Should the ceiling be moving when my upstairs neighbor walks around?

Question

My upstairs neighbor walks around A LOT, which is fine, I'm not really bothered by that seeing as he/she has the right to do so. What I am bothered by is the ceiling physically moving when they walk around. I've sat and watched several times now and seen the ceiling physically dip down. Is this a common thing or something more serious? If it is serious could it be grounds for getting out of my lease early?

Answer 1

No if its moving there is a big problem call someone

Answer 2

I think you have a problem.  You might hear them walking, but the ceiling moving!!!!!!! not good.  safety first.

Answer 3

if the ceiling is sagging as the walked around that would be is if there floor and your ceiling was the same material meaning like only a sheet of plywood (which would be a Problem) what the are walking on is a layer of carpet on top of a carpet pad on top of sub floor on top of floor joist which are at the very least 2x6s and then drywall screwed to the bottom of that which would be your ceiling and which all of this is tied together so i doubt your seeing the floor sag as they walk you maybe hearing noises and sounds to me like you want out of your lease for other reasons so i suggest you find something else to complain about before you embarrass yourself try telling the landlord the water is too wet  

Answer 4

No, this isn't a common thing and no, it isn't normal. Not unless you're comfortable with the idea of your neighbor suddenly (and loudly) becoming your roommate.  Okay, really... your neighbor probably doesn't weigh enough to break through and since they're moving around, the weight probably will not be in one area long enough to cause a real problem.  However, the areas you might need to be concerned about are their bathtub/shower area and kitchen area.  In other words, places where heavy items are sitting for long periods of time.  Especially places that can get moisture under them.  It really depends on what the structure/subflooring between you and your neighbor is made of, how old it is, and how well it was constructed in the first place.  You need to call your landlord and let them know about this - tell them you're concerned about your safety.  If they do nothing about it, contact a local agency that can help you with renters' rights.

I have a similar personal situation, only the opposite.  I live in an upstairs apartment, and the floor in our kitchen is problematic.  The linoleum floor is cracked and uneven, slightly lower in some places, and we can feel subtle movement of the floor beneath us when we walk.  However, it does not seem dangerous at this point.  The apartment manager knows about it, and we have told them that since it will be major work requiring us to not be in our apartment for a while since they'll have to tear up the whole kitchen, that we'd rather they wait until we move out that way they can repair it in between tenants.  We will be moving out by Nov 31st at the very latest, so hopefully if our downstairs neighbors are experiencing anything like you are, it will be over soon.  We do not know if they hear, see or feel anything because they have not mentioned it to us.  You may speak with your neighbor or write them a note and ask if they can feel their floor moving beneath them when they walk, just to see if they have any awareness of the problem.

Best wishes to you... and don't be too freaked out.  Things don't crash through ceilings in real life as often as they do in the movies :).

Answer 5

No this is not normal.  I understand you live in leased property, if this is the case report the fact to your freehold holder, and insist on a report on the structure.  Without seeing the situation one cannot say whether it is dangerous or not.