your feedback
Here are some of the comments we have received...
| 21:48 on 29 December 2007 |
| I have been plagued by this problem for 2 years which has culminated in 5 months which has been absolute hell. I have spoken to the person concerned on so many occasions I have lost count who stops for couple of days then starts again. I have written to him outlining the problems he is causing and asked for him to stop and he wrote back saying he didnt mean to upset me but he likes noise! I have contacted Environmental Health and they are absolutely no use whatsoever. I am being driven out of my home by this person. Unless you experience this you have no idea of how it effects people. What is more you feel completely powerless to do anything about it. |
devon |
| 12:32 on 20 December 2007 |
| I am sick and tired of police cars constantly racing around Lewisham with lights flashing and sirens blaring, this started ever since the new police station was built, it is now unbearable! |
Bridget lewisham |
| 20:05 on 10 December 2007 |
| i have neighbours who have a daughter named Katy who keeps bringing lads with stero systems in there cars what shake the house,the music is that loud.i was wondering what can be done about it? |
mandy phillips wednesbury |
| 15:30 on 06 December 2007 |
| Our neighbours are a nighmare with loud music day and night and Hackney council are absolutely awful they have no competant out of office noise service. Why is the impotence onn the person acting reasonably to prove there is a problem why cant the noisy party be forced to prove they are not excessive though sound monitoring equipment etc |
Sue Hackney |
| 22:29 on 26 November 2007 |
| I can use loads of info from your website.Ive been in dispute with my neighbours for 2 and a half years. They regulary slam doors, 4 dogs bark and are verbally loud every day, worst in the eveings and weekends. My 3 year old daughter has been disturbed countless times and her dad left us this july cause of the stress it put us under. The year long abatement notice ends this wednesday and I have to start from scratch! Your questionnaire was unhelpful as Im the victim and Im a considerate neighbour, so some of the questions didnt make sense in my case. Debbie. |
Debbie Farmer Widnes |
| 09:28 on 25 November 2007 |
| HI WE ARE DESPRATE FOR SOME HELP AND ADDVICE FOR OVER 14MONTHS NOW THE NEIGHBOURS NEXT DOOR HAVE BEEN DOING INTENSIVE BUILDING WORK, THEY HAVE NEAR ENOUGH GUTTED THE HOUSE AND REBUILT IT. THE NOISE HAS BEEN AND STILL CAN BE THAT LOUD WE CAN FEEL OUR HOUSE VIBRATING AS THEY HAVE BEEN USING A NEWMATIC DRILL. IT STARTS FROM 7.30 AM UNTILL AROUND 5PM EVERYDAY INCLUDING WEEKENDS ASWELL NOW,IT HAS REALLY AFFECTED MY HEALTH AS I AM ON EDGE ALL THE TIME WAITING FOR THE NOISE TO START. CAN SOMEONE TELL US WHAT IS THE LAW ON THE TIMES AND DAYS THEY ARE ALLOWED TO WORK. THX LORN |
LORNA BIRMINGHAM |
| 11:07 on 17 November 2007 |
| My wife is from the states and when she had a noisy neighbour she phoned the police. They were there in 10 minutes and issued an on the spot fine of $100. Noisy neighbour was never heard from again. Why do we have such week laws in this country with regards to noise? In countries where there are strict laws regarding noise they barely have a problem with this at all. |
Sean London |
| 14:35 on 12 November 2007 |
| Is it reasonable to complain about (heavy) footsteps? Although my downstairs neighbour is quiet in many respects, she often walks around in high heels on what I presume is a hard floor. This can start early and often finishes late. What is classed as "too much" noise when it comes to something as basic as walking around? Its not like when music playing - I can hardly expect her to stop moving around! Is it rude to ask her to remove her shoes? What can be done in such a situation? |
Dave York |
| 16:37 on 02 November 2007 |
| i live in a block of flats on the first floor. . Upstairs neighbours have wooden flooring which cause lot of noise, Can even hear when they are walking. when they have guests there is thudding every 10 sec. downstairs the kinds keep jumping and they have laminated wooden floors too.this is causing a lot of stress between me and my wife.Is it legal for flats to have wooden flooring? is there a procedure which needs to be followed while installing wooden flooring? there is a good possibility that they must have got cheap labour to do this work or not followed the proper procedures and hence the noise. is there anything i can do to resolve this? please advice |
mike london |
| 18:35 on 29 October 2007 |
| Banging doors, shouting from one end of the garden to the other, Parties with speakers rigged up along the garden with music blaring from 10.30 am till 1am the next day. A giant trampoline taking up half the garden with kids and adults bouncing around so there is no privacy anywhere in my garden. Talking on the mobile phone outside the backdoor. It feels like I am sharing my house with them their so load. Now they are going to have a mega fireworks party with 8 familys and loads of fireworks. I have a nervous rescue dog so its going to be a nightmare. Previously the council has been contacted about the noise but with no success. What happend to considerate neighbours!! |
