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Complaining About a Noisy Neighbour

By: Thomas Muller - Updated: 27 Apr 2020 | comments*Discuss
 
Complaining About A Noisy Neighbour

Excessive noise from a neighbour can seriously damage the quality of home life, causing stress, irritation and sleep disturbance, but what is the best way to achieve a positive resolution?

Neighbour Noise

Neighbour noise can take many different forms. It could be the thumping bass of a stereo or TV, incessant shrieks of an unruly child, the reverberating stomp of heavy feet, the hammering sounds of a DIY enthusiast - the list goes on and on. However, whatever the cause, if the noise is so loud and frequent that you can’t go about your day to day life as normal – such as being woken in the night, or unable to hear your own TV – then you need to take action.

However, as good neighbourly relations are crucial to a happy home life, action should be taken with care and sensitivity to avoid making the situation worse. The best way to achieve this is to address the issue face to face with your neighbour.

First Step: Negotiation

The neighbour should be given chance to solve the problem. Many noise complaints are resolved amicably at the first step. Often the neighbour is unaware of the disturbance they are creating and feel guilty about causing any distress.

For the best chance of a harmonious resolution it is important to plan your approach beforehand and to choose the right moment. For instance, it is a bad idea to go around when you are feeling angry, or when the noise is actually happening, such as if there’s a party going on.

The Letter

However, you may find your neighbour unsympathetic to your complaints regardless of the moment. Your next step could be to write a letter informing your neighbour they are causing a problem, what it is and what you want them to do about it. This method might be employed as a first move if you don’t want to approach them, for example if you are worried they may respond with violence.

It is vital that you keep a copy of the letter. If you take up the complaint formally, this will serve as proof that you have attempted to tackle the problem yourself.

Talk to the Landlord

If the neighbour rents their home and direct communication has proven fruitless then it is worth speaking to their landlord. This may have an effect because the neighbour could be breaking the terms of their tenancy contract by causing a disturbance. The landlord might be able to sort out the problem or at least threaten the tenant with eviction if they continue to cause a nuisance.

Keep Evidence

If no resolution is forthcoming and the noise continues then it is important to keep records of the disturbance. A ‘noise diary’ will back up your complaint and could be used as evidence if the case goes to court. This should include:

  • How long the noise lasts.
  • What time it occurs.
  • How loud it is.
  • The effect it has on you.
  • Names of other people who have heard it.

It is of course difficult to ascertain how loud a particular noise is. For help with this, the Noise Abatement Society provides information about different types of noise levels.

Contact Your Local Council

If the direct negotiation fails then you should then contact your local council. Their environmental health department has a statutory duty to take reasonable steps to investigate complaints and has the power to deal with them.

A noise complaint may lead to an environmental health officer visiting your home to monitor the noise. They might even install noise monitoring equipment to measure the noise level over a period of time.

If the environmental health department deem the problem to be a serious one then they will take appropriate action. This might include mediation, a warning letter or an abatement order.

Unsatisfied With Council Investigation?

However, what happens if the health officer doesn’t agree with your complaint? As there is no set level at which noise officially becomes a nuisance, their assessment depends on their judgement, and this can vary considerably from one council to the next.

If you disagree with their assessment then there are few alternative options open. Firstly, you could try to get other neighbours to support your complaint to give it greater weight. Alternatively you could seek the help of the Local Government Ombudsman who are an independent free service with High Court dedicated to investigating complaints handled unsatisfactorily by local councils.

You might also consider taking private action. However this step should not be taken lightly – first you should seek legal advice by going to a local advice centre or by talking to the clerk of the court.

Police Intervention

If your noise complaint with your neighbour leads to harassment then the police should be contacted because they might be committing a crime.

