We have a flat within a 1930's converted house. Since we've had new neighbours they keep complaining about the noise from our flat (mainly the bedroom which is above thiers), but we didn't have any problems with the people who lived there before. We can hear the same noise from the flat above which we have put down to the fact that this is a conversion and not purpose built.
We have tried to rent out the flat but the neighbours seem to keep pushing our tenants out. We have tried to talk to them and put rugs down etc... but they keep knocking on the door and complaining to our tenants. What should we do?
(Miss Marie Rice, 11 November 2008)
A.
This would seem to be a case of a house conversion where sound insulation seems to have not been too high up on the agenda when it was converted into separate flats.
You say that previous tenants in the flat in question didn’t have any problem with noise from your flat and that you, too, can hear the same level of noise from the flat above, so it would appear that you have accepted that the design of the house conversion does not lend itself too well to good sound insulation. Nevertheless, there would seem to be some sort of problem in that you keep receiving complaints.
There are strict laws governing noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 but they are usually more associated with issues such as loud music, barking dogs, shouting and arguing and lots of banging and loud children. Certain other factors also come into play with regards to noise levels after 11pm at night. However, you’ve given no indication here that any of the above is the issue here.
You’ve also taken some steps to try to resolve the matter by putting down rugs to try to reduce the noise levels somewhat. Therefore, based solely on the evidence you’ve presented here, it would appear that you have fussy neighbours who would prefer to live in complete silence, in spite of the fact that they have chosen to live in a place with thin walls. However, without knowing the facts, that is difficult to say.
You also say that you’ve tried to reason with the complainants but that this hasn’t achieved anything. Therefore, to obtain a resolution it may well be that you’ll need to challenge your neighbours into making a complaint.
Tell them that in your opinion, you feel you are doing nothing wrong and that if they wish to complain, they should contact the local Environment Department and ask them to investigate the matter. If you or your tenants are truly not making excess noise and the problem is simply one of thin walls, ceilings and floors, it may well be that the investigation team will simply discard their complaint.
If that’s the outcome, then theoretically, if they are ‘pushing your tenants out’ as you say, then you may have a case to take action against them for harassment, depending on what kind of evidence you have of that. On the other hand, the Environment Department could rule in their favour and force you into taking action to make further Soundproofing Improvements To Your Property.
Ideally, coming to an amicable agreement or going to see a mediation service is the best way forward. However, if this isn’t an option, the only way forward would seem to be letting the Environmental Health Department decide if there’s a problem or not.
May I ask why you thought you could afford to buy and feed a puppy over a carpet?
I have just recently moved into a flat and I have met my downstairs neighbour who is lovely but not my upstairs neighbours. My cats have been with me for only 4 night but they are not settled enough to start bombing arround the room at 3am like mad things. I have not had a complaint, but I know that they are noisy and I am going to address it BEFORE I get a complaint and talk to my neighbours about it now. Sound insulating underlay is going to be my port of call. Not sure what I'm going to do with the ceiling yet though.
As you are decorating now, it is the perfect oportunity for you to think about adding noise reducing measures. Is the puppy old enough to be neutered? This may reduce any boistrus behaviour from it and reduce the noise. Get out and meet some of the neighbours. When they meet you they will get to know you rather than assuming you are "a bad person". Take the puppy to puppy classes. Thjis is a great way of meeting people, even if they aren't your neighbours. It will also be a great start to the puppys training and may help you to control the noise.
noisy cat owner - 28 October 2011 @ 2:13 PM
I have a 6month old staffy pup who often gets hyper at night. My neighbour constantly complains about the level of noise at night, and often calls the Environmental officers... I have explained that we have no carpeting due to money issues although we've got rugs down and recently just bought a cheap carpet for the landing where my dog makes the most noise. My pup doesnt howl or anything, just bangs around and scratches. We walk him late at night to get him to settle but that doesnt seem to work either.
The walls are VERY thin, and my neighbour lives on the end of the terrace. When I was little my mother and I would argue a lot, so naturally he's upset that even though i'm older and my mum has passed away, the noise issue continues.
This seemed to have started 3months after my mum died and my partner moved in. We both practically CRAWL around the house at night incase of noise, and i'm scared of any small noise either us or my pets make incase of more complaints. I've been put on antidepressants because of this stress but dont know what more to do. The E.H officers that came around agreed that the pup making a noise was understandable, however they'd be monitoring the situation.
We NEVER bang doors or shout at night (except when telling off the pup), and we do our best to stop the cats or dog making excessive noise.
I feel victimised since the street hate me being on benefits and seem to think that we purposly cause trouble whether it be litter in our garden or noise. My neighbour KNOWS how much money i spent on the garden since I do like it neat, but since we started decorating etc its hard to keep it tidy and yes we do often put some bags of rubbish out waiting to go in the green bin that week. Yet he helps spread the gossip around the street that im a bad person even though im not. They all keep watch on what i'm doing, they seem to know exactly when i'm in/out, what time I get up or go to bed etc... its plain ridiculous and it bothers me to go out or come home for fear all eyes are on me.
I dont want the neighbours looking down on me when they dont see the full side of the story nor do they even bother to ask me instead.
I need help but dont know where to turn. Since he's a retired man who's ran his own business for the past 20+ years, paid his taxes etc, it seems he's more respected then some young adult who's living with her partner, both unemployed and seemingly trouble. No-one seems to believe that its often just 2 of my 5 cats or my puppy making noise at night (mostly my pup now).
HELP ME PLEASE!!! :(
