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When Neighbors Complain

Responding Constructively

If a neighbor raises a concern about noise coming from your home or property, approach the situation as an opportunity to resolve the issue cooperatively. In many cases, small adjustments can significantly reduce noise without affecting everyday activities.

If a neighbor has notified you there is a noise problem coming from your residence, offer to negotiate a solution that you can both live with.

Understanding Shared Living Environments

Noise disputes are common in apartments, townhouses, and other attached or multi-unit housing. While shared walls create a sense of privacy, most residential buildings provide limited sound insulation. As a result, ordinary activities can carry into adjacent spaces. Many of these issues can be mitigated through practical changes, often using trial and error.

Neighbor noise problems are common between apartment dwellers and homeowners with attached properties. While common walls create the illusion of privacy, most residential buildings are not well suited to protect against neighbor noise. However, most noise problems can be effectively abated or mitigated. Every situation is different so this can be done with trial and error.

Using Furnishings to Reduce Noise

Soft furnishings such as sofas, upholstered chairs, cushions, curtains, and wall hangings help absorb sound. Area rugs or carpeting with sound-absorbing padding can substantially reduce noise transmission to lower floors. In contrast, bare floors, large glass or metal surfaces, and furniture with casters tend to reflect and amplify sound.

Furnishings such as heavy sofas, cushions, tables, curtains, can absorb (reduce) noise. Rugs and carpeting with extra padding underneath can significantly reduce noise for downstairs neighbors. Chairmats (a smooth surface beneath an office chair) can also reduce noise. Bare floors and living spaces, large metal and glass surfaces, furnishings with casters can reflect (increase) noise.

Music, Television, and Audio Equipment

Music and television are frequent sources of complaints. Speakers, televisions, musical instruments, and similar equipment should be placed away from shared walls whenever possible. Subwoofers, particularly when placed on the floor, can transmit low-frequency noise that is easily heard and felt in neighboring units. Speakers mounted near ceilings can also create unintended noise transmission.

A common problem among neighbors is music or television sound. Speakers, television sets, pianos and musical keyboards should not be placed on the side of the shared wall. Subwoofers (especially on the floor) should be avoided; low frequency noise can be easily heard and felt in other dwellings. Satellite speakers placed near the ceiling can also create noise problems.

Proper speaker placement can improve sound quality while reducing the need for higher volume. Speakers positioned at ear level and directed toward the center of a room are generally more effective. Compact bookshelf speakers are often better suited for apartments and shared living spaces.

With proper placement, speakers can be enjoyed with less volume. It should be ideally placed at about ear level and directed toward the center of the room. Bookshelf speakers are better suited in apartments.

Vibration and Equipment Noise

Some appliances and electronic equipment transmit vibration through floors and walls. Placing vibration-dampening pads beneath items such as printers, audio equipment, or kitchen appliances can reduce this effect.

Some furnishings vibrate or transmit an inordinate amount of noise from common appliances and equipment. You can use padding underneath computer printers, telephones, food blenders and processors to mitigate noise.

Additional Mitigation Options

Additional measures, including acoustic panels, sound-dampening mats, ceiling treatments, or added layers of drywall, may further reduce noise transmission. In more complex situations, an acoustical consultant can assess the space and recommend appropriate solutions.

The strategic use of acoustical panels, ceiling tiles, sound dampening mats can also help reduce unwanted sound. An extra layer of heavy sheetrock can further reduce noise. A qualified acoustical consultant can recommend the right treatment.