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A Singaporean man is confused when his neighbor claims that his family is all asleep by 1am and accuses them of making loud noises

SINGAPORE: After his downstairs neighbor accused his family of making loud noises in the middle of the night, despite the fact that everyone in the house is asleep by then, a man took to social media to seek assistance.

He revealed in a post on Reddit’s Ask Singapore forum on Wednesday, July 9, that his mother has been harassed by her neighbor for weeks over inexplicable noises she hears between 1 and 3 in the morning.

But he clarified that it isn’t feasible because his family all goes to bed early because they all have to get up for work at five or six in the morning.

Her hearing our footsteps when we use the restroom while partially awake is the only plausible explanation. However, given that we are moving around the house all day, why does the noise only start between one and three in the morning?” he wrote.

He went on to say that the neighbor had just sent him a voice recording of the alleged noise, and to his amazement, he could actually hear knocking noises at night.

He claimed that there were actual knocking sounds. Now, she’s proposing to visit my house in the middle of the night to find out what’s making the noise! Although I think this is absurd, I can somewhat relate because the sounds were similar to “bom bom bom.”

He posed the question, seeking guidance from the online community: “What’s going on, and what can we do? Since we all work extremely early shifts (think 5–6 a.m. every day), I find it awkward that she is coming over, and I find it strange that a stranger would suggest it. I would appreciate any assistance! Thank you all!

“No need to accommodate her.”

Several users attempted to explain the possible source of the noise in the comments.

“That is the sound of the water pipes and rebar expanding and contracting in the concrete,” one person said.

“It might not be your unit,” said another commenter. Your neighbors or even the apartments above yours might be the culprits. A solid medium is used to carry sound. It’s not necessarily directly above just because it’s very loud. Encourage someone in your apartment to remain up until that point and determine if you can hear it as well.

Others, meanwhile, told the man that if he was uncomfortable with the neighbor, he should not let him into his house.

One said, “There’s no need to make room for her; she can lend you some recording equipment if she wants to and you’re willing.” Otherwise, as long as she doesn’t bother you, she is free to stand outside your house for as long as she likes. Most likely, it’s just plumbing.

“Is this neighbor a house inspector?” said another. Otherwise, they stay over and are unable to do much. Simply decline emphatically and refer them to HDB.

In other news, a local worker asked on Reddit if it is typical for entry-level positions or internships in Singapore to provide little to no training.

The man, who shared his experience on the r/askSingapore forum, claimed that he was expected to learn everything on his own and was given a heavy workload right away during his first week of work.

References

www.theindependent.sg

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Asia Noise News Home Noise Disturbance

A man claims that for the past four months, his rude neighbor has been making a lot of noise in the morning and evening by hammering and drilling

A man claims that for the past four months, his rude neighbor has been making a lot of noise in the morning and evening by hammering and drilling

SINGAPORE: After four months of extremely loud noise from his careless neighbor, a man vented on social media.

The man detailed his experience in a post on Reddit’s Ask Singapore forum, stating that he has been regularly awakened by loud hammering sounds emanating from his ceiling at approximately 6 to 7 a.m.

Additionally, he stated that this sporadic sound can last for approximately 30 minutes, occasionally lasting into the afternoon or even as late as 10 p.m., and it happens every 1 to 2 minutes.

He added that the neighbor who lives above him regularly uses large equipment that “resembles a drill, though it may also be a saw or similar equipment” in addition to the hammering.

He wrote, “He usually waits until 10 a.m. before beginning to drill, but on weekends he may begin at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. or operate it in 1-second bursts at 6-7 a.m.”

He has also attempted to resolve the matter by leaving several notes expressing his concerns at his neighbor’s door at around six in the morning, but to no avail.

He wakes me up all the time. He said, “I left another angry note at their door, and this person started hammering at 5 a.m. today, to the point where I have multiple nightmares.”

