Investigation and Enforcement

Advice on the Noise Investigation and Enforcement Processes

Collecting Evidence

Evidence is Key Success in enforcement depends largely upon the strength of the evidence you and the enforcement agency collect. Firstly, you must be able to persuade the enforcement body that you are suffering from a significant problem that warrants formal action. Secondly, in order to be able to take enforcement action, a substantial body…

A Night Out with the Noise Police

A Night Out with the Noise Police We recently spent a night out with the noise police (or as they are more accurately referred to the “environmental health officers”) on one of their weekend night shifts. We joined them in a predominantly urban local authority area in the south of England (Glasgow have also made account of their own experience). Fewer Councils…

Noise at Night-time

Out of Office Hours – Noise at Night-time Many people who come to us for help suffer from noise at night-time; be it due to the noisy neighbour, misfiring intruder alarm or noisy pub. As such, many noise issues don’t fit into the 9 to 5 office hours pattern that public services tend to keep.…

Nuisance Neighbours – Myth Busting

Nuisance Neighbours – Myth Busting Here we have listed some of the myths that are often banded about or repeated in relation to nuisance neighbours and the action taken by investigators. The noise or nuisance needs to affect more than one household. NOT TRUE! Only one person need be affected by an unreasonable situation.The noise has…

Noise Pollution Times – When is it OK to Make Noise?

Noise Pollution Times – When is it OK? One of the questions that we often get asked is “what time is it OK to make noise until?”. The simple answer to that question is that there is no such time specified in statutory nuisance law for noise pollution times; noise can amount to a nuisance…

Jargon Buster – “Serving Notice”

Noise Abatement Notices – Service Please! Sometimes when you speak to officials and enforcers they often use terms, phrases and code that is unfamiliar to everyday folk. Here at noisenuisance.org we try to empower victims; and one of the ways we do that is by providing expert knowledge that can be used without needing a…

10 Common Mistakes with Neighbour Noise

NEIGHBOUR NOISE ADVICE Five Common Mistakes by Noise Complainants Not following clear instructions. If the investigating officer has requested you complete x or do y by a specific time then do it. If you can’t let them know why and agree on alternative arrangements.Waiting for problems to be fixed by themselves. Be proactive; engage with…

Anti-social Behaviour Powers and the Community Trigger

Antisocial Behaviour and Noise For sufferers of noise nuisance the new anti-social behaviour powers is a mixed bag. Generally speaking the range of new (and amended) mechanisms are likely to be applied in cases that involve anti-social behaviour in a wider sense. However, there are some potential benefits for sufferers and enforcers of noise, including:…

Dog Barking Noise and Recording Evidence

Dog Barking Noise Occasional barking is not usually an issue for most people, for example when someone comes to the front door, but persistent dog barking noise can be particularly upsetting and annoying. Very often dog owners will not appreciate how bad a problem is as the noise can often occur when they are away from…

Tips for Noisy Neighbours – Garden Parties

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…

Noise Investigation Process – Timeline

Noise from Neighbours – Investigation Process This model describes the investigation process involving a typical case of noise from neighbours in a local authority (typically, an environmental health department, and sets out a rough expectation for benchmarks. We think it is best that you have an understanding of what to expect from your local authority. This…

Summary of the Main Legislation

The following provides a brief summary of the main specific noise pollution laws invoked in relation to neighbourhood noise and nuisance issues. STATUTORY NUISANCES Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 lists two statutory nuisances relating to noise: (a)    Noise emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance; and(b)    Noise…

Noise Complaint Investgation Process

Environmental Health – The Noise Police If you are suffering from noise pollution you can usually complain directly to your local authority environmental health department (who are in most areas have the noise police role). In the majority of cases, your local police force do not enforce the specific noise legislation. However, they can be…

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