A noise nuisance is any regular noise which prevents somebody enjoying their home. Although it is unreasonable to expect total quiet at all times in your home, neither are you expected to put up with frequent noise intrusions.

The following examples could be considered a noise nuisance:

• music played louder than normal domestic noise in the neighbouring property
• D.I.Y. noise at inappropriate time, continual unnecessary improvements, or when it could be carried out in a quieter manner
• a dog barking for long periods at anti-social times
• a local pub or club that plays loud amplified music eg. Live bands, discos or karaoke entertainment.

We can't help if a noise complaint is:

• just part of a larger conflict between neighbours who generally do not get on
• if you are more sensitive to noise than the average person or
• if the problem has long periods between occurrences

Examples of noise nuisance we cannot deal with:

• one-off 25th wedding anniversary party
• household noise such as vacuums and washing machines at reasonable hours
• traffic noise from vehicles on the highway

Many 'Noise Nuisance' complaints are in fact merely a small part of a very complex situation, and often relationships between neighbours were strained before any noise incidents. In such cases you may approach the Magistrates’ Court yourself using Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The court can then decide the rights and wrongs of the situation.

For more information on noise nuisance please visit the  Environmental Protection UK website

This page was last updated on 10 February 2012