Wood Flooring

[Nevin]

Anyone know how to find out if I am allowed to put down wood floors in my first floor flat?

Am I right in thinking that with everything moving across to Land Registration, that all relevant restrictions now show up on the LR title and if it isn't there isn't enforceable?

[alexkp]

I wouldn't have thought this is any problem at all. After all - it is fully reversible and really only cosmetic.

I would do it without a second thought.

[Nevin]

The issue is that I'm hoping to sell and if it needs ripping up because it shows up as not being permitted when a solicitor does a title search, its not really going to be worth putting it in.

Ground floor flat I could see it not being a problem, but 1st floor may be more of an issue. I don't think noise would really be a problem, but its the sort of crap you find in some title restrictions. I wasn't allowed to run a tannery or wax factory in my old flat, which as you can imagine was quite inconvenient

[steviebee]

There was something on the news in London last year about some council looking to enforce controls due to sound pollution to those in the flats below.

Which is a good reason alone to do it anyway! (two fingers up to the nanny state - not your under-floor neighbous!)

[alexkp]

Nevin said:

I wasn't allowed to run a tannery or wax factory in my old flat, which as you can imagine was quite inconvenient

[rsvmilly]

Nevin said:

I wasn't allowed to run a tannery or wax factory in my old flat, which as you can imagine was quite inconvenient

You were probably banned from keeping livestock too!! Flippin nanny state!

[Nevin]

steviebee said:

There was something on the news in London last year about some council looking to enforce controls due to sound pollution to those in the flats below. Which is a good reason alone to do it anyway! (two fingers up to the nanny state - not your under-floor neighbous!)

Fair point. I think as long as I have decent underlay it should be fine.

Right, anyone know where to get cheap, decent wood flooring in north London?

[pdr479]

Check with the management company, some have introduced restrictions due to the afformentioned noise/nuissance factor and the last thing you want is your purchaser or worse their solicitors picking up on it during the course of proceedings. Alternatively try asking your local estate agent they should no!! if they dont you are talking to the wrong company.
Paul.
yes i am an estate agent

[steviebee]

pdr479 said:

yes i am an estate agent

A Ah!

And there was me thinking you worked in that Bathroom shop in SWF! (I figured it wouldn't be Asda!)

B.E or C & H?

[Nevin]

pdr479 said:

Check with the management company, some have introduced restrictions due to the afformentioned noise/nuissance factor and the last thing you want is your purchaser or worse their solicitors picking up on it during the course of proceedings. Alternatively try asking your local estate agent they should no!! if they dont you are talking to the wrong company. Paul. yes i am an estate agent

We are the management company, and we don't have any restrictions of that nature.

[motco]

I have a relative with a flat in SW17 and the covenants in the deeds say that the living areas (not bathroom or kitchen) MUST be fully carpeted. As it happens the floors are parquet on a solid concrete floor so the temptation is to expose the rather nice oak parquet flooring. But to do so risks loss of the lease to the freeholder.

[andy4200]

Girl above me has wood flooring. I hardly notice it. No real noise nuisance but she works away a lot.

[trumpet600]

If you go for a good quality 'engineered' wood plank flooring you should get away without too much sound transference. Steer clear of your £8p/sq/m from the local DIY superstore as those in the flat below will think your keeping elephants.
Another alternative is wood effect vinyl from Amtico and the like. Looks like the real thing, but warmer and the quietest way to do it. It comes at a premium though.