Neighborhood Noise Complaint

The question

How to approach this formal letter question

A formal letter goes to someone you do not know, such as a manager or a council. Use a polite, impersonal tone and cover every bullet point.

1. Open with "Dear Sir or Madam," and state your purpose in the first sentence.
2. Give one paragraph per bullet point with specific details.
3. Avoid contractions and slang; use polite requests (I would be grateful if...).
4. Close with "Yours faithfully," and your name.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Opening: use the appropriate salutation, then say which flat you live in and that you are writing about noise from the flat above.
2. Paragraph 2: describe the noise precisely: the type of noise, the times and days, and how long it has been happening.
3. Paragraph 3: explain the effect on your sleep, work or study, and mention any steps you have already taken.
4. Paragraph 4: suggest two concrete actions the landlord could take, such as speaking to the tenant or checking the flooring.
5. Closing: ask for a reply within a stated period and sign off 'Yours faithfully' if you do not know the landlord's name.

Points to cover

• Specific times: heavy footsteps before 7 a.m. on weekdays and loud music after midnight at weekends.
• Impact: unable to sleep before an early shift and struggling to concentrate when studying in the evenings.
• Evidence: a diary of dates and times, and a note left at the upstairs flat that received no response.
• Landlord actions: ask the landlord to speak to the tenant, check the soundproofing or floor coverings, and remind them of the tenancy terms.
• Next step: propose a meeting or inspection on a weekday evening, with a clear deadline for a response.

Useful vocabulary

• I am writing to bring to your attention: I am writing to bring to your attention a persistent problem with noise from the flat above.
• persistent noise: The persistent noise has been continuing for several weeks.
• disturbance: The disturbance is most noticeable late at night and very early in the morning.
• soundproofing: Could you check whether the floor has adequate soundproofing?
• in breach of the tenancy agreement: This behaviour may be in breach of the tenancy agreement.
• take the matter up with: Could you please take the matter up with the tenant on your side?
• on a regular basis: The noise occurs on a regular basis, usually after 11 p.m.
• I would be grateful if you could: I would be grateful if you could look into this as soon as possible.
• adversely affected: My sleep and daily routine have been adversely affected.

Common mistakes

• Describing the noise as 'very bad' without giving times, days or how often it happens.
• Blaming the neighbour personally rather than describing the noise and how it affects you.
• Forgetting to propose what the landlord should do, which is the final bullet point.
• Using informal phrases such as 'I'm sick of it' in a letter that should stay controlled.
• Describing the upstairs neighbour as 'the upstairs neighbour' throughout, when 'the tenant of the flat above' is more suitable.

Examiner tip: Name the times, the type of noise and how often it happens, then give the landlord two specific actions with a time frame for a response.