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My boyfriend and his friend decided to rent a flat together in August 2019 and they both discussed this would be for 2-3 years, December 2019 my boyfriends friend told he was looking to buy somewhere sooner than expected, by January 2020 the friend had brought a property and told us he would be moving out of the rented flat between the 10th and 24th April. Me and my boyfriend spoke and decided I would move into the flat to help with the bills etc, therefore I have gave notice to the property I am at the moment and as of the 1st May 2020 I would be living in the rent flat with my boyfriend. My boyfriends friend hasn’t moved out of the rented flat but because they rented the flat from a friend there isn’t a tenancy agreement put in place however due to me moving in I have requested we have a tenancy agreement so there is now one that states as of 1st May 2020 myself and my boyfriend live there and we are the paying tenants. Where do we stand with my boyfriends friend as he gave us the notice he was leaving and we haven’t got it in writing and my current property think I am leaving as of 1st May.
BR94 - 27-Apr-20 @ 5:38 PM
Hi Daughter is at uni in a shared house.She works till early hours several nights a week and doesn’t always know when she is coming home.Her housemates have started locking her out if the house with a door chain so she cannot get in.What rights dies she have? Is there a way forward at all?She has tried talking to then to try and resolve this issue.
LilyKay - 20-Nov-19 @ 1:15 AM
I share a house with 5 other people, there's a guy here that always has the music loud or the TV,this time he decided to have a party here,so he brought his girlfriend and 3 other people and they came in it was 03 am and they were talking like it was day time,loud music,loud voices,he always does whatever he wants, nobody in this house complaints but this time he went too far,what can I do?
Pawnavita - 15-Sep-19 @ 4:00 AM
My son and daughter in law have two children 1 is nearly three and the other is 10 months. The baby wakes and cries and the next door neighbours two police officers bang on the walls. The female officer once came to the house to drop off a parcel and my 3 year old grandson was on a time out on the stairs, when the female officer saw him sat there she said to my daughter in law so that’s what was making the noise ( he had been having a temper tantrum). Obviously you can’t help a baby crying, what can my daughter in law do.
Gangan - 29-Jul-19 @ 8:47 PM
We have same situation with Hyde housing. Complaint for about a year had the noise detector witch didn't work properly police being involved and housing officer not doing much even our neighbour commits she is causing a lot of noise (banging slamming dropping heavy objectsloud music etc...) We are tired and hopeless we ever gonna get out of this situation witch is causing us a lot of stress sleepless nights and it's raining our day by day life
An21 - 14-Oct-18 @ 1:15 AM
Housing Association shared accommodation Hyde Housing.I have been complaining about my neighbour making noiseearly hours of the morning to my housing association for about 1 year now and they can't seem to help me
T - 9-Oct-18 @ 1:45 AM
Hello I’m having a lot of problems with my neighbour above , I have contacted you before , I’ve gone through the right steps and it’s not being sorted . My neighbour above has no carpets at all and she has a hyperactive child and she’s making the child make more noise as we’ve had mediation , but not resolved nothing ,council are involved , I’m on medication as council have a note from my docter , my health is deteriorating and I’m scared , I don’t no who to turn to now , I need help desperately but don’t know who to turn to , please can you help
Lydia - 13-Jun-18 @ 9:49 PM
@Stevoden - if you're selling your house and you have has a dispute (in the past) you have to list it.If you keep your mouth shut and the new buyer finds out there was a dispute and you never listed it, you could find yourself at the wrong end of a costly legal challenge. If you lie on the form, you're risking it. It's whether you think it's worth the risk.
IsobelI - 20-Oct-17 @ 12:30 PM
Hi, ive contacted my LA and had a warning letter sent out too my noisey neighbour. luckly the noise has gone down for 6 months but has started to creep back up again - I am giving in and moving out - as it has gone down and next door didnt recieve an abatement notice do I still have to declare the dispute even though its in the past?
Stevoden - 19-Oct-17 @ 7:51 PM
I am looking for some advice as I now feel desperate. I am a secure council tenant living next door to a private tenant, who rents from her father. The mother screams at her children practically on a daily basis. Some times what comes out of her mouth is vile. This then creates them to slam doors bang from upstairs throw things against the wall and punch walls. This has been going on for a very long time. My friend who lives with me suffers from mental health issues andunable to work at the moment has to endure this day in day out, to the point it is affecting her health. After the last episode it is now getting me down. They are unapproachable. What can I do with out fear of reprisals.
Nickie - 12-Oct-17 @ 9:05 PM
I live in Dagenham, London and My issue is that my neighbors keep playing really loud music and singing karaoke till 2am and it occurs randomly but mostly on Fridays, of course i understand that it is the end of the week and they are just having fun, however because our gardens are right across each other we get a lot of noise. We even shut all the windows that are coming out to the garden but the noise is still unexceptionable and it is really hard to fall asleep. What actions should I take in that moment? Please help
Franki_Vevere - 26-Aug-17 @ 1:46 AM
Sree - Your Question:
Sir iam from india hyderabad. We are living an Apartment in 1st floor iam a owner of my flat.iam getting some noise from 2nd floor renters.they are making sounds by old stone grainder & roler from 5am upon by bed room floor.Alreddy we said they but they are again & and again doing same noise.Again we said to our apartment maintenas head.he is afraiding to she our 2nd floor rental doing noise in early morning my bed room and afternoon my hall upfloor.every time they are shifting old stone grainder one place to onether place.what to do next i.how to go next step

