I’m a bit upset. I have my neighbour downstairs complaining about noise. There is nothing unusual going on in my flat. I have a 16 year old grandson living with me but he‘s out all day attending a course and is in bed by 11. He’s really good and very respectful. There is nothing like the ball bouncing and shouting and banging of doors that the neighbour claims. He has complained three times since May. I’m beginning to feel like the one who is being harassed. I don’t want to get into any arguments with the guy downstairs. Some constructive advice here would be much appreciated.

Start taping the 'noise' in your apartment from now on, or start a video camera with sound and next the time he/she complains you will have the proof there is no noise from your apartment. The dates will be on the camcorder, so there will be no argument. I know it sounds like a hassle, but would be necessary if you want to put a stop to this harassment.

Tick

tickle,

That's a good idea. I could borow a cam corder and try that. Thanks.

If the grandson is out all day and there is no noise coming from your apartment, possibly the guy downstairs is confusing the noise of the slamming doors from another apartment and blaming you. Ditto for the bouncing ball and shouting. Do you have any other neighbors that fit that bill? If so, point this out to the guy downstairs.

Write the neighbor a letter and ask him exactly what noise is of concern.

Ask him to keep a record of times and dates that the noise occurs. That way you can, if you need to, respond more adequately.

The camcorder is a great idea.

Thanks folks. I was upset because the guy downstairs never came to me. He put three complaints in since May with my housing association. They have been decent about it and ask me to speak to him but when I knocked he didn't answer. I know he was there because his car was there. When I posted here the other day, I had received another letter so I called them and they said that they are obligated to notify of any complaints and they asked me to try to work things out with him but I would rather not do that.

I personally can't stand noise so I do understand if he is being bothered but it's not coming from my flat I would be the first one to do something about it.

I'm also concerned about my grandson. He has lived with me since he was 11. Now 16, he is the only kid here as I live in an area for people over fifty. I don't want to move and the boy will no doubt move out on his own in another year or two. I swear this is a lovely young man, and he is doing nothing to cause this kind of hassle.

I asked a couple of other neighbours yesterday if they had any problems with noise coming from my flat and they said not at all and told me not to worry about it. One of them was my next door neighbour.

I think staying calm and letting it work itself out might be the best option. Others I have spoken to say that I have nothing to worry about.

I would say that the neighbour complaining is hearing noise all right. Perhaps a pair of feet in slippers walking across the floor, or a door closing, or cupboards opening and closing. Somehow the neighbour cannot discern between normal everyday noise, and noise caused by head banging music, screeching children, and the TV turned up to the decibels of a 747 taking off. To the neighbour, it's all just noise.

If it were me, I would file a complaint myself. Say everything you have said here, and include the idea that these complaints are unjustified, insulting, and totally untrue.

Tell the Council that you have tried to speak to this person, and you are ignored, and would the Council please take charge and follow up. Either investigate the matter, or advise the complainer to stop.

One other thing you might do is register a letter to this person. Again, the same information contained in your posts, advising him that you have tried to contact via knocking on his door several times to discuss the matter but he won't answer the door.

Tell him politely that unless he has something to specifically complain about, then you expect these ridiculous complaints to the council, stopped. I would add that a copy of the registered letter has also been sent to the Council.

You are only a victim of this person if you allow it. Time to step up, and not be at the mercy of somebody who has nothing better to do than complain about something that has nothing to do with you.

I may be wrong, but aren't those letters kept on file? This may affect you down the road if you don't have something of your own to counter with.

I agree with Jake living downstairs of someone there is going to be noise that he is most likely being petty about.
Like the others have said keep track of noises and find out what type of noises and days and times he is complaining about.

Jake2008,

Thanks. I think I will put my case in writing before this gets out of hand. He has been there less than a year. I have been here almost seven years and never had any problems with the last person who lived there.

PS. I wanted to rep you but it said I had to spread the rep. I must have rept you for something else.

Anyway thanks again.

When I was single, I lived in an apartment on the second floor of a two story building. The owners cut costs at every way possible, especially insulation. The man that lived directly below me snored at night. I know that there was nothing he could do about it, but it caused me to lose sleep. I could even hear him in the restroom. He needed fiber in his diet. I talked to the manager, and she asked if I wanted to move. I did not, so I just dealt with it. Just like this man needs to.

It sounds as if you may be experiencing the same problem.

Structures aren't being built the same way as the good old days. If there is a way to talk to this man, tell him that you are making sure you are being considerate with the noise, and explain that it is not your fault as the building may not be sufficiently insulated.

But as you probably already know, there are some people that are just not happy unless they are complaining.

Is there a chance of you moving to a downstairs flat if this issue continues?

Thanks, and Good Luck to you BlueRose.

jmjoseph,

It's actually a very nice complex with 17 flats facing onto a lovely court yard. It's also elderly designated, so everyone living here is over fifty. I find my neighbours to be very nice in a good morning greeting kind of way. In the place I lived before I could hear my neighbours flushing their loo. There is nothing like that here. The building is lovely and I don't hear my neighbours at all. It just seems to be this one person below me. I walk around in my bare feet, I have rubber mats on the kitchen worktops, we don't watch TV only the occasional DVD, I run the washer in the afternoon. There isn't much else I can do to keep this guy off my back.

I posted two emails today describing the effort I am making to keep the noise down. I know there is nothing to answer to but I can't just sit back and await the next letter of complaint. I'll keep you informed of the outcome.

I think its possible this guy has a beef with the young man just being around,he's sterotyping him and his feelers are up,just wonder if you do ever get to talk to him if it would be good to either bring the lad or try to spark a conversation. With the guy about how proud you are of him,and what a nice boy he is.
Might help

Thanks folks for the reassurance. I was a bit upset but it's going to be okay. I have had some nice reassuring replies to my emails. Thank you once again for your support.