TL;DR
This blog post aims to provide practical solutions to freelancers facing noisy neighbours and renovation sounds while working from homes.
With livelihoods at stake, it is imperative to protect work productivity and mental health.
As freelancers living in Singapore, we often choose the cost-effective option of working from home so we can optimise our finances. Living in high-rise homes such as HDBs and private apartments, it is inevitable to encounter a range of noisy productivity disruptions ranging from unexpected renovation, furniture dragging, distressed or restless pets, home deliveries, and family interruptions.
Despite the existence of housing and community living policies developed to minimise noise pollution, renovation contractors and neighbours may choose to disregard guidelines.
What we can do when the noise hits?
1. Invest in noise-cancelling headphones:
Opt for noise-cancelling headphones, either over-the-ear or in-ear with active noise cancellation (ANC), to effectively minimize disturbances. For example, a $50 over-the-ear Soundcore Q20i playing Lo-Fi music can reduce loud renovation sounds and human voices. However, note that even advanced ANC, such as in Apple Airpods Pro 2, may struggle against vibration-related sounds reverberating from adjacent apartments.
2. Adjust Work Hours:
If noise cancellation headphones are not feasible, try adjusting work hours, or performing deep thinking focused work to quieter hours in the day.
However, this may not suit those with structured routines.
3. Soundproof the home office
The effectiveness of soundproofing your home office is directly related to the budget. DIY options like heavy curtains or door seals dampen sound but struggle with concrete reverberations. Industry-grade soundproofing tiles, while effective, pose cost challenges and may induce a sense of claustrophobia and sensory deprivation.
4. Source temporary alternative workspaces for the interim:
If the noise disruption is intense but temporary, why not consider alternative workspaces?
Admittedly there will be additional expenses incurred for workspace, food and commuting. However, if you intentionally seek to optimise the public workspace experience, possible benefits from the break in routine and scenery include:
· Opportunities for collaboration
· Insights into the market and trends
· Inspired creativity
· Renewal of purpose
Explore options like public libraries, cafes, and co-working spaces that cater to different budgets. For affordable workspaces in Singapore, check out options like public libraries, budget-friendly cafes, and co-working spaces offering day passes under SGD20 such as Lionsworld ($10 per day) and Open Fields ($15).
If you have close friends or family, there is no harm asking if they can offer a space or spare room in their home. To avoid 3 consecutive days of frustration from hacking work above my home, I asked a good friend living in a nearby condominium if I could work from her couch, kitchen table or home office desk. It was also nice to have access to the swimming pool.
Read this post “Working from Home Guide: Alternative Workspace Options in Singapore for the Budget Conscious Solo” for a list of co-working spaces below SGD30.
5. Seek resolution through the law (for Singapore-based Solos)
To address prolonged noise disturbance and defend our right to a peaceful residence, we have the option to escalate the matter under local laws, specifically the Community Disputes Resolution Act (CDRA) and Protection from Harassment Act (POHA). Options include:
Calling the police.
Engaging in formal mediation services at the Community Mediation Centre (CMC): cmc.mlaw.gov.sg
Approaching the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRTs): judiciary.gov.sg
Mediation, the preferred option, incurs only a one-time $5 administrative fee with a remarkable 70%+ success rate over 20 years. To apply for mediation at the CMC:
Register via the enquiry line: Call 1800-CALL-LAW (1800-2255-529) Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Register online via SingPass.
Referral by agency (e.g., the police): Law enforcement can make a mediation referral to the CMC.
While going the legal route may result in positive outcomes, this process may be lengthy and still require additional adjustments to ensure continued productivity.
Conclusion:
Defending our productivity and mental health against environmental noise in small high-rise homes is undeniably challenging.
While there are proactive actions at our disposal to defend our personal workspace against noise disruptions, it depends on us to rise above the ruckus - to seek sustainable and acceptable outcomes that maintain harmonious relations which underpin positive mental wellbeing within a community setting.
Share this post to bring some form of relief to your fellow Solo facing the "noise cancellation" challenge at home. If you need more support on your Solo journey, join our community and Go Solo, Together!
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