LISBON (Reuters) – The construction site outside Brazilian journalist Giuliana Miranda’s apartment in Lisbon didn’t bother her much – until remote work began and the drilling noise drowned out her interviewees on Zoom. She soon moved.
But luck was against her. Just before working from home became mandatory again last month, two of her eight neighbors in the new building began renovating their apartments. Since then, two more have started.
“The construction site had permission from the council to start at 7 am, and also on Saturday. I moved because of the noise, ”she said over the phone. “But … now there are also four people in the new building renovating their apartments!”
A new line of legislation in a decree passed on Thursday extending Portugal’s rural lockdown for an additional two weeks may finally bring peace to Miranda and others struggling to focus when neighbors banging on walls and floors tear apart.
Under the decree, the government can set limits on decibel levels in residential buildings during the working day, so as not to disturb remote workers. Currently, building can be done from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, with some projects being licensed to work on weekends.
The government did not respond to a request for more details about its plans.
Hugo Fernandes, a 44-year-old musician who said he has been bothered by the noise from renovation work in the adjacent building for over two years, has high hopes.
“A new rule can change things. We’ve filed a complaint with the council before, but to no avail, ”said Fernandes. “It’s unbearable and as a musician who works from home it’s just impossible.”
Still, loopholes can leave those struggling with noise from construction work outside their building out of luck. The rule states that noise levels in a building must be regulated – it does not specify whether noise from the street can be stopped.
But for companies hired to do apartment renovation work, the legislation can pose a problem, especially if it is open-ended, said Ricardo Gomes, head of the Portuguese Association of Construction Companies.
“There will be short-term damage to the industry, yes – but the real question is, how long would such rules last?” Gomes said. “COVID stops, but doesn’t work remotely. Like anything imposed in a state of emergency, these rules should be limited. “
Reporting by Victoria Waldersee; Editing by Alex Richardson