Sound Proofing

Every morning around 7 am I could hear my upstairs neighbour pee. The adjacent apartment occupied a gifted violin teacher, his students—not so much. The puppy down the hall was discovering her voice when her human left.

Noise impacts our quality of life and life can be loud. In an apartment some noise is acceptable but poor building construction, inconsiderate neighbours and ineffectual landlords can make for a living hell. Here are some ways to get peace and quiet.

Before you sign the lease ask whether the building has sound proofing between floors and units. If the building is constructed of concrete floors and walls, airborne sounds, like TV and voices are well blocked. Impact noise, however, like dropping something on the floor or footfalls above are heard. Wood and steel buildings are noisy, unless the builder took measures to sound proof, so ask. Renting on the top floor has advantages with at least one less neighbour. If possible, wander around the building and ask current tenants if they can hear their neighbours.

Today's housing shortage and sky high rent may make moving impossible. If you have obnoxious neighbours and need to stay, consider this.

• Furniture buffers sound waves. Position the book shelf unit, cabinet or dresser on the shared wall. Hang art, collectables, clothing, fashion accessories and tapestries on the wall. It will add style, beauty and reduce noice.

• Carpeting, area rugs and foam mats are a worthwhile investment. They add warmth and style to your home while reducing noise. Foam mats with a carpet on top add extra sound proofing.

• Wear slippers. The Japanese tradition of changing into slippers when arriving home makes for a quieter life.

• The gap between the front door and floor makes a difference. Adding a door sweep or door draft stopper helps to sound proof. You can even make one out of a dollar store pool noodle.

• White noise machines create a constant background noise that distract from other disruptive sounds. Youtube has background noise options like flowing creeks or rainstorms.

• Wear noise cancelling headphones, Airpods or earbuds.

• Sound proofing tiles have mixed reviews. Their purpose is to dampen sound waves from flying around the room, not stopping the sound from leaving the room. Some people put them behind their tv, but again the jury is out.

• Keep interior doors closed.

  
  

Submitting a Noise Complaint

Living with persistent and loud noise is stressful. In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) protects both tenants from excessive sound (all tenants have a right to the quiet enjoyment of a rental unit) and landlords have the ability to deal with offenders (issue notice of violations and eviction). Tenants have the right to evict roommates for excessive noise.

Municipality noise regulations and bylaws protect citizens from excessive noise. They have a process to report infractions.

• Document the violation: record time, duration, and a description of the noise.

• There are apps that record and measure loudness in decibels, dB (40 - 60 dB normal, 70 dB too loud and 85 dB is harmful to your health). Gotta love tech tools.

• Use your phone to video the sound.

Landlords and Tenants can go to the Landlord and Tenant Board for a legal resolution.

Contact police as a last resort.

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Sample Municipal Noise Regulations

To ensure safe and enjoyable neighbourhoods for residents our Noise Bylaw, places some limits of noise in residential areas. 

Activities that are always prohibited 

• Playing amplified music or sound from speakers or devices at any time in residential areas. 

• Engaging in construction or use of construction equipment on Sundays and holidays. 

• Allowing persistent noisemaking by household pets. 

Activities that are prohibited during designated times 

• Playing musical instruments is prohibited from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and before 9 a.m. on Sundays. 

• Construction activity is prohibited from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and on Sundays and holidays. 

• Loading, unloading, and handling materials is prohibited from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and on Sundays and holidays, unless necessary for essential services or moving household effects.