I think there are many people who live in rental housing and are troubled by noise problems.
Do you worry about noises from the next room or whether your noisy children are bothering the people around you?
In recent years, the number of consultations regarding noise disputes with neighbors has been increasing.
So, for those of you who want to improve the noise in your room even a little, we will introduce some measures you can take to improve the noise without having to move, as well as how to deal with noise-related neighbors.
Noise control measures for rental housing
The most common problem for people living in apartments and condominiums is noise.
There are many people who are disturbed by the sounds of their neighbors' daily lives and conversations, and this can cause mental distress. If noise continues on a daily basis, it can affect your health.
Furthermore, it becomes difficult to complain to people who are making noise, which makes your worries endless.
On the other hand, people who have pets or children may be concerned about the sounds of their daily lives leaking out into the open.
It is important to take measures against noise early so that neither party is bothered by noise.
Why does sound travel easily in rental housing?
Unlike detached housing, the aim of rental housing is to build it as cheaply as possible and make a profit from rent.
Improving the performance of a home increases construction costs, which makes it less profitable.
In order to make even the slightest profit, the buildings are built to provide a minimum standard of living, so no consideration is given to soundproofing the walls of the living rooms.
Some people complain to their landlords about the thin walls, but since it is almost impossible to make the walls thicker, there are few cases where something can be done about it.
However, you can take soundproofing measures yourself even if you are renting a house. First, try to take soundproofing measures that you can do yourself to reduce the noise even a little.
Soundproofing measures for rental properties without construction
Even if you live in a rented apartment or condo, you can take measures to soundproof your home yourself.
When it comes to soundproofing, many people imagine moving to a rental property that has soundproofing equipment or having renovations done, but recently soundproofing mats and sound-absorbing materials have become available on the market.
You can take soundproofing measures yourself without having to move or remodel.
There are also reports that noise levels have improved by rearranging the furniture in a smart way.
DIY soundproofing measures are a great help for those who are troubled by noise in their rooms or who want to silence the voices of their children or pets.
Soundproofing products are easily available at home improvement stores, Amazon, and other places.
Characteristics of sounds that become noise
When trying to reduce noise, it is important to first determine which part of the room the noise is coming from.
Furthermore, by understanding the quality of the noise, you can find out the appropriate countermeasures for the sound, allowing you to make better improvements.
The sounds that travel through an apartment or condominium can be divided into sounds that come into contact with something and sounds that flow through the air.
For example, the quality of sound transmitted through walls and floors is different from the sound heard through a window.
We will explain the difference between sound that is transmitted through contact with a solid (solid-borne sound) and sound that is transmitted through the air (air-borne sound).
Structure-borne sound (sound that travels through contact with a solid object)
Sound that is transmitted by contact with something is called structure-borne sound. For example, the sound of a washing machine running or banging on the floor.
[Examples of structure-borne sound]
- The sound of people walking
- Furniture pulling noise
- The sound of something being dropped
- The sound of a washing machine running
Because solid-borne sound has a high sound density, it does not tend to become quieter even when the sound is far away, unlike air-borne sound.
To reduce noise, you can use soundproofing or vibration-proof mats to dampen the sound vibrations.
In addition, sound-absorbing materials and soundproofing panels are installed to absorb sound vibrations and make them less likely to be transmitted.
Airborne sound (sound that travels through the air)
Sound that resonates louder through the air is called airborne sound.
It is radiated through the air and travels as sound waves.
[Examples of airborne sound]
- Sound from the TV
- People talking
- Sounds coming from speakers and instruments
Various noises heard from outside are transmitted through walls and windows.
The volume of the sound also changes depending on the wind direction.
Since the density of solid-borne sound is lower than that of solid-borne sound, it is possible to reduce the volume of the sound using sound-proofing materials.
[By part] DIY soundproofing measures
We will introduce some DIY soundproofing measures that don't require you to move or renovate.
These days, there are many removable soundproofing products available that can be installed in rental properties, and they are also affordable.
There are various ways to soundproof a room, such as installing soundproofing items or placing furniture so that it is not against the wall.
Here we will introduce each part of the room.
Soundproofing floors
The key to soundproofing around floors is to reduce the impact of footsteps and other sounds.
