Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello,
I wonder if anyone else has experience in finding suitable housing for autistic adults? I live alone in a property on a busy road next to a pub so you can imagine what life is like for me given that I suffer with noise and coping with this is a struggle. I long for a more private and quiet place to live but finding this is hard as people struggle to understand my needs. I am fully aware that we have a housing crisis and am happy to have a roof over my head but long term, it is bad for my health and peace of mind. I would love a shipping container in the countryside but doubt this will be allowed. In short, I just wish to be safe and secure and to be allowed to be me. That is quiet and happy to be absorbed in a book or working on my 1976 Land Rover or watching Ice Pilots NWT with out being disturbed by screaming and shouting from the street. Could the NAS campaign on housing I wonder?
not sure if you are private landlord or housing association but housing associations will nearly always allow a tenant to soundproof their home and its possible a private landlord would. If you cant afford the cost of soundproofing you might be able to get a community care grant from council. Not sure of exact criteria to get a grant but tenant must intend on staying in house for 5 years. I'm hopeful I can get a room soundproofed asap because I have some crazy meltdowns when things get too loud. As you say any roof over your head is a bonus these days BUT how much better things would be without any noise
As someone who soundproofed a party wall of my former house I can tell you it is a costly and pretty complicated undertaking. Even more costly if you pay someone/a company to do the work.
I built the thickest independent stud wall (in effect, a new wall which was not attached to the party wall) recommended, added very thick rock wool, used genie clips and furring channels (to further improve isolation), added 15mm thick acoustic plasterboard, added an acoustic membrane, added a second layer of 15mm plasterboard and used acoustic sealant. Yes, the soundproofing did make a difference - in that one room. I would have needed to do the same upstairs and, possibly, soundproof the upstairs flooring, to make a difference upstairs. And this was just protecting myself from noise coming from one direction (my selfish neighbours).
Windows are not easy to soundproof. Neither are doors. Then you may have to consider the ceiling. Noise will find a way through even the smallest of gaps. Have a look at https://www.ikoustic.co.uk/ or https://www.soundstop.co.uk/ to get an idea of what is involved. The more noise the more soundproofing required.
I agree that things would be so much better without noise and it is an issue I struggle with.
I wish you both luck.