Can Noise Between Floors Be Resolved?

The issue of noise between apartment floors is one of the frequent conflicts in modern urban living. Despite legal revisions and technological advancements, such conflicts continue to persist. Particularly, with the aging of apartments in the metropolitan area, it is expected that the problem of noise between floors will become even more prevalent. While the government has shown intentions to establish a Floor Noise Management Committee to address this issue, there are still numerous challenges ahead.

 

The issue of noise between floors should no longer be ignored. Practical and effective solutions need to be established, requiring cooperation between residents, construction companies, and the government.

 

According to the current "Joint Housing Floor Noise Regulations," floor noise is defined as both "direct impact noise" caused by activities like running or walking and "airborne noise" resulting from the use of televisions and audio devices. The quickest and simplest way to resolve such floor noise issues is through dialogue among neighbors. However, if disputes cannot be resolved through conversation, affected residents can apply for mediation at the Central Dispute Resolution Committee under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport or the Ministry of Environment. But if one of the parties refuses to cooperate, mediation may not be possible, potentially leading to legal proceedings, which can be both economically and temporally burdensome.

 

To address this issue, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport plans to revise the law to mandate the formation of "Floor Noise Management Committees" in apartment complexes with 500 or more households. These committees consist of the management office head, representatives from each building, and resident representatives (tenants). However, in reality, it is difficult for apartment management office heads to dedicate their efforts solely to resolving floor noise conflicts. Therefore, experts recommend utilizing Article 20(7) of the Joint Housing Management Act to form committees independently.

 

However, this legal revision has not yet been approved by the National Assembly, and specific guidelines have not been established. This leaves uncertainties about how the committees will mediate and arbitrate disputes. Pyo Seung-beom, Director of Joint Housing Culture, pointed out, "The mandatory installation of floor noise committees has not been implemented, and even if they are formed, there are no guidelines provided for professional education, activities, or networking for the committees in each locality."

 

Furthermore, as apartments in the metropolitan area age, the likelihood of floor noise issues increases. Many apartments constructed before 2014 have slabs (concrete panels) with a thickness of less than 210mm. While post-construction noise verification systems have been implemented, incentives are provided, and construction companies are developing new technologies, these measures do not apply to completed apartments. The government has announced its support for noise-reducing mats for existing homes, but this may not be a fundamental solution and raises questions about its effectiveness.

 

Additionally, practical considerations about the types of floor noise are needed. According to existing regulations, sounds such as barking dogs, animal activities, loud quarrels, noise from boilers, refrigerators, air conditioning units outdoors, subwoofers, kitchen cooking, exercise equipment, vacuum cleaners, and massage devices (excluding friction, impact, and striking sounds) are not considered floor noise. Therefore, resolving these noise problems often involves only dialogue or legal action.

 

The issue of noise between floors should no longer be ignored. Practical and effective solutions need to be established, requiring cooperation between residents, construction companies, and the government. Efforts should be made to resolve floor noise conflicts and improve the quality of life for apartment residents.