Check road and rail noise before you buy
A viewing at eleven on a weekday won’t tell you what the road sounds like at rush hour, or whether freight trains run at night. Government noise maps model road and rail noise across the country.
Free to start with a postcode. No account needed. See an example report.
How to check noise at a property
Check the noise maps
The full report gives the modelled road and rail noise at the address from the government’s strategic noise maps.
Understand the numbers
Noise maps use Lden: an average over 24 hours in decibels, with evening and night-time noise weighted more heavily because it’s more disturbing.
Visit at different times
Go back at a busy time, such as rush hour, and in the evening. Listen with the windows open and closed.
Ask about what the maps don’t cover
Flight paths, pubs, schools, businesses and neighbours aren’t in road and rail maps. Ask the seller about disputes and complaints: the property information form asks about them.
What we check
- Road noise at the addressFull report
- Rail noise at the address (England and Scotland)Full report
Coverage: England and Scotland: road and rail. Wales: road noise near major roads. Aircraft and neighbour noise aren’t included.
Sources: Defra strategic noise maps (Round 4); Scottish Government noise maps (Round 4), via SEPA; Welsh Government noise maps (Round 3), via DataMapWales. All data sources
Why noise matters when you buy
Noise is one of the hardest things to change after you move in, and one of the easiest to miss at a viewing. It can affect sleep, whether you use the garden, and who will want to buy from you later.
The World Health Organization recommends average road traffic noise below 53 dB Lden, and rail noise below 54 dB Lden. Many homes near main roads are above that.
Questions to ask the seller, your solicitor or surveyor
- Have there been any disputes or complaints about noise with neighbours?
- Does the noise change at night, at weekends or seasonally, such as from a nearby venue or school?
- Is the house under a flight path, or near a planned road or rail scheme?
The full report ties questions like these to what it finds at the house.
Common questions
What do the noise map figures mean?
They’re in decibels, Lden: a 24-hour average with extra weight on evening and night. Each 10 dB increase sounds roughly twice as loud.
Are noise maps measured?
No. They’re modelled from traffic, roads and buildings, so they’re a guide. Visiting at different times tells you how it sounds in practice.
Do the maps cover every road?
They cover main roads and railways, and busier roads in larger towns and cities. A quiet street may not be mapped, which usually means traffic there is light.
Official records, not advice. We never score properties or tell you whether to buy. Check a postcode