively expensive and will not make a huge difference. Many modern flats were built without sound transmission being considered. My opinion is develop a good neighbourly repport with them and then at some later date delicately bring up the subject; then negotiate. It sounds like you don't have any issue with these people other than the specific problem described. Forget the lease or legal redress, that will just annoy them leading to them possibly refusing to cooperate. You then have a tedious neighbour dispute on your hands, which will probably last long after you have forgotten what it was originally about. After all they are probably not aware of the noise they are creating. Failing that as a last resort many local authorities have a mediation service. This often is run as a charity. They are experts in being the unemotionally uninvolved third party and will often resolve problems you have been unable to progress.

Answer 3

I'd speak to your local council before having a talk with them so you have all the facts. If they are resonable people they'll listen and the two of you could come to some agreement . If they are not resonable then I think it's about time you invited some friends over for a bit of a get together and then they'll understand what you hear constantly. Sometimes being harsh is the only way. Good luck !!

Answer 4

I would speak to your local council. The Environmental Health department would be able to advise you on this. I wouldnt have thought stripped floorboards were allowed without some kind of soundproofing.

Answer 5

I got to experience this very thing while staying with a friend in his flat. When his upstairs neighbors came home at night it sounded like they were in the room with me. Pickup a large area rug for the room that you hear the most. "Just a little something that I thought would go in your lovely bedroom, bathroom, living room, whatever"

Another idea is to cover your ceiling in what ever room you need with something to muffle the sound. Cork can be attached and painted. Fabric can be draped across the ceiling and or walls (velvet will suck the sound right up!) also.

Good luck...it works!

Answer 6

You would need to explore whether there is anything in the lease regarding bare -v- carpeted floors. I don't know if you own your own flat or if it is rented. I don't know if the people upstairs own their own flat or whether it is rented.

If you and/or they are renting, you need to contact the landlord and get him to find out about any conditions in the lease. Or you need to contact your solicitor who dealt with your purchase - to find out about the lease.

Then, when you are armed with these facts, you can start to move forward.

If they are good, reasonable people, hopefully they will respond to your approach - also depending on the requirements of the lease etc.

If you really don't have any joy at all, I guess you could contact your local council - noise nuisance team/nuisance neighbours etc. for further advice.

Or maybe you could carpet your ceiling??????? ........... No, stupid idea I know ............... but I can imagine your frustration.

Good luck.

Answer 7

you cannot force someone to install soundproofing, you may be able to embarrass them into fitting soundproofing if you can relate some juicy goss you heard (or some 'emabarassing' noises). modern purpose built flats have soundproofing in, but I dont think you can force retro fitting of soundproofing

the other approach is the straight forward discussion with them, suggest that one comes into your flat with you, and ask the other person to move normally, and then repeat with the roles reversed - let them see and understand the problem.

the council may be able to help:talk to environmental health or possibly building control in the local council

failing that then you need to comnsider installing soundproofing in your flat. I wouldnt reccommend turning up you TV/Stereo etc to drown out the noise as you could be creating a noise nuisence yourself.

Answer 8

They are not gonna change the floorboards, so don't get your hopes up if decide to ask. Invest in a nice pair of ear plugs, or figure out a way to soundproof your ceiling.

Answer 9

Hm - this will not constitute grounds for a noise abatement officer. If it is council property, then you can complain to them - but if not, I do believe you will have to live with it :-|

The act that deals with noise from property is the Environment Act (i believe.. just type in "noise abatement" in google and you'll find it - if im wrong nehow), and it doesn't really cover this area.

Answer 10

You said new flat if that is right as in new build the floor should be sound and fire proof, speak to your local council planning dept they should be able to help you if not they know who will help