Jacky sutton |
| 20:33 on 22 October 2007 |
| I too suffer noisy new residents above my flat. Banging about, at very obtrusive hours, noisy as elephants but to look at them you wouldnt expect the noise. When approached you receive abuse and blatent arrogance and persistance to carry on with the noise. A good neighbour is a considerate neighbour and communal living demands courtesy which some residents dont have. Council dont help, landlord is just as bad. what do you do?? |
jones BRIGHOUSE |
| 19:44 on 08 October 2007 |
| I stay on a rented first floor flat which probably has a very poor contruction as I can listen my grnd flr neighbour when they talk.One day at 9:30p.m my neighbour came to our flat and started banging the appartment door and when I opened the door for him, he was shouting at the peak of his voice and abused me and threatened me saying that"he wants to have one on one with me and all my mates if the nonsese does not stop". I would like to know that where can I make complaint against such an abusive and threatening neighbour.I feel highly threatened. |
Rusty Camberley |
| 15:16 on 27 September 2007 |
| Why do people get dogs! well many people where i live have dogs, but they keep them indoors day and night, some near me have there dogs outside, tied up and just let them bark howl while they are sat indoors scanning the t.v they dont bring the lonely animal in not even when they go to the pub, they bark bark bark way into the early hours of the morning, no water there, or shelter even, AM |
annettemills30@ntlworld.com Leeds 9 |
| 15:09 on 27 September 2007 |
| its not so much noisey neighbours, its the gangs of hoodies walking about 9pm onwards, looking at you in a mean way, many are underage and get people to buy them alcohol, then they walk about shouting jeering, obviously drunk. the girls scream shout sing loud pop songs it usually ends up with gang fights, the police arrive, and it all goes quiet. then the diy enthusiast starts drilling, at 7am in the morning, or hammering, along with the awful loud rap music blurring out . am |
annettemills30ntlworld.com Leeds West yorkshire |
| 21:32 on 24 September 2007 |
| I have been having major problems for the last 8 years with my neighbours. They are quite elderly and I am young and think thats where the problem lies. they deny making noise even tho they are waking us up banging doors and general noisyness from 10pm onwards not constant but enough to disturb my sleep. i have contacted the local housing ppl they are tenets of (im private) and they just dont seem to want to do anything. i need help on what i can do, lst time i spoke to someone they told me i need concrete evidence of the noise but refuse to help me get listening equipment and the Enviromental health say coz they are tenants i cant ask for it. im fed up and so tired!! |
Debbie Sunderland |
| 13:33 on 19 September 2007 |
| A couple in our block have screaming arguments at least once a week. These argument can happen at any time night or day. Most recently we were woken at 5:15 in the morning by the slamming of doors and screaming. Doors are slammed so hard that the block literally shakes. Confronting them doesnt seem an option as abuse is expected back. |
dave croydon |
| 11:10 on 01 September 2007 |
| My husband and I live in an upstairs maisonette and have down for eight months now. We have had the whole place decorated including good underlay and good carpet throughout.(I wanted wooden flooring in dining room but thought it wouldnt be fair on the neighbour downstairs). My neighbour has complained several times saying our floorboards creak terribly(even though my husband tried to knock nails into any noisy ones before the carpet was laid) and that she can hear what we are saying and our TV and radio (neither of these are loud). She says a friend of hers will come in and try and sort ourfloorboards out and asks whether we have sound proofing, well we dont WHAT CAN WE DO? |
Nancy Bexley |
| 11:32 on 25 August 2007 |
| Ive been having on ongoing problem with noisy neighbours for nearly over a year and half. If its not loud music, then its banging or swearing and thumping and dogs howling constantly at most given days. I have tried to reason with them but no joy. Now the council have now told me that I am victimising my neighbours, apparently. I have agreed to attend a mediation service, but no response from my neighbours. I have had my front door vandalised thatIve reported it to the police who have given me a crime number. Its already beginning to affect me at work; my doctor has prescribed sleeping tablets. I could really do with some advice. |
A. A Deptford, Lewisham |
| 15:29 on 21 August 2007 |
