I have been in a first-floor apartment for a while now where the ceilings sound like they are about to cave in. They creak and crack extremely loudly as my neighbors upstairs walk around their house. The neighbors dont care, we've knocked on their door three times asking them if they could please take the condition of their floor into account when walking across their apartment (they all stomp heels first everywhere they walk). It only helps for a few hours, and the next day they're back at it.

I know it's not entirely their fault, it's the contruction of the apartments (there's no insulation in the ceilings/floors), but we have spoken with the office about it several times. We've also spoken to the maintenance manager, practically begging her just to have someone LOOK at their floors. Nothing has been done about it, and the most the office will do is knock on their door and ask them to be quiet, which again is only temporary.

My dad was here for Christmas (Licensed NC building inspector) and noticed at least one major structural violation in the construction of the stairs. Maybe I can run with that?

What are my options?

1/29/2011 8:39:00 AM

I doubt there's a lot more you can do, while annoying it isn't an unreasonable amount of noise if it's all attributed to walking. I'm sure my neighbors aren't happy my 5 mo old cries in the middle of the night but they wouldn't have grounds for a noise complaint unless we neglected him and let him cry.

Maybe you could have your neighbors over to hear how loud it is. Maybe there are paths they can take that are quieter if they don't want to change how they walk. I realize it's probably extremely annoying at this point but you're not going to get a lot of sympathy from the management if it's only walking.

1/29/2011 8:54:31 AM

You could ask management to let you move to a top floor unit.

1/29/2011 9:11:26 AM

Sorry to say it, but I doubt you will have much luck getting the issue permanently resolved. Your best bet is to either wait out your lease and move to a new place, or break the lease early (using the grounds of the structural violation). It does not seem like the sort of thing they will fix right away (as I am sure it will cost them quite a bit), and it seems as if it would be very inconvenient for you should they try to fix the issue with you still living in the unit.

If you wanted to end the lease early and go elsewhere- it's usually a matter of giving them formal notice that the structural violation needs to be fixed within a certain timeframe. If they don't comply, then you are no longer legally bound to stay for the remainder of the lease. I had to use this method to break a lease in Charleston, and under SC law, the landlord had to fix (or make a reasonably effort to start fixing) the issue within 2 weeks, and if they did not, I could serve them notice of my intent to vacate.

1/29/2011 9:16:46 AM

Yeah asking your neighbors to tiptoe for your personal comfort is a bit of a stretch

it's the building that sucks

1/29/2011 9:27:32 AM

Yeah I dont think any of the blame lies with your neighbors, I am pretty sure being able to walk around your apartment is included in the rent.

1/29/2011 9:38:03 AM

I had my downstairs neighbor say this to me once. I asked her if she was sure it wasnt the music because I do play that loud at times. She said its simply the walking around. I tried my best to walk a little softer and such but as others said asking someone not to walk around their home isnt gonna get you anywhere except your neighbors thinking you suck.

I live in an apt complex maybe 5 years old that appears fairly well built as well. If the sound of someone walking is that annoying then live out your lease and next time move into a top floor apartment. That's basically what I told the downstairs neighbor that there was a reason I moved onto the third floor. Granted now I have to listen to the birds and squirrels on the roof in the morning but hey we can't win em all can we?

1/29/2011 9:52:39 AM

The top floor thing is a no-go. I cannot convince my girl that she wants to lug two kids and all their shit up multiple flights of stairs every time she comes home.

Also, my beef is not so much with my neighbors as people seem to be thinking, it's more about what can be done with the front office. Although the people upstairs clearly don't give a shit sometimes how loud they are being. They know we have a 9 month-old and a 2 year-old, and they know walking on their heels from 6am to 1am (they don't have jobs) and dropping bowling balls or whatever on their floor is not the neighborly thing to do. Also screaming at your children at 6:30am is not cool.

Are there laws in NC like the ones in SC regarding structural issues in the building needing to be handled in a timely fashion? I am all for finding a loophole that will get me out of my lease.

