Can you force a landlord to soundproof his home?

Verified 07 July 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

Yes, it is possible to require a landlord to soundproof his home under certain conditions.

As part of a condo housing, the co-owner who has deteriorated the sound insulation of his dwelling may be liable to other co-owners if this causes an abnormal neighborhood disorder.

This is the case, for example, in the presence of nuisance due to a change of floor covering (replacement of the carpet by tiles) if this change does not comply with a clause provided for in the  co-ownership rules or significantly degrades the acoustic characteristics of the building (in particular with regard to regulatory standards). In this case, the co-owner may be forced to remove the tiles for a less noisy material or perform soundproofing work.

If it is the tenant who has decided to change the flooring, it is the tenant (not the landlord) who assumes responsibility and must restore the house to its original condition.

Please note

A tenant who suffers from nuisance because the neighborhood is too noisy cannot ask the owner to soundproof the accommodation he rents. The soundproofing is not one of the decency criteria that the landlord must respect when renting a home.