Its the weekend, the weather is fine, the charcoal is lit and friends are over. It can only mean one thing – a rise in noise complaints. Yes, the combination of warm evenings and open windows is the recipe of the summer barbeque blues and, with it, a peak in poor neighbour relations.
Here follows a few tips for anyone blighted by late night garden dwellers or revellers.
Avoiding Noisy Outdoor Parties
If the party or gathering is just a one-off it is unlikely that there will be any formal action to tackle the issue either retrospectively or when it is happening. However, some Councils offer night-time services (or party patrols) and may be willing to visit and politely request that occupiers respect their neighbours.
On occasion there may be a one-off party where the noise is so serious (perhaps to the extent that it is considered a public nuisance) that it warrants some form of formal action. This may be achieved through the service of a statutory notice or via Police enforcement. Typical examples include raves or live bands where music is amplified. Furthermore, after 11pm, statutory noise powers may be used against those who exceed permitted noise levels.
Neighbours have also been known to hire marquees for gardens and bands or DJ’s (often for birthday celebrations). Marquees offer little in the way of sound insulation and should not be used in conjunction with amplified music in domestic settings (they being much more suited to flower shows and country festivals!).
Action can be taken against neighbours that regularly disturb during the summer months; either before or after 11pm. Try approaching your neighbours first and ask them politely if they could keep the noise down. Failing that contact your environmental health service and see if they offer an evening response service. If they don’t ask that they make an alternative arrangement(s) to witness the noise.
People can often forget that at night the background level of noise reduces to the extent that, very often, close neighbours can hear conversations clearly. People are entitled to keep your windows open during the summer months and not be unduly disturbed by noise. The time of day and frequency of disturbance are key factors when assessing nuisance.
There are ways to reduce noise from outdoor sources but it is always best to remove the noise source.
If you are planning a party
Anyone having a party or gathering outside should follow the following tips to respect their neighbours:
- Don’t have music outside
- Move the party inside at a reasonable hour
- Finish at a reasonable time (let your guests know in advance)
- Keep the number of outdoor “sessions” to a minimum
Find out more and discover how you can improve your chances of tackling noise successfully with our Resources.
Noise Nuisance 