References

https://theindependent.sg

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Asia Noise News Home Noise Disturbance

A man who moved into an apartment next to Bukit Merah claims that he is a neighbor from hell and that he can only sleep in the living room

A man who moved into an apartment next to Bukit Merah claims that he is a neighbor from hell and that he can only sleep in the living room
A man who moved into an apartment next to Bukit Merah claims that he is a neighbor from hell and that he can only sleep in the living room

When a man realized he was living next to a “neighbor from hell,” his excitement about moving into a new house was dampened.

According to Shin Min Daily News, 55-year-old Lin has called the police four times in less than six months because he can’t stand the loud music coming into his Bukit Merah apartment.

She frequently turns up the volume on the radio, and I can hear the music coming from my bedroom. The salesperson stated that the music occasionally lasted from the evening until the following afternoon.

“Apart from the music, she often slams the door in the middle of the night, and the ‘bang’ sound would jolt me from sleep.”

Lin provided voice recordings and videos that show loud music playing all night long.

The woman’s apartment is directly next to Lin’s bedroom, so the noise from her house has been disturbing his sleep.

“Over the past few weeks, the situation has gotten worse, even though I purchased headphones to help block out some of the noise. Now I’m limited to sleeping in the living room,” he remarked.

Lin clarified that the prior homeowner had not brought up the noise disturbance issue, so he was ignorant of it.

They admitted to selling the apartment due to the female neighbor when he got in touch with them again.

“She told me the wall is too thin and the problem is not her fault, even though all I asked was that she turn down the volume.

Later on, she even cursed at me. I hope she can control her music consumption, but I’m not stopping her,” Lin remarked.

“I’m not sure if I can handle this any longer. There are times when I would rather work than stay home.

Although he has considered selling the apartment, Lin stated that he only moved in less than a year ago and is concerned that the noise disturbance will affect the next tenant as well.

The neighbor in question refused to comment when Shin Min approached him.

The woman was once referred to as Punggol’s “neighbour from hell” and reportedly forced six families to relocate in just two years, according to Bukit Merah residents.

According to The Straits Times in 2019, these families accused the woman of stomping on the floor, playing loud music, splashing oil at their doors, and even leaving a bloody pig’s ear on a shoe rack.

However, she had denied all accusations towards her in a follow-up interview with Lianhe Wanbao, and claimed the circulated videos of her were edited.

The woman subsequently moved to Bukit Merah in 2020, where she purportedly continued harassing residents there by playing loud music.

References

https://www.asiaone.com/

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Environment Home Noise-th

Dust and noise disturbance from a luxurious condo in Pattaya

Dust and noise disturbance from a luxurious condo in Pattaya
Dust and noise disturbance from a luxurious condo in Pattaya

The construction of a luxurious condominium in the Taphra Ya 9-15 area of Pattaya, which will rise more than 60 stories, has alarmed locals and rental operators.

Residents have been inconvenienced by the dust and noise from the construction site for more than two years, but local authorities have not offered any support.

52-year-old Taphra Ya 9 business owner Chalida voiced her annoyance, saying the construction has resulted in constant noise and dust problems. She said that because of the intolerable noise levels, which can occasionally last until midnight, many residents are slowly leaving.

Chalida gave reporters video footage showing the detrimental effects of the noise and dust from the construction site, as well as her unsuccessful attempts to lodge complaints with the Pattaya City Council and other authorities.

 

Those living on the seventh floor, which has been completely evacuated because of the noise and dust from the cement pouring on the nearby streets, are in an especially bad situation.

 

The extent of the issue was demonstrated by the thick dust layers that reporters saw on windows and floors, as well as the cracks in the surrounding buildings.

Additionally, the widespread dust has caused respiratory problems for housekeepers and employees, requiring the constant use of face masks. No agency has intervened to address these health issues in spite of their difficulties.

 

Chonburi MP Yodchai Phungporn recently paid a visit to the location to hear the complaints of locals and business owners.

 

According to Siam Rath, he intends to bring their grievances about the dust and noise to the Land and Environment Committee of the House of Representatives for additional action.

