Noise during the (Covid-19) pandemic
As more and more of us are spending extended time at home during the pandemic we may be more aware of noise from our neighbours who are also home for longer periods and at different times.
Whilst the council can taken action against those who repeatedly make unreasonable noise that impacts on their neighbours enjoyment of their homes, there are some day to day noises that are heard due to people living in close proximity to one another. In these instances it may require more understanding and patience rather than formal action or intervention by the council.
Likewise, you should also consider how activities may impact on those around you.
Some common examples of noise problems are included below along with some guidance from our Noise Team.
DIY noise
Some people may choose to complete those DIY tasks that they have been meaning to get around to. Whilst you may enjoy putting your time at home to good use, your neighbours will not enjoy long periods of drilling, sawing or hammering. Be considerate by only carrying out noisy DIY between 9am to 5pm and try to not to use noisy power tools for more than 3 hours a day.
Children playing
As the schools across the country closed on 23 March for an indefinite period, you may hear your neighbour’s children playing or moving about at times when they would usually be at school. If they are asked to stay indoors as part of an isolation strategy they are more likely to be playing and moving around indoors. If you are a parent please do your best to ensure that play activities do not disturb your neighbours. If you are a neighbour hearing children, please understand that this is a difficult time for everyone and children may become restless when forced to stay indoors. This is particularly important advice when you have people living above or below you.
For many people excessive noise can be a source of annoyance and stress which can interfere with everyday life, cause sleep disturbance and on occasions affect your health.
We understand how annoying noise can be.
The Environmental Protection Team may be able to help.
Click on REPORT IT
For information on making a complaint.
Your online Toolkit will help you find ways on how to deal with a noise problem.
Click on the Toolkit banner below to go there now.
Further information about general nuisance complaints including what and how we investigate, can be found in the booklet - Nuisance Complaints, on the right hand side of the web page under documents.
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How we investigate a complaint
We can investigate
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We can't investigate
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Noise from domestic premises such as loud music, TV or radio |
Aircraft noise – Click on Civil Aviation Authority for further advice |
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Noise from commercial premises |
Road Traffic Noise - For more information in your area, please click on Roadworks |
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DIY activities taking place over long periods at unreasonable hours |
Complaints where the noise is a problem because the complainant is “sensitive” due to personal/medical reasons |
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Continually ringing alarms in homes and on vehicles |
Noise transmitted by poor sound insulation |
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Noise from plant, machinery and equipment |
General daily living noises |
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Noise from construction and demolition sites. See Code of Practice Construction Sites PDF |
We only have very limited powers to deal with noise from the railway. If you have a problem with noise from trains please click on Network rail for further guidance. |
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Noise from sporting activities e.g. motor bike scrambling, clay pigeon shooting etc |
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Noise in the street e.g. loudspeakers, ice cream chimes or buskers |
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Dogs that persistently bark |
How we investigate a complaint
The Environmental Protection Team can take reasonable steps to investigate and take action where a complaint of noise disturbance amounts to a Statutory Nuisance. While the term “Statutory Nuisance” is not precisely defined in law, it generally means that the noise must unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of property, as assessed by a reasonable person.
For a complaint about noise to be upheld, it has to be judged a statutory nuisance - something that unreasonably interferes with the use and enjoyment of your property as assessed by an average person. We may also investigate under antisocial behaviour legislation provisions.
When assessing if an alleged nuisance is a Statutory Nuisance, an Environmental Health Officer will make an assessment based on these points.
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The time(s) at which it happens
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How often it happens
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How long it lasts
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The volume or intensity of the alleged nuisance
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The location and Characteristics of the area where the alleged nuisance takes place
Our normal response to a noise complaint is, in the first instance, to send a letter to the person who you believe to be making the noise, with the aim of resolving the matter informally. The letter to the alleged person(s) responsible, does not state who has made the complaint. If the matter persists, we will also ask you to complete a noise diary, of any further incidents on log sheets that are provided.
If you submit your completed noise diary, we will assess the log, and if we consider there is a justified complaint, we may install noise monitoring equipment or make a visit to determine whether the noise amounts to a statutory nuisance.
If we witness the noise and decide it is a statutory nuisance, then we will serve a noise abatement notice on the person responsible, requiring abatement of the nuisance.
If a person fails to comply with a noise abatement notice, then we can consider seizing and confiscation any audio equipment and prosecuting offenders in the magistrates’ court.
How to prevent a noise nuisance
Noise can prevent people's enjoyment of their homes and become a nuisance. The leaflets below contain practical advice about how to reduce nuisances and prevent them.
How to prevent noise nuisance - Domestic (PDF 250K)
How to prevent noise nuisance - Commercial (PDF 250KB)
How to prevent noise nuisance - Animals (PDF 250KB)
Control of noise from licensed premises (PDF 250KB)
Best practice guide for events - ways to prevent noise disturbance (PDF 91.24 KB)
