Mandatory noise classification for residential properties offered for sale or rent in Luxembourg

Public petition n°4005

Petitioner: Elena-Ivona Stănică

This petition is available in other languages:

The issue: Currently, Luxembourg has a technical standard for building acoustics (ILNAS 103-1:2022), but it is voluntary . As a result: Apartments advertised as "quiet" or "peaceful" have no legal definition Tenants cannot verify noise levels before signing a contract Disputes over noise have no objective standard for resolution Consumers are misled with no legal recourse What Luxembourg already does: Luxembourg already recognizes noise as a serious health issue. In July 2023, Parliament unanimously passed a law providing up to EUR16,000 per house and EUR8,000 per apartment for insulation against Findel Airport noise . In June 2025, the government launched a public consultation on national noise action plans for road, rail, air, and urban noise, transposing EU Directive 2002/49/CE . However, these measures only address airport noise and environmental mapping. There is still no requirement to disclose noise levels to tenants before they rent an apartment. This petition fills that gap. The proposal: We request the Chamber of Deputies to establish a mandatory noise classification system for all residential properties, similar to existing energy performance certificates. This proposal would complement ILNAS 103-1:2022 and could be integrated into the amended Law of 18 December 2023 on consumer protection. Classification scale: A+: 0-10 dB - Virtually silent A: 10-15 dB - Very quiet, peaceful B: 15-35 dB - Quiet, peaceful C: 35-45 dB - Moderate D: 45-55 dB - Noisy E: 55-65 dB - Very noisy F: >65 dB - Loud Measurement requirements and cost: All noise measurements shall be taken using a sound level meter that complies with IEC 61672-1 standards Devices shall meet at least Class 2 accuracy (±1.5 dB), with Class 1 devices recommended for dispute resolution Professional-grade Class 2 devices are commercially available from EUR196.90, making certification affordable and accessible for any qualified professional Measurements must be accompanied by a valid calibration certificate issued within the last 2 years, or basic field calibration verified by the professional The device must support A and C frequency weighting and fast/slow time weighting Measurements shall be taken during peak traffic hours (weekdays 7:00-9:00 and 17:00-19:00) and nighttime (22:00-7:00) The final classification shall reflect the highest measured level during these periods Measurements must be taken at representative locations inside the dwelling Key measures: Mandatory certificate before any sale or rental, issued by a qualified professional (architects, engineers, and technicians accredited by ILNAS or holding recognized acoustic certification) Valid for 5 years, showing measured noise levels and classification For buildings constructed before 2020, the certificate shall disclose measured levels without requiring minimum class; full classification applies to new constructions and major renovations "Quiet" in advertising must mean Class B or better, misrepresentation subject to penalties Tenant remedies when actual noise differs from certificate: right to terminate contract, claim rent reduction, or seek compensation Enforcement by ILNAS or Consumer Protection Directorate, with fines of EUR1,000-EUR25,000 for violations Cost of certificate borne by property owner, tax-deductible as property expense 3-year transition period before law takes effect Integration with MyGuichet.lu for easy upload with rental contracts and sales deeds

Why this is in the general interest: Noise is the second leading cause of environmental health problems after air pollution, affecting over 50,000 people in Luxembourg as "severely annoyed" and causing documented cardiovascular disease Luxembourg already maps environmental noise under EU Directive 2002/49/CE, but this information is not shared with tenants The 2023 airport noise law proves Parliament is willing to act on noise, this petition simply extends that protection to all tenants, not just those near the airport A mandatory certificate would give all citizens equal access to information about their living environment It would create objective standards for disputes, reducing court caseloads It follows the successful model of energy certificates, already accepted by the public and professionals The cost of certification is minimal (EUR196.90 for a device that can certify hundreds of apartments) and comparable to existing energy performance certificates Compliance with EU law: This proposal complies with and exceeds the minimum requirements of EU Directive 2019/771, which allows member states to adopt stronger consumer protections. Alternative if full system is not feasible: At minimum, we request mandatory disclosure of measured noise levels (in decibels) for all advertised properties, without full classification. Consultation: We request that before finalizing the law, the government and the Chamber of Deputies consult with tenant associations, landlord representatives, acoustic professionals, and consumer protection organizations.