New Build Soundproofing Issue - Advice Needed

RPF1992

Hi All,

In November, we moved into a new build property in North London. The small devlopment of 34 properties is to a very high spec but unfortunately we and 2 of our direct neighbours are experiencing issues with sound - both impact and airborne.

To give you an example of the severity, we can pinpoint where our neighbours are upstairs, by their footsteps. We can hear them get up in the morning and walka round the house. We can also hear our direct neighbour on the phone. She is currently working from home, like most of us are and we can hear her phone calls WORD FOR WORD. Our neighbours are not noisy in the slightest but we can just hear the things you just shouldn't hear, especially in a new build development.

Between us, we have mounds of video evidence, showing the issues with the sound - from being able to hear our neighbours role their blinds up to builders drilling in other parts of the building and still being completely audible! The developer reluctantly agreed to an acoustic assessment in December and it returned as a PASS on all aspects of imapct and airborne noise.

However, having looked back through the original sound test report that took place in August 2020, in order to satisfy council sign off, the company who carried out the test had inputted our room sizes differently to what they did on the new test. On the most recent test, the room sizes have been increased by 16 m3. Would this change in room size have a dramatic difference in results?

With the video evidence we have, it is clear there is a real issue with the sound and we are all really surprised that it passed. It didn't even pass slightly, it passed with flying colours - I just can't see how?!

Does anyone have any advice on the next steps to take?

How realistic is it that the acoustic assessment results may be falsified?

Will the difference in room size produce a much different result?

Is this going to be as long and as drawn out as I think it's going to be?

Any people with similar issues have any advice for us?

Thanks very much in advance,

Ross

2nd_time_buyer

Hi 
Testing should have been according to "Resistance to sound- document E":
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resistance-to-sound-approved-document-e

The FAQ section from the above may be useful e.g.
"I am disturbed by noise from neighbors coming through the separating wall or floor. Can I get help through the Building Regulations? The Building Regulations apply to new building work, the Regulations are not retrospective, and so do not apply to existing buildings. If you have a problem with a new home you should raise it with the builder or warrantee provider." 

Try to get construction details for the floor. There are certain constructions that are recommended in order to meet the requirements of the test (Robust Detail Designs). Bare in mind: 
 - There is an assumption it is constructed as specified.
 - Flanking noise can often be a problem (i.e noise travelling around gaps e.g. between the floor and walls) 

The original test should be sensitive to the above factors and therefore if you have reason to believe the test results are incorrect,  one option is to commission a new test - should be in the region of £1000. The testing must be carried out by approved companies which are either UKAS Accredited or Registered with the Association of Noise Consultants (check this is the case for the original test). 

hopeitwill

I don't really have much idea about the regulations but I think the threshold is quite low for people who are sensitive to noise. I just pulled out from a purchase because of this issue. We can hear everything and the new neighbours who moved in just after we started the process are just naturally loud people.

The problem may be arising from the fact that there may be gaps in the party walls, on the ceilings and on the floors that go right through between houses which will cause noise problems.

If you search on google how sound moves between attached houses, you would be surprised to see how those gaps could create such noise problems.

knightstyle

Some friends a few years back had a similar problem and after lots of buck passing got an independent surveyor to investigate.  It turned out that the construction was not done correctly, something about where the joists go into/onto the party wall. there was meant to be something to stop noise being transmitted.
In the end, after three years they sold the place back to the developers and bought elsewhere as to remedy the problem meant all the internal walls and floors needed to be removed.