Noise

Burglar and car alarms are designed to make a noise, however, if you have an alarm which rings often and for a long period of time, this can disturb others. You can help limit unnecessary alarm noise by:

• Making sure you choose a reliable product and that it’s serviced regularly
• Making sure car and intruder alarms have a 20 minute cut out
• Making sure your alarm system is well maintained
• Making sure your windows are firmly closed when you leave
• Leaving a key to your property with someone close by who can disable the alarm, and leaving their details with your neighbours.

DIY jobs – such as drilling and hammering, can create a lot of noise.

• Whenever possible, let your neighbours know that you are undertaking noisy work and try to work during normal waking hours.
• Carry out the noisiest tasks in the middle of the day – if you must start early, do quieter jobs first.
• Keep tools well maintained and use lower/quieter settings on power tools where feasible. Where possible use hand tools.
• Consider your neighbours when moving furniture. Wherever possible, lift and move it into place to reduce any noise nuisance.

Thinking of replacing a carpet with a hard floor finish?

When considering floor coverings, we ask that residents in flats do not lay laminate flooring. Research has shown that when a carpet is removed and replaced with wood or laminate flooring, the noise your neighbour in the property below experiences will increase significantly. You need to seek our permission if you are considering laying wooden, tile or laminate flooring in any flat or apartment.

Hard floor surfaces (such as timber laminates, sanded floorboards and ceramic tiles) have become increasingly popular in recent years. This trend has, however, led to an increasing number of complaints about noise and disturbance to neighbours.

Minimising noise transmission

To avoid disturbing neighbours, consider new flooring products such as luxury vinyl tiles. It is sound-absorbing due to its foam-backed qualities and does not transfer as much noise as laminate, which needs something like an acoustic reduction underlay to reduce the sound.

The advantages are:

• they reduce noise transmission to your neighbours
• they reduce noise and vibration in your own home
• they allow the floor to be more resilient and reduce injuries to children and the elderly when they fall

• When buying new appliances, buy a quieter model – not all models have a noise rating, but look out for the “Quiet Mark”. Where possible, position them to cause the least disturbance to your neighbour.
• For washing machines, if possible, place on an even floor; do not overload and run the machine at a time when it will least disturb neighbours – remember the final spin is the noisiest bit.
• Consider installing an anti-vibration washing machine mat under your appliance. These are relatively inexpensive and can reduce the noise you and your neighbours hear when the machine is on its final spins.
• Do the vacuuming at a reasonable time – especially if you live in a flat or terrace, avoid early morning or late night cleaning sprees.
• In the kitchen, avoid banging pans and cupboard doors and don’t use blenders/grinders on surfaces attached to party walls.

Music tastes vary so do not assume that, just because you like a song, your neighbour will want to hear it as well.

• With amplified sound, keep the volume down, especially the bass which can be more annoying than higher frequencies. Don’t put speakers on or close to party walls, ceilings or floors.
• If you have a bedroom TV, keep it quiet at night – especially if your bedroom adjoins someone else’s.
• If playing an instrument, practice where and when it will have least impact on neighbours.
• Where possible, use headphones, especially if you listen to music late at night or in the early hours of the morning.
• Be mindful of open windows.
• Avoid placing your television or speakers next to a shared wall. If you are someone who needs the television at a higher volume, most modern television sets are compatible with headphones.

• Take care when closing doors – particularly if you live in a flat with a shared entrance – and particularly late at night and early in the morning. Please keep your voice low through the communal space too as lots of noise can be made by sound echoing through corridors.
• If expecting a visitor/taxi, ask them to knock rather than sound the horn and try not to slam your door or car doors.
• Cupboard doors can also be annoying – particularly if the units are fixed to party walls.
• Avoid slamming doors. Inexpensive adhesive furniture pads can be a very effective way of reducing noise by sticking these to the inside of the cupboard door or around an internal door frame.
• Consider people in our modern world may have different work patterns. However between the times of 7am to 10pm are considered daytime hours. Please show tolerance of everyday living noise, such as children playing, if your working hours are different.
• Wear soft sole shoes or slippers when moving around your home.
• Children will be children. Consider the types of toys they have and limit the use of scooters or bikes etc indoors. Be mindful to keep the noise to a reasonable level.

Leaving animals alone is sometimes inevitable, but it means they can get lonely, and regular barking noise can disturb neighbours. If you have our permission to have a pet in your home, try to avoid leaving your pet alone for too long and make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them occupied. Allowing a dog to bark persistently can be regarded as a statutory nuisance if the noise is intrusive or irritating for neighbours.

• You could consider leaving the radio on at an appropriate level to keep your pet company if you are out during the daytime, or you could arrange for a dog sitter
• Dogs bark – but only bark a lot if they are not content. If you have to leave your dog alone, make sure it’s well exercised and fed. Some dogs like a radio for company, or get a friend or neighbour to look in. If your dog continues to bark, consider dog training. The Dog’s Trust has guidance on how to stop your dog barking which you can click here to visit . You can also click here to read the RSPCA’s guidance on how to train your dog to be left alone 
• Cats can wail and fight – as they are independent they can be difficult to manage – however if a neighbour complains about your cat at least try and keep it in at night.
• If you have a caged bird that likes to sing and squawk, make sure it’s kept where it will least disturb neighbours, particularly at night.
• Some caged pets tend to be more active at night -chewing and rattling their cages. Consider carefully where and how such pets are housed.