What are the rules on noisy Neighbours?

We deal with noise that is considered to be unreasonable to the average person, called a statutory nuisance in legal terms. If the noise is not a statutory nuisance, but is unreasonable having a detrimental effect of a persistent or continuing nature affecting the quality of life of those in the area Then we may link in with the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Team or the Police to consider action under their ASB legislation. To prevent causing a noise problem: keep noise down late at night when neighbours are trying to sleep, let neighbours know if you're having a party, building work or other unusual activity – if people know what's happening and when it's due to end they are usually more accepting of it. We have a range of powers available to deal with noisy neighbours, including: serving a Legal Notice, seizing equipment used to cause noise nuisance, disconnecting sounding alarms, prosecuting people who continue to cause noise nuisance. You will need to tell us: what the noise is, how often it happens, at what time of day it happens, who is responsible for the noise (if known). Construction activity generate more noise than is usual for an area, the main noise control is an hours restriction: Monday to Friday 7:30am to 6pm, Saturday 8:30am to 2pm.

You can ask your local council for help if the neighbour dispute involves an activity that is damaging to health or a nuisance. This is known as a ‘statutory nuisance’. This could include: noise (including loud music and barking dogs). Your council has a duty to investigate any statutory nuisance. If the council decides someone is causing a statutory noise nuisance they must issue a ‘noise abatement’ order. This tells the person what they must do to stop making a noise nuisance or else face further legal action. If someone breaks an abatement order about noise from their home, they can be fined up to £5,000. If it’s noise from a factory or business, the penalty can be up to £20,000.