Seller trooubled by aircraft noise, what to do!

[WickyStizard]

We are in process of buying a house that sits under a holding stack for a major airport. The stack is used when the airport is busy. At the moment, the airport is not busy.
It is therefore very difficult to get a sense of how noisy the aircraft might be during a stack situation. Our due dil on local area, by asking a couple of hundred locals is that 98% have never considered aircraft noise to be an issue. However, research shows our seller has in the past considered it an issue to the point of complaining to local press.

[whatnow41]

We're in a flight path but about 10 miles out from the airport. Been here 5 years and when they shift to summer timetables every year it take me about 4 months to stop waking up at 5.10am every morning with the first flight taking off. I do get used to it, then it stops over winter but back again from April. Hate it.

[notimagain]

If aircraft noise at an airport is a concern then a house's location relative to final approach tracks and departure tracks is probably much relevant than where it is relative to a hold ("stack")..

Reason being the bottom altitude of most holds (stacks) around the UK is usually several thousand feet, a lot higher than aircraft are when they on final approach to the runway...hence the pps comment about noise at "east sheen, mortlake snd large parts of Richmond." - they are nowhere near any of the Heathrow holds.

[gotanygrapesduck]

@MrsMoastyToasty

I currently live under the approach path for Bristol airport. I also grew up within half a mile from the runway where Concorde was built. My theme tune to my childhood was Concorde, Red Arrows doing sir displays over our home, helicopters and Cessna /other light aircraft being used for flying lessons.

We must have lived in the same area at the same time. We went to that runway last year, it's well worth a visit now.

[LadyFlumpalot]

You get used to noises really quickly. I've always seemed to live by railway lines and I don't notice train noise at all anymore, even at a relatives house where a main train line runs by the end of the small garden.

I do notice people noise badly though as I've lived in quiet countryside for years.

I also remember the Concorde noise from growing up in Reading. It was about 10:50am every day if I remember rightly?

[blacktop]

I suppose I was thinking that by asking, and seller denying or confirming the case then if, in future it does cause an issue ie. if trying to sell etc. or airport traffic changes to such an extent that we are majorly disturbed then we would have covered ourselves by asking and having statement from previous owner.

This makes no sense. What's a statement from the previous owner going to do for you if you are disturbed by an increase in air traffic? If you are trying to sell then your buyer has the same option as you do now, but it or don't buy it.

Which airport is it? You say traffic isn't busy just now but some U.K. airports are not particularly busy anyway. A lot of airlines have gone bust in recent years and many many destinations cancelled.

Personally I wouldn't buy under a stack, but I don't need the seller to tell me I wouldn't like it.

[MrsMoastyToasty]

I currently live under the approach path for Bristol airport. I also grew up within half a mile from the runway where Concorde was built. My theme tune to my childhood was Concorde, Red Arrows doing sir displays over our home, helicopters and Cessna /other light aircraft being used for flying lessons.

[allfalldown47]

I think the pollution would put me off rather than the noise!

[itsgettingweird]

@Fuss

I live next to a dual carriageway. There is a bit of a wood between us and it, but it's still audible road noise.

When we viewed this house the tenant (who didn't want to leave) had every window and door open wide to try and exacerbate the noise . It didn't work.

You get used to the sound, and to be perfectly honest it's more noticeable when it's not there, days like Christmas day or if the carriageway is closed. We cant hear it at all with the windows closed.

I'm like that with the trains running behind our back garden.

I always wonder what's happening when they aren't running. I only 'hear' them when they aren't here

[Aridane]

Note to self: hit refresh before posting

[Vodkacranberryplease]

Honestly I lived under the Heathrow flight path for a while. It was just awful. Planes literally every few seconds. I did NOT get used to the noise and family that live in Richmond are NOT used to the noise.

It really is dreadful. And you won't know till too late as it's nearly impossible to find out. If you post the exact area on MN you might be able to find out. I can confidently tell you that east sheen, mortlake snd large parts of Richmond are unbearable. Lovely but not for those who don't like the sound of planes from 5am to late at night.

[Aridane]

Our due dil on local area, by asking a couple of hundred localssorry - you interviewed a couple if hindred locals?!?

[lifesalongsong]

I spent part of my childhood under a flight path, I disagree that you don't notice it after a while, I never got to the stage where I didn't register every time a plane went over. I wouldn't ever buy a house directly under a flight path unless the planes were several 1000ft high when they went over.

How far out is the house?

