Noisy neighbours?

Last activity 23 October 2023 by JohnnyPT

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ctomacContributor21 May 2022 06:48:51

113

Hi everybody,

I have a question on how to deal with noisy neighbours other than moving out. The neighbours upstairs have the habit of walking about their apartment (wooden floors) in something that sounds like high (and certainly hard) heels. They also have the habbit of banging the doors of their wardrobes, banging things on the floor, etc. It happens a lot during the day but what is worse, it also happens at night at various times (it can happen pretty much at any time of the night).

We discussed this with the landlord, who addressed the question to the condominium administration, who declined getting involved (not their job, they said). She then advised us to talk to the noisy neighbours and if doesn't work call the police. We did both eventually, but when the police came at 2 AM of course there was no noise (the noise is intermittent at night). At first they said they cannot do much since the neighbour has the right to wear whatever they want in their apartment, but then they went upstairs to talk to them anyway. Came back saying nobody opened the door.

So here we are, with 3 hours of sleep under our belt last night.

Anything else we can do, or just buy some ear plugs and look for another apartment?...

Any advice greatly welcome.

sandybishop77Member21 May 2022 10:04:09

@ctomac I am SO VERY sorry for you.

We have exactl the same problem. We have contacted our neighbours about the hard shoes on wood floors because I am undergoing regular minor operations and do not sleep well. They made a difference firONE WEEK and then reverted to the same as before.

I’m afraid there is nothing you can do except stay and suffer or move. BUT wherever you move in this out of date country it will be the same. I am an interior architect and the problem lies with two factors:

1. The building does not have anti noisej insulation between the floors.

2. There was no requirement by the management for extra insulation before laying wooden floors. If none then the wood acts as a noise carrier.

The Portuguese builders either don’t care and won’t pay the extra for insulation or they are just ignorant if correct building requirements.

Sorry no solution except move countries!

SimCityATExpert21 May 2022 10:30:34

11264

Ask them to buy a rug

ctomacContributor21 May 2022 12:25:06

113

@SimCityAT

In that case I should ask them to buy rugs for 4 bedrooms. Or, better even, I should buy the rugs for them to use.

ctomacContributor21 May 2022 12:26:40

113

@ctomac I am SO VERY sorry for you.

Sorry no solution except move countries!
- @sandybishop77

Or buy or own house (which we will, in the next 12 months or so - question is what we'll do until then).

GuestPoster316Guest21 May 2022 13:43:23

214245

@ctomac

Hi,

I have the same problem. My neighbors upstairs are walking non stop in the evening and that can last for hours. Now they have their music loud. Apparently, they have no respect for their neighbors at all. I don't want to start a 'war' but it's really getting to me. It happens a lot and it's not the first time either. It bothers me to the point where I have to change rooms a lot but I can still hear them. I don't want to wear ear plugs in my own apartment. Enough with those stupid babies crying in planes bothering every passenger all the time and now at home, no way ! Parents are really stupid to bring their crying babies in planes. That's no respect either, plus babies don't even pay their fare whereas they should pay double for annoying every body all the time. We live in a society that has less and less respect for the others. As you said, moving out is really hard to do and there is no guarantee that it won't happen in the new place ! I will wait for a few days and involve my landlord or put a note under the neighbors' door and see if they change a little, at least.

nz7521137Portugal Advisor21 May 2022 16:19:40

562

@sandybishop77 This seems to be a Portugal wide problem. The building standards and minimum requiremens are very very basic. Fortunately we are living in a top floor apartment with quite considerate neighbours, which is great. I have heard that there are sound barriers that can be installed on the ceiling of an apartment to reduce noise from above. Maybe this is an option (if it isn't a rental).

GuestPoster316Guest21 May 2022 17:45:10

214245

Yes you are right, it's a Portugal wide problem, and since people know that there is no proper insulation, they should mind about the neighbors ; that's not respectful and we lose sleep stupidly or are unable to concentrate so I am not sure what to do and avoid getting mad ? We cannot be constantly moving out and look for a better place since it's hard to do and not practical. I understand about the sound barriers but it's just a rental and I don't want to go over bored on spending more money than I have too. I am already spending a fortune on electric and water bills. Also, I am not even sure how long I will stay in the same area so upgrading the place is not something I want to do but thanks for the advice. This is already my 3rd place and every time I experience the same problem so I am a little scared now. If it's not one neighbor it's another one. It's great to live on the top floor but I have never found one. I am always very quiet and mindful too. I rarely make noise or talk loud non stop like most of them do. I guess it's cultural. Difficult if you love peace and quiet !

Julia

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert22 May 2022 07:18:58

4421

It's not a cultural issue but an educational one. Brazilians, Spaniards and Italians are much noisier than the Portuguese. If you have Brazilian neighbours, the chances of having these noise problems are considerable. They listen to loud (almost always Brazilian) music, talk loudly, have their weekly barbecues and invite half the world to the parties, and on football days of some Brazilian clubs, there are always loud parties until late in the night. They only calm down when someone calls the police.

The Portuguese who listen to louder music belong mostly to the lower class, or lower middle class. If they are older they listen to more kitschy/popular music, if they are teenagers it's the usual for these ages.

In the cities, this problem also occurs where there is local accommodation and the houses are rented out to tourists who want to party and have fun. They show no interest in respecting those who live in the building and are not there on holidays.

This problem is not unique to one country. It is rather a problem of an increasingly selfish society where a large part of the people only think about themselves and don't show any respect for their neighbors.

____

You may find these articles helpful, but I recommend that this problem should always be (kindly...) addressed directly with the person or the condominium management where you live. If they are teenagers, try talking to their parents...