References

https://aseannow.com

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Asia Noise News Environment Home Noise Disturbance

Residents of Sengkang lament the “exceptionally” loud aircraft noise in the neighborhood.

Residents of Sengkang lament the exceptionally loud aircraft noise in the neighborhood.
Residents of Sengkang lament the exceptionally loud aircraft noise in the neighborhood.

Imagine being unable to focus while working from home because of the continuous, loud whooshes of airplanes passing overhead.

Alson, a Sengkang resident, shared his issues with noise on Xiao Hong Shu.

“This part of Sengkang is too noisy,” he wrote. I’m not sure if anyone can relate. I work from home and recently moved here. I counted five or six planes flying overhead in a half hour. They were most likely jets based on the unusually loud noise.

One of the nearby apartments is also undergoing renovations, which exacerbates the situation. His living conditions are almost intolerable due to the noise from the jets and the chaos from the renovations.

“I won’t have to go to any more online meetings if the plane noises continue. Does the same noise occur in other neighborhoods as well? Andn was added.

Because netizens from Punggol, Potong Pasir, Buangkok, and Hougang have chimed in to share similar experiences, it appears that Alson’s experience is not unique to him.

“I live in Punggol, and it’s just as noisy here,” one internet user complained. Every time I hear the noise, my cat is startled awake. The noise level at Greenwich Drive, where I work, is extremely high. There are times when you can even feel the building trembling a little. It’s a waste of time that we frequently have to halt our meetings for a short while [because of the loud noise].

Alson may not be able to see the jets from his place, but he can definitely hear them
Alson may not be able to see the jets from his place, but he can definitely hear them

Some residents claimed that they had “already gotten used to the noise” despite the numerous complaints from unhappy residents.

One netizen wrote, “No choice, you can either live with it or move away,” while another recommended that impacted residents consider “soundproofing their houses.”

But who’s going to foot the bill?

The affected areas appear to be close to the Paya Lebar Air Base, and it is likely that the sounds were produced by Air Force jets during training.

Additionally, some stated that they “don’t mind the noise at all” because it serves as a reminder of the Singapore Air Force’s tireless efforts to maintain national security.

In an interview with 8days.sg, a resident of Punggol’s Northshore estate confirmed that she frequently hears “super noisy planes.”

The Paya Lebar Airbase will be “relocated nearer to the coast from 2030 onwards, reducing the number of RSAF planes flying overhead Punggol residents,” claimed Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Yeo Wan Ling in a 2023 statement.
That’s still six years off, though.

Maybe you should look into other options first if you have your sights set on a home in any of the neighborhoods listed above.

References

https://www.8days.sg

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Asia Noise News Home Noise Disturbance

Singapore named one of the noisiest cities in the world, according to survey

Singapore named one of the noisiest cities in the world, according to survey

A city’s sounds are what give it its identity.

However, certain locations are noisier than others.

Singapore came in ninth place in a survey by the US online language-learning platform Preply, suggesting that it is among the top 10 loudest cities in the world.

Hong Kong, New York City, and Paris are at the top of the list.

Seoul is ranked tenth, and Tokyo is ranked eighth among the other Asian cities mentioned.

Preply developed a seedlist of the world’s largest cities and then used metrics like population density, noise pollution levels, and even the quantity of attraction reviews that mentioned terms like “loud” and “noisy” to rank them.

Another factor is the average amount of time spent in traffic; according to the survey, people here spend 41 minutes stuck in traffic.

According to the survey, Singapore has a population density of 11,000 persons per square kilometer. However, a brief lookup on SingStat indicates that as of 2023, there are 8,058 people per square kilometer.

 

According to the study, these metrics were derived from sources such as nomadlist.com, numbeo.com and tripadvisor.co.uk.

 

On the other end of the spectrum, the survey ranks Frankfurt, Munich and Amsterdam as the quietest cities.

Only one Asian city has made it onto this list — Kyoto.

