wood flooring in a flat.

[Du1point8]

The leasehold states that no wood allowed and so always had carpet down, OH is sensitive to dust and carpets are terrible at sucking up dust so much so that vacuums don't get it all.

The leasehold says no wood, but this was created 30+ years ago when sound would easily travel through it, now we have decent underlay that I can get that reduces noise by unto 25 decibels. So logic would state that wood should be possible now and cause no issues.

However what would be the issues of just doing it and not saying anything, I plan on keeping the property for many years to come and renting out when I don't want to live in London anymore.

I would normally talk to freeholder but last time I did that it cost £400 just to ask for permission to extend the lease, Im reluctant to pay the management company that kind of sum again to actually get a no answer.

So is the worst that could happen be that when I sell it it needs re-carpetting?

What would you do?

[Du1point8]

we have no underlay at the moment, so why is just a carpet less noisy than something like this:

http://www.soundreduction.co.uk/Products/Soundproo...

with wood floor, we only wear shoes when leaving the property... never inside and neither do guests, so not sure how it would be any worse.

[Du1point8]

essayer said:

What is the wording of the clause? Does it mandate carpet, or are other non wood options permitted, like Karndean?

Leasehold state in the third schedule before referred to.

5. The floors of the Flat except the bathrooms cellars kitchens shall be completely covered with carpet.

It also states no window boxes, everyone has them.

Leasehold was created in 1983

[Du1point8]

Crap... forgot to say the flat is a Victorian Terrace and we are the top floor.

We don't have anything under tiles in the massive kitchen above the downstairs neighbours bedroom, they have never complained about the noise from above so don't see the difference at the moment.

[Du1point8]

Oh I understand all that, Im trying to find a way to put it down to do both:

1. Limit the noise properly so downstairs can't tell the difference
2. Get rid of the dust issues that are effecting my OH, she doesnt like to be pill popping every day due to dust.

I get that I will eventually need to pull it up, again I can cover that cost and its fine, just at the moment the dust is getting to the OH even with a lot of cleaning.

[Du1point8]

I do wonder as I stripped the floor in the lounge 7 years ago to bare wood floor and the downstairs neighbours have never complained.

Maybe Im a quiet owner who makes no noise.

[Du1point8]

RobinOakapple said:

Du1point8 said:

I do wonder as I stripped the floor in the lounge 7 years ago to bare wood floor and the downstairs neighbours have never complained.

Maybe Im a quiet owner who makes no noise.

Or maybe they are the sort of people who put up with noise rather than risk it getting worse by your reacting badly to a complaint.

Had 3 different neighbours downstairs, 2 of which would complain about anything, even other stuff I did like an accidental oil stain on the communal carpet and complained to me directly as they knew it was me... never mentioned a word about the bare floorboards in the lounge.

[Du1point8]

Bluebarge said:

Move to a ground floor flat and fit whatever floor you want. If a house is making its occupants ill and the problem can't be solved - time to move. Moving costs will be about the same as some of the genuinely noise-reducing solutions suggested on here.

Don't think you understand the costs involved of moving from central London 2 bed flat to somewhere else that doesnt involve me being severely fked over by stamp duty costs.

Probably easier to get a share of the freehold and do it that way.

[Du1point8]

Currently looking at carpet and some air purifiers in the lounge and bedroom.

OH gets the final choice, I would like to rip it all up and put up with floor boards, she says no.... so carpet it is as I want a nice flooring and so don't want to spend several K on wood, then need to take it up and spend the same again on carpet.

Anyone got any good recommendations for carpet people?

[Du1point8]

vanordinaire said:

In my previous job, I looked after 6000 rental properties and we had this clause. To be honest it was pretty much unenforceable and we turned a blind eye to most infringements.
Where we did use it , it was usually because there were other 'antisocial' issues and this clause was a starting point/leverage in getting changes made.
9 times out of 10 there will be no issues with a hard floor covering as long as 1) The flat is of reasonable construction, 2) The flooring has been well laid on decent underlay, and 3) The occupants are considerate to their neighbours and don't practice clog dancing at 3am every day.

This was my thoughts, but everyone seemed against it as I would make sure that a) no one uses shoes in the flat, b) the underlay is sorted, c) I would get a professional in to make sure they could actually do the job properly and limit the noise going through the floor.

[Du1point8]

FrankAbagnale said:

I know of hundreds of properties that have the same stipulations and a good number of those have laid wooden flooring.

The only time I have ever known it be a problem is when an eagle eyed neighbour sees you taking the boards in to the flat and kicks up a stink in advance.

Put some good insulation down, don't walk around in clogs/heels. I just laid some engineered/laminate wood flooring in my flat and it looks amazing in comparison to the carpet.

N.B - I used this company - http://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/ - and they were spot on with price, delivery and after care. Total cost in lounge was circa £450.

Edited by FrankAbagnale on Tuesday 6th October 10:10

which flooring and underlay did you use?

did you lay it yourself or get a fitter in?

Im think engineered wood for us.

[Du1point8]

FrankAbagnale said:

Du1point8 said:

FrankAbagnale said:

I know of hundreds of properties that have the same stipulations and a good number of those have laid wooden flooring.

The only time I have ever known it be a problem is when an eagle eyed neighbour sees you taking the boards in to the flat and kicks up a stink in advance.

Put some good insulation down, don't walk around in clogs/heels. I just laid some engineered/laminate wood flooring in my flat and it looks amazing in comparison to the carpet.

N.B - I used this company - http://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/ - and they were spot on with price, delivery and after care. Total cost in lounge was circa £450.

Edited by FrankAbagnale on Tuesday 6th October 10:10

which flooring and underlay did you use?

did you lay it yourself or get a fitter in?

Im think engineered wood for us.

I just used the standard underlay as I live in a grade two listed building and the floor is all over the place with it's levels. I didn't want much cushion as it would feel like a trampoline in some areas. I would recommend better insulation for a more modern development.

I laid it myself and it's a curved room so was a nightmare - but in a standard shaped room would be a doddle. It's quite literally click and lay with the odd bit of cutting at the edges.

If you're worried about furniture etc making noise, just put some fabric or dampers on the feet of chairs, sofas and tables. My washing machine is in a cupboard which is carpeted underneath.

The only issue for me is the rooms other than the kitchen, the neighbours have never complained about the noisy racket that washing machine makes on the tiles (no underlay) or that the fact the lounge is currently bare floor boards and has been for 8 years and not a single one of the 3 neighbours has ever complained.

This time I would like to try and dampen the noise down a little and be considerate for a change.

So with that taken into consideration the only area currently carpeted is the bedroom, hallway and stairs.

So it will be an improvement with which ever I choose, carpet or wood flooring.

Although the OH has been told if she wants wood flooring now... then decides we have to sell up in the next 5 years, she is paying to have carpet put down to be able to sell the property.

End of the day its OHs choice.