Sorting Out Disagreements ?

[Scarlett]

I've posted before about my upstairs neighbour who has ridiculously squeaky floorboards and constantly stomps across my ceiling which stops me from sleeping. It's the fault of her landlord who took up the carpet and put down laminate flooring (with underlay). For years I have been complaining to him about this and how it makes the sound unbearable, plus she has no privacy. He says he has put rugs down and told her to tread carefully and that's all he's doing. I feel very strongly that he should put carpet down, especially as the lease states that 1st and 2nd floor flats must have "sufficient insulation". I now want to get someone independent to sort this out but MY landlord doesn't want to fall out with him over it! I would take him to court but is it possible to have something less fearsome and scary, like an arbitration service? Or will they just suggest even more unworkable compromises?

[ladybirder]

Does this help Scarlett.
https://www.lease-advice.org/faqs/?topic=breach-of-lease

[Scarlett]

It does a bit Ladybirder, thanks. I see from this that any legal action would need to be taken by my landlady against the landlord of the above flat. I know she won't want to do this, as she lives miles away, is very old and would rather just ask me to leave and find a quieter flat, which isn't an option!

[Cloverjo]

Can you talk to the upstairs tenant and ask her to put down carpet and maybe go halves on the cost?

[ladybirder]

It might be worth ringing those people and asking for advice though? Talk it through with them.

[Cloverjo]

I know this isn't going to help you, but be grateful the worst noise she makes is just walking on her floors! It could be a heck of a lot worse.

[Scarlett]

Yes I will, thank you.
I have Clover Jo, she has put down rugs which is not the same as proper carpet with underlay. It's her landlord who is to blame - she is powerless to do very much at all.

[TonyV]

Try here they may help. I've used service previously when I had noisy neighbours and they got problem resolved.

https://www.gov.uk/report-noise-pollution-to-council

[Mamyalynne]

Another place that could point you in the right direction is Shelter - so many think they are just for the homeless but they aren't and are clued up on all matters relating to housing difficulties.

[Scarlett]

Thanks TonyV, sadly the council won't help as the noise isn't on their list of noises! It's not a party or barking dog, just footsteps and squeaks so they aren't interested.

[ladybirder]

Good idea mamya, I forgot about them and they are so helpful. They sorted a problem out for me once ages ago.

[Mamyalynne]

They helped me too LB after my Husband died and I was in a panic because unwittingly after 30 years the tenancy was only in his name.

They told me what to do and Landlords reacted promptly and here I still sit.

[Cloverjo]

I know how annoying noise is from neighbours, but maybe it would be better for you to accept that there will be sounds if you live in a flat. Don't drive yourself mad over it. She's not being thoughtless or vindictive.
I live across the road from a pub whose music and customer noise drove me crazy when I first moved in. Now I just accept it as one of those things. I feel a lot better for it.

[Scarlett]

CloverJo- I know what you mean as I also live next door to the roughest pub in town! But that won't ever change. What I object to is that the sound used to be bearable, then he took up the carpet (which he is not supposed to do) and replaced it with wooden floors, and now the sound is worse. I think he should also fix the squeaky floorboard. It's more about principles of being a decent person!

[TonyV]

Scarlett do you know what leasehold says exactly, you can still talk with council to get issues sorted, it's down to landlord not tenant.

[Scarlett]

Tony it says that floors must sufficiently insulated with linoleum, carpet rugs. It is the clause that is usually in leases for flats on 1st floor or above. It basically means NO WOOD! But as you can see it is vague, and he could argue that he has put underlay under the wood and added rugs. But all I know is that it is far louder now than it was when he had carpet. Yes, my landlord I think is very much in the middle which doesn't help me. She lives in a massive detached country pile!