 

References

https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/singapore-named-one-noisiest-cities-world-according-survey

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Building Accoustics Environment Home Noise Technology

Use technology to mitigate disruptive noise

Use technology to mitigate disruptive noise
Use technology to mitigate disruptive noise

Singapore, a city-state renowned for its densely populated residential high-rises, consistently struggles with noise pollution.

Noise complaints increased dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic; in 2021, the Housing Board received as many as 3,200 complaints per month, which was a marked increase over pre-pandemic levels.

The government has urged locals to address noise complaints with their neighbors directly or with the assistance of community leaders. If that doesn’t work, there is always mediation and, as a last resort, legal action. But given the volume of complaints, we ought to reconsider how we handle noise-related problems.

More forceful responses to severe noise-related conflicts include the creation of a specialized enforcement unit with the authority to look into complaints, the installation of noise sensors with permission, and the issuance of abatement orders. Although these are positive steps, given the number of cases and the current manpower shortage, will these initiatives be sufficient?

A comprehensive approach that makes use of technology ought to include defining precise noise guidelines, enforcing them, and requiring soundproofing in all upcoming building projects.

Furthermore, it might be worthwhile to think about creating simple-to-install “self-help” Internet of Things-enabled noise sensor kits for ongoing monitoring to assist impacted citizens.

People who are easily startled by loud noises may be more willing to pay the price.

Furthermore, giving residents more authority communicates to the neighborhood that proactive noise control measures are expected.

These developments could lead to a significant decrease in the need for court cases and mediation, improve community harmony, and establish Singapore as a world leader in intelligent, sustainable urban planning.

References

www.straitstimes.com

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Asia Noise News Environment Home

Drilling holes in the wall, tapping the floor, or pulling furniture at night for ten years

SINGAPORE: A resident has had enough of her noisy upstairs neighbor of ten years and has taken to social media to seek guidance from other Singaporeans.

The internet user stated on Monday, February 26, that for ten years, “literally every single day, either they are drilling the wall for more than thirty minutes (don’t know drill what also) or knocking the floor with a walking stick and dragging furniture at night.”

Although it’s manageable, there are moments when it becomes unbearably loud.

I went upstairs one night to confront them, and when they didn’t answer the door, they kept knocking on the floor with what sounded like an old-fashioned metal hollow walking stick. That’s how I knew it was a walking stick.

Every time it gets really loud at night, I also call the police, but the noises only stop for a few days before they start knocking and dragging again.

After knocking and getting no response, I’m at a loss for what further action to take. Because my estate is close to IMH, the only conclusion I can think of is that the person may be a patient there.

I’m not sure what I should or can do with that knowledge. Is there anyone who can offer advice on what to do? Asking, “Legal or not-so-legal ideas accepted,” the writer continued.


Remarkably, the post inspired a few more people to share their own tales of “nuisance neighbors.” Numerous people related their personal experiences of coping with neighbors of this type.

Some agreed that a confrontation was necessary, while others went so far as to involve the authorities by calling them. Some countered that these actions didn’t offer long-term fixes.

One resident who had experienced noisy neighbors firsthand wrote, “I feel you.”

“My neighbors next door have noisy kids upstairs as well as persistent floor knocking.” It is possible that they have a platform in their room because every time they run, jump, or walk on it, a hollow sound is heard.

Not something I could handle once at midnight. went up and reprimanded them angrily. The 15-year-old boy denied knocking; when his mother arrived at the door, I reprimanded her as well.

Since then, there has been some but not much less noise. I had previously provided HDB with feedback, but it was also ineffective.

Another said, “We left notes for this specific household.”

“I spoke with them directly and gave them my contact information to let them know when it became too loud.” It was effective for a while, but then it got worse.To cut a long tale short, we made several calls to HDB, the town council, and the police.

When we got our neighbors together, we noticed that they were all growing irritated and they also reported this family. Then we repeated the process, reiterating our earlier reports (i.e., telling HDB that everyone had called the police several times and that this was the last straw).

The next day, I got a call from HDB, who sounded like an intern reading from a script and didn’t know how to assist. However, we never had any problems (with) this family again after that day.

