Excessive Noise
If you are affected by noise in your community, we can help.
Types of noise the Council can help with
The Council's Noise Service can investigate complaints about noise caused by:
- barking dogs
- building and construction sites (please note however that noisy work is permitted between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays)
- burglar / car alarms
- noisy deliveries at unreasonable hours
- nightclubs and pubs
- parties
- loud music / television / computer games
- industrial processes
- kitchen extract / air conditioning units
- places of worship
- open-air events
Complaints about noise are investigated by officers who can take action if the noise is considered to be a statutory nuisance. An assessment will be required and will involve officers visiting the affected property in order to assess the level of nuisance.
When is noise nuisance a statutory nuisance?
Noise nuisance is covered by Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Before action can be taken against the individual or company causing the noise nuisance, the service must first make sure that the noise constitutes a statutory nuisance. This means that officers have to prove that the noise is prejudicial to health and / or is causing an unreasonable and persistent disturbance.
Several factors determine whether noise is a statutory noise nuisance:
- the time of day the noise occurs
- the volume of the noise
- how long the noise lasts
- the character of the noise; i.e. bass beat or high pitched
- how frequently the noise occurs
- the location of the complainant
In some cases, noise may be part of another problem such as anti-social behaviour. If the officer believes this may be the case, the matter may be referred to the Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Team.
How to contact the Council about excessive noise
You can report a noise problem using our online noise-reporting form. Please note however that this mail box will not be checked until the next working day. If the noise is happening during our hours of operation, please phone the service - see the top-right corner of this page for our operating hours and contact details.
Who to contact about other types of noise
If you are affected by a type of noise which is not covered above, you can seek help from other indivduals and / or organisations - please see below for more information.
Reasonable household noise transmitted as a result of inadequate sound insulation
Poor sound insulation between adjoining properties is a cause of many noise complaints. It can make everyday sounds of ordinary living, i.e. children playing and running around, intolerable.
However, a lack of sound insulation between premises leading to noise nuisance cannot be remedied under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Therefore, the Council cannot take action in such cases.
Depending upon your housing arrangements, you may be able to discuss your concerns with the landlord of the relevant premises, your Neighbourhood Housing Office (for Hackney Homes residents) or your Housing Association.
Noise from rowdy behaviour on the street
This is a public order offence and can be dealt with by the police. If you live on an estate, contact your Neighbourhood Office.
Traffic noise
- For general traffic noise on roads, please contact Transport for London.
- To report vehicles with faulty mufflers or other issues, please contact the police.
Aircraft noise
Please contact the Civil Aviation Authority.
Noise from road works
Most road works are carried out by utility companies; including gas, electricity, water, telephone and cable services.
Such companies are statutory undertakers, which means that they are authorised by Parliament to carry out works in the street as necessary. This means that the Council is normally unable to prevent them from continuing noisy works.
In addition, for reasons of safety and / or traffic congestion, the police and the Council sometimes require works to be carried out at night, or over the weekend. These works take precedence over the Council's own aim of reducing noise nuisance.
However, the Council advises that all non-emergency works are carried out during normal permitted hours where possible. These are from 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.
How the Noise Service deals with noise
- For intermittent noise and first complaints, we will provide you with a diary sheet to monitor ongoing excessive noise. This will allow officers to plan their site visits to increase the chances of witnessing a statutory noise nuisance.
- If noise is happening during operational hours, we will visit you in the first instance and make an assessment from an appropriate room to determine whether the noise is a statutory nuisance. If we are satisfied that the noise is a statutory noise nuisance we will see whether the person responsible for the noise can sort out the problem quickly. If the problem continues, we can serve a notice on the offending party requiring them to abate the nuisance. If such a notice is not complied with then a fine or legal action can follow.
- For commercial or residential intruder alarms lasting more than 20 minutes, officers will attempt to locate the key holder. If this is unsuccessful, officers will take legal steps to enter the premises and disconnect an alarm.
- For vehicle alarms lasting more than 20 minutes, officers will attempt to trace the registered keeper of the vehicle. If this is not possible, they will serve an abatement notice and contact a locksmith to enter the vehicle and disconnect the alarm. The registered keeper of the vehicle will be liable for any costs involved.
- For noise from licensed premises, problems are sometimes quickly and easily addressed. However, in some cases we may not need to prove a statutory nuisance where the premise holds an appropriate licence. These licences are issued in order to ensure that the disturbance caused to the general public is kept to a minimum.
- If we are not legally able to take any action regarding a particular type of noise, we will advise residents and businesses on what else they can do about it.
Minimising your noise
There are many steps that residents can take to ensure they create as little noise as possible, and do not cause a disturbance to those living or working around them.
A list of these steps is below.
- Keep the volume of your car stereo, television, radio or music as low as possible, especially late at night.
- Place speakers away from partition walls, floors or ceilings; stand speakers on insulating material to help reduce sound.
- If you have a party, tell your neighbours in advance, keep windows and doors closed, and keep noise to a minimum, particularly late at night.
- If using fireworks for a celebration, tell your neighbours, especially if they have pets; don't let fireworks off after 11pm (or 1am at New Year, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Bonfire Night).
- Perform noisy DIY jobs during normal waking hours. Apologise to neighbours in advance for disturbance caused, and let them know how long the job is likely to take.
- If your dog barks when left alone, arrange to leave it with a friend or ensure it has sufficient company, water, food and entertainment throughout the day.
- Site noisy household equipment (e.g. washing machines, refrigerators) away from partition walls; put these appliances on a mat to reduce vibration.
- When buying a new household appliance, ask how noisy it is and endeavour to buy the quietest available, where budget allows.
- If you have an old or faulty burglar alarm, replace it with one complying with British Standard BS 4737. Notify the local police that you have an alarm and register a key holder.
- Avoid running up and down stairs and slamming doors, particularly if you live in a terrace or flat.
- If installing wooden flooring, make sure you also place down a sound insulating underlay.
Council Service Standards
Every resident has a right to expect high standards of service from the Council. Find out more about our service standards.
Page updated: 6 Feb 2012
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