Rented property noise - where do I stand?

Soldato
Joined
6 Jun 2005
Posts
2,668
Location
Wirral, UK
Firstly, I know I should seek proper advice on this, but I'm just posting here to get an idea of popular opinion.

3 months ago I signed a 6-month agreement on a converted stable. It is next to some (un-converted) stables containing horses - the stables are owned by my landlord.

At the time of signing the lease I was told that the "neighbours" (horses) were quiet and wouldn't cause me any disturbance. At the time, the stable directly next to the converted property was vacant, but I didn't know that.

Shortly after I moved in, a horse moved in next door. The horse turned out to be a bit of a baddun and constantly kicked the door when the sun came up until it got fed. The landlord eventually forced the owner to move their horse elsewhere and told me that, as the wall between my property and the adjoining stable was so thin, they would keep the stable directly next door empty.

This was great for about 3 weeks, until the landlord decided that a "quiet horse" would be fine in the stable next door. The problem is, horses don't seem to sleep much and I'm getting disturbed at all hours by this animal going about it's duties (pawing at the ground, eating, rolling around in it's stable).

Having consulted my landlord about this, he believes that this is normal horse behaviour and hence can't do much about it. I've told him I want to exit the 6-month assured shorthold contract early, and he's gone away to think about it.

I'm wondering what my chances are of getting out of this contract if the landlord doesn't voluntarily let me exit? From my point of view, it seems reasonable to a) expect the property to be reasonably insulated against noise from neighbours, whether they be humans or horses; and b) be informed before signing the contract if this is not the case.

tl;dr - I have a 6-month assured shorthold contract on a property. The horse next door is waking me up at all hours. Can I get out of the contract?

Thoughts?
 
I stayed in a holiday cottage once that was a similar setup to you describe. I won't be going back needless to say.

If it was your private property you could complain to the council and he would be forced to do something about it. I'd speak to citizens advice.
 
Have you read the lease agreement and is there something in it to do with quiet enjoyment?

Regardless, if you live on a farm it's to be expected you are going to hear farm related sounds. At least the lease only has 3 months to run.

Presumably it's in your landlord's interest to keep you, just as its likely in his interest to keep his horse stabled. Maybe consider asking him about additional soundproofing. If all fails its a lesson learnt. Stables are made for horses, not people.
 
How did it even get planning permission?

Tell him to fit some proper sound proofing.

But if not, well you only have 3 months left. Turn the music up and wear ear plugs at night.
 
Thanks guys for your comments so far.

Have you read the lease agreement and is there something in it to do with quiet enjoyment?
There's a clause about the landlord allowing the tenant to "peaceably hold and enjoy" the premises.

Regardless, if you live on a farm it's to be expected you are going to hear farm related sounds. At least the lease only has 3 months to run.
I wouldn't mind "average" farm noises, but banging on the other side of a single-skinned wall seems a bit too much. I assumed (probably stupidly) that there would be some proper noise insultation between the bedroom and the stable, but it appears not.

Presumably it's in your landlord's interest to keep you, just as its likely in his interest to keep his horse stabled. Maybe consider asking him about additional soundproofing. If all fails its a lesson learnt. Stables are made for horses, not people.
It's not his horse, he rents the stables out. I offered to rent it for storage purposes when the first horse left but he didn't seem too keen. I'm not sure how realistic it would be to fit extra soundproofing... much of the sound seems to resonate through the ceiling eaves and floorspace.

I suppose I'll just have to wait and see what he says.
 
Posting in a thread about **** neighbours....

I have been living in my gaff for almost 5 years now. It has been brilliant until about a month ago when we finally found out who was going to be our new neighbours... Well the new owner had bought the house and decided to rent it. The tenants have turned out to be of the chav variety. Neither of the couple work during the week and yet they can afford to live in a property that commands a monthly rent of about £800 to £900. They have kids (they are only about 20) and those kids never seem to be there during the week. All they do is sit in front of the house and smoke weed and talk loudly.

Most blooming annoying, so much so that it has sped up our decision to move to a more rural property.

GRR! Rant over!
 
How did it even get planning permission?

Tell him to fit some proper sound proofing.

Yep, I think there is a government document regarding this called 'Resistance to the Passage of Sound'. It should be online. No idea whether it applies to older buildings but I think new builds are supposed to conform to its contents.
 
Yep, I think there is a government document regarding this called 'Resistance to the Passage of Sound'. It should be online. No idea whether it applies to older buildings but I think new builds are supposed to conform to its contents.

It was converted in the last couple of years or so, so I guess it applies. I'll see if I can find it. Thanks!
 
You're refering to Approved Document E of the Building Regulations: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/parte/approved/

However, if it's got a single skinned wall on to a stable then there are probably many other contraventions of the Building Regs!

Check with your Local Authority Planning Department to see if it has planning permission and building regulations approval for the conversion. From your description it sounds unlikely. If it hasn't got consent, this gives you considerable leverage with the landlord because the local authority could take enforcement action.
 
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