Wood or laminate flooring has become a very popular home improvement. However, it has led to an increase in nuisance caused by noise. Wood flooring provides very poor sound insulation and this is causing disturbance to residents, particularly in flats.
Even everyday noises such as walking around, moving furniture or children playing with toys can cause a disturbance, especially where a family lives in a flat below the wood flooring.
It is clear that some types of home are less suitable to have wood flooring than others. In particular, flats in converted houses are not normally suitable. Even in houses there can be a problem caused by the absence of sound-deadening carpet, especially where the sound insulation between the houses is not to a high standard. Following consultation with residents, we have decided on the following policy.
Wood or Laminate Flooring is a Home Improvement
Under the terms of your Tenancy Agreement you need our permission in writing before carrying out improvements such as wood or laminate flooring. You should ask for permission to lay wood or laminate flooring by writing to your Housing Officer. We will treat all requests on their own merits, but will use the following general overall principles.
Houses
Permission will usually be given as long as:
- There is no history of poor sound insulation between the house in question and neighbouring houses.
- There is no history of complaints of noise nuisance concerning the house in question.
- Other characteristics of the building, such as underfloor heating, do not make the proposed floor covering unsuitable.
Upper flats in converted properties and upper flats in purpose-built blocks of flats, with timber floors
Permission will not usually be given.
Upper flats with solid floors
Permission may be given as long as:
- There is no history of poor sound insulation in the building.
- There is no history of complaints of noise nuisance concerning the flat in question.
- Other characteristics of the building, such as underfloor heating, do not make wood or laminate flooring unsuitable.
Ground floor flats
Permission will usually be given as long as:
- There is no history of poor lateral (from the sides) sound insulation in the building.
- There is no history of complaints of noise nuisance concerning the flat in question.
- Other characteristics of the building, such as underfloor heating, do not make the proposed floor covering unsuitable.
Conditions
If we give you permission to lay wood or laminate flooring there will be certain conditions. In particular, you will be liable for lifting and relaying the flooring if repair work is needed to the floor or pipe-work, or wiring underneath the floor.
Permission may be withdrawn at anytime if the wood or laminate flooring is found to be contributing to nuisance noise. You may be required to replace or cover the flooring with underlay and carpet.
Where wood or laminate flooring is laid without our permission, you may be required to remove it and replace it with underlay and carpet.
Ask for Advice
Please ask our Customer Services Centre or your Housing Officer for further advice about wood or laminate flooring in your property.
