How Late Can You Play Loud Music? – 6 Ways to Deal With Neighbors!

One of the most disturbing things you can encounter these days is a noisy neighbor’s music blasting your eardrums off late at night or even early in the morning.

Recent statistics have shown that about 17.9 percent of the population in Europe have reported suffering due to noisy neighbors or street noise. So it’s a common issue that a lot of people have to deal with on a daily basis.

Luckily, there are noise control acts in place that everyone must follow so that other people can enjoy a peaceful environment.

How Late Can You Play Loud Music?

It varies from country to country due to different laws and regulations, but based on laws in the United States and the United Kingdom, you can’t play loud music between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

However, other countries have different rules, while some don’t have any rules at all when it comes to playing loud music. But according to my research, I believe that in most Western countries, your noise level should be kept low between the aforementioned hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

If you are located in the U.S., you can read the specific governing laws here, and for those in the U.K., you can read about your laws here.

How Loud is Too Loud?

Another thing to keep in mind is exactly how loud your volume is turned up when you’re playing music. If you can still hear your music playing when you step outside, then chances are, your neighbors can also hear it and may have a problem with that.

Based on my research, I think a decibel level between 60 and 70 is OK, since you’ll be able to have a conversation with your friends without raising your voice. Anything exceeding 100 dBs is too loud, because it won’t be possible for people to communicate with each other without raising their voices.

The Consequences of Playing Loud Music

We all enjoy playing music sometimes, because it helps keep our minds and souls relaxed, but there’s a downside to playing music loudly. It can have a negative impact on your health; for instance, by causing hearing loss that cannot be reversed. As mentioned above, playing loud music can even cause conflict between you and your neighbors.

When Can You Report Someone For Playing Music Too Loudly?

It all depends on where you’re located. However, in most places, you shouldn’t be hearing loud music between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, or between 12 a.m. and 9 a.m. on weekends. Before making a complaint, it’s best if you check your local noise restrictions.

What if Your Neighbors are Disturbing You With Loud Music?

One of the worst feelings ever can occur when you’re trying to get some sleep, but are woken up by the loud music being played next door. Sleep is essential to your health and well-being, so if you find that you’re unable to sleep due to loud music, then it’s best to take action in one or more of the following six ways.

1. Speak to Your Neighbors

Have a talk with your neighbors about the loud noise coming from their place, and politely ask them to lower the volume. Many neighbors will happily turn their music down once they know it’s affecting you.

Sometimes your neighbors may not be aware that their music is too loud, and that it’s affecting the whole neighborhood, so letting them know politely is often the best course of action to take.

However, if a neighbor is being difficult after you ask them to turn their music down gently, you’ll need to move on to another method of solving the problem.

2. Call the Police

If a neighbor is being too difficult and the noise level is getting out of hand, then the best step you can take is to call the police. Police officers are usually more than happy to come by and help, and they’ll solve the problem in no time.

If you’re afraid to call the police because you don’t want your neighbors to find out, then it’s important to call anonymously, use a phone booth or even let the cops know that you’d prefer to stay anonymous for your own safety.

3. Report Neighbor to the Local Council

If you don’t want to get the cops involved, but still want to take action, then the best idea is to report your noisy neighbor to your local council. Make sure that you briefly explain your problem and the action you took.

You also have the ability to report a disturbing noise problem through the website for your local authorities. All you’ll need to do is conduct a simple Google search for your local authority’s name, and make the complaint.

4. Soundproof Your House

I only recommend this method if you have some cash to spend, and if the loud noise continues after you’ve tried all the steps above.

If you’re wondering how much work it’ll take to properly soundproof your home, it actually won’t require much time at all, and you won’t need the help of an expert to get the job done.

You can start by purchasing a soundproof curtain for the windows, adding another layer of drywall by using green glue, and getting a door sweep and weatherstripping to close off any gaps in the doors and windows.

5. Use Ear Protection

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If you think calling the cops is a bad idea, another thing you can do is invest in some ear protection, such as a pair of earplugs or a set of earmuffs. Here are some ear protection products I recommend.

6. Play Sound-Masking Sounds Yourself

If none of the methods above work (but I know at least one will!) you can purchase a white noise machine. Playing the white noise of your choice can be an effective way to mask disruptive sounds that intrude on your peace and quiet.

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you everything you need to know about the hours at which you can play music loudly, and the measures you can take if your neighbors are being annoying. If you aren’t sure about the rules in your area, you can check them out online. You can also call your local authorities if you have any urgent questions.

If you have any questions, feel free to let us know by leaving a comment down below. You may also be interested in reading How to Soundproof a House For a Party in Under 15 Minutes.

image: Pixabay

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