In a recent National Post article, the journalist Lia Grainger described noise from neighbours and other noise issues that drive tenants and condo owners to the brink.
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Lia Grainger notes that the pandemic brought noise issues to the forefront, as people began spending significantly more time in their apartments and homes. This observation aligns closely with my professional experience.
Many of my clients report noticing higher levels of noise than before the pandemic. Because both they and their neighbours are home for longer periods, routine activities—such as conversations, household chores, video calls, and entertainment—are now more likely to interfere with daily life.
This trend has increased public awareness of acoustic comfort and soundproofing, leading to greater interest in both noise isolation and room acoustic treatment for residential spaces.
Legal remedy to noise from neighbours
Lia Grainger notes that legal avenues—including mediation, arbitration, or court action—can be used to address persistent noise problems. However, in practice, pursuing these remedies is often difficult and limited for tenants or condominium owners.
In my experience, law firms specializing in condominium law are sometimes reluctant to take on individual owners as clients. There are several reasons for this:
Conflict of interest: Many firms already represent the condominium corporation, which can prevent them from advocating for an individual unit owner.
Cost constraints: Legal fees may be prohibitive for individual owners, making formal action financially unfeasible.
As a result, legal remedies are usually a last resort, and homeowners or tenants are often better served by preventive measures, such as proper soundproofing design, early involvement of acoustical consultants, and proactive communication with neighbors.
How much noise from neighbours is reasonable?
As Lia Grainger emphasizes, noise perception is highly subjective. Clients often request that I “test” noise levels to determine whether they are acceptable.” However, this is inherently impossible, as there is no universal standard for “acceptable noise” produced by other people. Even in buildings with excellent sound isolation, some level of noise will always be audible, particularly in residential environments.
In condominium living, reasonable accommodation is expected from both parties: those generating the noise and those affected by it. However, complaints are not always reasonable. For example, one client expressed that she did not want to hear any noise in her expensive apartment. Such an expectation is unrealistic, as the human ear is extremely sensitive and will detect even the faintest sounds, especially in otherwise quiet environments.
Understanding these limitations is essential when setting realistic expectations for soundproofing or acoustic treatments. Effective interventions can reduce unwanted noise, but they cannot create total silence in a lived-in space.
Impact noise from neighbours
The most common source of noise from neighbours is impact noise. This is noise, usually originating from above, but it could also be from an adjacent apartment, created by activities such as walking, dropping objects, or moving furniture. The ability of a building structure to resist this type of noise is described by Impact Insulation Class (IIC). There is no requirement in the Ontario Building Code for any specific level of IIC. However, the recommended minimum level is IIC 55. This level of sound isolation is modest, which may not be satisfactory to many people.
The only way to determine the actual Impact Insulation Class (IIC) of a floor/ceiling assembly in your apartment is through on-site testing. Such tests are expensive and should only be undertaken after carefully considering whether the result will be meaningful or valuable for your situation.
It is important to understand that, strictly speaking, IIC levels are not enforceable by law. However, your condominium corporation may require a minimum IIC for renovations or new installations. Before paying for a test, you should confirm whether the result will influence your project or satisfy any regulatory or condominium requirements.
Reducing Impact Noise
The best way to reduce the impact of noise is to improve the floor above your apartment. However, this requires the cooperation of the neighbour. This is usually difficult to obtain unless requested and enforced by the condominium corporation.
Whether you test for the IIC or not, reducing the noise level by modifying your apartment requires renovation. The ceiling and possibly also the walls will have to be improved. If you are planning this job, you will need an advice of a building acoustics expert. Relying on a free quote from a contractor could be expensive. If, in the end, the renovation does not achieve the desired result, it will be wasted.
Other aspects of condominium noise and noise from neighbours are covered in my other articles:
Condominium Byers, Beware of Noise!
Taming Noise Complaints in Toronto Condominiums
Living with Mechanical Noise in a Condo
Condo Apartment Soundproofing - Is It Feasible?
Living with Noise in Toronto Condos
Intractable Mechanical Noise in a Toronto Condo
Are Your Renovating? Consider Noise Control!
How Much Soundproofing Do I Need?
A Neighbour Complains About Your Piano Playing
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