| Hello, Your site is great. Regards, Valintino Guxxi |
Valintino |
| 14:38 on 15 August 2007 |
| The amount of building work going on in my neighborhood is driving me crazy. There is no such thing as a quiet day at home as we put up with vans, hammers, saws, etc. Most of the workers dont know the meaning of enough is enough and think its okay for them to work until the sun goes down. I could open the window (which stays closed to blot out the noise) and scream, but no one would hear me above the din of construction. |
Debbie Twickenham |
| 20:36 on 14 August 2007 |
| I live in a ground floor flat with no soundproofing. The previous tenants were a nightmare and would come knocking at my door if I made the slightest noise, however when I complained they told me do you expect us not to move about. The new neighbours are much better. I want to get my flat soundproofed but cannot find anyone to do it. One firm I found looked promising but I asked for references and havent heard anything since. Any ideas? |
Gary Birmingham |
| 13:11 on 17 July 2007 |
| I have had trouble with my neighbour. The noise is severe including shouting, screaming,objects thrown,music playing extremely loud.I have phoned the wardens and police several times.The man in question has been arrested.I have contacted the council and environmentla health.And still nothing has been done.I am concerned about my safety as the man clearly has mental issues, which could include drugs. He has been known to shout at passing people in the street, and kicks and bangs the side of our flat. He also puts horrible and disgusting notes up at his windows.I do not know what to do next. I cannot go on like this.Any help would be grateful |
Marie South Shields |
| 11:15 on 16 July 2007 |
| Great Website with practical advice. I live in a flat where the slamming of doors is a major problem. Myself and another resident have, at separate times, placed a polite notice asking people to close doors quitely. On both occassions someone took it upon themselves to remove these. It would be great if there were official notices or stickers that you could place in flats. These would hev an impact and people would take note. |
Kate Cotter Birmingham |
| 22:43 on 10 July 2007 |
| I am woken up every monday morning at 5.15am by a private company collecting wheelie bins, is there anything I can do to stop it? |
Beth Southport |
| 09:20 on 07 July 2007 |
| i live on an end terrace and my neighbour plays loud base music through speakers that are clearly not for residential use. I have had this for 2 and a half years where i ask him to turn it down as my wife works shifts and has tro get up at 4 in the morning. My neighbour uses threating words and says if i go to env-health he will do my house over. we are scared. what do we do as we are backed into a corner. |
anon doncaster |
| 19:34 on 06 July 2007 |
| I have a noisy neighbour who repeatedly plays his music loudly enough that my house shakes. I live in a mid terrace home that I have spent 12 months renovating and one side neighbours are fantastic, the other side every Friday and Saturday I get a dance music session and lots of shouting and screaming from his chav friends. I have confronted him many times and now we are taking a diary of events as its getting unbearable. Is there a likelihood of his stereo being confiscated or something similar? |
matt swindon |
| 17:11 on 02 July 2007 |
| I have just finished reading articles on your site - I too am having problems with nieghbours and their noisy children - it seems to me that the only way to deal with these problems is to fight fire with fire !! these people do not want to listen to reason and are totally selfish. My advice: get the loudest sound system you can afford and play 9am - 10pm. enjoy and take no notice !!! |
richards walsall |
| 11:44 on 28 June 2007 |
| Hi Ive had a quick look at the site and think it is pretty good and very informative. I have an issue with advice you offer on contacting the local authority and the action they must take if they consider the noise a statutory nuisance. Although there is a duty to serve notice in these circumstances, this has been modified so that they can enter into negotiation with the alleged perpetrator. In addition there never has been a requirement to take action within any set period of time (the page mentions 7 days). |
chris norwich |
| 08:36 on 26 June 2007 |
| Please help me. I live in a mid terrace house with my husband, 2 year old daughter and 1 year old son. We live between a family and a single man. The man brings a woman home with him, and they have ear piercingly loud sex every night. Their bedroom backs onto ours and we hear them as clearly as if they were in our room. My husband and I are getting no sleep, and my children are disturbed every night. I am getting desperate, but dont know what to do. I do not want my babies to be disturbed by this every night. Please, please, please help me. |
Kara Chelmsford |
| 23:40 on 24 June 2007 |