Our Response:
Unfortunately, as we are UK-based site we can't advise on this as your laws will be very different.
ComplaintExpert - 6-Mar-17 @ 10:20 AM
Sir iam from india hyderabad. We are living an Apartment in 1st floor iam a owner of my flat .iam getting some noise from 2nd floor renters.they are making sounds by old stone grainder & roler from 5am upon by bed room floor.Alreddy we said they but they are again & and again doing same noise .Again we said to our apartment maintenas head.he is afraiding to she our 2nd floor rental doing noise in early morning my bed room and afternoon my hall upfloor .every timethey are shifting old stone grainder one place to onether place.what to do next i.how to go next step
Sree - 5-Mar-17 @ 6:59 AM
tweetybird - Your Question:
Is it legal? My neighbour is a care home. They ran their machines and made kitchen noises night and day which affected our sleep and enjoy the life at home.But the council replied they allowed them to have noises and they did not think these were nuisance.The Ombudsman agreed with the council because they are a care home.

Our Response:
As our service is merely to give general advice and/or point people in the right direction, we couldn't comment upon whether the results of the ombudsman's findings were right or wrong. You would need to seek professional legal advice if you wish to take the matter further.
ComplaintExpert - 16-Feb-17 @ 1:46 PM
Is it legal? My neighbour is a care home. They ran their machines and made kitchen noises night and day which affected our sleep and enjoy the life at home. But the council replied they allowed them to have noises and they did not think these were nuisance. The Ombudsman agreed with the council because they are a care home.
tweetybird - 10-Feb-17 @ 10:31 AM
Westminster leasehol - Your Question:
Been living below an identical to mine 2 bed flat. The leaseholder traditionally rents out the flat to at least 3 different households. Usually 6 people who may or may not be related. Tenants involve at times children that stom, run and jump out of control. In these cases it's not just the noise is the vibration that goes through the concrete walls and even felt on my floor. It is devastating especially since I have put genie clip acoustic insulation on the ceiling of one the rooms without any beneficial effect. Also as most of these tenants are very low income (of course the landlord gets more rent collectively), the do jobs at strange hours and stay awake furing the night. The tenants change occasionally but it's always the same situation with the multiple occupation. Any ideas? I have also served section 82 but tenants change and they don't even open the door to anybody now to see if they are the same people.

