and I'd also like to ask if there are any rules concerning baby noise in apartments. Do neighbours have the right to complain if baby cries after 10pm?
My husband and I currently live in an apartment behind the central station. The walls of the flat are really thin. I could hear clearly the conversation of people downstairs and even their foot steps. I had to complain my neighbor's music several times and she also complained about the noise from us, though in neither case was the noise too intense. As I'm going to give birth to my baby in summer, I'm afraid the thin wall is going to be a big problem. Therefore, I'd like to look for an apartment, not too far from the town, that has thick walls. If anyone knows such a place, please be so kind and let me know. Thanks in advance!
Apart from pointing out the obvious that most rental adverts don't specify "thick walls" in their rental descriptions, most modern flats have relatively thick or - rather - sound-proofed walls. Indeed in the three places I've rented in Basel sound has not really been an issue. Maybe you just were unlucky with the current place.
We were in a hurry when moved into the current place, and only later realized the sound issue. I guess you are right that modern flats would have thick walls. But when I go through homegate.ch, I don't see a lot built in recent years but rather from 1900-1950s with renovations. Maybe you found your previous flats via different source?
and I'd also like to ask if there are any rules concerning baby noise in apartments. Do neighbours have the right to complain if baby cries after 10pm?
No point in asking. We were told that our apartment was really quiet, I asked if there were children and were told there were none (there are 4 babies) - this has to be the loudest place I have ever lived. The walls/ceiling are so thin - I'm sick of listening to upstairs clumping around and as for babies crying - the one above me seems to never stop. I've heard it all through the night. I now sleep with earphones in trying to drown out the noise. I only have an issue with the one above me, the one next to me is not so bad.
I feel your pain here in Zurich, but I think its just luck of the draw, we think its noisy here because its an old building so maybe go for a new build. Maybe a couple of viewings at different times in the day?
that might work, or maybe talking to the neighbours directly instead of asking the landlord?
http://www.alle-immobilien.ch/
But also through this rental angency: CPV/CAP
They are part ot the COOP's pension fund management group. We rented two places from them. When we moved from one place to the other, we asked them if they had anything, and they were keen to help us find a bigger place (which of course meant more money for them).
Try calling them directly and seeing if they have anything at the mo.
Worth talking to the hauswart - they can usually tell you what it is actually like to live there... (if the landlord doesn't).
I know it's not ideal with a baby, but if you rent on the top floor there will be no noise from above, obviously
If you rent top floor in an old house then the walls are generally thick between the properties so less chance of disturbance from the neighbours.
Same if you're on the side or corner of a block.
Quite often you can tell from floor plans in apartments what's the other side of the wall, and you can find them with kitchen, bathroom and hallway all being on the dividing wall, making the living space a little more isolated.
When we first arrived, we were put in an apt where you could hear a toilet flush clearly 3 floors away, it was awful.
Good luck.
Thank you for your advice!
This is exactly what we have now. For us it's even worse, as the guy 3 floors above often makes this vomiting sound at night. I just have to go to bed early and try to fall asleep before he does that.
My neigbour snores and so far he got lucky only once (in his flat at least!). He puts his alarm on snooze at least 3 times. Sometimes he wakes me up. His phone vibrates loudly. I can hear his TV from outside of the flat. He has a dog that barks when mine goes outside
Other than that i have no complains. Reading the EF made me realise how lucky i am to have him!
In downtown Basel you're not likely going to find newly constructed apartments. Have a look at the surrounding towns - in Therwil, for example, they're constructing new apartments like crazy.
Regarding the baby noise, I believe that it is classed as an exemption from the "quiet after 10pm" rule. If the neighbours called the police to complain, I don't think they'd get very far. If a baby wants to cry there is very little you can do to stop them.
Just wait until they're toddlers and start singing in their cot at 6am
Yeah, from a legal point of view it's certainly no problem.
I'm in a newish apartment in Gundeli (built around 2007 I think), next door neighbours have a toddler who I can often hear screaming from the hallway, but hey presto, when I close my door I hear nothing - bliss. And nothing from apartments either side or above. However, the noise from the traffic on the street and the kids playground outside is really loud, so it's swings and roundabouts (he he). Will PM the OP with agency and address.
True, but I'm amazed at the amount of noise that comes from below in my top floor rented apartment, and through walls of next door's building. But very lucky though with the noise so far, much quieter than other city flats I've lived in, so can't complain!
And earplugs are the way forward for an undisturbed night's sleep for light sleepers