Report a noise issue

What is a noise nuisance?

  • A noise nuisance is when a noise repeats over time that makes it unreasonable. It may be a noise from a home, business, or public space. It may disrupt your enjoyment of your property or pose a health risk.

Different types of noise nuisances

There are different examples of noise nuisances. We have highlighted the most common ones below:

Fireworks

Anyone under 18 years old with fireworks in a public place will get a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £80.00. You may also receive an FPN for letting off fireworks after 11pm. You are not allowed to set off fireworks at night (after 11pm and until 7am). There are exceptions on the following days:

  • until 1am on the night of the Chinese New Year

  • until 1am on the night of Diwali

  • until 1am on New Year's Eve

  • until midnight on 5th November (Bonfire Night)

You may want to tell your neighbours with pets in advance if you are going to set off fireworks.

Arguing or shouting

You might hear noise from arguing or shouting in your neighbourhood. If you are experiencing this we recommend:

  • A friendly word with your neighbour about the problem, if you feel safe doing so. If unsure how to approach them, please see our 'top tips for approaching neighbours.''

  • Completing a noise diary. You can upload the diary sheets to our noise issue form. We will contact you to discuss your complaint and plan next steps once we receive your report. 

  • Contact social services or the Police if you have concerns about a resident's welfare.

Construction noises

In some cases, construction noise can be a noise nuisance. The Control of Pollution Act 1974 gives us powers to limit working hours. It allows conditions on the types of machinery used on building sites. You may want to give your neighbours advance warning of the work and its duration.

The operating hours permitted by us for these noisy works are:

  • Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm.

  • Saturday: 8am - 1pm.

  • Sunday and bank holidays: No noisy work permitted.

Home improvement noises

Residents should not be carrying out DIY before 8am or after 8pm. This includes noise from drilling or hammering. If you are experiencing these issues, we recommend:

  • A friendly word with your neighbour about the problem, if you feel safe doing so. If unsure how to approach them, please see our 'top tips for approaching neighbours.''

  • Completing a noise diary. You can upload the diary sheets to our noise issue form. We will contact you to discuss your complaint and plan next steps once we receive your report. 

Vehicle noises

Vehicle noises from a private property can be reported. If you are experiencing these issues, we recommend:

  • A friendly word with your neighbour about the problem, if you feel safe doing so. If unsure how to approach them, please see our 'top tips for approaching neighbours.''

  • Completing a noise diary. You can upload the diary sheets to our noise issue form. We will contact you to discuss your complaint and plan next steps once we receive your report. 

You can escalate vehicle noise issues, including:

Animal noises

Dogs bark naturally. But, constant barking or howling can be upsetting. The problem sometimes occurs when the dog’s owner is out of the property. If you are experiencing these issues, we recommend:

  • A friendly word with your neighbour about the problem, if you feel safe doing so. If unsure how to approach them, please see our 'top tips for approaching neighbours.''

  • Completing a noise diary. You can upload the diary sheets to our noise issue form. We will contact you to discuss your complaint and plan next steps once we receive your report. 

  • If you have concerns about the welfare of a pet, please contact the RSPCA.

General living noises

Some general living noises are not intentional. They can be due to living very closely to your neighbours.

Examples of general living noises are:

  • vacuuming

  • creaking floors

  • doors opening and closing

  • children playing.

These noises are unlikely to be a nuisance, unless they occur at unsociable hours. Some noises occur through normal behaviour. They can be due to different working patterns or lifestyles.

Laminate flooring can amplify everyday sounds. To minimise noise, a good quality underlay should be used in areas of high foot traffic. If you are a tenant, check your lease before installing laminate flooring.

 

What can I do about these noises?

If you are experiencing any of these issues:

  • A friendly word with your neighbour about the problem, if you feel safe doing so. If unsure how to approach them, please see our 'top tips for approaching neighbours.''

  • Mediation may help you and your neighbour(s) understand each other and find a solution.

  • If the issue persists and you can't fix it, submit a nuisance complaint.

Keeping a noise diary

When you submit a report, please provide as much detail as you can. It will help our investigation. To support your complaint, you must complete a 14-day noise diary. You will need to attach a copy to your form submission. Download the noise diary.

For a complaint to qualify as a noise nuisance, an officer must witness the nuisance from your property. This is a legal requirement. The diary contains key information. It will help us schedule a visit when the nuisance is most likely to occur. It also shows the issue is persistent and harms your quality of life.

Reporting a noise nuisance

To report a noise nuisance you will need to tell us:

  • Where the noise is coming from. Including the address or a nearby location if you don’t know the exact address.
  • The times when the incident occurs. How frequently it happens, and how it affects you.
  • A completed 14-day noise diary to show that the problem is ongoing.
  • Any relevant evidence to support your complaint.

Report a noise issue

What happens next?

  • An officer will review your report within five working days.
  • We will decide whether to proceed based on your report. If we do, we will arrange a visit to assess the noise. We will also contact the source, or request further evidence.
  • If the noise is found to be a nuisance, we will issue an abatement notice. This requires the issue to be resolved.
  • Failure to follow an abatement notice can lead to fines. This is up to £5,000 for domestic cases or £20,000 for commercial cases, or further legal action.
  • We do not provide an out-of-hours noise service. One-off issues such as shop alarms or parties cannot be dealt with at night.