[In-Depth Look] Creating Noise-Free Homes Between Floors... Regulation Alone Is Not Enough

The thumping of children, the inexplicable rattling, the noise coming from the upstairs, downstairs, and neighboring units?this is the inter-floor noise in apartment complexes. Those of us living in multi-family housing sometimes become victims and at other times perpetrators, raising our voices against each other. It has long been a serious social issue that even escalates into violent conflicts between neighbors. Complaints received by the ‘Inter-floor Noise Neighbor Center’ reached about 50,000 cases in 2021, which is five times more than in 2012. The problem seems to have worsened as people have spent more time at home due to COVID-19. How can we wisely resolve this long-standing issue?

To part ways with inter-floor noise, the most important thing is to build quieter homes. The ‘Post-Verification System for Inter-floor Noise,’ implemented from August 2022, is a system that measures the noise-blocking performance of multi-family housing before completion to encourage the construction of quieter homes than before. The noise-blocking standards have been strengthened, lowering the previous standard of 50?58 decibels (dB) to 49 dB. The method of assessment has also changed from laboratory testing to on-site standards. Since the ‘Pre-Approval System’ implemented in 2004 was limited to laboratory measurements, the newly implemented post-verification system supplements these limitations. If the noise-blocking level falls short of the standard, local governments or inspection authorities may recommend measures such as supplementary floor structure construction or compensation for excessive noise to the developers.

Meanwhile, construction companies are embracing the post-verification system for inter-floor noise as a new regulation and are fully committed to meeting the strengthened standards. Most apartments in Korea use a ‘wall-type structure,’ where walls support the floor above. Therefore, to comply with the new standards, the floor thickness must be increased, which may lead to higher sale prices. The pillar-type structure, also mentioned as a solution to inter-floor noise, similarly results in increased construction costs.

Given the structural limitations of multi-family housing where floors and walls are connected, control mechanisms to manage users who generate excessive inter-floor noise are also important. The related law (Regulations on the Scope and Standards of Inter-floor Noise in Multi-family Housing) defines two types of noise-inducing behaviors: direct impact noise caused by actions like jumping and walking, and airborne noise caused by sounds such as TV volume. According to the regulations, legal remedies for inter-floor noise damage include reporting the situation to the management office and applying for mediation through the dispute mediation committee, but these have no legal binding force. Of course, compensation claims can be made, but the civil litigation process is lengthy and compensation amounts are often small, so the practical benefit for victims may be limited. This is also why calls for stricter noise standards and higher compensation amounts are growing louder.

Korea’s inter-floor noise regulations are already among the strongest in the world. Considering that there are 13 million multi-family housing units in the country, this is a natural outcome. In Korea, where apartments hold significant economic value, this is especially inevitable. However, strong regulations alone have clear limitations in solving this complex and sensitive issue. If strong incentives are provided alongside strict regulations, construction companies will voluntarily compete to build quieter homes. Considering that the post-verification system applies only to newly sold homes, mutual understanding and consideration within communities must also accompany efforts for existing homes. As everyone dreams of a world without inter-floor noise, we hope that combined efforts will realize the small but great happiness of ‘everyone’s right to live in a quiet home.’

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Yang Hong-seok, Senior Researcher, LH Land and Housing Institute

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