Hello forum community,
I hope it’s okay that I’m asking a question here as a tenant, because I expect a lot of expertise on the topic...
A few months ago, we moved into a rented apartment on the first floor of an old building (late 19th century, three-story brick building). The apartments were renovated 5 years ago, and the walls were plastered with clay plaster.
Now, the tenant in the apartment below us told us that recently, severe cracks have appeared in the ceiling plaster of her apartment. She also finds our children quite loud. That may be true, as they are quite lively and sometimes run around inside the apartment. However, we make sure they don’t constantly jump off chairs or similar. Additionally, all the apartments have laminate flooring (according to the landlord, with impact sound insulation), and we can clearly hear the tenants above us when they walk around, even though they tend to be quiet.
She spoke to the landlord about this, and after they inspected the damage, it seems that the entire plaster in her ceiling will need to be replaced. Of course, this is the landlord’s responsibility, but the time required is significant, especially for a single mother with two children, as she has to empty all the rooms.
The tenant below connects this to us moving into the apartment above, saying the cracks only appeared since we moved in. Apparently, the previous tenants were quieter. I really can’t imagine that two children weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs) running around could cause the plaster below to crumble? Based on my basic understanding of construction, there are always cavities in ceilings, so vibrations shouldn’t be transmitted so directly, right? Sure, if I had two overweight 15-year-olds regularly practicing martial arts indoors, I could imagine that, but with slender kindergarten children? What kind of building is it if it can’t handle that…?
The noise issue is separate, and I understand that. We are considering putting carpets in the main rooms.
Is it conceivable that running children could have such an impact? Or how else could cracks in the clay plaster below appear within just a few months? By the way, we also have cracks, but they seem normal and don’t look like the plaster is about to come down.
Thanks in advance if anyone took the time to read this!
I hope it’s okay that I’m asking a question here as a tenant, because I expect a lot of expertise on the topic...
A few months ago, we moved into a rented apartment on the first floor of an old building (late 19th century, three-story brick building). The apartments were renovated 5 years ago, and the walls were plastered with clay plaster.
Now, the tenant in the apartment below us told us that recently, severe cracks have appeared in the ceiling plaster of her apartment. She also finds our children quite loud. That may be true, as they are quite lively and sometimes run around inside the apartment. However, we make sure they don’t constantly jump off chairs or similar. Additionally, all the apartments have laminate flooring (according to the landlord, with impact sound insulation), and we can clearly hear the tenants above us when they walk around, even though they tend to be quiet.
She spoke to the landlord about this, and after they inspected the damage, it seems that the entire plaster in her ceiling will need to be replaced. Of course, this is the landlord’s responsibility, but the time required is significant, especially for a single mother with two children, as she has to empty all the rooms.
The tenant below connects this to us moving into the apartment above, saying the cracks only appeared since we moved in. Apparently, the previous tenants were quieter. I really can’t imagine that two children weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs) running around could cause the plaster below to crumble? Based on my basic understanding of construction, there are always cavities in ceilings, so vibrations shouldn’t be transmitted so directly, right? Sure, if I had two overweight 15-year-olds regularly practicing martial arts indoors, I could imagine that, but with slender kindergarten children? What kind of building is it if it can’t handle that…?
The noise issue is separate, and I understand that. We are considering putting carpets in the main rooms.
Is it conceivable that running children could have such an impact? Or how else could cracks in the clay plaster below appear within just a few months? By the way, we also have cracks, but they seem normal and don’t look like the plaster is about to come down.
Thanks in advance if anyone took the time to read this!
S
Steffen809 May 2017 14:36kaho674 schrieb:
Although I am probably the only one who thinks this way, I see it quite differently. Humans are like a plague, and every unborn child is the best contribution to saving the Earth. And the fact that this plague behaves like an axe in the forest only makes it more repulsive.As harsh as it is... I can also find some merit in that argument.
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Knallkörper9 May 2017 15:34kaho674 schrieb:
Although I am probably the only one who thinks this way, I see it completely differently. Humans are like a plague.You can’t generalize like that. While a large part of humanity might deserve a reproduction ban, my children and I are a benefit, even a gift, to society, the Earth, and the galaxy.
kaho674 schrieb:
We humans are like a plague, and every unborn child is the best contribution to saving the Earth.The Earth as a flat disk, yes. But if we imagine the Earth for a moment as a sphere, then the naive calculation becomes clear: every unborn child also means unborn environmentally conscious grandchildren, who therefore cannot save the world either.
Declining birth rates lead to an aging population, not to saving the world. Every unborn child means that the remaining children will all have to become caretakers for the elderly.
My brother and I (and in the same house from 1903, also my childhood friend and his sister) used to play on wall-to-wall carpet over wooden floorboards. The plaster is now four decades older and still holding up. Even though we were raised quite liberally back then. Maybe back then builders and craftsmen were simply trained with more thorough attention.
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HilfeHilfe9 May 2017 17:06Oh, we also have wonderful retirees in the neighborhood who don’t have children. And who will die lonely and alone.
Last time at the homeowners’ meeting in the community center, they also complained about the children.
Why do they have to play in a cul-de-sac street instead of running around on the playground 3m (2 miles) away?
Sure, if you pay for our cleaning service and gardener, then we’ll go to the playground.
Last time at the homeowners’ meeting in the community center, they also complained about the children.
Why do they have to play in a cul-de-sac street instead of running around on the playground 3m (2 miles) away?
Sure, if you pay for our cleaning service and gardener, then we’ll go to the playground.
Does the landlord know that the plaster is cracking in your place as well? If not, inform them immediately.
1. As a tenant, you are obligated to help minimize damage (this generally includes promptly reporting any issues).
2. This may quickly invalidate any argument blaming your children for the damage...
1. As a tenant, you are obligated to help minimize damage (this generally includes promptly reporting any issues).
2. This may quickly invalidate any argument blaming your children for the damage...
Knallkörper schrieb:
Tapering leads to an aging population, not world salvation. Every child not born means that the remaining children will all have to become elderly caregivers. I see it quite calmly. If we continue to pollute the world like this, the cancer rate in 20 years will be so high that hardly anyone will reach retirement age.Similar topics