What do I do about my noisy neighbours? What the law says

While the occasional disruption may not be considered a big deal, persistent unreasonable noise can be a nightmare to live next to.

Unreasonable or excessive noise is defined as noise that unreasonably and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of a home.

It can also be noise that is likely to impact your health.

Councils can investigate complaints of statutory nuisance to tackle noise produced at any time of day or night (Image: Getty/AndreyPopov)

How loud is excessive noise?

The permitted noise level is measured using A-weighted decibels (dBA), the unit environmental noise is measured in.

If the underlying noise is no more than 24 dBA then the permitted noise level is 34 dBA.

If the underlying level of noise is more than 24 dBA then the permitted level of noise is 10 dBA above the underlying noise.

Anything louder than this is considered to be excessive noise.

Who should I contact about excessive noise?

The guidance from the UK Government reads: “Councils can investigate complaints of statutory nuisance to tackle noise produced at any time of day or night.

“They may also issue warning notices in response to complaints about noise above permitted levels from 11pm to 7am. These warning notices can be used by councils for noise that’s not a statutory nuisance.

“The warning notice must tell the recipient:

• that the noise is coming from the premises between 11pm and 7am
• that the noise exceeds, or may exceed permitted levels as measured from within the complainant’s dwelling
• that the noise must be reduced to below the permitted level in a specified period (this must be at least 10 minutes after the notice is served and must end by 7am)
• what time the notice is issued.”

What is the punishment for excessive noise?

If the noise comes from a dwelling the notice must say that the person responsible may be guilty of an offence if noise exceeding permitted levels is made in the period specified.

If someone doesn’t comply with a warning notice without a reasonable excuse, councils can:

• give a fixed penalty notice (FPN) giving them the chance to pay a fine (up to £110 for dwellings and £500 for licensed premises) within 14 days, instead of being prosecuted
• prosecute them if they don’t issue an FPN or if the person responsible doesn’t pay the fine on time (if convicted they can get a fine of up to £1,000 for dwellings and an unlimited amount for licensed premises)
• remove noise-making equipment like loudspeakers