Our Response:
You can see more on HMOs and chat with Shelter via the link here as the HMO landlord may be restricted. You can also ask your local council to check if your home is registered as an HMO, see link here. In addition, and as specified in the article you could contact Environmental Health if this is a noise nuisance here.
ComplaintExpert - 1-Aug-16 @ 12:25 PM
Been living below an identical to mine 2 bed flat. The leaseholder traditionally rents out the flat to at least 3 different households. Usually 6 people who may or may not be related. Tenants involve at times children that stom, run and jump out of control. In these cases it's not just the noise is the vibration that goes through the concrete walls and even felt on my floor. It is devastating especially since I have put genie clip acoustic insulation on the ceiling of one the rooms without any beneficial effect. Also as most of these tenants are very low income (of course the landlord gets more rent collectively), the do jobs at strange hours and stay awake furing the night. The tenants change occasionally but it's always the same situation with the multiple occupation. Any ideas? I have also served section 82 but tenants change and they don't even open the door to anybody now to see if they are the same people.
Westminster leasehol - 31-Jul-16 @ 5:23 PM
my landlords are the highways agency, the property is managed by savills. they have refused to manage repairs in the property for ten years. resulting in leaking roof etc they have now given me notice is this retaliatory eviction
patsy - 24-Jul-16 @ 11:39 AM
I am a council tenant. I have a secure tenancy. I am living next door to a family who are private tenants. For a while now I have been having problems regarding noise nuisance from this family. I am wondering what I can do about this I have talked to them face to face but it had not resolved the matter. Can I approach the council about them?? I'm not sure as they are private tenants. Can you please advise. Regards,
ShannaG - 17-Jun-16 @ 4:35 PM
What about the person who is being complained about? In my case it is a 109% vexatious complaint which has caused me and my partner excessive stress, anxiety and cost! The council have told me the complainant is satisfied that things have improved and is willing and happy to close the complaint. Good for them! - I know there is no issue and the complaint is unfounded! I have no idea WHO the complaint is from etc have done all we can to speak to neighbours who are all dumbfounded. So it is me who is not happy - how can I complain about the complaint? Thanks
Me - 3-Jun-15 @ 5:40 PM
@Anon - you have not mentioned whether or not you have contacted your local council? The environmental health department has a dedicated contact for anti-social noise related issues. Some councils have a dedicated staff of Environmental Health Officers, who are able to issue warnings and on-the-spot fines to problem neighbours. Your complaint should be taken seriously. I suggest that rather than move 400 miles away, where you might even be faced with the same or a similar problem while living in a shared house, that you buy a damn good set of ear-plugs and set to getting this issue sorted out properly. I have inluded a link here. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils are obliged to take reasonable steps to investigate complaints of nuisance noise made by residents. If the local authority believes that a nuisance is present, it must serve an ‘abatement notice’ on the individual responsible. If the notices are enforced and the noise continues, fines can be issued. I hope this helps.
ComplaintExpert - 18-May-15 @ 12:12 PM
What if these steps have all been taken.. evidence gathered over the course of three months.. complaints issued to local authorities including the police and still the problem persists.. Moving out is my only choice. to leave my town and let the council relocate me. I have filmed the violent behaviour and filmed with audio the vibrations in my floor from the bass of the music. the drug use has not stopped and the fighting continues. the police did nothing as it was six words against mine at the time. despite evidence and grounding the council do nothing and care not for the violent tennants here in the house. three of them have been in and out of prison in their lives and constantly brag about it being nothing special. i am at my wits end and fea rhte only option is to move away. the council wish to relocate me into another shared house which is over 400 miles away at the north on England, i am currently in Essex.. this is the only option i have therfore i must take it if i wish to get more than 4 hours sleep in a day. pathetic...
Anon - 14-May-15 @ 5:53 PM
hello,its getting not possible to live next to our neighbour.She is banging into a walls every single day and its really loud.Its really annoying,not acceptable and not normal.please do something.
SUN - 4-Feb-14 @ 6:26 PM
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