neighbor above moving furniture on wood floors

18 years ago

I just rented this cute space under a house (in January). The woman above likes to move her furniture often. She is also a costume designer who rolls racks around the floor. Everything transmits to me underneath, because of her wood floors above. When I first realized the problem, I asked if she'd put rugs down. This was ignored. She told me I was just sensitive to noise. I had complained after a week of 6am commencings of the rolling and banging. Soon she told me she did not even own the place. She is a years-long renter, and "never met" the owners, who live in Europe. I read the thread about "deliberate stomping". She also has a housekeeper who comes every Saturday morning, and moves and drags and drops furniture down. It is basically the sound of someone moving in above, every week. It is torture.

Please, can someone offer any suggestions? Do you know a way I can find the landlord? Maybe he/she can ask/make her put rugs down..I moved in led to believe she owned the place. She only told me she didn't when I needed the toilet repaired. It was never repaired.

I don't have the energy or money to move again, but should I, before I settle in, if I ever can? (Maybe I can sue to get my money back, since I was led to believe she owned.) Or should I repair and deduct when repairs are necessary?

Also, if anyone knows of a way I can deaden the sound in my place, please tell me.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

neoadorable
18 years ago
not sure if you can do anything to quiet it down but call the authorities where you live, this isn't just structural or passively-produced noise, it's being visited on you actively and thus can be penalized.
kweenie97
18 years ago
Well, if this woman doesn't own the house, who did you sign your lease with? Whoever signed your lease when you did is who you should contact about your problems. Check your lease about how you are supposed to submit items for repair and what not. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Related Professionals
Aspen Hill Interior Designers & Decorators · Glenbrook Interior Designers & Decorators · Madison Heights Architects & Building Designers · Washington Architects & Building Designers · Abington General Contractors · The Crossings General Contractors · Citrus Heights General Contractors · Del Aire General Contractors · Mount Prospect General Contractors · Summit General Contractors · Texas City General Contractors · Camarillo Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Lincoln Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · North Arlington Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Pico Rivera Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers
camlan
18 years ago
You are facing several problems.

First, to find out who owns the house, check with city hall or town hall. The owner of the property is listedÂitÂs a matter of public record. I suspect one of two things is going on: 1) The woman above you owns the property but doesnÂt want to pay for repairs or 2) the landlords live in Europe and have no idea that she is renting out part of the space.

Second, about the broken toilet. Usually, there are regulations requiring landlords to fix things like this, provide adequate heat, running water, etc. Check your state laws on this matter. Ask her again to get it fixed or tell you how to contact the landlords to get it fixed. If she refuses, contact whatever agency your state/town/city has for tenant problems. Tell the woman that you will do this if the toilet isnÂt fixed in one or two days.

Third, about the furniture. You can ask her about rugs again. You can contact the landlords. Or you can move.

IÂm suspicious that you may be living in an "illegal" apartment, one that isnÂt allowed by zoning laws or that isnÂt known to the owners of the building. If you push the woman upstairs too much, she may try to get you to leave. Did you sign a lease or are you month to month? SomethingÂs just not right with this picture.