Ignore them and stop falling over backwards to cut down the noise. Go full out angle-grinder and give them a taste of real decibels.
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Help! I seem to be a noisy neighbour
(64 Posts)We've lived in our flat for several years, we got on well with the previous downstairs owners, they renovated their flat and we ours. We always checked we weren't disturbing them when we did work and they said they hardly heard us. We managed some quite big joint projects on the building together and had no problems at all with them or any of the other occupants.
My difficulty right now is the new downstairs neighbours who have, over the last year or so, complained about the noise caused by almost anything we do, including the washing. This evening it was a message complaining about the noise from our DIY when we weren’t doing any, the only thing we can think that we did was getting ice out.
We agreed to try and accommodate by underfloor acoustic insulation, thick carpets etc wherever possible but even when we do the work for this they complain. We have even changed our grey water system as they said our pump was driving them mad and done everything we can to help. We always try and reduce the noise when doing DIY by using the outside workshop rather than use power tools inside, working when they go out or are at work, but they still complain. It's costing us a huge amount of money and time. It's like now they know we'll try and compromise they're just pushing us more and more and I realise I've even stopped making cakes in case they complain about the food mixer.
They want to move but have told prospective buyers there's a noise problem, which puts us in a very uncomfortable position.
I have been to their flat and stood and listened to the ‘awful noise’ while my son stomped round banging things and I could hardly hear anything, it was the same sort of background sound we get from the flat above, people moving around etc, normal noise. The difference is, I suspect, we just accept it because it’s a flat and they, or one of them, doesn’t and wants silence. They work in a sealed sound studio all day so my guess is they are over sensitive.
When they moved in there were several months of disruption from workmen building a studio and putting in a kitchen and bathrooms, nobody complained despite the constant noise, dirt and vans blocking the drive.
After this evening my DH has had enough and is going to tell them so, it’s affecting our lives too much and we want to move but of course now have a problem with that as we will probably have to declare there has been an issue on the solicitor’s forms.
I'm sick of creeping round my home and having whispered conversations in case I'm overheard.
Any helpful suggestions welcome.
If they want silence they need to buy a detached property in the middle of a field. A certain amount of noise in flats is expected; excessive noise is not. We live under a flat that has had a succession of neighbours from hell (constant noise, weeks of DIY hammering until 3AM, parties, kids screaming, running around and dropping things on the wooden floor, bouncing balls etc, often until early hours and sometimes all day - and that's without the drug dealing, fights, gobby swearing friends, drunken behaviour, littering, fag butts thrown into our garden etc). Other neighbours have kids, make a bit of noise but we all accept some is inevitable and live with it, know if it gets too much, or someone is ill, we can tone it down - being sensible and neighbourly. In our block it is just the 2 upstairs rented flats that have problem tenants. Good luck - you shouldn't have to be scared to bake!
If you know your noise levels are just those of everyday living I suspect your neighbours have other motives - maybe they have plans to try and buy your flat cheaply to give themselves extra room. Or perhaps they have friends or family they would prefer living there to having you as a neighbour. There is no pleasing some people and they may fall into this category. If they are being unreasonable, stand your ground and argue your case - do not become a prisoner in your own home. If they want to know what noisy neighbours are they can buy this flat in a couple of years!
I think you should go to the council or CAB and get advice. You have concrete evidence that you have tried your very best to accommodate them and can do no more. You can also show that previous owners have not complained. As someone said, they are harrassing you and you are the victim!
I do agree that some people are noise sensitive - ironically, as I wear hearing aids -when I remember- my ears prick up at the slightest noise. However, I just have to accept that It's me that's not normal!!
My mother was one of those people who, as she got older, complained about her neighbours being noisy. On the occasions when she came to stay with us she would constantly flinch, if a motorbike passed the house, or tell the children not to make so much noise while playing. She also said that she always slept badly, and the least noise woke her up.
One night we had an amazingly loud thunderstorm. Mum slept through it, because we didn’t mention it, and neither did she. On another memorable occasion we had an earth tremor. Again, she never mentioned it.
Some people just enjoy having a good moan. Just ignore your hyper-sensitive neighbours and enjoy your lives.
I stopped reading at "complaint about D.I.Y." when you were not doing anything. At that point I would have flown downstairs and told them to come up and find evidence of their blathering - I truly would. As for their telling other that there is a noise problem, the mind boggles. Why would they do that, if they are leaving? They want to sully your name with as many people as possible. You know you are not doing anything untoward ... and hey, don't they have a washing machine, themselves?
I'm going to be really blunt about this..........tell them to get stuffed!
I have lived in flats both above and below other people and as long as one is respectful regarding times of extra loud noise, you shouldn't have to mask everyday noises, if they wanted total silence they should have a detached house.
Now I am living in a semi and with 3 teenage children next door you can often hear them through the walls, especially when arguing or being told off. But it's give and take, this is normal family noise and I would hate the thought of children (o anyone) having to creep around being quiet.
Jess20 just carry on with your usual routine some people just like to moan about anything and everything.
The council can mediate between neighbours, I think, regardless of who owns the properties.
It's awful, living above someone who thinks walking across your own front room is a crime.
I think you need to just tell them that you are doinh everything possible. Perhaps print off this thread and see if they'll consider wearing noise cancelling headphones. Maybe ask them specifically what they have a problem with and see if a compromise can be made.
Oh, and perhaps they could consider a white noise machine in their home?
They are too hyper sensitive to noise from being in a sealed sound studio during the day.
Any chance they could measure how loud this 'awful noise' you're making actually is.
They want you to live in complete silence and will push and push until you do! Do you know what??? ...f¥<€ em!!!
you can report them to the council or housing association .or who ever the block belongs to for anti social behavior/harrassment...keep a diary of when they complain.... i had to report my neighbours down stairs of slamming their doors from 7pm-2am every day. i did speak to them about it .but it got so bad that i reported them to my local council....try and get them recorded on your mobile esp the swearing bits...
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