Noise complaint - floors

Your "fixated" neighbor just wants peace and quiet. You sound like a total asshole.

Go to this book from the government: http://www.nonoise.org/epa/Roll10/roll10doc26.pdf
It explains the mitigation for all types of noises. Remember, noise abatement has to consider BOTH apartments. It may be that your neighbors may have to make some changes to their home also. It may be that your neighbor is overly sensitive to noise. Also try to see whether this neighbor complained about the prior owners too.

I lived in a rent controlled apartment and the downstairs neighbor complained so much about me that I was put on notice. (The managing agent was also trying to dump the rent controlled tenants.) I asked the managing agent to come out to both apartments and see what type of remediation we could do. Good thing. The downstairs neighbor told the managing agent that I was intolerable since she heard me walking in the foyer when I entered and left the apartment. (That was because I switched I wore soft soled slippers in the house and changed to street shoes in the foyer. ) Also I took a shower every evening when she was watching TV. He asked her whether there was anything else and she said no. The managing agent came up to see my apartment and found everything in order. He told the neighbor that she was unreasonable to complain about less than 30 minutes of normal "noise" a day and suggested she move to a nursing home.

I suppose it's possible something was done incorrectly when your floor was replaced. If that is the case you will be responsible for whatever 'fix' is needed, even if the mistake was made by previous owners.

Something else to think about before things get that extreme, though--even with 80% covering if you are clomping around in heels or have kids running around excessively you will probably disturb the downstairs neighbors. Perhaps try to do what you can to keep noise in check a bit more and perhaps this issue will go away on its own.

It's so tricky -- floors conduct sound differently. It could be something as simple as the hardwood was laid improperly. Or you could be walking with a heavier foot than you realize. Do you have pets? Dogs in particular make more noise than their owners realize. And it's not about barking; it's about running. A little guy running about overhead can sound like a bowling ball. A big guy can sound like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. One of the quickest and easiest fixes is to stop wearing shoes in the house (I don't know why people would want to wear their street shoes in their homes in the first place).

I have heard in many instances that a building requires 80% of the floor covered. I have never heard of anything else that a person would have to do. If the person complaining about the noise can't love with it they probably should move or do some sound proofing to their ceiling. Just my opinion.

issue well covered here: http://streeteasy.com/talk/discussion/17818-80-carpet-rules