Millionaire Couple Embroiled in Lawsuit Over Noisy Cricket Game
A wealthy couple residing in West Kensington, London, has taken legal action against their neighbors over an alleged noise disturbance caused by a cricket game. Sergey and Maria Grazhdankin claim that the constant noise of footsteps and crying from the flat above their £1 million-plus apartment has turned their once peaceful existence into a misery.
The Grazhdankins have been living in their fourth-floor apartment since 2011 and had enjoyed tranquillity until the installation of wooden floors shattered their peace. They argue that the behavior of their upstairs neighbors, City banker Medhi Guissi and his family, has made them feel as if they are sharing their living space with others.
Sergey, who runs an insurance services company, has filed a lawsuit against the Guissis, seeking £250,000 to cover their legal expenses. He is requesting the court to order the neighbors to replace their flooring, specifically addressing the creaking noise caused by the joists.
However, the Guissis are contesting the claims, arguing that the Grazhdankins cannot complain about the everyday sounds generated by a family living in their own home. They believe their neighbors have become overly sensitive to the ordinary noise associated with family life. The Guissis also highlighted that the Grazhdankins had been accustomed to living with a quiet elderly lady as their only neighbor for many years.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the Guissis purchased their apartment above the Grazhdankins for £1.1 million in 2018 and underwent extensive renovations, including the replacement of their carpet with a wooden floor. They claim to have taken steps to mitigate noise issues by installing a floating acoustic barrier. However, the Grazhdankins argue that the flooring was not correctly fitted, with nails being driven through the joists against the manufacturers’ instructions, leading to the persistent creaking.
According to Sergey, they are subjected to noise disruptions every day, with their sleep being consistently disturbed between 5:30 am and 7:30 am. The noises begin as early as 7 am and 8 am on weekends, comprising walking, banging, jumping sounds, children running and crying, and general voices. Sergey describes the experience as torture and reveals that his wife now suffers from stress, insomnia, and fears going to sleep.
Attempts to address the issue have been made in the past, with Mr. Guissi installing carpets in response to the complaints. However, this has not resolved the noise problem, and the Grazhdankins claim to continue being affected.
Representing the Guissis, barrister Tom Morris asserts that the Grazhdankins’ grievances stem from the normal sounds associated with residential living. He emphasizes that these sounds are not made with the intention of causing disturbance but are a consequence of regular family activities carried out with proper consideration for neighbors.
As the case unfolds, the court is expected to weigh both sides of the argument, considering the Grazhdankins’ claims of noise torture as well as the Guissis’ defense that their everyday sounds are part and parcel of residential life. The ruling could set a precedent for similar cases involving noise disturbances between neighbors in the future.
