OH YES! ‘Soundproofing’ searches soar on Valentine’s Day after millions are kept up by amorous neighbours

The new research from the UK’s leading platform for home improvement shows more than two-thirds of Brits (68%) have been affected by noisy neighbours, with 4 in 10 (37%) saying they have had issues in the last 12 months. While loud music (49%), arguments (33%) and late-night parties (28%) are the most common problems, for many, amorous activities are to blame.

Amongst those who reported noise disturbances from neighbours in the past year, 1 in 8 (12%) report that their neighbours ‘getting intimate’ was the leading cause of noise nuisance. In London – where people typically live closer together and often share internal walls with neighbours – the figure shoots up to 1 in 5 (19%).

Unfortunately for those impacted, the problem becomes far worse around Valentine’s Day – with searches for soundproofing on Checkatrade’s platform increasing by 148% over the period.

Of those who report hearing their neighbours having sex, the noisy antics went on for 33 minutes. Over half (52%) said the disturbance was at least a weekly occurrence while more than 1 in 10 (11%) said they could hear their neighbours at it on a daily basis. Between midnight and 2am – a time when most would hope to be asleep – is when the noises were found to be most prevalent.

While amorous neighbours may seem like a minor inconvenience and a reason to avoid eye contact when taking the bins out, the impact can actually be serious. Of those who unwillingly get a front row seat to their neighbours’ antics report being unable to sleep (60%) or left feeling uncomfortable or stressed (53%). As a result, nearly a quarter (23%) say they had to confront their neighbours about the issue and some have even gone as far as moving house to get away (15%).

With 69% of Brits believing it’s important to live somewhere you cannot hear your neighbour, Checkatrade’s soundproofing specialist Ryan Young of Soundproofing R Us shares his top tips to minimise unwanted noise:

“Living somewhere peaceful is a priority for lots of people but many homes, particularly flats or terraced homes, are often plagued by sound carrying between properties. There are some easy fixes you can make yourself to minimise their impact.

• Add soft furnishings – Filling your space with soft furnishings can help reduce the noise from neighbours by absorbing sound waves and minimising the transition. Small changes like adding a carpet, extra throws, or a thick curtain are easy but effective ways to improve sound insulation.
• Strategically position large furniture – Placing large furniture items, like a bookshelf or wardrobe, against the wall can dampen sound, all while providing additional storage space.
• Add a touch of green – Shrubs and hedges provide more than just lovely aesthetics, they can also be put between a room, window, or a neighbour’s house to quieten the noise. Their leaves can break up sound waves and their soft material can absorb sound.
• Fill spaces using acoustic sealant – Acoustic sealant can be used to fill the tiny cracks in walls, ceilings, doors and windows by creating a tight seal, stopping sound from leaking through.
• Invest in specialist soundproofing – Nothing is as effective as getting an expert to professionally soundproof your living space. They can handle all types of soundproofing, whether that’s floors, walls or ceilings to ensure the problem is solved once and for all.”

With a vast network of vetted soundproofing specialists, Checkatrade is the best way to find a trusted tradesperson to help consumers create a peaceful living space.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Searches for soundproofing increased by 148% in the week following Valentine’s Day – this compares w/c 12 Feb 2024 with w/c 19 Feb 2024.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

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