I am not sure whether I am being unreasonable but the neighbours upstairs are driving me insane. They have children who keep running about all day, it all echoes through the entire apartment, I can feel the banging in my head.
I hear them when I get back from work and at weekends. Thankfully they stop at around 9pm. I have flue now and all I want is some peace and quiet.
I don't have children so I cannot sympathise with anyone who says "Oh they are kids, let them play". As far as I am concerned I pay rent just like they do and why should I have to listen to them?
They also like to let their kids run down the stairs screaming and the staircase goes past my bedroom wall, but this doesn't go on for hours like the elephant stampede upstairs, so not too bad.
Do I have to tolerate someone else's kids or is it reasonable to ask them to keep the running to a minimum? Am I stuck with it?
No you don't have to put up with excessive noise...kids or no kids. If it's really bothering you, I suggest you talk to the parents, as most likely the don't realize it themselves (many parents usually don't).
I feel for you, I do. I used to live in a detached house before I moved here. I found it hard to adjust to the noises and smells of apartment living. But what can you do? People don't live in silence.
I could go live in a detached house now, out in the sticks, but it's easier just to tune out other people.
Having said that, if it's excessive, then have a chat. But don't get stressed about it, 'cos then every pin drop seems like a cannon.
Children going up and down stairs would not rate highly on the concern for authorities, as this would be deemed normal use, as is the fact it stops at 9 pm, so it is not during your sleeping hours.
The stair thing is not an issue. Just another moan.
It's more the frustration with the inability to escape the noise in my own home should I wish to. I've only written now because I am very ill and groggy. Isn't that what the Complaint section is for?
I posted here to try to ascertain what is reasonable and what is not. I'm not gonna go up there and scream at and threaten the parents. I'd like to think I have been brought up better than that.
All I wanted to know was when it comes to kids what level of noise is ok and what is simply not.
If it bothers you just file one against your neighbour at your local municipality ...
These things are taken seriously
Kids will always be kids. Parents have the greatest authority to control the noise level of their beloved ones so onus is primarily on them. Friendly neighborly chat cannot solve the issue?
I don't know if it may serve as a small consolation but we are all surrounded by certain amount of noise. Last time we lived next to the railway on the ground floor where noise prevailed and all sort of baby items were frequently dropping down to our garden. However we were not bothering others by doing Zumba or playing Wii sport games hard on the floor.
Now we moved to the village on the top floor in the building were nearby bell tolls excessively every few hours. Our Zumba classes and noises from the top get behind a skin of our ground floor Nachbaren.
There is no win-win situation anywhere. The best we can do is compromise and find solution for mutual satisfaction. Switzerland is not that big country after all and it is tough to live autonomously in the boonies.
So go upstairs and talk to them, may be they are "flu-less" of what's going on ...
As a parent with a young child that has recently learnt to walk I am conscious of the running around etc. so when we can we encourage her to play upstairs. We are fortunate to have two floors. Anyway we also discourage loud banging toys unless on the carpet.
However I have to say it is very very hard. It's a balance to allow my child to run freely in her home and explore her walking and discourage certain amounts of banging. Walking however, is I feel one of those things you have to be able to deal with when living in an apartment.
Be thankful that the kids so go to bed at 9pm.
Before having kids I was thoroughly annoyed by kids noise. But it's one of those things. Kids will be kids. Talk to the neighbours explain your concerns. They may be able to offer a solution but don't expect the noise to stop completely.
Alternatively if it's a real problem perhaps moving to another apartment without kid noise or be on the top floor will help.
My Kids used to run around the flat when they were small. The neighbour below rang at my door to complain. Of course I wasn't enchanted because Kids cannot fly, but then I went out more often with the Kids to the play ground and inside I told them off when they were to extreme.
My acutal neighbours above, a Jugoslave Mother with 2 Teenagers, stamp around the flat like elephants and lough until 3 in the morning every Weekend and more. I wrote them a note asking them to be more quiet after 22 h. No reaction. Then I phoned the Lady from the real estate who gave them the flat, explained it and she must have phoned or written to them telling them off, because since then it is pretty calm now. And if not, I bang my sons Diggeridoo up on the ceiling, which is very loud and then the also stop shouting around.
So, talk to the neighbours in personal first and find solutions. Ask them to go out more with the Kids. Mostly Kids make a noise because the have to much energy and are bored stuck inside the home. They could hire a Babysitter to go to the zoo with them, if they are to lazy to go themselves. Or if they haven't got carpets to buy thick carpets at IKEA or where ever. Kids are not stupid (see Programm: Super Nanny) you can also speak to them directly and ask them to help find Solutions. But speak to the parents first, I suppose.
how awful for you at this holiday time to be in bed with flu. Yes if you can speak to the parents in the best way you can. Maybe flatter how lovely their children are first. I would explain that you work normally during the week, but now you have flu and if there is anyway they can try to stop the noise going into your bedroom it would be appreciated.
this is always a difficult one and you sound reasonable. I would suggest you are always charming and polite when you see them out and about & thank them for their efforts.
Good luck and hope you and your neighbours will be friends going forward.