Noisy neighbours, what to do
Noisy neighbours can be resolved by speaking with them, wall soundproofing, or, speaking to your council. Your council can only help you if the noise disturbances are considered a statutory nuisance. To qualify, the noise must ‘unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises’. If you feel that your noisy neighbours do not qualify thus, then soundproofing is the best option.
Soundproofing reduces the transmission of noise through a partition and can be used on walls, ceilings and floors. Flats may benefit more from ceiling soundproofing, while houses often need party wall soundproofing.
Soundproofing for noisy neighbours
Soundproofing for noisy neighbours involves increasing the mass of the wall, floors or ceiling with proper materials. A party wall can be soundproofed with a clip and channel system that supports high-mass panels, such as acoustic plasterboard. The clip and channel, MuteClip, acts as a mini shock absorber and reduce the transmission of vibrations from the wall into the new partition.
A MuteClip offers the best sound reduction for the space used and is a good option for noisy neighbour issues. MuteClips can be used on walls and ceilings, making this a solution for homes and flats.
Party wall soundproofing for noisy neighbours
Party wall soundproofing for noisy neighbours should use a clip and channel system for the best reduction of sound. This will help to protect against TV, music and talking noises, as well as, dogs barking. Party walls are usually solid brick and a system starts at £34 per m2 which can offer a reduction perceived as more than a halving in noise.
A clip and channel system takes up more space than wall panels, however, it is much more effective. Party wall soundproofing can be installed by a confident DIYer, or, use our soundproofing installer network to get a professional in.
Can I report my noisy neighbours?
You can report your noisy neighbours to the police or your local council. Please note, this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. If you are experiencing an acute issue, such as an out-of-control party, then it is likely best to call the police. However, for most people, it is an ongoing issue of noises from TVs, children, dogs and music. In this case, if you are finding the noise difficult to live with, it might qualify as a statutory nuisance. This is usually for a persistent dog barking or constantly playing music at unsociable hours.
So what would happen? If the council agrees it’s a statutory nuisance, then 7 days are awarded to resolve the issue. If the person does not combat the noise, an abatement notice is served to them. Should this not be adhered to, fines can be issued and the situation can escalate further if required. Most noisy neighbors, however, are due to insufficient soundproofing and should not need such actions.
What is a good sound reduction for a wall?
A good sound reduction is around 10dB as this is experienced as a halving. If your noisy neighbors create a lot of disturbance, you may require a stronger system. A decibel reduction is hard to understand right away, as it is measured on a logarithmic scale, so every extra dB reduction carries more weight than the last. To understand more about the science of soundproofing, read our blog. Our top brick wall system gives a dB reduction of 19dB, just imagine that!
Will my new neighbours be noisy?
Knowing if your new neighbours will be noisy is important to establish before you buy a flat or house. While you won’t fully know until you live in the property, there are some things to do before you buy the property. Firstly, visit the area at different times of day, especially in the evening when you’d like it to quieten down. Repeat these visits a few times to establish whether the area is generally quiet or not.
When you are inside the property, consider the internal noise with the windows open and closed. Have your partner or friend play some music outside the property to see how much noise can transmit into the home. While not foolproof, it will give you an idea of what to expect. Perhaps try to book a visit for after school or work hours, when the neighbours are likely to be in and making some noise!
