Noisy neighbours in a commercial building

Hi,




I am renting a space in a commercial building. Recently the noise from the flat above me goes through the right and keeps me awake. It's a relatively quiet workshop with drilling and tools being dropped occasionally. Quiet for a workshop, but very noisy when you live underneath it.




The whole building is commercial but I'd estimate over half of it is actually rented for residential purposes. The agency (who barely speak any English) told me this when I signed the contract, but I'd only just arrived in HK and didn't know what that meant.




Does anyone know what my options are? I've had a look through these forums and online and found that there are still noise restrictions in commercial buildings.




I've informed the letting agency in writing to see what they suggest, but as yet no response. I'm thinking that if I report the noise to the police or through the online complaints form, the building owners and their behaviour of letting out commercial space for renting purposes will be revealed and they will have to change their ways. Whilst this could cause me a problem (myself and the other residents may have to leave?) my hopes are that the owners would have enough insentive to stop the problem.




Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm reluctant to confront the people myself as it seems that's not the done thing here in HK.




Please advise - I need sleep!

you're screwed since you live in an illegal place

That is a shame but cookie09 is correct. You are living there illegally ..... nothing you can do. This is the risk you take when renting for domestic purposes in a commercial building.

Mundo,


You cant sleep because they are working through the night, or you are working night shifts?


In anycase, your best option is to find accomodation in a residential building.

Out of interest - I assume this also means that the tenancy contract is also null and void and so essentially he can just walk away ? Time to stop paying the rent to offset the deposit I think.