Private rented property standards guidance

The property must be suitably protected from external noise such that the occupiers are not subjected to noise which would impact their physical or mental health.

A property should have sufficient sound insulation to reduce or negate any noise that may affect the occupants.

There is no expectation to carry out a noise survey to your property however you may need to consider further preventative measures if issues are reported by the occupants.

Preventative measures to consider;

• Double/secondary glazing and lobbies to external doors where there are high outside noise levels (such as traffic)
• Possible triple glazing near sources of very high noise levels;
• Insulation of upper floor/ceiling/roof space where aircraft noise is likely; 
• Plumbing from WCs/cisterns sited away from separating walls;
• Bathrooms/WCs in flats not sited above living rooms/bedrooms; 
• Better construction/conversions of partitions and party walls especially in flats/maisonettes.
• Installing carpets and rugs to help absorb sound and reduce noise transmission between floors.
• Seal gaps around windows and doors to prevent noise leakage.

By implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce the impact of both internal and external noise, creating a more comfortable and healthy living environment.