Living next to noisy neighbours can be an absolute nightmare. Loud music at unsociable hours, heated arguments, or a constant stream of visitors can seriously disrupt your day-to-day life.
Start by Talking to Your Neighbour
While it can leave you at your wit's end, there are steps you can take to address the situation. Citizens Advice recommends that if you're struggling with a noisy neighbour and feel comfortable doing so, your first port of call should be to raise the issue directly with them.
This can be done in person or via a letter, text or phone call. The organisation advises: "Tell your neighbour how their behaviour is affecting you and what would help. Listen to your neighbour and see if you can reach a compromise together."
Should that prove ineffective or inappropriate, there are considerably more robust options available to you.
Keep Records of Incidents
Citizens Advice strongly recommends logging every incident involving your neighbour. These records could prove invaluable should you decide to make a formal complaint.
Ensure you document as much detail as possible, including what took place, when it occurred, how long it went on for, and the impact it had on you. Retain any correspondence from your neighbour, and gather evidence such as photographs or videos, provided it is safe to do so.
Is It Anti-Social Behaviour?
If your neighbour's conduct is deemed anti-social, there are measures you can pursue. Behaviour is likely to be classified as anti-social if it causes "nuisance and annoyance".
Issues surrounding everyday living, such as cooking odours or crying babies, do not constitute anti-social behaviour. Citizens Advice stated: "The only way to solve these problems is by talking to your neighbour to try and agree a compromise."
Anti-social behaviour could be:
- making a lot of noise
- dumping rubbish
- writing graffiti
- a dog that barks a lot or causes trouble
- using your garden without permission
- harassing you because of religion, race, sex, disability or another characteristic
How to Report Neighbours
If you know your neighbour is a tenant, Citizens Advice suggests approaching their landlord initially. Should this prove unsuccessful, you can contact your local council.
Visit the council's website for guidance on lodging complaints about antisocial behaviour. You can approach the council if:
- you don't know whether your neighbour rents or owns
- they rent, but you don't know who from
- they own their home
You'll be required to outline the issue, its frequency, how it impacts you, steps you've taken to resolve it, and any other parties you've notified.
Statutory Nuisance and Fines
The UK government clarified that you may file a statutory nuisance complaint if your neighbour's dispute concerns an activity detrimental to health or constituting a nuisance. This could include:
- noise (including loud music and barking dogs)
- artificial light (except street lamps)
- dust, steam, smell or insects from business premises
- smoke, fumes or gases
- a build-up of rubbish that could harm health
The government explained: "If the council decides someone is causing a statutory noise nuisance, they must issue a 'noise abatement' order. This tells the person what they must do to stop making a noise nuisance or else face further legal action."
Breaching this order can result in a £5,000 fine. Where the noise originates from a factory or business, the penalty can reach £20,000.
