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Keeping Noise Down

How to keep the noise down

Everyone has different tolerance levels when it comes to noise.

Complete silence in a city is unrealistic but there are simple ways to avoid disturbing those around you.

Parties

When planning a party speak with your neighbours If your neighbours are aware of what’s going on, they are less likely to complain. When guests are leaving remind them about others who live in your area. Remember, the later it gets, the quieter your music should be.

If there is a complaint about your party, the council’s Enforcement Team will visit you.

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Music and TV

Make sure that the speakers are away from the wall and, if possible, raised off the floor. If you can hear your music in another room, your neighbours probably can too.

Living in a large city means that sometimes you have to live in close association with other people. This can lead to problems if your neighbours are not as considerate as you are.

If your neighbours are playing music too loud or have their television turned up, you can complain to the Enforcement Response Team.

If you are being disturbed by noise happening now call if you would like help on 020 8489 1000 during office hours or 020 8348 3148 evenings and weekends.

For advice about noise or if you want to report a noise that is not happening now please report a noise problem online. Do not use this link for noise happening now.

If there is still a problem we could serve those responsible for the noise with an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection act 1990. This means that they could be fined up to £5,000 and have their sound equipment seized. In severe cases the police will assist and your noisy neighbours could get an Anti-Social Behaviour Order or be evicted.

Sometimes noise is a problem because of poor insulation between houses. Improving sound insulation between flats can be expensive, but worthwhile.

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Around the house

We understand the work/home balance can sometimes be difficult and it’s difficult to find enough hours in the day to fit everything in but when it comes to vacuuming the house, using the washing machine or doing DIY consider the time and make sure that it’s not too late (or too early) in the day.

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Animals

Leaving animals on their own is sometimes inevitable, but it does mean that they can get lonely and cause a nuisance to neighbours. Avoid leaving your dog on their own for too long and make sure that there are plenty of toys to keep them occupied during the day.

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Noisy Animals

Most complaints about animals relate to barking dogs.

We will only take formal action where a nuisance has been witnessed. When the noise hasn't been witnessed we may be able to send information to the owner.

Detailed information on taking your own action in response to noise nuisance can be found below.

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Noise from pubs, bars or clubs

If you live near a pub, bar or club, there can be problems with noise late at night.

If you are being disturbed by noise happening now call 020 8489 1000 during office hours or 020 8348 3148 evenings and weekends.

If you would like help and advice about noise or you want to report a noise that is not happening now please report a noise problem online. Do not use this link for noise happening now.

There are several things that we can do to help you if licensed premises are disturbing you. In the first instance, we can serve a notice on the premises (under the Environmental Protection Act 1990).

If appropriate, we will pass on information about the premises to the council’s licensing committee by way of a review of the licence. The members of the public may also request a review of the licence.

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Building work and DIY

Building sites

The Enforcement Response Team are responsible for controlling the working hours of building sites and building contractors. We try to ensure that noisy building work is restricted to these hours:

Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm
Saturday: 8am - 1pm
Not at all on Sunday and Bank Holidays

Builders that undertake noisy work outside of these hours may be liable for prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000.

DIY

Although DIY work is normally completed in the evenings and at weekends, we may intervene when DIY enthusiasts cause a problem for neighbours by working at unreasonable hours, or cause unnecessary noise.

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Contact

The Enforcement Response Service
Regulatory Services
Place and Sustainability Directorate
Units 271-272 Lee Valley Technopark
Ashley Road
London
N17 9LN

Tel 020 8489 1000
Fax 020 8489 5133