top tips for reducing individual types of neighbour noise

Loud voices/TV/music

Noise from these sources is the most frequent cause for complaint – what is considered entertainment for one person can be torture for someone else!

Keep the volume down – from conversation to music stereos, especially during the evening.

Arrange speakers away from partition walls, floors or ceilings. Standing these on an insulating material can reduce transmission of sound.

If you are having a party, consider inviting the neighbours or warn them in advance of the party and offer them a bottle of wine or box of chocolates as a good will gesture.

When the party gets in full flow, keep the windows and doors closed, and if someone complains, be prepared to apologise and turn it down.

Barking dogs

Barking comes naturally to dogs, but constant barking or whining can be annoying and upsetting for your neighbours.

Often the problem occurs either when the dog's owner is out of the house, or is simply used to the noise. Consequently the owner doesn't realise just how bad it is until someone complains.

There are many reasons why a dog may bark including:

• Loneliness
• Boredom or frustration
• Attention seeking
• Defending territory
• Medical problems

To get information on how to reduce your dog’s barking log onto http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/pdf/barkingdog.pdf or http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/information/factsheets/behaviour/

Banging doors and stamping feet

The construction and layout of your flat or house can cause problems for your neighbours.

Sounds travel through walls, so be aware of what’s next door. If you can, avoid having noisy spaces (kitchen, living room) adjacent to quiet spaces (bedroom, study).

Avoid slamming doors and darting up/down stairs – especially if you live in a flat or terraced house.

When considering options for flooring, think about your neighbours. Many leases prohibit stripped floors/hard surfaces – for good reason! If you do decide to go ahead with wood/tiled or laminate flooring, use underlay and wear socks or slippers rather than shoes so you don’t disturb your neighbours – especially if your floor is someone else’s ceiling.

Installing carpets and curtains will also reduce the amount of noise escaping next door.

Household appliances

Domestic devices such as washing machines, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners can be very noisy. Although their use can’t be avoided, where you put them and when you use them can make all the difference.

Ensure noisy appliances are away from partition walls and on a carpet or mat to reduce vibration.

Be considerate with the timing and use of noisy devices during normal waking hours.

DIY activity

We all need to carry out DIY from time-to-time to maintain and improve our homes. However drilling, hammering and sawing can be noisy and their repetitiveness can be as much as a nuisance as the volume.

Alert your neighbours before you start a noisy job and try to carry out the work at a time that will cause least disturbance to them. Try not to spoil their Sunday morning lie-in or start work too late on a weeknight incase they want to go to bed early. This also applies when completing repairs outside.