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Noisy Neighbours/

Saga
Saga Posts: 302 Forumite
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in House buying, renting & selling
Apologies for all my recent naive potential FTB newbie questions. Just wondering: most of the properties in my likely affordability bracket are terraced houses but through years of renting I know I'm a bit noise-sensitive. What fool-proof steps can potential buyers take when it comes to ensuring potential properties have sufficient noise insulation and/or neighbours are not of the antisocial variety?
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Comments

  • rtho782
    rtho782 Posts: 1,189 Forumite
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    If you're that sensitive perhaps don't buy a terraced house, whatever you do, don't move in then demand other people change their lives to accommodate you!
  • The_Real_Cheddar_Bob
    The_Real_Cheddar_Bob Posts: 542 Forumite
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    You need to buy a house that isnt attached to anything else to avoid neighbour noise.
  • Cakeguts
    Cakeguts Posts: 7,627 Forumite
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    Go for an end terrace preferably where the front doors are next to each other so that the living room is on the end furthest away from the neighbours.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
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    Nothing foolproof, other than reducing the risk by having fewer neighbours.
  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,470 Forumite
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    Visit at different times of the day/night.

    But, as above, nothing is foolproof, and you can't really tell if homes are rented or owned. The turnover of occupiers may be higher if rented. If bought, they could sell or rent it out at any time.

    As someone mentioned, 'halls adjoining' is a good start. A semi with that would be better than a terrace (if poss).

    I've lived in new, Victorian and '30s. I've been lucky with neighbours, but none have been silent!
    2023 wins: *must start comping again!*
  • missile
    missile Posts: 11,684 Forumite
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    Beware converted properties. Older e.g. Victorian properties have thicker walls. Newer properties have to comply with sound insulation regulations.

    Might be good neighbours today can change tomorrow. If you are noise intolerant, you might be better renting. Move on if neighbours become a problem.
    "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
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  • Tom99
    Tom99 Posts: 5,371 Forumite
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    [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As well as the above tips, ask when you visit about noise, if you are shown round by the estate agent ask them to enquire of the seller.

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]They will probably lie to you or downgrade any problems they have had.

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When you submit an offer make the estate agent aware you are relying on the answers you have been given about noise.

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Then ask your solicitor to add a specific question to the enquiries before contract to confirm the answers you have been given are being relied on.

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The above might help a little but in anything other than a detached house you are bound to get some noise through the walls and floors.[/FONT]
  • Marvel1
    Marvel1 Posts: 7,171 Forumite
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    Tom99 wrote: »
    [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As well as the above tips, ask when you visit about noise, if you are shown round by the estate agent ask them to enquire of the seller.

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]They will probably lie to you or downgrade any problems they have had.

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When you submit an offer make the estate agent aware you are relying on the answers you have been given about noise.

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Then ask your solicitor to add a specific question to the enquiries before contract to confirm the answers you have been given are being relied on.

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The above might help a little but in anything other than a detached house you are bound to get some noise through the walls and floors.[/FONT]

    Problem is people like me who are not noise senistive, e.g. my Mum once came over and said you can hear the little girl cry next door, I couldn't, so they may not be lying.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
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    missile wrote: »
    Beware converted properties. Older e.g. Victorian properties have thicker walls. Newer properties have to comply with sound insulation regulations.

    Depends. Older "standards" often didn't amount to much. My current place was converted into flats in the 1980s, and you can hear more through the (1880s) party wall than you can from the flat downstairs. A previous 1920s semi was much the same - could hear everything going on in next door's bathroom!
    Tom99 wrote: »
    [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]ask when you visit about noise, if you are shown round by the estate agent ask them to enquire of the seller.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When you submit an offer make the estate agent aware you are relying on the answers you have been given about noise.

    [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Then ask your solicitor to add a specific question to the enquiries before contract to confirm the answers you have been given are being relied on.[/FONT]

    But what specific enquiries are you making? "Are the neighbours noisy" is too subjective. And it doesn't help that much - you still end up owning a property which you're unhappy with, but with the "bonus" of a potentially expensive and fruitless opportunity to sue the seller.
  • BrassicWoman
    BrassicWoman Posts: 3,202 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post Mortgage-free Glee!
    I live in a flat and have the quiestest neighbours ever, having lived in semis and mid terraced.

    Detached is the only way to be sure!
    2021 GC £1365.71/ £2400
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