1/29/2011 10:18:14 AM

Don't hassle your neighbors because you don't live in a well built apartment. Asking people to change their walking patterns (if it's really just walking) is a bit of a stretch. That issue is between you and management.

I lived in an older lower level unit that wasn't bad until some very heavy people moved in above me, which became something I had to deal with until I moved out.

1/29/2011 10:18:18 AM

Quote :

"I lived in an older lower level unit that wasn't bad until some very heavy people moved in above me,"

"Excuse me, are you the new neighbors? Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself and lay down some ground rules. One, you're going to need to hit the treadmill right fucking now."

1/29/2011 4:15:45 PM

I have this same problem. My upstairs neighbors walk around constantly. It's to the point that I wonder if they ever sit down! They're also up and about from around 6am to 2am the next morning or so. But I haven't said anything to them because I agree with everyone else - you can't just ask someone to walk softer.

My plan is to wait it out until I leave in June.

1/29/2011 4:30:09 PM

This thread is why I always live on the top floor of an apartment if I can help it.

1/29/2011 4:37:44 PM

Quote :

"They know we have a 9 month-old and a 2 year-old"

More than likely this is why they dont give a shit. The reason I didnt give a shit when the girl downstairs said the same thing to me was because I could hear her little dog yapping away as well so I basically called it even. If they can hear your kids screaming and crying I promise that's a hell of a lot more annoying than you listening to them stomping around.

1/29/2011 4:39:50 PM

I'm thinking the most you could do is to get something in writing from your father or a co-worker/associate of his and let the lease office know you won't take it. Just know obviously they won't be very nice to you after this, especially if they've got your balls in a vice dealing with any security deposit or making false damage claims after you leave.

Quote :

"This thread is why I always live on the top floor of an apartment if I can help it."

Same here. Being single I didn't really have any particular issues with going up two flights other than my luggage for work. The first time I moved into a 2nd floor apartment I actually went to visit the upstairs neighbor before I signed the lease. Turned out to be some sub-100 lb nurse who seemed to actually feel the same as I and mentioned thats why she waited til a 3rd floor opened up. Wasn't bad til her lease ended, a young couple moved in, and 3 neighbors started to blame me for keeping them up at night with the sound of a girl moaning on nights I wasn't even there

[Edited on January 29, 2011 at 5:17 PM. Reason : .]

1/29/2011 5:15:27 PM

the bitch downstairs beats on my floor when she can hear my tv

1/29/2011 5:39:26 PM

How long is left on your lease?

1/29/2011 6:52:14 PM

^^ call maintenance and tell them you think rats are living under the floor when she does it

1/29/2011 9:12:57 PM

don't live in apartments. they suck.

1/29/2011 10:46:35 PM

^ That.

1/30/2011 2:06:09 AM

Quote :

"don't live in apartments. they suck."

Not all apartments suck. Second floor apartments avoid this issue entirely (assuming the 2nd is the top floor). Townhouse apartments work pretty well too since you're your own upstairs neighbor, and yet not everything has to be hauled upstairs. Or just rent from a more ritzy place where you're paying enough that they really have incentive to care rather than wait you out and pull in another low paying renter.

1/30/2011 3:57:42 AM

Quote :

"They know we have a 9 month-old and a 2 year-old"

then why are you living in an apartment?

1/30/2011 11:22:59 AM

Quote :

"Yeah asking your neighbors to tiptoe for your personal comfort is a bit of a stretch complete douchebaggery"

I would have told you to go fuck yourself. I live in an apartment where my neighbour yells out because he got Tourettes or something, neighbour on the other side is a yong couple who loves to have sex, downstairs neighbor sings and plays guitar and sings as a hobby, while my wife stomps around the apartment pretty loud because of being flat footed. And everyone does their own thing and minds their own business, because that's what living in an apartment is all about. Those who require absolute peace and quiet should move out to either a one-family home or a retirement community.

1/30/2011 12:27:17 PM

It sounds like the apartments you live in were built like shit.

