noise regulations in UK

[bouzine]

Have got a problem of insulation in my flat.
I'm cellist and I want to know what time I can pratice in my flat.
I had some complaint by our neighbour, who have a baby.
But I have to pratice my instrument everyday.
Do you know when are the legal timetable to practice my instrument?
Thank you

 

[jeds]

There is no legal timetable. People obviously must make allowances for hearing a certain amount of noise but those who make the noise must also make allowances for the volume and the time of day and also the type of noise. Music to one persons ears might be torture to another.

Many years ago I lived next door to a guy who played piano. It didn't bother me because he was quite good and mostly played during the day. It might have been different though if he was, say, rubbish. Or if he went on all day every day and into the evening. Or early morning.

Otherwise you'll have to get yourself some sound proofing.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Its often in the lease.

 

[^woody^]

There is no set times for noise generation, and each case depends on its own merits. It turns on what is reasonable for the time of day and to an extent the location

Also, there is no allowance for the individuals circumstances and just because say, someone works nights, or is ill or has a baby, then that does not require any special treatment

Perhaps the noise from DIY may not be acceptable at 10 PM, but the noise from a cello may be ........ as long as its in tune

 

[JoeMar]

easiest thing you could do is to hang some heavy drapes on the walls and ceiling. also having a friendly word with your neighbours to agree on a schedule will sort out all your issues.

 

[joinerjohn]

I play keyboards and guitar. My upstairs neighbour's wife works nightshift so practising anything during the day is a no no. I usually have about an hour in the early evening. Tried headphones, but the keyboards just don't sound the same with them on.
If I have to do some serious practise them I usually give them a few days notice and try to keep the volume down a bit. (sometimes get carried away a bit though and the volume creeps up )

 

[chapeau]

There is actually a maximum level of noise set out in The Law. At night-time (11pm-7am) .....

The permitted level

3. The permitted level of noise which may be emitted during night hours from an offending dwelling or from offending premises shall be—
(a) where the underlying level of noise does not exceed 24 dB, 34 dB;
(b) where the underlying level of noise exceeds 24 dB, 10 dB in excess of that underlying level of noise.

(The Permitted Level of Noise (England) Directions 2008)

So there you go....

But as others have said, it's really what is reasonable that matters, and as all things like that, it 'depends'.

It always makes me laugh that people with babies will complain about their neighbours making noise. No doubt is is quite reasonable for a baby to make noise, but some of these neighbours don't extend the same consideration of 'reasonableness' to others.

 

[^woody^]

(The Permitted Level of Noise (England) Directions 2008)

Well f**k me!

I knew the labour government were the most legislative and hell bent on a nanny state with rules and regulations for everything, but that just takes the biscuit ... a "permitted level of noise"? ..... whatever next

 

[Builder2011]

Sound insulation is covered by Building regulations : Part E - Resistance to passage of sound :

•that walls and floors in dwellings and rooms for residential purposes have reasonable resistance to sound. New houses/flats and flat conversions will require pre-completion testing
•that walls and floors within dwellings and/or rooms for residential purposes have reasonable resistance to sound
•the common parts of flats or rooms for residential purposes are constructed to prevent excessive reverberation
•that schools are designed to limit disturbance by noise between rooms and other spaces

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/buildingregs/legislation/bregsappvddocs