Bathroom noise above my bedroom

Hello folks.

Well this is more a rant than a request for a solution, but anyway here goes.

I have rented a downstairs 2 bedroom flat which has a bathroom right at the back, through the kitchen. The above flat (3 bedroom) which is owner occupied has had a similar layout until sometime in past has the owner has converted a spare bedroom into a new bathroom, which obviously makes it easier for going to the toilet at night. The owner has extended the kitchen into what was the original bathroom thus killing two birds with one stone.

Good idea! HOWEVER the inherited problem for me is that I now spend a considerable time lying in bed either late at night or (very early) in the morning listening to the sweet sound of a toilet or shower being used, and believe me it is very loud. I'm pretty certain that no form of noise proofing has been used or considered in this conversion (the floor is laminate). Oh, and there have been a number of leaks from the shower and toilet inlet which have dampened/stained my ceiling and walls which I have sealed and re-painted, following a complaint to and apology from the above.

I doubt that anything can be done retrospectively, but I often imagine what I might do to lesson the noise if I actually owned the property (for example a padded false ceiling!). I always sleep with my head wedged between two pillows to lesson the noise.

Anyway, does anyone know of any similar case? Do councils or other regulatory bodies have any guidance or rules concerning this problem?

Thanks for taking the time to read this

When you say owner occupied... are they your landlord? If so, then obviously you should liase with them about the problem, like you have done about the re-decorating. Assuming it's a timber floor, remedial action (e.g. installing insulation between the joists) could help but most upgrade works have to be done from the upstairs.

You could come to an agreement to go halves on any remedial action as it would not only benefit you but also future tenants.

Thanks for the reply.

Well the flats are 1930's joists and floorboards etc, the upstairs neighbour is not the landlord.

Might be a good idea to discuss the noise directly, like you mentioned

Cheers

DOHdesigns said:

but most upgrade works have to be done from the upstairs.

Click to expand...

There are many ways of also sound insulating from below. As you suggest a false ceiling. I had a similar problem in my flat and put up battens, resillient bars, soundbloc plasterboard and with acoustic quilt in the voids. was really good and all in all was about 75mm thick.

If you are renting why not move? Or are you stuck there for a minimum period?