Keeping Noise Down

How to keep the noise down

• Parties
• Music and TV
• Around the house
• Noisy Animals
• Noise from pubs, bars or clubs
• Building Work and DIY
• Contact

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 ASB Enforcement Team are likely to visit you.

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Music and TV

Make sure that 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 often 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 then please try to resolve the problem directly with them in the first instance.

If the problem persists then 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 1335 during office hours or 020 8489 0000 evenings and weekends.

You can also use our report a noise problem online form.

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 receive an unlimited fine, have a criminal record imposed and their sound equipment could also be seized. In severe cases the police will assist and your noisy neighbours could get a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) 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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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 1335 during office hours or 020 8489 0000 evenings and weekends. If you want to report noise you may report a noise problem online.

We can help if a licensed premises is disturbing you. In the first instance, we can give advice and warning but if there is a statutory noise nuisance we will 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. Members of the public may also request a licence review. See the advice on our comment on an alcohol licence page.

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Building work and DIY

Building sites

The Enforcement Response team control the working hours of building sites and building contractors where noisy activities are taking place. We try to ensure that noisy building work is restricted to the following hours:

• Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm
• Saturday, 8am-1pm
• Noisy building work should not take place on Sundays or Bank holidays

Builders that undertake noisy work outside of these hours may be liable for prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000 where a notice has been previously served under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

These restrictions do not apply to emergency domestic or road works such as power failures/gas leaks/water leaks etc.

DIY works

The Enforcement Response Team will give special consideration to DIY noise and may permit DIY activities to take place beyond the contractor’s hours outlined above.

Larger DIY projects requiring more time to complete will need to be carried out during normal Building Contractor allowed hours.

It is also advisable to let neighbours know when you are about to carry out noisy DIY work.

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Contact

• ASB Enforcement Team
  Level 1 North - River Park House
  225 High Road
  Wood Green
  N22 8HQ
• Tel 020 8489 1335
• Out of Hours 020 8489 0000
• Email ASB.Enforcement@haringey.gov.uk

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