| I bought a new-build apartment block. We are woken from multiple sides by the unnecessary slamming of doors every morning and night. I have kept a diary and have managed just 3 nights of uninterrupted sleep in the last 6 months. It is affecting my health and ability to work. Yet because the slams are sporadic and isolated in themselves, the council says this does not constitute the right kind of noise. Yet each slam is more than enough to wake me (normally a heavy sleeper). |
Chris Liverpool |
| 22:16 on 24 June 2007 |
| I have two neighbours in the flat below me, who keep tapping on the ceiling when I am in the bathroom. They also tap at all odd hours, and weird clicking sounds. I am fed up, because they have been to my door once, to tell me I am noisy. They regularly slam their doors, occassionally stay up all night laughing, talking with back door left wide open. They have cracked on the ceiling to wake me up at night, and admitted this when I confronted them. The older tenant - a mother - gets her broom, and thwacks the ceiling because of noise I apparently made earlier in the day - she did this at 12 midnight, very loudly. |
Steve London |
| 08:29 on 20 June 2007 |
| Were I live used to be nice but the area is now either full of chavs or snobs who think about only themselves. As a result we now have to put up with cars parked right over pavements (even though they have their own driveway big enough for two cars), barking dogs, kids kicking balls against fences at 11pm and at the moment, most annoying of all, my carpenter neighbour has taken to banging around and sawing at 8am every morning which carries on until late afternoon if youre lucky. The people in power dont seem to realise what an impact this has on peoples lives. I often question whether to take it into my own hands and resort to violence :( |
Dan Norfolk |
| 23:28 on 19 June 2007 |
| Ive been having problems with my neighbours for over a year now. Initially I would bring it to their attention that they are disturbing me downstairs, but in most instances it would lead to a confrontation. I have complained to the Lewisham council as to the noise that ranges from dogs howling, loud volume and screaming arguments. Im on sleeping pills prescribed by the doctor, I have anxiety attacks and it has already affected me at work. The noise starts off at 8.30pm-6am nearly every day (They told me that they are on the dole!) The council have apparently intervened and are now vying for mediation between the 2 parties. I mean, for Gods sake: this isnt a boundary dispute! |
Akin Lewisham |
| 21:52 on 15 June 2007 |
| We just bought one victorian terraced cottage. The neighbour next door has his property registered as a woodwork design. This came up in the environmental search so we went to talk to him before buying it. He was extremely nice, said he worked somewhere else but only did a bit of DIY in his garden shed. After moving in we found out he actually runs the business all day long from his garden shed. The drilling etc.. can be heard in our whole house and is quite unbearable. Do you know whether this is legal at all. We are very worried as we put all our savings and dreams on buying our first home and its turning into nightmare... Please, tell us what we shall do... thanks |
Rose Gonsales London |
| 04:23 on 11 June 2007 |
| My neighbour has been served a Notice Seeking Possession for ASB. Despite this she shouts over her balcony to people, slams EVERY door and window at all hours, sounds her car horn repeatedly outside my 2.5 year old sons bedroom late at night on a regular basis. She continually plays loud music for minutes at a time then switches it off, saying that it hasnt been on long enough to cause a nuisance. She told my sons father that she is doing it deliberately. She says I cant prove the door slamming, shouting, etc, so she cant be evicted for it. Im at my wits end. Recently she slammed her balcony doors so fiercely that a much treasured picture of my son crashed to the floor and smashed to pieces. |
Sarah London |
| 02:00 on 10 June 2007 |
| We are having next door ground noise problems from their high defiant speaker and stereo. You cant hear much out side but our house is slab and live up hill from them and the noises bring vibrating and buzzing noises that drive you crazy. I am looking for a way to block their noises running from the ground. |
Steve Chelsea |
| 14:01 on 06 June 2007 |
| I lived in a flat and the freeholder, decided to build another floor on the block. We suffered noise beyond any normal level, filth, swearing work-men for nearly 2 years. I wanted to sell up but could not due to this. Worked from home and could not hear the phone. Once called local council - Lewisham - to complain and they could not hear me. They did nothing. The freeholder tried to bill us all for the work. The works also damaged my ceilings - freeholder would not repair. I had to at my own cost. I moved eventually but my heart goes out to anyone who is going through this. It made me ill and scared. People need more protection. |
