Quieter Living
Slamming Doors
This is an increasing area for complaint but is difficult for
Officers to witness.
If your neighbour has complained about the door slamming,
check whether there is a problem with the door.
- If it is wood maybe it’s swollen and needs weather protection
when it has dried out.
- If it’s double-glazed then pull the handle down and pull the
door towards you or close it carefully rather than slamming it
shut. It’s common sense really.
Complaints often include slamming kitchen cupboard doors.
If they have strong springs consider putting in a felt pad to stop
the doors from dropping closed and close them carefully.
Put door closers on internal doors to prevent them closing
completely or turn the door handle or knob when closing doors.
Shouting
- Is it really necessary to shout?
- Do you really want the whole neighbourhood to know you’re
having a row?
- Consider the volume of your voice. In properties with poor
sound insulation neighbours can hear you.
- Avoid slamming doors and thundering up and down stairs as this
causes stress to neighbours.
Television
Check the volume when changing channels as some, particularly
the music channels, can sound quite a lot louder than speech
channels when on the same volume.
- Don’t have surround sound speakers fitted to party walls.
- Turn the volume down late at night as noise carries more at
night when everything else is quieter.
Household Appliances
It should be common sense but:
- Don’t use washing machines, tumble driers or vacuum cleaners
late at night or early in the morning
- Where possible avoid putting them against party
walls.
- In flats or properties with hard floors, put them
on a mat or carpet that can help absorb the noise and vibration of
the spinning drum.
- Keep your vacuuming to reasonable times of day. (Don’t
vacuum early in the morning or late at night.)
Noise from Children
There is no getting around it children cry, laugh, scream
and chatter. We do not deal with complaints regarding
these issues.
We do not deal with disturbance from ball games balls e.g.
football or balls being thrown at people’s properties, that is
something which should be dealt with neighbour to neighbour and
should be easily resolved. Maybe suggest they kick it against
their own house wall. If the parents experience it, they may
realise that it can be annoying.
We do not deal with ball games in streets. If it is
causing a danger to the public the Police may be able to assist,
ring the local Police station rather than 999.
You can put up a sign for No Ball Games on your own property
(0.3sqm in area.)
Children should be encouraged to play in a responsible way that
will not disturb neighbours.
If you live in a flat or maisonette or terraced house
don’t allow children to jump around on floors or run up and
downstairs in a way that disturb adjoining neighbours.
Flooring
Before sanding your floorboards or laying laminate flooring
particularly in flats, maisonettes, terraced or semi-detached
houses consider the layout of the rooms. Many leases prohibit hard
floors, for good reason, they can be very
noisy.
If you sand floorboards where you previously had carpet you are
taking away noise insulation so your neighbours will be able to
hear what you do in your house more than they would if you had
underlay and carpet as there is no soft layer to absorb the
noise.
If you are laying laminate or wood flooring you should use an
acoustic underlay first. You should wear soft shoes, slippers or
walk around in bare feet on hardwood floors as hard bottomed shoes
will be noisy.
Garden equipment
Use mowers, strimmers, power washers, shredders and hedge
trimmers at a reasonable time of day.
If it’s a major job eg. involving grinders or chainsaws let the
neighbours know in advance. No one likes being disturbed on a
sunny Sunday afternoon.
If you are considering buying a new lawn mower ask about noise
ratings and choose a quieter option.
Got a complaint?
Speak to your neighbour first as you should be able to come up
with the best solution between you rather than involving
us. However if you do need to speak to us please call 01233
330645 or 01233 330571.
This webpage was updated on
12/21/2011