WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT NOISE?
Often the best approach to resolve a problem is to talk about your concerns to the person making the noise. Explain why you are being troubled by the noise and try to agree to a solution. This may sound like a daunting task but people can get very upset if they are contacted by the Local Authority with no prior warning, especially if they did not know they were causing a problem.
You can also get help to resolve neighbour disputes such as noise from trained mediators. For more information you should contact Mediation UK, Alexander House, Telephone Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4BS. Telephone 0117 904 6661 or visit their website www.mediationuk.org.uk
By trying to resolve the problem informally you can help to avoid unpleasant legal action which can sour the relationship between you and your neighbour, and sometimes the problem can be resolved more quickly.
If the problem seems to be inadequate sound insulation there are a number of solutions available to improve it, for further information you can contact the Building Research Establishment (BRE) at www.bre.co.uk or contact them on 01923 664200 or email them at environment@bre.co.uk.
If, after approaching the person who is causing the noise you still continue to experience problems you could try writing to them, explaining the effect the noise is having on you (and your family), you should also refer to any agreements you previously came to and ask them again to stop making a noise nuisance.
Start to keep a diary relating to the problem, you should detail any times you speak or write to the person causing the noise, you should also write the dates and times of when you are disturbed and the effect it has on you. This will provide the first level of evidence in any subsequent legal action that may be needed. Be careful to make records as the events happen, not sometime later and try not to exaggerate. For example:
Date | Time noise started | Time noise stopped | Brief description of noise | Inconvenience caused |
20/8/03 | 09.00 pm | 11.30 pm | Loud Music | Could not hear television. |
21/8/03 | 12.05 am | 01.30 am | Dog barking | Woke me up - couldn't sleep until 2.00 am |
Tell your neighbour every time a nuisance occurs. If the problem persists and the person causing the problem lives in a property owned by a Housing Association, you could contact the Housing Association to discuss your problem, otherwise you could contact the Environmental Protection Section on (01507) 601111