wendi london |
| 11:02 on 04 June 2007 |
| Visitors to your site who, like me, are having their lives made hell by their neighbours and landlords who fail to act to enforce tenancy conditions apertaining to noise nuisance, might be interested in a petition I have just had accepted on the 10 Downing Street website. The address is: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/StudentNuisance/ The more people sign it, hopefully the more chance there is of action being taken. Many thanks M Moore |
MJ Moore Norwich |
| 15:20 on 25 May 2007 |
| Young people are playing football up against my house causing a considerable amount of noise both inside and out. I cannot sit in my garden or relax in my home because of these young people. The police, parents, council and their housing association have said that they cannot help in any way. I dont know what to do and am thinking of moving which I dont want to do. |
Gemma East Sussex |
| 20:05 on 23 May 2007 |
| I was re-housed by the council when my father died 6 yrs ago..I was placed on the 4th floor of a 22 floor tower block..Since day 1 the neighbour above who has no carpets has kept me awake..I can hear shuffling, banging tapping and loud crashing noises, it sounds like he is assembling/disassembling furntiture..this goes on until midnight every evening..Then the neighbour below moved his girlfriend and 2 children in. They wake me every morning from 5am-8.45am even at the weekend..I roughly get 4-5hrs sleep if I am lucky..I have recorded the noise, kept diary sheets and I am told that the noises are everyday noise.. |
Gaynor Hogan TW8 0DE |
| 00:49 on 06 May 2007 |
| I am on the internet at 12.30 in the morning as i can not sleep as my next door neighbour and his friends are still shouting and laughing. It gets so loud that they might as well be making the noise in this house. We can also hear his tv late at night and in the early morning on a regular basis.We cant catch up on sleep during the day on the weekends as he plays music at a ridiculous volume. We have asked him a couple of times to keep the noise down which works for a couple of days then it is back to normal. I dont know what to do now as i am not keen on comfronting him any more on this matter. |
amanda wolverhampton |
| 17:57 on 22 April 2007 |
| Im shocked that you think that the person producing the noise is always the one who must compensate for it. I believe that if the loud noise is being produced between the legal times ( roughly 9.00 - 21.00) and it is causing neighbours problems then it should be those neighbours who have to install extra insulation simply because they are the ones who have a problem with it. Still though I did find your website slightly enlightening so its not all bad. Just please try to mention how neighbours should try to be tolerant of loud noises when they are produced at reasonable times. |
Liam Cullen Bristol |
| 15:13 on 13 April 2007 |
| Please help I feel like I am loosing my mind ! My neighbours have recently built a decking area at the rear of their garden, lovely for them but at the expense of my sanity. They are great lovers of music where I am a lover of peace and quiet. They do not play their music very loud but because of the positioning of their garden to mine the music can be heard right through my house. There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting out the back in the sunshine reading a good book, but find Tom Jones singing in the background very off putting. I do not begrudge anyone enjoying this glorious sunshine but surely I should have just as much right to do so as my music loving neighbours ?? |
Sam South Wales |
| 23:10 on 12 April 2007 |
| PART 2 - this has been very destrssing for me n my family. im shure the police have got better things todo than to say to a minor Turn that music down! the older generation think that we r all hoody wearing yobs but let me tell u i have been brought up to respect my elders but wen im treatened by an older bloke maybe its you that r the yobs. |
Stu Downham Market |
| 23:09 on 12 April 2007 |
| I am a Semi Profecinal Dj with my own recording studio were i practice my music making and i do have loud music till 11 witch by law i am aloud. My next door naibour dose not agree i (a 17year old boy)have been Treatend on many occations by men more than twice my age about the noice. and i quote im gonna cut your arms n legs off with a chainsaw and if that dnt work im gonna shoot u with a shotgun. |
Stu Downham Market |
| 20:14 on 04 April 2007 |
| I live on the ground floor of a purpose built 1930s maisonette. My neighbours upstairs are pretty noisy and their sound travels down as i believe they have exposed, original floorboards, as i do. I hear their conversations with each other and hear them on the phone, they speak VERY loudly. Im not the quietest person in the world and not super sensitive to noise. I complained to their landlord and managed to stop the exercising that was taking place daily - my ceiling was bowing under the pressure of an 18 year old man jumping up and down. |
