Neighbour noise in multi-storey housing: Public experiences, attitudes and the need for acoustic labelling to ensure consumer protection

Abstract

Neighbour noise affects health, emotions, behaviours, privacy and social relations. This paper aims to present residents’ perspective on neighbour noise and initiate a discussion on consumer rights and protection based on the results of a social media analysis. In 2021, two newspaper articles about acoustic labelling and neighbour noise were published, receiving over 700 comments in social media. A thematic analysis revealed the experiences in multi-storey housing, and attitudes toward noise sources, responsibilities and solutions. Considering the heterogeneity of apartment users and needs, the economic burden of real estate transactions, and the difficulty of redressing issues, we argue that performance disclosure, for example, through acoustic labelling, is an urgent necessity for providing informed choices to house-buyers and tenants. The results further indicate the need to address the vulnerabilities of certain groups, not only from noise exposure but also from being overheard.