Investigating noise nuisance

If you have a complaint about excessive noise causing a nuisance, you can ask us to investigate and where it can be proved that the noise is causing a persistent disturbance to your life we can take action.

• We will discuss the problem with you and may ask that you make a record of the noise in the form of a diary.
  
  This helps us to identify how long the noise goes on for and what effect it has on your enjoyment of home life.
  
  
• We try to resolve noise problems informally where possible.
  
  Initially we may contact the person causing the noise to make them aware that complaints have been made to us.
  
  
• If the noise persists after an individual has been advised or warned, we will attempt to gather evidence to prove that the noise is causing a statutory noise nuisance.
  
  During normal office hours, we may visit and personally witness the noise.
  
  During out-of-office hours, we may install sensitive noise monitoring equipment for example tamper-proof recorders that make recordings which are identical to what the human ear would hear.
  
  

• In some cases we can also use evidence given to us by independent third parties who may have witnessed the noise nuisance whilst at your property.
  
  

  For example from police or other council officers.

For more information contact our Environmental Protection team.