It’s 2 am and you can’t get to sleep because of the noise coming from upstairs. If you’re struggling with noisy upstairs neighbors stomping, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s a problem that many people face. But there are some things you can do to try to resolve the issue.
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How Do I Tell My Upstairs Neighbor Is Walking Too Loud?
When you’re lying in bed listening to loud footsteps from your upstairs neighbors, it can seem like they are doing it on purpose, but it’s very unlikely. Sometimes things are not what they seem….I’ve had a couple of problems with stomping noise from upstairs tenants….consider these points…
- If the apartment above you has a hardwood or laminate wooden floor, the sound can reverberate even if the occupants are not stomping. Noise from wooden floors upstairs can really dampen your peaceful enjoyment of life.
- If you have a problem with upstairs neighbors stomping at night, the tenants above you might be shift workers or keep odd hours. For them, this is “their normal”. Their different hours may be why you’re being kept awake in the middle of the night.
- If you have a problem with upstairs neighbors stomping all day, they may not know that you are home; they might be incorrectly assuming that you are out at work.
- The people above you may have no idea that they are causing you distress. If it’s a young family, for example, life may be so frenetic that they don’t even have time to consider noise.
- As I have experienced, it might just be one pair of shoes that is causing the problem. I had a neighbor in the apartment above me that had a pair of boots that made it sound like there was an elephant walking around on my ceiling. (Very nice boots too.) When I spoke to my upstairs neighbor about it, she was horrified, and she stopped wearing the boots inside her apartment. No more noise.
How Do You Deal With An Upstairs Neighbor Stomping?
I Know It’s Tempting, But Don’t Tap On The Ceiling
Tapping on the ceiling is a common way to get your upstairs neighbors’ attention and ask them to stop making noise. However, it’s not always an effective method and can actually make the problem worse. Here are a few reasons why you should avoid tapping on the ceiling:
- The person upstairs may not even be making noise. They could be walking around normally or doing something that’s not actually loud.
- Tapping on the ceiling can annoy your upstairs neighbor and make them less likely to be cooperative in solving the problem.
- It can also make the noise worse if they start stomping around in response to your tapping.
- Plus, you may damage your own ceiling by tapping and that will only add to your aggravation.
If you need to get your upstairs neighbor’s attention, it’s best to knock on their door or talk to them in person. This will give you a chance to explain the problem and come up with a solution that is satisfactory for both of you.
Plus, you may damage your own ceiling by tapping and that will only add to your aggravation.
Talk To Other Neighbors
Start by speaking to your adjoining neighbors and ask if they have experienced the same noisy upstairs neighbor. It’s possible that they know the tenant, or they may have already approached them about the annoying noise. They may be able to supply clues about why the noise is so penetrating and whether the noisemakers are amenable to being quieter.
Based on what you find out from the next-door neighbors, decide your next step. Have a look at the tips below and work out which one (or more) fits your situation.
Make Contact With Your Upstairs Neighbors
If you don’t know your upstairs neighbor, it can be difficult to know how to approach them about the noise.
- If your near neighbors know them, they may provide a contact number or may even introduce you.
- If not, start by leaving a polite letter under their door requesting a get-together, preferably in their apartment. Suggest a few appointment times that would suit you and leave the choice to them. Include your phone number and/or email address.
- Sign and date the letter, keep a copy and leave the original under their door.
Talk To Your Upstairs Neighbors
If your upstairs neighbors are stomping around and making a lot of noise, it can be really frustrating and disruptive. It’s important to talk to them about it in a respectful way so that you can both come up with a solution. You want to be respectful and not come across as confrontational, but you also need to let them know that the noise is causing a problem for you.
In most cases, a simple conversation with your neighbors should be enough to get them to tone down the stomping. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you’re polite and understanding when you talk to them. It’s important to be respectful even if they’re not being respectful of your situation.
- Try to schedule a time to talk when things are calm during quiet hours. This will help you both stay calm and avoid getting into an argument.
- Explain how the noise is affecting you and why it’s a problem. This will help them understand your perspective and why you’re asking them to stop.
- While you’re chatting, look around for a reason for the noise being so loud, for example, a beautiful wooden floor can transmit sound very effectively. Don’t assume that they are stomping on purpose. They may not even know that they are causing this problem.
- Listen to their side of the story and see if there’s anything you can do to help them make less noise. For example, if they’re stomping because the floor is creaky, see if you can help them fix it or find another way to make less noise.
- Come up with a solution that works for both of you. This might involve them making less noise at certain times that are important to you or swapping their heavy shoes for their slippers when they arrive home to the apartment. Or they may need to add a couple of mats to their floor to alleviate the problem.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to talk to your upstairs neighbors about their stomping in a way that’s respectful and productive. Hopefully, you can come to a solution to stop stomping that works for both of you and help reduce the noise.
