Noisy Neighbours
Everyone is entitled to reasonable enjoyment of their home and
garden.
A reasonable expectation:
- to have an undisturbed nights sleep from noise
- to be protected from significant loss of amenity due to
noise
- not to hear someone elses excessive noise in their property on
a regular basis
Excessive noise can reduce someone’s quality of life and in
extreme cases can affect their health.
Being a good neighbour
This usually involves a certain degree of “live and let live”.
Most of us will accept a bit of noise now and then especially
people who live in properties with an adjoining wall. However
persistent disturbance from neighbours is annoying, irritating,
disturbing and causes bad neighbour relations.
The timing and length of disturbances often cause anxiety, lack
of sleep and prevent people from being able to enjoy their own
house and garden. If you have spoken to your neighbour on a number
of occasions and the noise carries on regardless you may feel as
though you have nowhere to turn. If the noise is this bad it may be
a statutory nuisance (a prolonged and serious problem causing
regular disturbance to neighbours).
Do you have noisy neighbours?
Most noise complaints received by our team relate to loud
music and dog barking. If you are in this situation we
are here to help. We are independent and assess the
situation based on circumstances which an ordinary reasonable
person would tolerate.
For complaints about council tenants these should be directed to
the Housing Team on 01233 330688 and ask to speak to the housing
manager for your area.
If we investigate and find a statutory nuisance is being caused we
have a duty to serve an abatement notice. Failure to comply
with an abatement notice can lead to a fine of up to £5000 and can
include permanent seizure of all noise making equipment including
Hi-fi, TV, CD’s etc.
Be considerate so neighbours don’t complain
about you!
Slamming Doors
This is an increasing area for complaint but is difficult for
Officers to witness.
If your neighbour has complained about the door slamming,
check whether there is a problem with the door.
- If it is wood maybe it’s swollen and needs weather protection
when it has dried out.
- If it’s double-glazed then pull the handle down and pull the
door towards you or close it carefully rather than slamming it
shut. It’s common sense really.
Complaints often include slamming kitchen cupboard doors.
If they have strong springs consider putting in a felt pad to stop
the doors from dropping closed and close them carefully.
Put door closers on internal doors to prevent them closing
completely or turn the door handle or knob when closing doors.
Shouting
- Is it really necessary to shout?
- Do you really want the whole neighbourhood to know you’re
having a row?
- Consider the volume of your voice. In properties with poor
sound insulation neighbours can hear you.
- Avoid slamming doors and thundering up and down stairs as this
causes stress to neighbours.
Television
Check the volume when changing channels as some, particularly
the music channels, can sound quite a lot louder than speech
channels when on the same volume.
- Don’t have surround sound speakers fitted to party walls.
- Turn the volume down late at night as noise carries more at
night when everything else is quieter.
This webpage was updated on
12/21/2011