Pravozhil.com > Housing and communal services issues > Neighbors > Noisy neighbors > Time allowed for apartment renovations by law for apartment buildings
The topic of repair and restoration work in apartment buildings is quite pressing, especially with regard to the time required for repairs in an apartment according to the law.
Unlike private houses, the apartment is located surrounded by other people's property. Its owners may have their own opinion about how much time for repairs in an apartment should be allocated for such work.
Complaints from neighbors can not only make the owner nervous during the renovation of the apartment, but also lead to fines and even contribute to his eviction.
Before making repairs in an apartment building, individuals and organizations should learn some standards. For example, the allowable time for repairs in an apartment according to the law. And also read the accompanying documents containing the rules for carrying out repairs in apartment buildings.
Silence laws in Russia
The rules for carrying out repairs in an apartment building are determined by the following federal laws:
- The Constitution of the Russian Federation, which guarantees its citizens the realization of the rights to a healthy ecological environment (Article 42).
- Federal Law No. 7 (on environmental protection) - requires government bodies to develop and approve standards for permissible loads on the human body (Articles 25, 55).
- Federal Law No. 52, which is unofficially called the “law on silence.” According to the requirements of Art. 23 residential premises must comply with standard regulations. If such compliance is not identified, then people cannot live in the premises.
Thus, the law on apartment repairs is a set of regulations that formulate rules for carrying out work that are safe for humans.
Acceptable noise level
Federal laws define basic rights, obligations, restrictions and prohibitions. Quantitative indicators of standards are contained in GOSTs, SanPiNs, etc. Since renovations in apartments are accompanied by noise, standards for sound exposure to the body are in demand.
Such information is contained in sanitary standards 2.2.4/2.1.8.562-96.
During the day, a maximum sound exposure level of 55 dB is allowed for residential premises. At night this threshold becomes even lower - 45 dB. At the same time, the time interval of the concept “night” is established. This period lasts from 11 pm to 7 am.
The impact of sounds depends not only on their strength, but also on their duration. Since long-term exposure to sound waves is more dangerous than short-term exposure, there are standards for this category of exposure. In the daytime, such noise can be no more than 40, and at night - 30 dB.
The following examples can be given:
- a car engine produces a sound of 40 dB;
- vacuum cleaner - 40 dB or more;
- jet noise - 140 dB;
- working with a hammer drill produces noise above 110 dB;
- The drill does not drill as loudly as a hammer drill, producing a sound of 90 dB.
Thus, using a hammer drill during repairs produces almost the same noise as a jet airplane. So the renovations carried out in residential buildings concern not only the residents of the apartments, but also the organizations responsible for the sanitary well-being of citizens.
Let's sum it up
I think I clearly explained whether repairs can be done in winter. To the above, I would like to add that such work as replacing a radiator, laying parquet, installing and repairing windows in winter is quite possible. It is important to follow the technology, choose appropriate materials and strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
If you are planning a renovation with a large volume of work, it does not matter whether it starts in winter or summer. Due to its duration, it will capture all seasons.
Based on the information received, everyone will make their choice when to renovate their apartment. For my part, as a practitioner, I declare: repairs in winter have the right to happen. As well as repairs in the summer.
Have questions ? Call!
Allowable time for repairs in an apartment building
Repairs accompanied by noise cannot be done at night, that is, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. However, these universal indicators need clarification. Noisy repairs cannot be carried out on weekends and holidays. The paradox of the situation is that no one prohibits noisy feasts, although screams and music can be louder than any perforator.
The rules governing repairs at different periods differ depending on the specifics of regional regulations.
Legislators in the constituent entities of the federation can tighten the requirements, but they cannot change the main thing - the maximum permissible decibel values and the periods of day and night time.
Moscow and Moscow region
The Moscow region has its own law on silence. It has a number of significant differences from the standards of other regions. On weekdays, the time when noisy work is allowed is limited to the period from 9 to 13 hours and from 15 to 21. On weekends, it is allowed to make noise 1 hour longer, i.e. up to 22 hours.