1/30/2011 12:50:00 PM

Quote :

"the bitch downstairs beats on my floor when she can hear my tv"

maybe you should turn down the tv and turn up your miracle ear

1/30/2011 1:06:05 PM

move to a townhouse

1/30/2011 1:26:59 PM

Quote :

" then why are you living in an apartment?"

Nothing wrong with living in an apartment with kids as long as you recognize the common annoyances that come with living in an apartment and realize there's little you can do about it.

1/31/2011 8:56:41 AM

Quote :

"This thread is why I always live on the top floor of an apartment if I can help it will never live in an apartment or townhouse...ever."

ftfy

1/31/2011 9:07:41 AM

suburbanites and country folk are getting a taste of urbanization ITT

[Edited on January 31, 2011 at 9:34 AM. Reason : .]

1/31/2011 9:34:24 AM

sounds like the answer from TWW is to live in suburbia with an SUV and fenced yard.

No sound problem with that. After all, if we learned to live with our neighbors we wouldn't be America.

1/31/2011 9:36:05 AM

I live in a pretty loud neighborhood in a downtown apartment. I also live close to a very busy hospital.

So I hear my neighbors a lot as well as constant ambulances. But I NEVER have to worry about hearing people through walls. I NEVER have to worry about water leaking from someone's upstairs apartment. I NEVER have to worry about an apartment/condo regulation that won't allow me to grill on my porch. I NEVER have to worry about parking...I have a small, but sufficient 2/3 car driveway.

Other than not wanting the hassle of yard work...I see no reason whatsoever to wanting to live in an apartment/condo. A townhouse is a step above IMO...but not by much.

1/31/2011 9:41:38 AM

Big plus for apartments is access to a gym, pool and walking distance to restraunts and shops

1/31/2011 10:31:03 AM

Cost. It's (generally) a good bit more expensive to rent a home than an apartment. Buying a home is expensive and ties you down a bit longer-term to the area, which a lot of younger people don't want. And if something breaks you have to pay to fix it. Most people don't choose apartments because they really want to live in apartments. It's just the option they can afford.

1/31/2011 10:36:16 AM

Quote :

"Big plus for apartments is access to a gym, pool and walking distance to restraunts and shops"

Gyms are shitty, "meh" for pools, and there are plenty of neighborhoods with houses near downtown areas as well.

Apartments in general are usually cheaper to rent, but you can find extremely affordable houses to rent...you just have to look a little harder. I'm sure it was an argument for buying an apartment, but as far as renting goes, the landlord has to do the same shit for a house that he has to do for an apartment...so that argument is moot. They might be a little more organized in an apartment complex, but I've seen plenty of shitty apartment complex owners who fuck over their renters.

The only arguments I'll take are if you live in a city where there is no housing downtown and you really want to be in that area and if you are buying and you just don't want to deal with the yard and all the other bull shit and want to pay fees every month for people to take care of that shit for you.

1/31/2011 11:53:13 AM

Gyms are shitty at shitty apartment complexes...mine is nicer than the Y. And I can walk to 2 grocery stores and at least a dozen restraunts and bars. I could never do that with a house in this area. I don't play my music incessantly loud and I don't have neighbors that stomp around like a clydesdale, apartment life is A-Ok is my book. Different strokes.

1/31/2011 12:04:52 PM

You honestly think anyone can go and rent a single-family house on any budget? The person who is paying $550 for a one-bedroom apartment might disagree with you on that. You could get roommates, but then you're potentially running into issues akin to the apartment noise problem and you haven't solved anything.

1/31/2011 12:07:06 PM

I live in an apartment now with the same issues. It sounded like there were freaking elephants living in the apartment above... only to find out all of that sound was made by 3 girls

1/31/2011 12:11:02 PM

^^^Your apartment seems extremely nice and out of the norm.

^^Where did I say that? And who knows if the OP has roommates or not.

