Noise due to the type of building you live in
A noise nuisance is, generally speaking, noise that an average person would find unreasonable taking into account where it’s coming from, how loud it is, when it’s happening, and the length of time it is happening. What may be acceptable at midday may be entirely unacceptable at midnight.
As part of everyday living, and the fact that no home is totally soundproof, we all must expect some noise from the people living around us. Common everyday living noise includes TV's and stereo's, DIY, dogs barking, intruder or car alarms, slamming doors or simply walking around the property. There must be an unreasonable element, in the activity causing the noise, for it to be classed as noise nuisance.
It is important to acknowledge that there are different types of Noise Nuisance.
- Noise that is generated from someone’s behaviour. This will include, shouting, swearing and playing loud music. This type of noise will be dealt with under our ASB Policy.
- Noise that is experienced from living in certain types of accommodation i.e. flats, will be dealt with under the Neighbourhood Management Policy. This will include noise from washing machines, walking on laminate flooring and noise transference (clearly hearing someone have a conversation who is talking normally).
There are some simple things for you to consider:
- Recognise that your neighbours do not want to hear noise from your home, particularly late at night, or for long periods
- Keep noise at a reasonable level at all times e.g. from the TV, stereo, radio
- Noise carries through walls, floors and doors. Laminate flooring (particularly in flats), and other hard surfaces, can amplify noise. To help reduce it, put down rugs and fit felt or rubber pads to movable furniture
- Warn your neighbours if you are going to do anything noisy e.g. having a party or doing DIY
- Co-operate with your neighbours if they ask you to reduce noise. For example, you can position your TV or stereo away from the walls you share with your neighbours.
For more information, please refer to the Noise Nuisance section of the website.
As a landlord we will:
- Review our Decent Homes standard to fully reflect the causes that can result in residents experiencing noise nuisance.
- Update our void standard to ensure that:
- Carpets are not removed unless they are in poor condition. They will be gifted to the incoming resident
- Hard flooring is removed when they have been reports of noise linked to the property
- Properties have adequate insulation from transference noise
- Anti-vibration mats are fitted in the washing machine space - Review our Tenancy Agreement for flats with other homes below to include clauses that hard flooring is not permitted
- For existing tenancy agreements where hard flooring is only permitted with permission and/or with conditions i.e. appropriate underlay is used or that permission will be rescinded if a noise report is made
- For existing tenancies where carpets were removed and/or hard flooring is present, we will signpost residents where appropriate to funding for carpets and rugs.