Noise
Many different noises can cause us discomfort. This section includes advice on general living sounds, loud music, babies crying, children playing, DIY noise and neighbours shouting or arguing.
What issues are you facing?
Get advice below
Is it antisocial behaviour (ASB)?
We wouldn’t normally consider general living noises like hoovering, opening and closing doors, walking around, and so on as ASB.
What you can do
- Try having a chat with your neighbour if the noise is frequently disturbing you. You may be able to discuss some ways they could reduce the noise, using some of our tips.
- If you’re affected by noise frequently disturbing you please contact your local Environmental Health Team.
- If they decide to take enforcement action, please let us know, as we will need to link in with them as they investigate your case.
Is it antisocial behaviour (ASB)?
We’d only consider loud music ASB if it’s disturbing you and persistent.
What you can do
- First, try speaking with your neighbour
. They may not realise you can hear their music or that it’s disturbing you. - If this doesn’t make a difference – or you don’t feel safe speaking to them - and the noise continues through the day or night (11pm-7am) please contact your local Environmental Health team .
- They may ask for you to keep a diary of the noise. You'll find a noise diary template here .
- If they want to take enforcement action, please let us know , as we will need to link in with them as they investigate your case.
- After your case has been looked into, if you still need support, one option to help improve the situation may be to do mediation. Mediation is an informal, confidential and independent service available to help neighbours sort out their differences and reach an agreement. It can help you understand each other’s point of view and reach a solution.
Is it antisocial behaviour (ASB)?
We wouldn’t consider this ASB but if you’re worried about the baby’s welfare, please contact social services or the NSPCC .
Is it antisocial behaviour (ASB)?
We wouldn’t consider this ASB - although the noise can sometimes be annoying, children playing is important for their health and personal development.
If they’re causing damage to property (e.g. cars), though, please report it the police.
What you can do
- After you’ve spoken to the police, please call us on 0300 5000 926 with an incident report number and the police officer’s name. We’ll then work with them and you on what happens next.
- If you’d rather send us a written report, please fill in our ASB form .
Is it antisocial behaviour (ASB)?
We wouldn’t normally class this as ASB.
What you can do
- We’d suggest having a friendly chat with them – they may not realise it’s disturbing you. You might also be able to agree a different time of day for them to do their DIY, so the sound isn’t so much of an issue.
- You can also take look at our tips to reduce noise – some of these things you’ll be able to do, others you could speak to your neighbour about.
How to make a report
- If the noise is persistent – it’s disturbing you persistently – and you want to report it to us, please fill in our ASB form . We'll aim to respond to you within two working days.
- We may ask for you to keep a diary of the noise. You'll find a noise diary template here .
Is it antisocial behaviour (ASB)?
We wouldn’t normally class this as ASB but if you’re worried about the safety of an adult or child, please contact the police or social services .
What you can do
- If you feel safe to do so, have a friendly word with your neighbour – they might not think anyone else can hear them.
- If you’ve tried this – or didn’t feel safe speaking with them – and their arguing or shouting is persistent, please contact your local Environmental Health team .
- Please also let us know, as we will need to link in with them as they investigate your case.
- If your issue is investigated and you still need help, you may be offered mediation. Mediation is an informal, confidential and independent service available to help neighbours sort out their differences and reach an agreement. It can help you understand each other’s point of view and reach a solution.
- You can also take look at our tips to reduce noise – some of these things you’ll be able to do, others you could speak to your neighbour about.
How to make a report
- If you’d like to speak with us about a persistent noise issue, please fill in our ASB form .
- We may ask for you to keep a diary of the noise. You'll find a noise diary template here .