Neighbours are an inseparable part of our lives. The only exceptions can be seen if you live somewhere far away from the city in an isolated environment. Even if you live in a separate and independent house, you still have to share the street with others. Although sometimes our neighbours may become our best friends, sometimes communication is not so pleasant.
One of the most popular reasons for neighbour disputes is noise. In fact, every one in four people has admitted to struggling with irritating neighbours. And the stats become even more vivid when we get to the part where nearly 65% of them aren’t sure what to do about the problem. So if you’ve had experience with the topic and have had problems with your noisy neighbours before or are just eager to know what you can do about it if it comes your way, keep reading.
We’ll share some valuable information on how to deal with noisy neighbours that can make your life easier and stress-free.
What does the noisy neighbours’ law in the UK say?
Have you ever wondered how you could deal with noisy neighbours at night? The UK law states that making a certain amount of noise during night hours is prohibited. Night hours have been identified as anytime between 11 pm and 7 am. There is a maximum amount of noise which your neighbours can make between these hours. But even outside them, if you believe that your neighbour is disturbing the peace and quiet by making too much noise, the council is obliged to investigate and take action. If the neighbours refuse to stop the noise-making, they risk suffering a fine of up to £5,000.
What to do about noisy neighbours
When you’ve established that your neighbours are causing you stress and potentially disturbing others around you as well, there are a few things that you could do.
Try to speak to your neighbours
Before taking any other drastic measures, it is always best to start by attempting a conversation with your neighbours. Sometimes, they may not even be aware that they are making too much noise. After all, we all experience sound differently and what’s extremely loud to you may be merely hearable to them. If you can’t seem to get them to answer the door, leave a note in a visible place or leave a letter in their mailbox explaining your concerns.
Get in touch with their landlord
When you can’t talk to them personally, how do you complain about noisy neighbours? If you know that your neighbours are leasing the property, your next option is to directly speak to their landlord or the agent that they’ve worked with. This information may not always be easy to find. You may need to invest a lot of time speaking to other neighbours around you to find the right person. However, if you do, the problem may quickly be resolved as most tenancy agreements will have a clause related to noise-making.
There are a set of noisy neighbours landlord responsibilities that the homeowner will be able to implement. After all, as homeowners, they remain responsible for the property and the influence it has on the neighbourhood. The tenants could be asked to leave the property if they don’t agree to stop causing problems by making noise. Alternatively, they could be charged a fine, depending on what their tenancy agreement states.
Reach out to your local council
If having a discussion with either your neighbour or their landlord is simply not an option, you can always go to the local council. There is a Noise Act of 1996 that obliges local councils to take action at least look into the case when receiving a report for noise-making and disturbing neighbours. The process will be quicker and more beneficial for you if you’ve made notes of how often the noise takes place, what it’s like, and how long it usually lasts. This will be used as evidence by your council. If your neighbours have been found guilty but refuse to stop, they will be fined and the problem will be solved.
You can also directly call the police and explain the problem you are having. This is especially advisable if you notice that your noisy neighbour is aggressive, has consumed alcohol or illegal substances, and is disturbing the peace of your and those around you.
Mediation
Sometimes, your local council may suggest that mediation is the best way to approach this conflict. There are a few things that this process involves:
- A third-party, qualified mediator that will manage the communication between you and your neighbour
- A meeting on neutral grounds
- A set of clear compromise alternatives that will be suggested by the mediator
Keep in mind that the mediation is provided by the government and is, therefore, free of charge. It does not involve any law and is voluntary, meaning that your neighbour is not obliged to attend the meeting. If this fails as an attempt, don’t worry, there’s more you can do.
Get help from a solicitor
If nothing seems to work and you can’t get your neighbour to understand the significance of the situation, it’s time to reach out to a solicitor. Hiring a solicitor does involve a certain cost and it is best to plan your finances carefully before agreeing to this alternative. A solicitor is usually the quickest way to get your neighbours’ attention. They will consult you on the right legal path to take and be there for you every step of the way.
It is natural to easily get irritated and stressed by the noise created by your neighbours. This could be music, footsteps, loud arguments, and so much more. The fact is that it is a sign of non-compliance with both written and unwritten laws followed by society. However, try to stay as calm as possible and simply follow the steps outlined above.
There is no need for stressful arguments and more conflict. There are more than enough ways to settle this problem with the help of the authorities and other parties who have your best interest at stake. As a professional and experienced real estate agency, you can also reach out to us in seek of advice on the steps to take when in doubt. We hope that this article will help you handle the situation with more confidence next time.
