Can You Hear Your Neighbours Through the Walls?

You’re Not Alone — And We Can Help

Noise from next door can be difficult to ignore, particularly in older homes where the walls offer limited sound insulation. You might hear conversations, a television through the wall or the sound of furniture being moved. The type of noise and the way it travels through the building will affect which solutions are worth considering.

Understanding Party Wall Noise

Sound can pass between neighbouring properties in different ways. Identifying what you can hear helps when choosing a suitable soundproofing method.

Airborne noise: Voices, music and television sound travelling through the wall.
Impact noise: Vibrations caused by physical contact, such as banging against a wall or moving furniture.

The distinction matters because a method that reduces airborne sound may do less to address vibration travelling through the building.

Practical Solutions for Reducing Noise

1. Improve the wall’s sound insulation

Acoustic plasterboard adds mass to the wall and may reduce the amount of sound passing through it. The result depends on the existing construction and how you install the new lining.

2. Add a layer that separates the wall surfaces

Mass-loaded vinyl can be fitted within some wall-lining systems. Another option is to use resilient bars behind the new plasterboard, rather than fixing the board directly to the existing wall.

3. Seal gaps and cracks

Look around skirting boards, sockets and the edges of the wall for openings. Sound can pass through these gaps, so seal them with a suitable acoustic sealant where appropriate.

4. Build a separate stud wall

If noise remains a problem, a new stud frame with acoustic insulation and plasterboard may offer greater sound reduction. It takes up floor space, and sound may still pass through adjoining floors, ceilings or walls.

Your Rights Under the Party Wall Act

If your neighbour is undertaking construction work that affects the party wall, they are legally required to serve a Party Wall Notice. As an adjoining owner, you have the right to:

Object to the proposed works.
Request a Party Wall Award to specify noise mitigation measures.
Ensure that any work complies with agreed-upon standards.

At Jason Edworthy Party Wall Surveyors, we can guide you through this process, ensuring your rights are protected and that noise concerns are addressed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your problem with me hearing my neighbours through the walls?

This noise can transfer from room to room through thin construction, gaps, or a lack of insulation. Both airborne sounds (voices, TV, music) and impact sounds (walking around, moving furniture) can get through poorly insulated party walls. This is especially true of older buildings and period properties.

Do you hear noise coming from neighbouring properties?

However, a large part of sound transfer is normal for flats or terraced houses. Constant or disruptive noise, on the other hand, may be a sign of a party wall issue that could benefit from room soundproofing.

How do I get rid of the noise from my neighbours?

You can:

Install soundproofing or motion interior linings.

Close any gaps and cracks in the walls, skirting boards and around electrical outlets.

Use barrier material such as mass-loaded vinyl or resilient channels.

A party wall surveyor who specialises in this field can provide professional advice on the best way forward.

Am I allowed to sue noisy neighbours?

If construction or structural changes are causing noise, sound from work covered by the Party Wall Act gives you rights. In normal circumstances, the law requires you to try to talk to your neighbour first. If needed, a surveyor can mediate or steer you through legal routes.

When do I need to appoint a party wall surveyor?

If the noise is from works or structural alterations, or if you are unsure of your rights, then it would be prudent to employ a surveyor. They will be able to assess the walls, suggest remedies, and ensure you are properly up to date with the Party Wall Act.

Will soundproofing require major renovations?

Some jobs are fairly simple, such as sealing gaps around the edges of a wall. Others involve fitting new plasterboard or building a separate frame, which means more work and less room space. It depends on the wall you have and how much noise is getting through.

Get Expert Advice Today

Noise from next door can have several causes, and soundproofing isn’t always the first thing to consider. Contact Jason Edworthy Party Wall Surveyors Greenwich if you need advice about a party wall or building work affecting a shared boundary.