[EvilPea]

I think it writes off the whole area rather than the house if your potentially bothered by it

[torpidcrystals]

We live in Cornwall and were under the flight path for Concord. She shook the house each evening as she broke the sound barrier coming back towards London. You could set your watch by listening for the sonic boom

@cautiouscovidity About 11am and 2pm on the way out?

[torpidcrystals]

@WickyStizard

Obviously this set off alarm bells, but also is potentially down to sellers individual needs and concerns for peaceful living. We are comfortable that the aircraft noise will not adverseley impact on our life.
However, I'm not sure how to approach this with solicitor - should we be asking the seller if Aircraft noise impacts the property, knowing that if here response is negative, that she is lying? Or should we just leave it as we have decided it shouldn't cause us issue. How would you approach the situation! Thanks.

If you have decided that it won't bother you then what does it matter what the seller thinks? If she says no and you decide she is lying then what are you going to do about it?

I'm surprised that you know 100 people in an area that you don't even live in to ask about the aeroplane noise, I can't think of any area where I didn't live where I'd know 100 people where I wouldn't live close enough to know if it was problem with aircraft noise. Either way, it's obvious that you are going to hear the planes if you are anywhere near Heathrow; it's not a quiet activity is it? You can be 20 miles out and still be under the flight path.

[Hmmph]

Bear in mind that the 98% of locals who don’t mind the noise are the ones who haven’t moved away...

[filka]

I remember one time going on holiday to a friend's cottage in the Lake District. Miles from anywhere, in a little dell well off the main road, no traffic noise at all - but there was a stream running outside - deafening given the rest of the silence around us. In a way, a bit like living near a dual carriageway, but it didn't get quiet at night.

Moral of the story - it's in the eye (or ear) of the beholder. You are fully aware of the risk of the location, the price probably reflects the usual noise level, not the COVID noise level. If you buy but absolutely can't bear it, you can always sell to someone who can, and move somewhere quieter.

[Frankiemintz]

The problem is that it is a noise that would affect everyone differently. There’s a different thread on MN at the movement talking about noisy neighbours. That’s something which would really upset and annoy me. But aircraft noise, trains, cars etc don’t worry me at all. My neighbour is always complaining about the planes overhead but I hardly notice. But if I had a neighbour having noisy friends round and playing music every night in their garden I think I’d have to move house.

[NameChange657]

The only thing to consider is selling your house in future, would you? Because noise can be a deal breaker for some people. My house was priced brilliantly, because of it's location. All my neighbours agree too the noise is a non-issue. 3 bed end of terrace, with 2 gardens and an extension / downstairs bathroom added, £62,000 (live towards the North!) - since spent about £10k doing it up and making it open plan, but couldn't have done that without getting the hellish deal on it because of the road, so make sure you get a good deal on your house if you go for it.

[NameChange657]

And by just near I mean the A road is there, small hedge, my garden my house. So very close!

[NameChange657]

I live just near a very busy A road, honestly, it would put some people off but it's not bad at all, I only notice it now when theres been an accident and the noise of traffic stops. I find it like white noise and when I'm trying to sleep without it it's awful! Double glazing, sometimes triple glazing is fantastic. If you love the house, I say it's worth the gamble. I get more bother off the barking dog in the street than the traffic noise, which I think would be similar to aeroplane sounds.

[cautiouscovidity]

@minnieok

If you are aware of the possibility of noise and it doesn't bother you then there's nothing to do. The house should be priced to take account of the location. I lived under the flight path to Heathrow (6 miles out) Concorde shook the house each time! Planes have got quieter thankfully

We live in Cornwall and were under the flight path for Concord. She shook the house each evening as she broke the sound barrier coming back towards London. You could set your watch by listening for the sonic boom 😂

[ChicCroissant]

As you may be able to tell I watch too many detective / courtroom dramas and love to have a gotcha moment in my back pocket at all times

This is real life though. You know it's under a stack. If you are worried about it, it's not the house for you.

If to buy the house - and feel good about it - you need to set a sting to catch the previous owner out in a lie that's really daft and a total waste of your time (and potentially your money).

I don't think this is the house for you.

[MarkRuffaloCrumble]

I don’t understand why you’d want it on record that you were concerned about it in case you sell again in future? Surely you’d want to pretend like it wasnt an issue as well?!

[newtb]

We used to live 12 miles from an airport that had an additional runway built. You couldn't hear someone on the phone when a plane went over. Half term and end of school holidays were the worst - as soon as the noise of one faded the next was coming.

When we sold only 1 viewer commented on the noise.

As pp have said you can't double glaze outside.