Document The Stomping
If your neighbors are being particularly disruptive, it might be helpful to start keeping a log of when the noise is happening and how long it lasts. This will give you some concrete evidence to back up your claim that the noise is excessive and disruptive.
If you’re experiencing issues with your loud upstairs neighbors, it may be helpful to demonstrate the problem with video or audio recordings. This can be helpful in proving that the noise is coming from your upstairs neighbors and not something else in your apartment.
This will be very useful evidence to show your building manager or to authorities if necessary. Make sure to keep any recordings you make, as they may be useful in the future.
Establish A Noise Policy With Building Management Or Your Landlord
If the noise from your upstairs neighbors is keeping you up at night, it’s important to establish a noise policy with your building manager. This will help ensure that the noise doesn’t continue to bother you and will also protect you in the event that the noise becomes too loud. Here are a few steps to follow when establishing a noise policy:
- Talk to your building manager about the noise. It’s important to be upfront about the problem and to let them know how it’s affecting you.
- Ask them what they can do to help resolve the issue. Your building manager may be able to speak with your neighbor on your behalf or take other action if the noise is excessive.
- Come up with a plan that works for both of you. This may involve asking the upstairs tenants to keep their noise down during certain hours or to make sure that they’re not stomping around unnecessarily.
- Put the plan in writing and make sure both you and your landlord or your building manager sign it. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and will help protect you if the noise becomes a bigger problem.
How To Reduce Noise From Upstairs
In the meantime, while all the negotiations are going on, you can take steps to reduce the effect of the noise from upstairs.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones WHCH710N are designed to block out external noise and create a peaceful environment for you to relax in.
These headphones feature advanced noise-canceling technology that effectively reduces low-frequency sounds such as the rumble of an engine or the drone of an airplane. The headphones also have a comfortable, cushioned design that helps to block out external noise and make them ideal for use in noisy environments.
It also has smartphone compatibility for hands-free calls.
This means that you can listen to your music or podcast without having to worry about the sound of your upstairs neighbor's footsteps.
Earplugs
Mack's Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs are a great way to reduce the amount of noise that you hear. They're made of soft foam and fit comfortably in your ears, blocking out noise from both the inside and outside of your apartment.
They come in a pack of 50 pairs, so you can keep them handy for when you need them.
White Noise Machine
- Sleep timer
- USB charge or AC power adaptor
- Adjustable volume with 32 levels
- Memory function
- Portable
- Very highly rated
More Permanent Noisy Neighbors Soundproofing
If you own the apartment or speak to your landlord, one of these suggestions might be helpful.
Soundproofing Your Condo Apartment Ceiling
If the stomping is keeping you up at night, you may want to consider installing some soundproofing materials on the ceiling. This will help to absorb some of the noise and make it less intrusive.
Paint The Ceiling With A Sound-Deadening Product
If you’re dealing with noisy upstairs neighbors, one way to drown out the sound is by painting the ceiling with a sound-deadening paint. This will help to absorb some of the noise and make your apartment a bit quieter. There are a few different products you can try, so do some research to find the best one for your needs.
Decouple Your Drywall Ceiling
One option is to decouple your existing drywall ceiling to reduce noise transfer. You can do this by installing an insulation panel between the ceiling and the floor above. This will help to reduce the amount of noise that travels through the ceiling.
Drastic Measures
If it’s all too much and you run out of ideas, you may need to take more serious action.
Try Mediation Or Arbitration
If the noise is persistent and you’ve tried talking to your upstairs neighbors, it might be time to try mediation or arbitration.
- Mediation is a process where a neutral third party helps you and your neighbors discuss the issue and come up with a solution.
- Arbitration is a process where a neutral third party hears both sides of the story and makes a decision about what should be done.
Both mediation and arbitration can be helpful in resolving disputes between neighbors. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, talk to a lawyer or your building manager. They can help you understand the process and decide if it’s something you want to pursue.
Take Legal Action
If the stomping is continual and disruptive, you may need to take legal action. You could speak with a lawyer about your rights in this situation and whether you could file a noise complaint.
Talk To Your Landlord About Getting A New Apartment
If living beneath a noisy neighbor has become just too much, talking to your landlord about getting a new apartment may be the best solution. Explain the problem and ask if there are any vacant units in the building. If there are, ask if you can be transferred to one of those units. If not, ask if you can be put on a waiting list for when one does become available.
Move Out
If nothing else works, your next step is to start looking for a new place to live. This is obviously a last resort, but sometimes it’s the only way to get the peace and quiet you need.
Conclusion
No one wants to be disturbed by the sound of someone stomping around upstairs. Unfortunately, this is a common problem for many people. If you’re dealing with noisy upstairs neighbors, we hope our suggestions were helpful and you can get a good night’s sleep.