For example, you can reduce the reverberation of sound by laying carpets or rugs on the floor. Here are two ways to do this.
- Installing carpets and rugs
- Use highly cushioned materials
Installing carpets and rugs
If your floor feels thin, consider installing a carpet or rug .
Most of the noise coming from the floor below is caused by moving objects. Simply laying a thick rug on the floor can help absorb the impact of footsteps.
We also recommend wearing slippers in the living room to reduce the sound of your footsteps echoing.
Use highly cushioned materials
We also recommend placing a cushioned cork mat under the carpet.
Soundproofing sheets and mats have become available on the market recently, so it may be a good idea to use these in combination with other products.
Since noise from floors tends to echo, especially to the floors below, we use floor cushions to absorb shocks and prevent noise from echoing.
Ceiling soundproofing
The most difficult place to soundproof is the ceiling. Because the ceiling is high, it is difficult to install soundproofing products.
Most of the sound coming from the ceiling is solid-borne sound, and the sound can be heard through footsteps from people on upper floors.
Sponge-like sound-proofing material is installed to reduce sound vibrations.
It is important to make sure that the unit is secured firmly to prevent it from falling from the ceiling.
Consider using lightweight soundproofing materials and other soundproofing products that can be installed with one touch.
Soundproofing of walls
One way to soundproof your walls is to reconsider the placement of your furniture.
The key is to place furniture and soundproofing materials near neighbors and noise sources.
Also, if you knock on a wall and hear a light knocking sound, this is a place that allows sound to pass through easily, so it would be a good idea to take soundproofing measures.
When arranging your furniture and appliances, please pay attention to the following three points.
- Place your TV or audio equipment away from the wall
- Place furniture away from walls
- Install sound-absorbing materials in the gaps between furniture, appliances and walls
Place your TV or audio equipment away from the wall
If you place your television or audio equipment close to the wall, sound vibrations can easily be transmitted to your neighbors.
Try to place the TV as far away from the wall as possible.
Especially when the walls are thin, the sound waves can pass through the walls and reach the neighbors. It is recommended to place the TV near a window or other place where sound can be emitted.
Place furniture away from walls
If you place furniture against a wall, the sound waves that pass through the wall will be transmitted to the furniture, making it easier for noise to resonate.
Placing furniture away from the walls creates gaps that make it harder for loud sounds to resonate.
If the room is small, place the units 1 to 2 cm apart so as not to take up too much space in the room.
Install sound-absorbing materials in the gaps between furniture, appliances and walls
After placing furniture and appliances away from the walls, installing sound-absorbing material in the gaps will provide better soundproofing.
Using sound-absorbing materials will soften the sound waves, making it harder for loud sounds to travel.
It is also a good idea to use soundproofing tape or similar.
Soundproofing windows
Most noise coming through windows is airborne, and the thinner the glass, the easier it is for sound to travel.
As a countermeasure, there are soundproof curtains and soundproof sheets that can be attached to windows.
For sound that is transmitted through air, the most effective method is to block the air.
However, since the room needs ventilation, it cannot be kept closed all day.
In that case, it is effective to fill the gaps in the windows with soundproofing tape .
Points to consider when choosing DIY soundproofing products
Recently, many soundproofing products that can be installed in rental properties are being sold on e-commerce sites such as Amazon.
The key is to choose items that are easy to install and that can be easily restored to their original state without damaging the room. It is also important to choose items that fit your budget and the size of the room.
Furthermore, soundproofing products are most effective when used in combination with multiple items rather than as a single item.
DIY soundproofing products are available in a wide range of sizes at home improvement stores and Amazon, so you can cut them to fit your needs yourself.
Introducing recommended DIY soundproofing products
We will introduce some recommended soundproofing products that can be purchased at home improvement stores, Amazon, etc.
It's also easy to install, so please take a look.
Soundproofing Tape
Soundproofing tape is a type of tape that has soundproofing materials such as urethane or rubber. It is used by sticking it to the gaps in window openings and door gaps.
The tape may deteriorate and need to be replaced.
Also, since the tape alone is not effective at blocking out sound, we recommend using it in conjunction with other soundproofing products.
| Amount | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 500~1,500 yen | ・Gaps in windows and doors |
Soundproofing mat
Soundproofing mats come in sheet and tile types.
