Noisy neighbours are 'scourge of suburbia'

Noisy neighbours have disturbed half of all adults in the last two year, a survey revealed today.

The study found one in 20 victims who tackled the issue directly were threatened and intimidated after making a complaint – with almost one in 10 of those involved in physical fights.

Wild parties were listed by half of all complainants as the main problem, with stereos and televisions and home karaoke machines also leaving people tearing their hair out.

The sound of footsteps from adjoining properties, and drills, saws and hammers from neighbours’ DIY endeavours have also disturbed impatient householders.

The research was carried out by insulation firm Rockwool, which called for building regulations to be more strictly enforced and for better building standards in new-builds to help to curb the problem.

Leo Hasset, of Rockwool Ireland, said domestic noise pollution is not just an urban nuisance.

“The problem of noisy neighbours is rapidly becoming the scourge of suburbia,” said Mr Hasset.

“It is completely unacceptable that residents should be unable to enjoy their own homes because of the selfish actions of their neighbours.”

More than 1,000 adults were quizzed for the survey this February.

It revealed while raucous parties are the greatest problem in the Dublin region, neighbours shouting and screaming causes the biggest disturbance in Connacht.

More than one in 10 complainants called the gardai, but it also found domestic noise pollution can have a serious psychological impact on its victims, over one in 20 (6%) claiming it left them continually disturbed and stressed.

Elsewhere 3% affected claimed it made their life a misery and said they could not enjoy their own homes.

Mr Hasset said there are solutions to this problem.

“Just 6% of householders that have been disturbed by loud neighbours took proactive steps to improve their property, reducing the impact of noise by fitting noise dampening insulation,” added Mr Hasset.

“Effective insulation can absorb sound waves, providing an acoustic barrier between properties Installing cavity wall and loft insulation could free millions of Irish households from neighbours’ noise intrusion.

“We urge builders and DIY fans to make sure they consider the acoustic as well as thermal properties of insulation, especially now householders can obtain a €700 grant under the Government’s Hess scheme and given the Government is pushing though new noise pollution legislation.”