One bedrooms are difficult in general. I fortunately live in a city where there are a lot of 1 bedroom "carriage houses." But if you want one bedrooms in most places, you're going to have to get an apartment. Either way the price is going to be high...especially considering that you aren't splitting bills.

I was mostly referring to having roommates, but the same pros and cons exist for one bedrooms as well. And you can find affordable single family homes, you just have to look.

[Edited on January 31, 2011 at 12:12 PM. Reason : .]

1/31/2011 12:12:05 PM

Quote :

"you can find extremely affordable houses to rent ... The only arguments I'll take are ..."

Made it seem like you were saying everyone should live in a home, period. I just wanted to point out that people might have different priorities that make them choose otherwise, even though homes are in general better than apartments. When I was single I wanted to live by myself. I picked privacy and the risk of having some noise issues to deal with over having to live with someone else (who could also be noisy) if I went with a home. Yes, at the time I would have agreed that homes were better, but I still chose an apartment because the pluses it offered were weighted more heavily for me than the minuses, and I couldn't have afforded a freestanding home on my own.

1/31/2011 12:21:40 PM

A home is not a house.

1/31/2011 12:26:44 PM

I just want to add...

If anyone has any desire to be "green" in any sense, the choice of a home over any kind of high density housing will completely destroy any mitigation through buying green, installing solar water heaters, driving a hybrid (if there was any green-ness to that at all), using reusable shopping bags, or pretty much anything else.

--
I'm sure I'll get resistance by saying "the end of suburbia is coming", but either way, it's a petro-life. Live it up while y'all got it

1/31/2011 12:57:19 PM

Quote :

"the bitch downstairs beats on my floor when she can hear my tv"

Your TV is obviously too god damn loud

1/31/2011 2:54:46 PM

for your next place, find a townhouse. I'm really enjoying living in mine a lot more than any of my top-floor apartments. The neighbors have a kid and the most we hear out of him unless our windows are open is him running up and down the stairs, and he takes music lessons in their townhouse. Sometimes I hear the vacuum when they are right next to the wall but as far as I can tell, no yelling, crying or tv/music noise ever transfers. Its great since we do our fair share of all of that as well, and I have pet parrots, but nobody's complained. Of course, my townhouse is pretty close to a railroad track, and that's more annoying than neighbors typically get on an hourly basis, so maybe everyone is more tolerant here.

1/31/2011 3:09:35 PM

Quote :

"What are my options?"

short answer: not much. /thread

1/31/2011 3:23:21 PM

^^ I think it depends on the townhome too. A friend of mine used to live in one where you could every damn sound their neighbor made.

1/31/2011 4:40:49 PM

I think a row end townhouse apartment or condo would be a nice balance.

1/31/2011 10:38:45 PM

I'm in my first apartment, living below a 280 lb. man. I fucking hate it....its like Shrek lives above me. I've lived in townhomes prior to this, and they are without a doubt WAY better in terms of noise and personal space. Lesson learned....

2/3/2011 7:13:49 PM

get some expanding foam, drill some holes in the ceiling and spray a measured amount in each spot.

it will reduce the noise, but it will be expensive.

2/3/2011 8:48:06 PM

I live in a 1930's classic in tidewater VA and refused to fall victim to Chinese drywall intruding on my boundaries with my neighbors. They just don't build them like they used to. Your best bet is to buy a free standing structure and not live in an apartment.

Another option is to go to apartments.com and really negatively review them.

And of course, you can always just face subwoofer speakers upward and strategically place them and then on cue blast upward with bass as sort of a punitive measure each time they fuck up. I actually had this work once, but it was time consuming and easier just to move. Plus they stomped in retaliation.

It really just depends on your priorities, but I find the least mature option to usually be the most gratifying.

2/3/2011 9:44:42 PM

Hey you... stop walking cause it annoys me !

2/3/2011 11:39:57 PM

Quote :

"they all stomp heels first everywhere they walk"

If you aren't wearing shoes, everyone does this.

2/4/2011 10:06:31 AM