Couples have been warned about teh dangers of noisy sex after 11pm on Valentine’s Day as you could face a £1,000 fine. Noise experts at NNM Soundproofing say councils can take action and issue you with a fine if neighbours complain.
Grant Fraser, a domestic soundproofing specialist, said:“UK noise regulations set official ‘night hours’ between 11 pm and 7am. However, any excessive noise that significantly disrupts daily life can be classified as a ‘statutory nuisance’ and investigated at any time of day.”
While the rules vary slightly between local councils, authorities have the power to act on noise complaints, and the consequences can be costly.
If the issue continues, residents could face:
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A Fixed Penalty Notice: up to £110 for homes and £500 for licensed premises.
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Prosecution: leading to a fine of up to £1,000 for residential properties and an unlimited amount for businesses.
Grant recommends a few simple tricks to keep the peace:
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“Put a draft stopper at the bottom of your door, or weatherstripping seal if you have any to hand.
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Blankets and tapestries hung on the walls reduce noise passing through; wall art also does the same thing!
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Make sure your curtains are closed as the thick material absorbs noise.
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A thick rug or carpets stop sound from travelling into the room below by absorbing all the ambient noise.
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Fill your room with pillows as soft materials are better at absorbing sounds.”
And for those on the receiving end, Grant suggests playing white noise to drown out any unwelcome late-night activity.
“White noise helps mask sounds by creating a steady, consistent background that reduces the contrast between silence and sudden noises.”
Noise complaints peak on Valentine’s Day and searches for ‘soundproofing’ subsequently soar by a whopping 148%, according to data from Checkatrade. R esearch from the platform for home improvement shows more than two-thirds of Brits have been affected by noisy neighbours, with 4 in 10 saying they have had issues in the last 12 months. While loud music, arguments and late-night parties 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 report that their neighbours ‘getting intimate’ was the leading cause of noise nuisance. 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 said the disturbance was at least a weekly occurrence while more than 1 in 10 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.
Soundproofing specialist Ryan Young of Soundproofing R Us said:“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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”