The Common-Law Right to Quiet Enjoyment should be expanded to a literal right to quiet in one’s home

Summary

The right to quiet enjoyment is a centuries-old common-law doctrine stating that tenants have the right to enjoy a rental property without being disturbed unnecessarily by their landlords. Quiet enjoyment is implied in leases although some states specify this right legislatively. In 1972, the Noise Control Act established a national policy to promote an environment for all Americans free from noise that jeopardizes their health and welfare. Safe noise exposure levels are an average of 55 A-weighted decibels (dBA) for daytime noise and 40 dBA for nighttime noise. Unwanted daytime and evening noise from neighbors, dining and entertainment venues, sports activities, construction, factories, transportation, and data centers disrupts thought and concentration, causing unhealthful stress. Nighttime noise disrupts sleep, necessary for health and daytime function. As noise has been redefined to be unwanted and/or harmful sound, with noise being harmful for living things, the right to quiet enjoyment should be expanded to a literal right to enjoy one’s home, whether rented or owned, in peace and quiet. This may be accomplished by litigation or legislation at the local, state, or federal levels. . A quieter world would be a better and healthier world for all.