If somebody complains to you about noise you are making, do not take the complaint personally. The person is making you aware that something you are doing is having an adverse affect on them.
Whilst most household noise is not generally considered to be a nuisance there are simple steps that you can take to prevent the most common complaints.
General guidance
Try to site noisy household equipment such as washing machines, dish washers etc away from partition walls or place them on a carpet or rubber mat to reduce vibration.
Try not to slam doors unnecessarily.
Be aware that raised voices will carry.
Carpets and curtains help to deaden noise.
Try to site noisy equipment and speakers etc away from party walls.
If you know that you will be carrying out noisy work on your property let your neighbours know in advance, especially if they are elderly or have children.
Laminate, hard and wooden flooring
This can exacerbate noise problems. Hard surfaces cause noise to bounce around and therefore homes with this sort of flooring are more likely to have complaints. These types of flooring are noisier to walk upon, and that noise will carry further.
Consider fitting carpets over floorboards and curtains on windows to reduce everyday noise in your home.
Amplified noise (loud music, television)
Contrary to popular belief music can be considered to be a nuisance at any time of day or night. We receive more complaints about music with loud or persistent bass beats, (typically dance music and R&B). TV/Home cinema systems with surround sound can also cause problems.
Try to reduce the effect of noise from your TV and stereo by moving them away from your neighbour’s walls. If you live in a flat with a neighbour beneath you, raise your TV and stereo off the floor if possible.
Be careful to keep music volumes as low as possible especially after 11pm and before 8am. These are considered to be noise sensitive times when even low noise can cause problems.
Place speakers on rubber matting and off the floor if possible. (If you live in a flat, ceiling hung speakers may not be a good idea either.)
The bass beat is often what is most audible to our complainants, try to minimise the volume of the bass on your sound system. This is also applicable with surround sound televisions.
Use headphones if you like your music loud or wish to play it late at night.
Musical instruments
We often receive calls about music practice (especially drums). The main problem is that many musical instruments do not have a volume control and that band practice sessions can run on for hours. Furthermore, the repetition of practicing can irritate.
Try to negotiate a suitable regular practice pattern with your neighbours.
Think carefully about where you are going to practice. Is it suitably soundproofed?
Try not to leave windows and doors open, it’s better to keep the sound contained.
With drums you may have to consider practice mats to deaden, mute the sound.
It may be worth hiring somewhere away from a residential area to practice.
DIY noise
When carrying out DIY activity, try to ensure that you carry out the noisiest jobs during the day. Keep the evening for quieter work such as painting and decorating.