Bare Floorboards in the unit above

Hi,

Sorry about the long post in advance.

I have owned a ground floor unit (1922 building) for the last few months. When we first moved in I noticed that you could hear the couple walking around above us. It isnt simply a patter of feet as they floorboards amplify the noise. I initially spoke to my strata manager and pointed out one of the bylaws that states any bare floors other than the kitchen and bathroom must be covered over with carpet etc. She then questioned me about what is really an acceptable level of noise and somewhat brushed me off.

Since then the owners have moved back in and advised me that they bought the unit with the original floorboards and they dont want to put carpet down due to alergies etc. As they thought to insert foam spray into the cavities to combat the airborne and impact noise we all agreed to get professional acoustic consultants out and they provided us with a report with recommendations to fix the noise, none of which was spray foam.

1. Put new flooring over existing flooring, with an 5 mm underlay, 15 mm MDF/Fibre cement sheeting, then floorboards on top

2. Rip up exisitng floorboards, insert insulation into the cavity, Fibre cememt boards and then original flooring or new timber flooring

3. Rip out my art deco patterned ceiling, insert insultation, re-apply plasterboard etc….

The owners above dont like option 1 as it will increase the height of their floor and create step up step down issues from the kitchen and bathroom

They offered to put down a rug in the hallway, although they already a rug in the loungeroom and it doesnt do much at all.

They dont like option 2 either due to the impacting their life element ( what about my life)

They also asked if I could go ahead with option 3 and start with the cielings.

Their problem is the airbourne noise, my problem is the impact noise.

I will be meeting with them again, but want to know my rights in relation to the bylaws and should I be forking out the money to get this done.

Any advise would be highly appreciated.