If you are suffering as a result of noisy neighbours, the first solution may be to speak directly to the neighbour about your concerns. The neighbour causing a problem could be unaware that they are causing a problem and an amicable conclusion may be reached.
Failing this, the next step would be to complain to the local environmental health office at the local authority. They have a duty to investigate noise complaints where reasonable and they will determine whether the noise is indeed a nuisance in statutory terms. It may be that the noise is intermittent and therefore a diary of the noise may have to be kept to create a record of the nuisance. It may also be necessary to use noise monitoring equipment. This process may take some time before further steps can be taken.
Once it is accepted that noise is causing a nuisance, the local authority may serve an abatement notice requiring the nuisance to be stopped. Fines may be issued if the nuisance continues.
The Law
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes it possible for an environmental health officer to declare a situation concerning noise a statutory nuisance and serve an abatement notice to a premises.
The Noise Act 1996 introduced a range of other powers relating to night time noise between the hours of 11pm to 7am which enables the police to issue a £100 fixed penalty notice and seize any noise making equipment.
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