Hi girls, I 'm Gina. I have just moved in Earls Court (the capital..) and rented a ground floor studio flat. My door is right next to a family flat, and the noise isolation is very bad in the whole building - you can hear everyone doing everything, even talking on the phone! And, of course, when doors open and close and guests coming in and out...plus there's an old, very curious lady on the basement, under my flat..classic. I am not new on the job but I was always lucky with apartments who had thick walls and the doors where away from each other - you practically didn't know who's living next to you. Now I am in this gorgeous little gem and I am tip toeing - with no heels!
I am going to start taking incalls next week and I am very worried that the neighbors will soon realize what I am doing, and although it is not illegal, I am afraid they'll report me to the landlord or council for breaching the tenancy agreement on using the residential premises for business purposes...

  What if the landlord ask me to leave because of both flats tenants (basement and next door) complain about visitors and of working when I shouldn't? Can he kick me out on my 1st month of contract or forbid me to work or report me to the council - if i am not mistaken it takes 3 complains and the council wants you out? Will I have any problems with the police? Can I be evicted or made to stop working, and be tied up in a 6 month contract?

  On the 5th I'll register for paying my taxes and I'll declare I am a fitness instructor, doing one to one sessions - which is true, I am a fitness instructor but I don't work as one. I am very worried, and though I am trying to be discreet, playing light music to cover any conversations or noise, the in and outs and the shower I can not control.. Please give me some advice so I am prepared for the worst!

New builds are terrible. Been there, done that, won't do it again. Guys thought my flat was really nice - yes it was very easy on the eye, stylish and convenient. What I didn't realise was that despite living in a 'Prestigous' development, noise travelled. The front door to the building would slam behind you if you didn't hold it, and you could hear folk in the corridor from inside every flat. So guys turning up, pressing wrong doorbell, dashing through the door up the stairs clutching money exclaiming "Hello Ruth" just as I opened the door, then "Thanks Ruth" as they strolled down the staircase really didn't do much for discretion.

I eventually got my 2 months notice, saying the owner wanted to take vacant possession. Tell you what I left that flat absolutely immaculate and even had professional cleaners come in. The flat was back on the market within 4 weeks and is now let again. I'm now in a stone built property and will never live in a new build again!

If you are in your first 6 months AST the landlord has to give a reason to ask you to leave, but has to give notice after that period they can give notice at their whim. Unlikely they would just evict you. If I was you I'd look for a proper bricks and mortar property to move into once your 6 months tenancy is up.

This is going to seem really funny, but, I read someplace you could put egg boxes onto your walls, and insulate noise! I wouldn't suggest it though! Ha! Imagine how many egg boxes it would take!

There's a point. Egg boxes are more useful for reducing echos within a room then for keeping sound from escaping, although there are plenty of real soundproofing things that you can stick to the walls. You don't need to go that far though, you can achieve some insulation with home decor. Book cases are very good at absorbing sound, and rugs on the wall also help. Probably not the style you were thinking of, but maybe worth considering.

Thanks for the your responses, guys. Just logged in with my pirate internet.. I depend on other's signal to be connected, because Virgin Media ignores me for a month now! anyway...I am trying my best not to make noise or get suspected - the landlord knows I am a personal trainer (he doesn't know HOW personal I am...) and I already builded a fake website and gave him a business card. I hope he'll spread the word to the neighbors. I even send letters to my self (my business) from other fitness associations and I am expecting my annual fitness magazine subscription anytime! What a girl have to do to cover her tracks...Funny story with the client on the door - and the neighbors! That cheered me up. But does anybody know if I can be removed before the 6 month period?

Wow - you should get a job with MI5

Thanks Hermione. I am more calm now knowing that is not worth the council's and the landlord's time to start eviction process...

Hi Violette, thanks for the advice but it is not the noise I am afraid the neighbors will complain about, but the amount of clients coming in and out (max 4 a day..) Isn't that suspicious or I am worrying too much?

Hi Violette, thanks for the advice but it is not the noise I am afraid the neighbors will complain about, but the amount of clients coming in and out (max 4 a day..) Isn't that suspicious or I am worrying too much?

A personal trainer may well have 4 clients a day turning up for an hours session - yes? Mind you, their choice of attire may make people wonder hence just best to keep your head down and act normal.

It is not easy for a landlord to just throw someone out even with good reason so you will find yourself with plenty of time to sort yourself should the worst come to the worst.