Noisy Neighbours

[Scarlett]

So, I'm on my own over Christmas which is bad enough, being disabled and unable to walk, but I am underneath a lady/her friends who have been stomping about, really loudly and on creaky floorboards, racing around across her flat all day yesterday until 1am (I had to sleep with TV on and headphones on- which of course doesn't work), and now all day today.
I've texted her landlord (no reply) and her (no reply) and don't know what else I can do. Since it's Christmas eve I can't make a fuss, but the idea of me sitting here alone, listening to that all night is so depressing. Wondered if you had any ideas?!

[FoxLee2]

Do you normally get on okay with this lady? If so, how about asking her down for a Christmas drink and then she would get to hear the noise going on overhead which she probably is unaware of.

[spathiphyllum]

Ring the police, get her an ASBO

[Scarlett]

Not really no, I've only seen her once; she very much keeps to herself. She is with some bloke I think, and it's his feet that are the problem. If she came down to mine she wouldn't hear the feet!

[chanel5]

Without meaning to sound patronising, Scarlett, you do sound a bit down, and it is often harder to tolerate the racket of other people enjoying themselves when you are feeling down yourself (I know, I have been that person). Is there anyone who could sit with you for a while over Christmas? Or even talk to someone on the phone? I am going to stick my neck out here, and suggest (as you have asked for help on here) that you might also ask for help from the Samaritans, who have a free phone number and who will be available all over the Christmas period. https://samaritans.org Just talking to someone for a while when you are alone might make the noise from upstairs easier to bear. Please let us know how you are - I will be checking back to see if you have posted. Hugs.

[Old_Geezer]

One of the pitfalls about flat living. Bad enough having folk within earshot either side, let alone above and below. Only thing you can do is make contact directly and explain the problem. Phone maybe. Get a friend to ring the doorbell ? Seems she hasn't laid low sound flooring. Unsure there's a quick fix though, bar maybe headphones. Even if they are sympathetic I'd doubt that they'd tippy-toe around for long. Need a longer term permanent fix. But if they realise, they may avoid stomping, if that's what they're doing.

[bainbrig]

If you’ve still got one, Noise Abatement at your local council might help - they are at least skilled in knocking on the doors of noisy neighbours.

[Rockrose]

Unfortunately you cannot stop someone walking around their flat. How many times have you raised concerns with the landlord before?

[ladybirder]

Does she/they have a carpet on the floor Scarlett? I ask because having lived in several flats and in fact living in one now, I know it usually states in the Lease that bare boards are not allowed and should be covered with carpet. Of course that will take time to enforce but for the present and until you can get it sorted I would get a good pair of earplugs from Boots. I sold up and moved because I couldn't stand the noise coming from the flat above me many moons ago and it is intolerable. You have my sympathy although it won't do you much good. So sorry, I hope a word with them might have a degree of success. x

[Maydup]

As a temporary measure for Christmas I suggest you pop the radio on for a bit of festive company, then come on here this evening and tomorrow when there will be folk around for a chat.

Lets hope the upstairs neighbours go out visiting tomorrow!

[tamborine]

turn up your tv & wear ear plugs. When neighbors complain, tell them your hearing batteries are flat & apologise.

[bainbrig]

When our upstairs neighbours do this, we play a CD of bagpipe music, loud and long. Sometimes helps.

[Scarlett]

Thanks everyone; yes they used to have carpets and the landlord took them up as he was doing the flat up to rent out. He put down laminate flooring (with underlay) even though the lease says it must have "sufficient insulation for sound". That is open to debate.
I have asked my landlord and the landlord of above many times and he argues that because he has told the tenant to tread lightly and put down rugs, that's all he is doing. The laminate flooring obviously cost him a bit so he doesn't now want to cover it up with carpet. I have even offered to pay towards this. Housing advice centre says there's nothing I can do except for take him to court and let a judge decide. Unless someone has lived underneath footsteps (in a converted detached house) they will never understand. The sound of a footstep sounds and feels like being kicked in the stomach. You instantly lose your train of thought and feel aggressive! And yes, being alone never helps when all you have to do is sit and listen to it.

[ladybirder]

You could take her to court over noise nuisance and sue her. This case cost the culprit £107,397.37.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/woman-wins-100k-payout-over-intolerable-noise-from-children-playing-in-flat-above-a3781446.html

[Scarlett]

Hah! Ladybirder I wish!! But it's nice to read that courts take seriously the removal of carpets and the addition of wooden flooring. Also the fact that the noise used to be less- I am certain the noise was less before the man above replaced carpets with wooden floor. I also need to start keeping a diary.

[tonyav]

Might be a good idea to record these noises, Scarlett. Just in case.