Noisy Neighbours
- Keep a diary of WHEN, HOW and WHAT occurred and how long it lasted.
- Speak to your neighbour to see if the problem can be resolved.
- Contact your landlord and explain the problem you have. He may be able to act.
- Contact the council and explain that it is vital that they assist you with this matter, they may be able to investigate and prosecute.
- Go to the Ombudsman if you've exhausted your council's complaints process.
- Contact the Police if the neighbour is physically threatening to do you harm.
- First, start taking notes of what is happening daily: time, date, type of noise and duration of noise.
- Do it for at least 4 weeks to see if there is a pattern. It could be that the neighbour is moving in or out.
- It may also be that the noise is for a short period of time.
- You should make sure that you check all your facts before making an issue and contacting the neighbour or the authorities.
- Your landlord will sympathise with you and may contact the appropriate tenant on your behalf.
- Whilst dealing with the noise issue remember to take notes of what was said when it was said and who said it.
- Keep records of any contact and discussion outcomes as a proof of your good will to resolve the problem amicably.
- Your council has a duty to investigate excessive noise or anti-social behaviour that affects your peaceful leaving conditions.
- Your council has the powers to act against people if their behaviour is unacceptable.
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If your noise issue with your neighbour is getting out of hand and you are not able to resolve the problem or come to an amicable solution on how to agree and move forward, then you have the option to contact the
authorities at this stage.
- They have a department assigned to deal with noise control, anti-social behaviour.
- Your council will send an agent to record the noise as it happens. This provides vital evidence for your local authority to take action.
- If the noise is constant on a daily basis, they will ask you to record the date and time and the type of noise as a proof.
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Note that if you decide to make a formal complaint with your local council because you are not happy with the way they dealt with your problem, you can escalate the matter to the Ombudsman. Bear in mind that you
should allow a period up to 12 weeks for the council to resolve the problem before contacting the Ombudsman.
- When making a complaint against your council you should state the reasons why you think they have failed you.
- When making a complaint about your local authority to the ombudsman, here are some things the ombudsman will look for before investigating your complaint:
- Your council didn’t send anyone to visit you to find out about the problems.
- They asked you to fill in diary sheets but then did nothing with them<
- They gave you an out-of-hours emergency number, but nobody came out to witness the nuisance.
- They accepted that your neighbours were causing problems but didn't do anything to stop them.
- They didn't assess the level of the noise when you complained
- Housing Association tenants
- If you are a tenant of a Housing Association, you will be able complain to the Housing Ombudsman Service. All housing associations are members of the Housing Ombudsman Service scheme.
- It is recommended that you do not approach your neighbour during week days. Especially not a Monday, as by experience it is the worst day of the week to do such a thing.
- Make sure that you do everything in your power to get onto the good side of your neighbour beforehand.
- For example, try to be sociable and say good morning or afternoon.
- Take in any parcels from the Post Office or any other delivery company when he/she is not in.
- Try to help if you can. If it is a mother with children help with her shopping bags when she gets to the front door.
- Do everything possible to get to know and build a good relationship with her.
- Trying to do all the above actions will facilitate discussions into the issue. It will help you to have a soft approach to the subject and your neighbour may be more receptive and understanding.
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If this is not what you want to do, and you do want to get straight to the issue without knowing your neighbour, then approach he/she and introduce yourself. Be very polite and diplomatic about what you want to say
and how you say it.
- Use words like I am sorry to disturb you, but I would like to speak to you about……. or I do not know if you are aware of the noise that you are making…………and so on.
- Be friendly and do not raise your voice. Ask he/she if you can both works out how to resolve the problem.
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You may be studying and or wake up early for work. Even if you are unemployed at home or retired, you should enjoy a quiet life. You are not obliged to give a reason to your neighbour to enjoy a quiet life.
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Your lack of sleep or constant noise which disturbs your daily life should be a concern to both you and your neighbour. But bear in mind that your approach to the problem will determine how fast and amicably you can
resolve the problem.
- You can both investigate the building rules and regulations on noise policy. You can also investigate the council noise policy.
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But whatever you do, do not be aggressive, menacing, do not accuse, blame or confront your neighbour under any circumstances. If you think that you cannot restrain yourself then chose a different approach.
- Write a letter pouring out your misery and explain how the noise caused is affecting your life. Suggest that you compromise or find a solution.
- If you still having difficulties resolving the problem, ask another neighbour to help act as a mediator between you and your neighbour.
- Some councils are actively encouraging Police to issue fixed penalty notices or dispersal orders to deter parties.
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If your neighbour insists on playing loud music or holds parties in which guests are screaming and yelling, and you can no longer contain your rage, calling the Police is likely to give you some peace and quiet, but
it can also escalate the situation and harm your relationship with your neighbour.
- Once you call the Police, there is no going back, the situation gets more serious. Before involving the Police do what you can to solve the problem with your neighbour.
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Unless there is an emergency coinciding with the noise at your neighbour’s house, don't call 999. Look up your local Police non-emergency number. You'll still get to talk to a Police officer and will be able to
explain the situation.
- The Police officer will ask you how you want to resolve the issue. The Police may notify the neighbour of the complaint against him/her and investigate the matter.
- Before calling the Police, you should think of the consequences that may follow.
- Your friendship will be in jeopardy If you were friends with your neighbour, and that relationship could be harmed, following the Police visit as no one wants to have the Police called to their home.
- If you're on bad terms to begin with, the relationship could suffer further. Your neighbours may seek revenge and your life could became a living hell.
- If you have taken all these steps and still haven’t resolved your problem, then you can go to court for legal action as the last recourse.
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Bear in mind that taking someone to court can be very expensive. It should be the very last option and it should be considered only if you have exhausted all other routes. You should be aware that there will be court
fees and solicitor’s fees involved.
- For more information on making a court claim, visit the WWW.GOV.UK website.
