Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Upstairs neighbour relocating bathroom above my bedroom... Thoughts?
Hello
My upstairs neighbour has just sent me his proposed plan to change the layout of his flat, which includes relocation of his bathroom above part of my bedroom. I'm a little concerned about potential noise – shower water falling down, toilet flushed at night, water rushing through drains.
Is it common to have shower rooms over bedrooms? I mean, is this notoriously an issue or do many people live happily forever after because, at the end of the day, it doesn't make that much noise?
Is there a best way to sound insulate their floor, or won't that change anything at all?
Can I oppose the plan – should I decide that it's really not fair on me?
Your thoughts welcome...
Tags for Forum Posts: noise, noisy neighbours
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Isabelle on
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Pamish I think it's actually illegal to not add the extra layer. There are standards to go by and you could force them to change it – but I'm talking from what I heard, I'm not a legal adviser and I can't imagine the battle it'd be to get there. You're right, I should really keep a close eye. Maybe if I can't convince them to not build this bathroom they could at least agree that I record what's going on (photos etc).
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Permalink Reply by Steve on
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Hi Isabelle
I didn't intend commenting further as you have had some sound (no pun intended) advice. However it is simply not true that your neighbour would require 'Building regs approval for all the changes'. I have been doing a lot of work on my house recently and have needed authority and certificates for some such as steels, patio doors etc but not others like pulling up a floating floor and replacing joists etc. I would therefore suggest you take the following course of action:
- Check the fine print of your lease
- Speak to the freeholder, s/he will have an interest
- Speak to Haringey buildings control - I've put a few calls into them and they are very helpful. Here's a link: http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/housing_and_planning/buildingcontr...
- Identify precisely your rights in relation to what actions are required regarding soundproofing
- In the worst case scenario you may wish to advise your neighbour there is a duty to pass onto any potential new owner any appropriate complaints regarding noise etc, which may ensue if you are not happy! As has been said it could ultimately be a false economy if he does not install appropriate soundproofing.
Hopefully armed with all the correct information your neighbour will work with you for a mutually acceptable outcome.
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Thanks for your replies. I think that I will seek legal advice.
It's been really winding me up now, especially as he's not yet replied to my email of yesterday questioning his plan. I realise that their current bathroom, which is off the way above the common hallway, does make lots of bathroom noises, which I don't pay much attention to because they're remote. But to imagine it above one's head in a bedroom that's currently a peace heaven...
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Here's the new plan. They've split the existing kitchen into two units: shower room + spare room (bedroom/study with window). No other external wall than the one with the window.
The bathroom pipework would go all across my bedroom ceiling to reach the external wall. I believe that floor joists are actually parallel to the external wall, so am not sure how they'd run the pipes or insulate correctly in between.
Currently these two units are a single room, their kitchen, and so is my bedroom below. Their kitchen units are by the window (drain pipes straight out) and I'm not aware of much noise.
False ceiling might be the last resource – but should I have to bear the cost and inconvenience of it? I've just finished years of work done in my flat and could really, really really do with a break.......
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Plan0.png, 15 KB
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Sorry, I get what you are saying. I didn't mean to suggest you were telling me what I should do. It's a tricky issue and, with sound, no one can really predict what it'll be like.
They just emailed me back saying they won't change their plan. I have to decide whether I will agree to it (under which conditions) or oppose it as much as I can. I really don't want to agree, but if my reasons are weak then all I'll achieve is a bad neighbour relationship, which I don't want either.
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Sorry to revive this zombie thread but I need help as I'm now in the same situation as the OP. I was wondering how did things work out with the neighbours' renovations and if there was any advice?
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