Downstairs Neighbor wants me to install CORK underlyament in closet -- because sound of opening/closing doors & drawers awakens him

Started by SoyiM • 14 replies • 2167 views

💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

SoyiM (California)
Posts: 6

Posted:

I am the property manager for a condo in Los Angeles.
(I manage a single unit, not the entire building.)
The condo is occupied by a tenant, who usually wakes up around 6am.

The master bedroom has a closet with sliding doors & built-in drawers/shelving.
It's a regular closet (not a walk-in closet).

The Downstairs Neighbor complains that the closet Doors & Drawers make noise when they are opened and closed -- from 6am onwards.
I've already replaced the closet door tracks and rollers once, but the neighbor says he still cannot get a decent night's sleep.

In order to reduce this noise, the neighbor wants me to "install a layer of insulation cork below the [closet door] tracks" and "at the base of the built-in cabinets inside the closet." The cost would be $590.

Please advise.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

I have got some unusual advice to dull out here... So haters start hating now.... Knowing a few things about construction here is a more cost effective fix... I would consider unscrewing the existing screws and just add about a small square/rectangle piece of cork or thick carpet/padding under them. Just an 6 inch or so square/rectangle piece of material to add where it may attach to the floor or wall.

If you have carpeting, I suggest getting a heavier carpet pad. The secret to carpeting is the padding. I found some that is a thick 9 lb carpet padding with a layer of plastic on top. It's good for pet stains and sound. My dogs can have accidents and it will not soak into the flooring. Plus I have a 2 story house and cuts down on noise with adding some insulation. It's not much more money than any other carpet pads unless your getting that "Free carpet pad with installation". It's free for a reason...

The other issue which haters will hate... Tell a little lie here after you do the minor repair. See if it changes if you tell them you made repairs. If you tell them you did something, see if they stop with their complaint. If not, then you know you are dealing with an impossible person who will complain for the wind. If they accept it, then you know you can take more action and have reasonable results.

Former HOA President

RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 163

Posted:

My advise would be to have the management company or the association send you the specific guidelines when installing flooring at that complex.

MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556

Posted:

My advise would be to tell them to FO. Tell them it is correctly installed like hundreds in this building.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

My advice would be to ask the neighbor if he'd like to foot the bill. Unless the unit's flooring is against the rules or CC&Rs of the HOA, I don't see how the neighbor can force the owner to do his bidding.

If your tenant is a considerate person, perhaps he'd be willing to keep the closet doors open, or the one he uses the most open, during the early AM hours.

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099

Posted:

My advice would be to start by reviewing your CC&R's to be sure that everything is in compliance.

If this is an older unit there is always a chance that a previous owner replaced the original flooring with something that transmits sound. You mentioned built-in drawers, suggesting that they are attached to the structure of the building. Were these original to the unit or something added in?

I would not put down that layer of cork. Not yet, anyway. If your unit has been altered you may need an acoustical engineer to test for compliance with sound transmission standards.

RuthO (Florida)
Posts: 4

Posted:

I believe that is excellent advise, tell them to FO.

CyrstalB (Maryland)
Posts: 457

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SoyiM on 01/22/2015 11:53 AM
I am the property manager for a condo in Los Angeles.
(I manage a single unit, not the entire building.)
The condo is occupied by a tenant, who usually wakes up around 6am.

The master bedroom has a closet with sliding doors & built-in drawers/shelving.
It's a regular closet (not a walk-in closet).

The Downstairs Neighbor complains that the closet Doors & Drawers make noise when they are opened and closed -- from 6am onwards.
I've already replaced the closet door tracks and rollers once, but the neighbor says he still cannot get a decent night's sleep.

In order to reduce this noise, the neighbor wants me to "install a layer of insulation cork below the [closet door] tracks" and "at the base of the built-in cabinets inside the closet." The cost would be $590.

Please advise.

If the noise starts at 6 am, why can't they get sleep from 10 pm to 6 am? Also, what knowledge does the sleepless HO have regarding noise reduction? Why do they think this would fix the problem?

MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By RuthO on 01/22/2015 11:12 PM
I believe that is excellent advise, tell them to FO.

I like you Ruth!

MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556

Posted:

Underlayment will have minimal to no effect on the sound from bypass closet doors. This is just a normal sound associated with life in a multi-family building. This is why some people live in houses.

SoyiM (California)
Posts: 6

Posted:

Thanks for your advice. The closet (and bedrooms) currently have carpet flooring, with padding underneath.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

The issue is with the sliding sound, not the floor. So the fix would be to use a different method to open the door, such as a hinge.

Or, just ignore this guy and ask the tenant to try and be quieter because there have been complaints.

SkunT (Ohio)
Posts: 73

Posted:

That'll be their first complaint about you, once you give in then they'll move onto another issue about noise and then refer back to to their first battle winning hen you balk yet once again at their demands.

I'd had some fun with them and their married and complain about all the sex noises coming from down stairs while the other spouse is known to had been gone. that's just me.

SkunT (Ohio)
Posts: 73

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LarryB13 on 01/22/2015 10:07 PM
My advice would be to start by reviewing your CC&R's to be sure that everything is in compliance.

If this is an older unit there is always a chance that a previous owner replaced the original flooring with something that transmits sound. You mentioned built-in drawers, suggesting that they are attached to the structure of the building. Were these original to the unit or something added in?

I would not put down that layer of cork. Not yet, anyway. If your unit has been altered you may need an acoustical engineer to test for compliance with sound transmission standards.

That makes no sense in sound being a issue in room or building. 2 People with the exact same room setup the one that lives a Spartan life and hardly anything cluttered about makes more noise then a person place filled with cluttering's.

The sound issue should be set for when the structure is utterly nothing in them and based upon a empty unit for sounds.

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By RuthO on 01/22/2015 11:12 PM
I believe that is excellent advise, tell them to FO.

Yes, but such group advice doesn't enhance the education of existing HOA board directors and HOA members who seek to improve their ability to understand and serve by posting questions on this forum.

Work w/ the neighbor. If the sleepless neighbor will pay, please accommodate unless it places undue stress on your enjoyment/use of the closet and closet access.

🎯 You've read this entire discussion

Join the conversation with 50,000 HOA & Condo Leaders:

✓ Ask follow-up questions
✓ Share your experience
✓ Get expert advice
✓ Access 350,000 discussions

Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in here