Noisy apartments put to the test

From January, the Auckland City Council will carry out soundproofing tests on walls and floors in new multi-unit apartments to help residents get a good night's sleep.

The council is trying to keep up with a change in the Government's Building Code expected next year, which sets higher sound insulation standards.

Tenants Protection Association coordinator Angela Maynard welcomes the move.

"It would cut down on disputes between neighbours, I'm sure, because we do get incidents of loud neighbours disturbing a whole block of tenants. Noise can cause all kinds of problems. It's very disruptive.

"We are aware that some of the apartment buildings have one tiny little room, and obviously need really good soundproofing to make people's lives okay in those situations."

The council has previously relied on visual assessments to decide whether wall and floor construction is up to scratch. This will be the first time the authority has used specialist equipment to test noise.

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