Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Using carpeting as soundproofing in private units

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Aug 4, 2004, at 6:09 PM, David Heimann wrote:

>         We are now in the process of writing condo documents as well as
> rules and regulations.  How do we legally require carpeting or other
> sound-deadening floor coverings in the upper level units, considering 
> that
> otherwise the unit owners or their successors could later on remove the
> carpeting and replace it with much noisier hardwood or other hard
> flooring?  Has anyone addressed this situation and if so how?

We don't have any requirements (and many hardwood floors above units) 
but in Manhattan where there are many very old condos and coops, the 
usual regulation is 80% of the floors have to be covered with rugs. 
This allows people to have whatever flooring they want but the sounds 
have to be buffered. No one inspects for rugs unless a resident below 
complains.

Personally, I prefer regulations based on expectations rather than 
specifying specific materials. If a person had hardwood flooring and 
always wore soft rubber soled shoes, for example, there could be less 
noise than with thread-bare rug and children running and jumping. The 
issue is noise, not what is on the floor.

After many years in rentals in Manhattan, my personal rule was "You are 
renting your apartment, not mine. If you want to play music in my 
apartment, you have to pay my rent. I'll send you a bill prorated by 
the hour."

That way of explaining things had much more impact than complaining 
about their music being too loud, which they never believed.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org