LISBON (Reuters) – The construction site in front of the suburban apartment of Brazilian journalist Giuliana Miranda in Lisbon did not bother her much – until things started at a distance and the drilling noise drowned the people interviewed on Zoom. He soon moved out of the house.
But luck was against her. Just before homework became mandatory again last month, two of her eight neighbors in the new building began renovating their apartments. Two more have started since then.
“The construction site was allowed by the council to start at 7 in the morning and to work on Saturday as well. I moved because of the noise, “she said by phone. “But … now, the new building also has four people renovating their apartments!”
A new line of legislation in a decree passed on Thursday, extending Portugal’s national closure for another two weeks, could finally bring peace to Miranda and others who are struggling to concentrate when neighbors hit walls and break floors.
According to the decree, the government may impose limits on decibel levels in residential buildings during the working day, so as not to disturb distant workers. Currently, construction can take place from 8 am to 8 pm during the week, with some projects receiving a license to work on weekends.
The government did not respond to a request for more details on its plans.
Hugo Fernandes, a 44-year-old musician who said he suffered from the noise caused by renovating the building next door for more than two years, has high hopes.
“A new rule could change things. We have complained to the council before, to no avail, “Fernandes said. “It’s unbearable and, as a musician working from home, it’s impossible.”
However, gaps in the legislation could leave those struggling with the noise of construction work outside their building out of luck. The rule states that noise levels inside a building must be regulated – it does not specify whether street noise can be stopped.
But for companies engaged in renovation work inside apartments, the legislation could pose a problem – especially if it is open, said Ricardo Gomes, head of the Portuguese Construction Company Association.
“There will be short-term damage to the sector, yes – but the real question is, how long will these rules last?” Gomes said. “COVID will end, but the remote operation will not. Like everything that is imposed in a state of emergency, these rules must be limited. ”
Reporting by Victoria Waldersee; Edited by Alex Richardson