Section: Anti-social Behaviour

Noisy Neighbours Making Life a Misery

A new survey from insulation manufacturer Rockwool found that noisy neighbours are making lives a misery for more than a third of us.

Loud music and televisions are the biggest causes of disturbance, whilst other causes of nuisance include parties, children and wooden floors.

According to the survey of around 1,000 people, the problem is so severe in some areas that it risks sparking violence. Many people responding to the survey said they had already been involved in physical fights with neighbours following complaints about noise.

Rockwool is using the findings to back up its calls for better building controls in new-build homes to help to curb the problem. However, house builders said tough standards were already in place.

Hans Schreuder, the managing director of Rockwool, said:

"Domestic noise pollution is not just an urban nuisance, the problem of noisy neighbours is rapidly becoming the scourge of suburbia.

"Living with persistent noise can be very debilitating, increasing stress levels and leaving people feeling like prisoners in their own homes.

"We are calling for greater enforcement by environmental health officers to address the problem of nuisance noise.

"It is important that new buildings are built in accordance with strict building regulations with regard to noise penetration and rigorous testing is conducted to ensure compliance."

The findings of the survey provided the following 'league' table of domestic disturbances:

A spokesman for the Home Builders' Federation said:

"New build homes in Britain are built to the highest standards.

"There are a range of buildings regulations in place to ensure sound and noise insulation."

KeyFacts

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Reporting on April 2009

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