The sheet type comes in a roll of about 1m, so we recommend laying it on the floor.
The tile type is sold in sets of 20 panels, and some products can be joined together with joints.
If it gets dirty, you can simply wipe it to clean it.
Both types are available in a variety of sizes, from ones that fill an entire room to ones that are more limited in size to fit around a table or musical instrument.
| Amount | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll type: 2,500 to 5,000 yen (per meter) Tile type: 2,800~3,000 yen (30×30cm 18 pieces) |
Entire floor |
*Mat's from major building material manufacturers have excellent soundproofing properties, but they are also expensive.
Sound absorbing material
The sound-absorbing material is in panel form and made from lightweight materials such as polyurethane or polyester fibers.
It is lightweight and can be mounted on a wall or ceiling.
Most are square panel shaped and can be attached with double-sided tape.
Most of them are available in black, but recently there are also white and wood-grain colors available, so you can choose one to match the atmosphere of your room.
| Amount | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,800~3,000 yen (30×30cm 18 pieces) | ・Walls, ceilings, and around windows |
Soundproof curtains
Soundproof curtains have a special fabric woven into the curtain fabric, which provides soundproofing against leaking sounds, especially high-pitched sounds.
Prices vary depending on the product, so please refer to the following points when making your selection.
- Choose resin-coated products
- If you want high sound absorption, choose heavy curtains.
- Choose a size that is slightly larger than the window frame.
If you want to further improve the soundproofing effect, we recommend installing both lace curtains and floor curtains.
Soundproofing is very easy; all you need to do is install curtains.
Although it is more expensive than other products, it is recommended for those who are bothered by noise from outside.
| Amount | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,000~30,000 yen (180×100cm, set of 2) | window |
If you are troubled by excessive noise despite taking soundproofing measures
Even if you take soundproofing measures yourself, it can be very annoying to hear loud noises and conversations late at night from the rooms above, below, or next door.
However, directly warning the person producing the noise can also cause trouble.
So, if you are troubled by unreasonable noise from your neighbors, please take note of the following.
Talk to your landlord or property management company first
First, talk to your landlord or management company about noise from your neighbors.
Properties where the landlord lives nearby can be inspected immediately, but if the landlord lives far away from the property, it is not possible to grasp the situation.
Try to record as much of the sound as possible, and provide detailed information about the frequency and times when the sound occurs most frequently so that someone can raise an eyebrow on your behalf.
Landlords and management companies have an obligation to make improvements to the noise situation.
But you need to be fair to other tenants.
If you want the noise generator to be alerted, be sure to clearly state when, where, and what kind of noise is occurring.
The noise standard is 40 to 60 decibels.
The limit of noise that is tolerable in social life, as set by prefectures and cities, is one standard of 40 to 60 decibels .
If you exceed this limit, you will suffer both mentally and physically.
It is also important to measure the noise level with a sound level meter and report the level of mental distress you are experiencing.
If your neighbor dispute develops, consult the police or a lawyer.
If the landlord or management company were to warn the neighbors instead, there is a risk that the neighbors will hold a grudge against them.
If you are being harassed, gather evidence and report it to the police.
There is a perception that the police should only be called in emergencies, but even when there is no emergency, they also provide everyday life advice by calling "#9110."
If the behavior escalates into harassment and the situation does not improve even after the landlord or management company has warned the person on their behalf, you should consult a lawyer.
Lawyers can help you resolve legal issues. If you are having difficulty resolving a problem, it may be a good idea to make use of them.
summary
You can easily take measures to soundproof your rental property yourself without having to move or do any construction work.
Soundproofing products that can be installed in rental properties are easily available at home improvement stores and Amazon, so be sure to take advantage of them.
Furthermore, by understanding the characteristics of the noise, more effective soundproofing can be achieved.
Figure out what noises are bothering you and use soundproofing products that are appropriate for that noise.
Since rental properties are intended to generate rental income for the landlord, the functionality and comfort of the rooms are kept to a bare minimum.
Apart from unreasonable noise made by neighbours, we recommend that you take measures yourself without having to undertake major construction work.
Noise problems can continue for many years and cause mental distress, so try to deal with them as soon as possible without worrying too much.