On Saturday you can make noise if it is related to emergency measures to ensure the safety of people. For example, loud noises will not break the law if emergency work is being carried out.
A distinctive feature of the Moscow law on silence is the permission to carry out repairs without restrictions in houses commissioned in the last 1.5 years. The only requirement in this case is to maintain silence at night, i.e. from 23 to 7 o'clock. You can drill and knock on holidays and weekends. This regime can suit everyone, since in a new house you always have to add, change and finish something.
Regions
Regional authorities have the right to issue their own laws, provided there are no contradictions with federal legislation. The main condition for maintaining silence is the period of night time, established throughout Russia from 11 pm to 7 am.
The variety of restrictions adopted within the framework of regional legislation boils down to the requirements:
- carry out some actions at the approved time (garbage removal, delivery of building materials);
- take a break during work that lasts all day;
- stop working on weekends and holidays.
In some regions, repair work is allowed on Saturdays. However, Sunday is everywhere a day when all people should rest in peace and quiet.
Regional legislation cannot reduce the length of night time. However, many federal subjects consider it necessary to increase the time interval for a complete ban on loud sound. In many regions, a rotary hammer, drill and hammer are allowed to be turned on no earlier than 9 am. Loud work must be completed no later than 21:00. And this is fair, since at this time parents put their children to bed.
Features of renovation in new buildings
New residential buildings in legal documents mean houses and apartments that have not yet been put on the market. In addition, there is a significant difference between a house that has not yet been put into operation and a house that people are moving into.
A building is recognized as residential only after it is accepted by the commission. This fact must be confirmed by issuing a cadastral passport and assigning a cadastral number. Until then, the future house is not considered residential, it is a construction project.
The law divides all buildings into two categories - residential and non-residential.
If people live in the building and it meets all the requirements for such premises, then the age of construction does not matter. So new homes that are put into use are subject to all laws that protect people from exposure to loud noises.
However, at the regional level, decisions are made on the permissibility of repairs in new houses in the first years after their occupancy. In order to know their rights and responsibilities, residents of new buildings need to familiarize themselves with a set of regulations at the federal and local levels.
Other requirements for construction work in apartments
When repair work is carried out in residential buildings, problems arise not only with loud sounds. Odors and welding work have a negative impact on people. Restrictions on work are also associated with the need to ventilate the premises when, for example, using paint. By nightfall, people must have time to ventilate the premises, so painting work can only be done during the day.
If the neighbors of the apartment being renovated consider that the air in the house is too polluted with dust and toxic fumes, then work should be stopped at least for a while. Otherwise, the SES will stop them forever.
Rule 7: Avoid Wet Areas
It is prohibited to move any wet area, be it a toilet, a bathroom or a kitchen sink, that is, it will not be possible to officially formalize such a redevelopment. This prohibition is due to the fact that wet areas are designed with special additional safety measures for neighbors below (to prevent water from leaking). But there are some exceptions:
- if the bathroom (or other wet area) is supposed to be expanded due to non-residential premises : a corridor or storage room;
- non-residential premises are located on the ground floor;
- the apartment is located on the first floor;
- apartment on two levels.
How to deal with noisy neighbors?
Noise from repairs is always temporary. It will end when the work is completed. However, neighbors are not always ready to endure repairs just out of respect for this creative process.
If the drill and hammer work for the entire permitted time from 7 to 23, then the nerves of the most patient people will lose their nerve.
You can deal with noisy neighbors using:
- persuasion and agreements;
- statements to the police;
- appeals to the SES;
- appeals to court.
In order for the fight for silence to be effective, it is better to join forces with neighbors who also do not like prolonged repairs and loud sounds.
Peaceful settlement
The peaceful way to solve a problem ends where complaints to official authorities begin. In order for negotiations to achieve the desired result, you need to:
- use constructive arguments (reference to the law, request not to disturb a sick person, etc.);
- make a collective visit;
- ask 3 times not to make noise, and then bring the owner of the noisy apartment a statement to the SES or the police for review.
But it’s better to come to an agreement, because polite requests, supported by arguments, have a better effect on people than loud scandals, threats and screams.
