Soundproofing a Rented Flat — What Tenants Can Do

Written by our acoustic insulation specialist — 15+ years experience. About our experts.

In our experience, tenants in rented flats face a frustrating situation: they have noise problems, but they cannot make structural changes. The good news is that acoustic underlay is one of the most effective improvements you can make — and it is fully reversible.

What Tenants Can Do Without Permission

Laying acoustic underlay under a new floor finish is generally considered a reversible improvement. Our 3mm rubber underlay is the most popular option for tenants — it is affordable, easy to install, and can be rolled up and taken when you move. For serious noise problems, the 6mm version at 74dB provides significantly better results.

What to Check With Your Landlord

Always check your tenancy agreement before making any floor changes. Most landlords will permit replacing carpet with laminate + acoustic underlay, but always get written permission. Explain that the acoustic underlay is a noise reduction measure — landlords generally welcome this.

Managing Expectations

Acoustic underlay significantly reduces impact noise (footsteps) — you will notice the difference. Airborne noise (voices through walls) is harder to address without structural work. For most rented flat situations, our 6mm underlay will provide meaningful improvement at reasonable cost.

Browse our acoustic underlay range or contact our experts for a free recommendation.