References

theindependent.sg

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Asia Noise News Environment Home

Netizens’ reactions to the Woodlands HDB void deck being cordoned off to prevent children from playing football are mixed.

Singapore — Online criticism has been directed at a town council in Woodlands for their decision to partially block off the void deck of a public housing block in order to stop ball play. This was done in response to complaints about noise from the locals.

On November 23, TMSG, a blog covering sports, entertainment, and lifestyle, received a message from an unidentified resident of Block 638 Woodlands Ring Road expressing his displeasure with the action taken by the Sembawang Town Council. This brought the matter to the attention of a larger audience.

According to TMSG, the resident thought it was “ridiculous” that the town council had closed off a sizable portion of the void deck because kids had been playing football there.

Additionally, he distributed the town council’s notice of the closure.

The notice, dated November 3, announced that the town council was investigating complaints of schoolchildren “kicking ball and shouting while playing” that were considered a “noise nuisance.”

According to the report, students persisted in playing at the void deck in spite of prior attempts to “educate” them by posting “No Ball Game” signs and warnings from local council officers and grassroots leaders in Zone 8 not to do so.

Consequently, the town council resolved to temporarily prevent non-compliance by barricading off a portion of Block 638’s void deck.

The notice said that “once the situation improves,” the temporary hoarding would be removed and that “the void deck is still available for use for weddings, funerals, and other functions upon booking for use.”

A notice on the wall of the void deck at Block 638, Woodlands Ring Road, seen on Nov 30, 2023. The notice informs residents of the reason behind the barricading of the area.
A check by TODAY revealed that the orange safety net was still in place at the void deck on Thursday (Nov 30).

‘NO FUN ALLOWED’

Users of the online forum Reddit have taken notice of the problem and expressed conflicting views about it. Since it was posted last Sunday, a discussion thread on the subject has received 203 comments and 303 upvotes.

Many of them appeared to disagree with the actions of the Sembawang Town Council, emphasizing how little opportunities there are for sports and outdoor activities for young people in Singapore.

“For the kids, they play (at the) void deck likely because that’s the only option for them,” one of the top comments said. They are not going to pay the money to reserve private cages, and there aren’t many available public ones.

A few of them contended that kids ought to be permitted to play at empty decks at less disruptive times, like late afternoon or early evening.

The residents who lodged complaints were chastised by some for “making a mountain out of a molehill.”

“No fun allowed” was criticized by one user. “This is way too extreme,” said someone else. How come the ****** living in the block and the (council) have so much power?

 

Concerns were also expressed about potentially impeding Singapore’s football culture’s growth even more, citing instances from other nations where street soccer was crucial in fostering interest and fundamental abilities.


“This is why whatever World Cup dream we have is dead,” a Reddit user wrote.

However, some Redditors applauded the decision for reasons like noise disturbance for night shift workers and worries about the area’s cleanliness, resident safety, and potential damage.

One person related, saying, “I’m quite against letting kids play ball there because I’ve been hit on the head by a stray football while walking past a void deck.”

Another person made the following argument: “Maybe because if (they) hit it (with the ball), the lights could get damaged or the ball would leave dirt marks on the ceiling and walls that would be difficult to clean.”

A few people bemoaned the seeming decline in communal areas within public housing estates and recalled their early years of playing football at the void deck with neighbors.

“I remember the good days (where) we played half-court football at the void deck wall,” a Redditor posted. The goal post has two slippers. No maximum height. Chinese, Indian, and Malay players together.

Another person pointed out: “Weren’t void decks initially conceptualised as a social space for residents? We’ve really come a long way from that (and not in a good way).”

  • Sembawang Town Council has been criticised for partially cordoning off the void deck of a housing block in Woodlands in order to prevent ball-playing
  • A notice stated that it did so over “noise complaints”
  • One resident expressed discontent over the decision, calling it “ridiculous”
  • An online discussion on the matter showed that there were mixed opinions
  • Some people supported the move for noise and safety reasons, while others found the measures “extreme”

References

https://www.todayonline.com

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Asia Noise News Environment Home

Condo life is being destroyed by noise pollution

Bangkok’s condominium market is booming because of the city’s ever-changing skyline and its incredible views, modern interiors, and unmatched amenities. However, noise insulation is a frequently disregarded factor that every buyer should give top priority before making an investment. With insufficient soundproofing, the din of urban life can become a constant disruption as cities get denser.