Call the police
It is necessary to resort to this measure if noisy neighbors do not heed requests, behave aggressively and clearly break the law.
The police should also be called in a situation where a loud renovation smoothly turns into a noisy feast.
In case of emergency, the call is made by calling the duty station. If the situation is protracted, it is better to call the local inspector. He can warn the rowdies that violations are not acceptable, and then make several visits to check compliance with the laws.
Drawing up an application to the district police officer
The application can be submitted to the SES, police or court. Special requirements for the form are imposed only when drawing up statements of claim. The remaining documents are drawn up in a standard form: header (to whom and from whom), content (statement of the event and requests to take action), signature and date.
Amount of fine for violations
Fines are provided for in Art. 6.3 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. In order for the culprits to be punished, it is necessary to record the noise level. This is done with the help of devices that special services have.
Calling SES officers is not always convenient. Its representatives may come at a time when repair work is suspended. The most common way to establish silence with the help of the Code of Administrative Offenses is a collective statement by residents that loud repairs are being carried out in such and such an apartment, for example, on Sunday. The basis for punishment may also be operating the hammer drill for too long on weekdays.
Fines for noise pollution include:
- for individuals - 100-500 rubles;
- for legal entities - 10,000-20,000 rubles;
- for officials and entrepreneurs without the formation of a legal entity - 500-1000 rubles.
The category of penalties also includes suspension of the organization’s activities for up to 90 days.
Rule 5. Think about what to do with construction waste
Another problem that is a frequent contentious topic between neighbors is construction waste. It should be clarified here that the waste generated during repairs must be divided into two types:
- Bulky waste includes furniture, old equipment, etc. Such waste must be disposed of either at special sites equipped near standard bins, or in special bins, which should be located in each district (clause 11 of Government Decree No. 1156 of November 12, 2016). Such waste is removed by the regional MSW management operator in accordance with a standard agreement (clause 7.1 of GOST R 56195-2014).
- The second type is construction waste itself : finishing materials, packaging, dismantled parts, doors, plumbing fixtures, etc. Such waste should never be thrown into standard bins, otherwise it will result in a fine of up to two thousand rubles (Article 8.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation) . Construction waste must be removed by a specialized organization at the expense of the citizen carrying out the repairs.
Expert recommendations
Renovating an apartment building is a troublesome and worrying phenomenon both for the owner of the apartment being renovated and for his neighbors. Both sides need to be tactful here.
The person who started the renovation should remember that people need to be given rest. To do this, take breaks from loud activities every 2-3 hours. Start noisy work no earlier than 10 a.m. and finish no later than 8 p.m. In this mode, it will be possible to avoid the anger of neighbors and statements to the authorities.
Advice for those living next to an apartment being renovated is not just to be patient. If you understand that the renovation will be thorough and long, and you have special circumstances, pay a visit to a noisy apartment and agree on a time of silence. A person will not please all his neighbors, but with properly conducted negotiations, it may be possible to resolve the issue of a work schedule that will suit the most restless neighbors.
Do you have noisy neighbors?
Useful tips
Usually, the performance of those works that are then hidden under the performance of others is called “hidden work” in construction. Their implementation must be recorded in great detail by special acts. These are generally accepted measures in construction practice.
Of course, builders will in any case claim that you are delaying them with your inspections. You just need to be tough. Both you and the builders should be aware that the schedule indicates the dates for any work that must be completed, for example, July 27th. Your arrival in the evening of the same day will not delay the builders in any way. Only in this case will responsibility be placed on you. You should never be late for inspections, much less postpone them. If you do this, the builders' claims will be justified.
But it also happens that in some cases, construction work is completed somewhat earlier than the deadlines indicated in the schedule, and it happens the other way around, sometimes it’s a little delayed. In such cases, the foreman or foreman must notify you in advance so that you can reschedule the inspection to another day. Only here you need to understand in detail the reasons for missing deadlines. What will builders do if they are behind schedule in order to complete the project on time? And won’t all this come at the expense of quality?
True, I can reassure you to some extent. Just the fact that you will pay close attention to their work will save you in most cases from a large number of problems.
