Question For Flat Dwellers......

[Jeza]

If you live in a first floor flat, (block of four, two ground floor two first floor, purpose built, you all have your own separate entrance.

So now that's established, At what time is it too early or too late to use a vacuum cleaner, washing machine etc. I'm asking this on behalf of someone else who has been getting grief over this.

[sherrardk]

Personally, I wouldn't do either before 8 in the morning or after 8 at night. If I knew that neighbours had babies or did night shifts (and if I liked them) I would keep that in mind too.

[boxtops]

I wouldn't hoover or use the washing machine before 8am or after 9pm - that's what I did when I lived in a first floor flat - but it really does depend on the people who live below you, and what their lifestyle is like.

My MIL lives below a family and the woman is an obsessive hooverer - it drivs MIL barmy.

[ivor4781]

i wouldnt used either till after 10am and not after 10 pm but theres no reason why you cant, i believe, from early to 11pm

[boxtops]

If you are on an Economy 7 meter or similar, you'd probably want to do your laundry at night. It really does depend on how well you get on with your neighbours, too. My neighbour who hammers at 8am on a Sunday is not popular.

[woofgang]

Personally I wouldn't start before 9 or go after 8 unless it was an emergency eg child with norwalk who had tossed all over the bedding and so on. I would also try to avoid noise on a Sunday and in any case not do noisy stuff before 10 am, but then i am old fashioned.
Having said that, it depends a bit on your circs and your neighbours.

[woofgang]

boxy, and how well you WANT to get on with your neighbours lol.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Our flats are really well insulated so we all do laundry up to about 11pm. You can hear it vaguely on the spin but not enough to be disturbing.
I never hear anyone hoover before 9am and after 9 pm and I don't either.

[boxtops]

true, woof - some people don't care what effect they have on other people.

[naomi24]

Before 9 or after 8. I avoid phoning people outside those hours.

[Jeza]

The reason I ask is, the young woman I'm speaking of says she always uses her vacuum after 10 am. Her washing machine always during the day, Yet her downstairs neighbour complains what ever time of day it is. The woman upstairs owns the flat, the down stairs is rented. I did tell her I didn't think this made a difference. Maybe down stairs is just a complainer.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Naomi I think it's rude to telephone people after 9pm. You always think it's trouble

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Sounds like the neighbour is hyper sensitive. She'd complain if the woman never hoovered or did her washing I expect. If she can't do it during the day, when on earth is she supposed to?

[naomi24]

Jeza, then time isn't an issue. The neighbour is being unreasonable.

[boxtops]

I wonder if the ground floor tenancy agreement has some clause about disturbing your neighbours, which is peeving the tenant?

Perhaps there is a lot of vibration from the washing machine - your friend ought to ask to go downstairs when it's on, to see how it affects the flat below.

[Mamyalynne]

I live in a flat albeit ground floor, we can all hear if the others are washing,vaccing etc, but unless is an ungodly hour never causes a problem.


I did used to have an upstairs neighbour who would complain about any sound any time just like that - I smiled sweetly and put another washload in.

[woofgang]

why would it make a difference? (owned vs rented) Your friend is entitled to "quiet enjoyment" of her flat and that includes use of the hoover and washing machine at reasonable hours.
I agree with Naomi about personal calls unless its someone who you know won't mind. I certainly wouldn't call strangers early or late except in an emergency.

[douglas9401]

I'd treat it the same as any work in the house or garden.
08:00 - 22:00 and 11:00 - 21:00 on Sundays. I don't know if it's a local law or we're all sensible, well mannered types up here in Scotia but most folk go by these times.

[boxtops]

LOL douglas, my MIL's upstairs neighbour is likewise in Scotia..... :-)

[losgigs]

Jeza, the downstairs neighbour doesn't by any chance work nights, does he? Even if he did, it sounds like the upstairs neighbour isn't being unreasonable.

[boxtops]

I think she IS being reasonable, if she only does housework during the day?