I just moved into a first floor appartment a little over a month ago. While I have never heard the people above me, apparently the guy below me can hear every step I take. Sure, I've heard loud noises: teapot whistles, etc, but I never thought about this.
He just came over and had a nice. short conversation letting me know about this little situation. It seems that it bothers him most in the morning: I have to get up at about 6 am.... I can easily imagine myself walking around half asleep with heavy footsteps in the morning.... This is my first place on my own and I've really tried to be considerate of those around me: no loud music, keeping my TV down. I had no idea this guy was putting up with this.
With that in mind, what can I do about this? Clearly, I'll try to have lighter feet, but is there anything else I can try to do about this?
2007-09-16 13:24:32 · 11 answers · asked by truean1 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
assuming that before he got the apartment he was told he'd be on the first floor there is no reason for you to walk around tiptoeing. you are paying rent just like him. now if you were being disrespectful and blasting music or listening to tv way to loud I'd be more conscious of that but you cant control the structure of the building or the fact that in order to get from the bed to the shower at 6am you are required to WALK.
I'm so irritated with neighbors like this because what he needs to do is rent/buy a house or a townhouse and stop being such a nag. unless you catch yourself stomping around like a drill sergeant or breaking any laws keep doing what youre doing. I know its good to make nice with the neighbors but please do not forget that you pay rent just like he does and if he didnt want to hear people above him, he should have requested a higher floor with no tenants above him.
2007-09-16 16:12:31 · answer #1 · answered by Rainey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are there carpets on the floor? I think if you rent an appt. and know there is someone living above you, you have to expect a reasonable amount of noise from foot steps etc. If you cannnot hear the people above you walking, you could talk to them and ask what they have on the floors to keep the sound of footsteps down. Otherwise, you sound like you are being considerate. You cant tiptoe around, after all this is your home. Good Luck
2007-09-16 20:37:04 · answer #2 · answered by canam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be honest I feel he has no complaint. Apartments are closer quarters then a house, and you share walls/floors. That's something he agreed to choosing to live there. Its impossible to avoid walking around. I could understand if you made loud noise late night or early morning.But it sounds like you are a considerate guy respecting the noise level. I wish all my many neighbors would have been like that. Possible adding a rug in your bedroom might help the early morning wake up noise if you are really worried. Or asking the neighbors closest to your bedroom on your floor if they hear you. He might be super sensitive, or need to take time to adjust to the noise or do something on his side if it bothers him to much. If you've only been there a short time he might be used to it being empty.
2007-09-16 22:49:32 · answer #3 · answered by Jaderae 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please try carpeting and slippers to reduce the noise. I am currently in the situation of your downstairs neighbor. Recently our old upstairs neighbor moved out and a new neighbor moved in. We can now hear substantial amounts of walking, opening/closing drawers, moving chairs,etc. Earplugs (4 types) and white noise don't drown out the noise. The only option left for people is sometimes to get the assistance of the upstairs neighbor to help reduce the noise. What some respondents don't realize is that sometimes, like us, people don't have the money to move to a townhouse or standalone house. On behalf of all downstairs neighbors, please do what you can and follow the useful suggestions of some people on this post and get carpets and/or slippers.
2007-09-16 23:28:52 · answer #4 · answered by MB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to apartment living and specifically cheaply built apartments. I only lived in one apartment that had noise issues and it was annoying. If you really want to not be bothered you probably will have to find a higher end apartment. Once I did that I never heard anything. My husband and I recently had to take an apartment while our new home was being built and I didn't even know anyone else lived in the building.
2007-09-16 21:20:35 · answer #5 · answered by dawnb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As silly as it may seem, try wearing slippers. You wouldn't believe how much that softens the sound of footsteps. I did the same with my boyfriend when we lived together and it stopped the problem. Give it a try! :)
2007-09-16 21:13:55 · answer #6 · answered by Kris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your shoes off inside by the door. Have a pair of cute, comfy slippers there, too, so you can slip into them right away. Even athletic shoes can be loud if you walk heavily with your heel. I hope he will be satisfied because I remember how cool it was in my first apt. ! Be happy.
2007-09-16 20:40:34 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rugs might help, but, you can't stop living a normal life. Just do what you can, but don't go tiptoeing around your house just because he gets to sleep in. He chose to live in a home with someone above.
2007-09-19 15:50:17 · answer #8 · answered by Teresa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have hard floors, maybe a rug or two to soften your steps. Close off vents you aren't using, they carry sound. Use curtains, etc... to absorb sound. Maybe he could use some earplugs.
2007-09-16 20:38:46 · answer #9 · answered by Frenchafied 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unfortunately sound always travels down- found this out myself when I had the noisy neighbors living above ME!- tread lightly, don't wear heels or boots, lay down some thick carpets with good pads underneath.
2007-09-16 21:14:49 · answer #10 · answered by flyingdove 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