That seems eminently sensible and well-researched. However, I’m still drawn to the basic by-law that says you can’t disturb the peaceful enjoyment of another’s lot.
I met someone the other day whose building has a by-law that simply says flooring noise insulation may not be any less effective than carpet with top quality underlay. As a result, they don’t have any timber floors in their units.
I don’t see that this is necessarily a bad thing – we simply have no legal or moral right to inflict noise on our neighbours just so we can have a magazine supplement lifestyle. If that’s what people want, pay the money for proper insulation or go and live in a house – don’t expect others to satisfy your fashion needs by putting up with your noise.
I also feel sorry for owners who are misled by flooring salesmen and the OFT’s lack of clear direction on this into thinking they can just chuck a floor down and their neighbours can’t do anything about it. That’s a big expense in the cost of the floor, plus the legal costs in having it removed and the social cost of having neighbours at each other’s throats.
JimmyT