If you have a neighbour who is consistently noisy and you regularly, for example, hear their TV on full volume, there are steps you can take. This also includes some legal options which can help address the situation.
According to Age UK: “If you’re having trouble with loud noise at night, your local council has powers to deal with it. And even if it isn’t at night, they should investigate if you say it’s a nuisance or damaging your health.
“If the council agree the noise is a ‘statutory nuisance’ (a legal term that refers to unreasonable noise that stops you from enjoying your property), they must issue a notice. The notice will tell the person to stop or restrict the noise – and they can be prosecuted if they ignore it.”
View 3 ImagesA simple and polite chat could be all it takes(Image: Getty)
It is important to bear in mind that the person responsible for the noise may not be aware that they are causing a disturbance, so don’t get too angry, as it may be a genuine mistake. According to GOV.UK, there are a few steps you can follow “if you have a dispute with your neighbour.”
- Try to solve the problem informally by talking to them.
- If your neighbour is a tenant, you could contact their landlord.
- You could use a mediation service if raising the issue informally does not work.
- If the dispute involves a statutory nuisance (something like loud music or barking dogs), you can make a complaint to your local council.
- Contact the police if your neighbour is breaking the law by being violent or harassing you.
- As a last resort, you can take legal action through the courts.
Age UK explains that to count as a ‘statutory nuisance’ that the council can help deal with, neighbour noise must either:
- unreasonably and substantially interfere with your use or enjoyment of your home
- ‘injure’ your health or be likely to do so
It adds: “In basic terms, the noise needs to be unreasonable – local councils won’t take formal action against ordinary domestic noise, such as footsteps, talking or children playing.”
View 3 ImagesYour neighbour may not be aware they are being loud(Image: Wang Yukun via Getty Images)
According to Citizens Advice, you can also try and keep detailed records to help the investigation. It suggests: “Make a note whenever the problem happens – your records will be useful if you decide to take things further.
For example: “22 June – loud TV from neighbour from 7:30pm to 10:45pm. The sound was very loud and could be heard in my living room and bedroom. It was hard to relax or concentrate, and I had to turn my own TV/radio up to try to cover it. It continued for several hours and made it difficult to wind down in the evening.”
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You should keep any messages your neighbour sends you and gather evidence if you feel safe doing so. For example, you could take a photo of any rubbish that has been left in your garden.