Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

I just moved into my new co-op and the people above me make alot of foot noise. I have lived in various apartments for 7 years and have never heard foot noise like this. DH and I are trying to establish a pattern and see how bad it is/whether we get used to it. We then plan to ask our neighbors downstairs if they hear us (we are very conscious to tread lightly) before talking to our upstairs neighbors. In the meantime, I am looking into other options. Has anyone had this problem and how did you solve/mitigate it?

TIA!!

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

Do you have carpeting rules in your co-op? If so - is it possible your upstairs neighbors are not following those rules?

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

Yes- 80% of the floors must be carpeted except for kitchens and baths. I definately plan to make sure that they are following the rules if the stomping continues...

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

We are in a condo and have the same problem. Unfortunately we haven't found a solution. One upstairs neighbor was great! But then she sold her condo and the new person is just very heavy-footed, and has a 200 lb dog that gallops around the condo and sounds like there is a house race on top of our ceiling. The noise is one of the reasons we will be buying a house soon instead of staying in our condo longer. Someone suggested to us sound-proofing the walls or ceiling--I don't know anything about the cost or difficulty but maybe that is an option. It's gotten to the point where I know exactly when they wake up (I hear them stomp down off the bed), when they leave for work...It is ridiculous.

Message edited 5/8/2007 10:32:16 AM.

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

When I lived in my apartment my downstairs neighbors came and knocked on our door and asked me to lower our TV. We really had NO IDEA that it was so loud, and we felt really bad.

I think that your best approach is to go up and knock on their door, introduce yourselves and explain the problem. they are probably not even aware that they are doing it!

Once I found out that we were being loud, i gave the neighbors my number and told them if it ever happened again just to call up and let me know.....

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

Message edited 6/12/2009 3:33:43 PM.

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

Posted by nov04libride

We are in a condo and have the same problem. Unfortunately we haven't found a solution. One upstairs neighbor was great! But then she sold her condo and the new person is just very heavy-footed, and has a 200 lb dog that gallops around the condo and sounds like there is a house race on top of our ceiling. The noise is one of the reasons we will be buying a house soon instead of staying in our condo longer. Someone suggested to us sound-proofing the walls or ceiling--I don't know anything about the cost or difficulty but maybe that is an option. It's gotten to the point where I know exactly when they wake up (I hear them stomp down off the bed), when they leave for work...It is ridiculous.

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

Thanks! I am also thinking that if we add more insulation on our side (more carpeting, wall coverings, drapes) then that may also insulate the sound. Less hard surfaces for the sound to resonate. What do you think?

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

oh no! I haven't had that happen and it's one of my worries.

good luck! let us know how it goes.

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

Ugh - been there and it s ucks! Our upstairs neighbors used to keep CRAZY hours and their entrance to their apartment was right above our bedroom. We used to hear every move they made up there. They have been gone since March 1 and we have never slept better! It never failed that once we fel asleep, they would come home and begin their stomping.

I would say to go up there calmly and explain to them that the noise is bothersome and see if there is anythig that they could do (adding carpeting, etc) that would help tp remedy the situation.

Good Luck!

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

God, I remember that. We're on the top floor in our current apt., and the last one I had before I moved in with DH, the guy above me was pretty quiet.

One apartment I had in Manhattan was bad though. The woman who lived above me was REALLY loud. We called her Thumper. She would get up early on Saturday or Sunday and drag furniture all over the place. One day I went up there to talk to her, and I pictured some tall, young woman. Turned out, this was a very small elderly woman making all the racket! Anyway, I asked her if she could keep it down, and she kind of did.

I would try talking to the people first. They may not realize they are bothering you. If that doesn't work, then I would complain to the co-op board about the noise. They sometimes do make people put carpets down if they don't have them.

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

You could place acoustic panels on your ceiling. You could also get soundproofing your windows. Place thick curtains on your windows.

Re: Stompers live upstairs - what should I do?

I have noisy people live above me too...........except mine are my inlaws

MY MIL works 7am-10am in a school, so they are up EARLY.....and EVERY morning at 6am my FIL drags a chair across the kitchen RIGHT ABOVE OUR BEDROOM

They are also stompers at all hour sof the night too

No advice, but just hope you can solve it peacefully with your neighbors!!