The urban conveniences of owning a condominium in Bangkok are what attract many people to it. Purchasing a condo in this city ensures a luxurious and hassle-free lifestyle, from the attraction of its thriving nightlife and delicious food to the convenience of its business areas. However, picture arriving at your new sanctuary to find the annoying disruption of outside (traffic) noise, or worse, noise from your neighbors.

You cannot rely on regulations to ensure that you won’t be disturbed by noise from your neighbors because there is no legislation regarding noise between condominiums in Thailand.

There are two types of noise that can disturb the peaceful sound environment you are expecting: airborne noise and structural noise.

Airborne noise can come from TV, music, neighbors conversing loudly, and other sources. Additionally, factories, entertainment centers, and traffic noise can all produce airborne noise. Installations within your home, such as air conditioning units, fans, and noise from the neighbor’s plumbing (from showers and toilet flushing, among other things), can also produce airborne noise.

Structural borne noise is caused by vibrations in the construction of a condominium; think of people walking on a floor with high heels, a gym with falling weights, a condominium that is next to a lift shaft or since recently, a condominium that is next to an automated car park lift, the origin of the noise heard in the condominium has a structural borne source.

The human ear is designed to pick up sounds, and while it’s a boon in quieter, natural settings, in a bustling city, it becomes a bane. Continuous exposure to noise affects our sleep patterns, concentration, and can have long-term psychological effects.

Prioritise noise insulation

It is the duty of condominium developers to provide not only visually beautiful designs but also units that ensure seclusion, calm, and tranquility. Noise insulation is not given much priority because the rush to construct as many condominium projects at the lowest possible cost is underway. The developers are still using the same lightweight concrete blocks—between 10 and 12 centimeters—to build the walls and floors as they did thirty years ago. At most, the noise reduction will be about 40 dB, or STC (Sound Transmission Loss). However, buyers are becoming increasingly conscious of this. (most of the times unfortunately after they bought their condo) and voice their complaints as a “owners group”; they want more value for their money and are unhappy that the outdated standards are still in place. They will complain to the developers and make them put in place noise mitigation measures if they feel that even the lowest standards are not being met.

Check before purchase

Considering the significance of soundproofing, prospective homeowners ought to take proactive measures to guarantee their new condominium provides adequate noise absorption. What you can do is as follows:

Inquire about the types of building materials that were used; developers and agents ought to be able to furnish specifics. The STC between the condominiums will be determined by the walls and floors, in particular. To ensure that you are not concerned about this, it would even be preferable if the contract included a clause regarding noise reduction. Developers can forecast a building’s noise insulation in a variety of ways during the design stage.

Simply request the acoustic report when purchasing a new condo to ensure that the values will meet your needs.

A Sound Transmission Coefficient of 50dB—basically, the amount of noise blocked from your neighbors—is a recommended value for privacy in a condominium; the higher the better.

An STC value of about 55 dB would be found, for instance, in a five-star hotel.

The Path Forward

Noise insulation is a top priority for both developers and buyers as Bangkok’s condominium market soars and the city continues to thrive. It’s not only about keeping the house quiet; it’s also about protecting mental health, guaranteeing sound sleep, and improving life in general.

It is recommended that prospective purchasers view noise insulation as a must-have feature in their new condominium. By doing this, they can ensure a calm haven in the middle of Bangkok, free from the constant energy of the city.

We have received complaints from purchasers of newly constructed condominiums, and a large number of them express dissatisfaction upon moving into their new residence. It is very expensive and difficult to improve the noise transmission loss once it has been purchased. The extra expenses are well worth it if the design is sound from the beginning.

References

www.bangkokpost.com

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