Here are the main issues:
Old Buildings
Most accommodation in the UK is in old buildings. And not designed for modern, high-density living. Today's scenario sees the 'high-density' houses built in, say, the 1930s, now subdivided into many poorly converted, even smaller (and hyper-expensive!) apartments. Old buildings handle temperatures poorly (a lot of drafts and heat-leakage in winter; lack of ventilation in summer). And because they were never intended to be apartments, you'll find tiny kitchens, lack of bathrooms, and - due to the poor quality, old, conversions: no privacy or soundproofing whatsoever.
I've lived in plenty of shares where you would have four professionals queuing desperately each morning for use of the ONE bathroom (which will inconveniently also contain the only toilet) before work. Woe betide anyone who gets sick and might need it more frequently!
A 'fully modernised' London conversion will mean the interiors, kitchen fittings etc will be upgraded. But the structure, and lack of soundproofing, will remain the same. In most period conversions it is common to hear your neighbours':
- Conversations
- Arguments
- Chopping / cooking sounds
- Television
- Music
- Washing machine
- Entertaining
- Doors and drawers being closed
- Snoring
- Walking around (especially if you are below them or somebody has wood floors)
- Sexual exploits in bed.
This constant noise pollution has been the single most stressful aspect for me and many of my friends. It can badly impact your mental and physical health. Working and commuting in London is exceptionally high-stress. You really do need to be able to relax and wind-down when you are at home. But the neighbour noise will often prevent this. Any one converted apartment can adjoin six or more others which you can hear. You would have to be very lucky to have considerate, quiet, people in all of them! (And even if you do, the high turnover of tenants in places like London means that that could change at any time!)
The Inconsiderate Culture
Western and Eastern cultures have many differences! Modern British culture, for example, is very thoughtful regarding diversity, people's human rights, support for those struggling/in need and many other good things. But this traditionally does not extend into living at home. Again, I've only really noticed this after having eight years elsewhere for comparison! It's not to say that individual people are not considerate in our homes. In previous shares I've been in, we tried to operate a 9-9 rule. This means that we don't put on music, washing machine, do repairs or make other anti-social noise before 9am or after 9pm. Just because we knew neighbours would hear all of it! But many people are either simply not aware, or believe it is their right to do as they please within their own homes. Including playing loud music or TV, and having loud parties. This, in the UK's non-soundproofed, poor quality housing - is highly problematic! Bass and sub-woofer (both very popular in the UK, and obviously not even in existence when these old properties were built!) can carry down an entire row of subdivided, old houses. As a musician friend of mine pointed out, residential housing is simply not equipped to deal with bass. And if it is old, flimsy residential housing too....
There are no operational authorities in places like London to deal with neighbour noise. The under-resourced police are trying to handle shootings and stabbings; and a couple of decades ago, they handed neighbour disturbance responsibility to the equally under-resourced local councils (who in reality can do nothing - as many of us have discovered). People in the UK generally do not abide by laws in the way people might in some Asian countries - not least because authorities are so ill-equipped to enforce them! Modern condos with their own security or block-management are almost non-existent in London. The only option is to try to confront the neighbours yourself. And even if done very tactfully, this often gets an aggressive or rebellious reaction with volume being turned UP, just to spite you. Because Westerners generally don't like being told what to do.
Alcohol can also play a key role here (and recreational drugs, which are also common). If people are drunk, it is less likely they'll be aware of the noise they're making. In some cases it is dangerous to approach noisy neighbours. So a vast percentage of noise just persists. If you rent, the trick is to never sign a long-term lease, and always have a get-out clause. Just in case the noise is unbearable after you move in!
In two of my homes in APAC, I did suffer noise disturbance, but it was not the norm. (I lived in a whole host of quiet homes during my eight years!) The instances in Asia were 1) a location where it turned out boy-racers would speed their Ferraris at night (not neighbours, per se) and 2) an actual powerful, gang-related resident, who the block management were unable to control (though they did try). Aside from having block management, or also security in some cases, most housing in SE Asian cities is also modern, and purpose-built / insulated. And often with rooms or outdoor space away from the apartments, for people to practice musical instruments, or have parties etc if they want to. Parties are closed down at 10pm, to allow other residents to sleep. And if you want to celebrate late, or have loud music, people will go out to a bar or club to do it. But aside from all this 'design', the cultures I lived amongst simply were not into playing sub-woofer, getting drunk, or having loud parties at home. It's just not the deal. And anyone who tried to do the above would immediately be shut down by complaining neighbours - as the general vibe was that it's obstructing others' rights to peace and quiet if you do it! (Some friends and I were shut down from even having a quiet BBQ-side chat one night - because it was disturbing some of our neighbours from their sleep. Our reaction: An apology and immediately quieting down. Not pump up the volume to spite them!)
The combo of culture and poor quality housing in the UK is a high stress one. And something I pitied my London friends having to endure, as soon as I moved overseas! In the UK, period homes have gained a reputation (perhaps developed cleverly by real estate agents?) of being 'characterful' and therefore more desirable.. . But however beautiful your apartment might look, if you can't use the toilet, get peace, sleep or relax when you need to, it isn't even really a 'home'. AND on top of rent, your costs for heating will rocket as so much is lost through old structures. There is no longer any appeal for me! If I have to stay longer in London, I hope to rent an apartment in one of the city's very rare, modern condominiums. It's unfashionable, but you can't put a price on having peace and privacy at home!
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| A typical London terrace. These old houses will now have been subdivided into many small flats! |
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