Noise is part of everyday life in a densely populated environment, but it can become a nuisance when the level and frequency make an unreasonable invasion on your right to peace and quiet.
Noise nuisance can range from playing loud music or listening to the television at unreasonable levels, to shouting or slamming doors loudly and inconsiderate use of electrical appliances. Removing flooring such as carpets or installing wooden/laminate flooring could result in excessive noise to neighbouring properties.
It is one of the most common complaints made to landlords and local authorities. We will investigate noise nuisance complaints and take action if we find the noise is statutory and not the result of everyday living.
Noise nuisance
Everyone has the right to enjoy their home and community peacefully. However, in urban areas, some noise transfer between homes, business premises, and the external environment is inevitable.
Tolerance levels to noise vary; what one person finds acceptable may be a nuisance to another. As neighbors, we must behave reasonably and be considerate of others.
The pages below are designed to give you information on noise nuisance and what can be done about it.
Pages in this section
We have a number of ways for you to contact us regarding noise nuisance:
The first time it happens you should speak to your neighbour as they may not be aware of how they are affecting you. You can try to talk through your differences with your neighbour and come to a solution to the problem.
We will take your anti-social behaviour complaint seriously and we will assess if there is a case of anti-social behaviour or it is a case of everyday noise.
To assess what action we will take our Housing Expert will talk to everybody named in your complaint; if you do not wish to be named we will treat your complaint confidentially. However, it may be harder to solve the problem if we cannot use all the options we have available such as mediation.
We recognise that people have different lifestyles and although someone’s behaviour may not be a statutory nuisance it can still be annoying to others. In these cases ISHA will offer mediation.
Mediation is an effective way of resolving disputes without the need to go to court. It involves an independent third party - a mediator - who helps both sides come to an agreement. Mediation is a flexible process that can be used to settle disputes in a whole range of situations.
Remember if you can hear your neighbours, it is likely they can also hear you. A certain amount of noise is unavoidable when you live close by and you may not be aware that you are disturbing your neighbours. Here are some tips that can help you reduce your noise.
More information
If you have any questions that are not answered in this section, please contact the Customer Service Team on 0300 131 7300 or by email to isha@isha.co.uk.