Angie Davidson London |
| 11:32 on 23 March 2007 |
| I recently moved into a new (18months old) apartments in manchester,I recieved a complaint from the persons living below about Footsteps. I have now recieved a formal complaint of the council. The property is empty for 10-11hrs of the days, and silent thru sleep for another 8. the remaining time I and my partner obviously walk around to do household things, and well walk! the floor is imitation laminate (i.e. lino/soft plastic) so not hard wood, we dont where shoes inside the house and short of not moving from our seats, what are we suposed to do? You site offers no advice as to what is an unreasonable complaint. are my neibours being unreasonable? |
Ricci-lee Stanley Manchester |
| 08:35 on 20 March 2007 |
| I have had been living with unacceptable noise from my neighbours in the past 2-3years, we have asked them on numerous occassions to stop the banging but nothing happens if anything it gets worse and its turned on us for having music on at the weekends. The main problem is the children running, banging on my wall, jumping around to the point my house literally shakes. its that bad I think my neighbour on the other side can hear it, this is every day including the weekends We had a discussion with our with them to sort this out once and for all and the responce was very negative and they confirmed they wont stop the noise. |
Marie London |
| 08:23 on 20 March 2007 |
| We live in a terrace & have noisy neighbours on both sides. One side has extremely noisy sex, sometimes 2 times a night. This may sound amusing (it was to us at first) but we have lived here for nearly a year and its unbearable. The other side have just moved in & play Bollywood music extremely loudly (can be heard in any room in the house) until 10:30-11:30 at night. They also slam doors & clatter plates constantly. The noise is becoming unbearable & Im unable to sleep which is causing me to be tearful & stressed out. I dont want to go round because (apart from 1 issue being extremely embarrassing) I dont want to cause any problems for the future. Please help!!! |
Lou Leicester |
| 15:18 on 14 March 2007 |
| My girlfriend and I have bought a groundfloor flat. A new family has just moved in on the floor above and i can hear everything. From conversations, disgussions, phones ringing, mobile phone alarms vibrating on the floor, kids running around and now lately the husband praying at 3.45 am right above my bedroom. I dont really know what to do? I have spoken to the family renting above. It feels like our flat has been occupied by other people and we have to wear earplugs at most times, particularly when we try and sleep. Im tired of this. I have contacted their landlord, but he didnt seem to bothered. What should i do next. What is the best way to move forward with this? Thanks |
Anders Dal London |
| 10:47 on 14 March 2007 |
| I live in a Housing Association first floor flat. The noise between the flats is constant and sometime not the fault of the person below its mainly just everyday noise. I feel so down and depressed and my children cannot sleep they have school and myself work. I have complained so many times to the HA, Environmental Health Dept. and the Police and tried solicitors, no one can or will help me. The flats were meant to be just one house and the floors are timber. The properties were built in the 1950s when good sound proofing regs. were not around. We even get cigarette smoke smell coming from cupboards and the kitchen. The building should be just knocked down I am at my wits end. |
Clare Waterlooville, Portsmouth |
| 20:44 on 07 March 2007 |
| cont..More PUBLICITY is needed on a GLOBAL level,not just in the UK, as manufacturers of overly powerful sound equipment need to be regulated at source, and also people travel. Ive had this problem for over 10 years and have experienced repeated mental breakdowns as a result. The only way to combat it is to MAKE SOME NOISE about the effects that it is having on you and join forces with people in a similar situation worldwwide if need be, the websites are out there. If you rely solely on the local council you are more likely to die, before you get the result you want. |
Susan London |
| 19:54 on 04 March 2007 |
| Our local council whilst appearing to be sympathetic have an agenda not to get involved in any dispute concerning laminate flooring and pay little consideration other than to offer advice to would-be laminate floor buyers to install adequate sound insulation. I have watched the DIY’ers spending hundreds of pounds on laminate and then balking at the extra for insulation and they always end up with the compressed half-inch-thick paper which in itself is woeful but, after being walked over for a year has as much insulation quality as a couple of sheets of newspaper. Both our local councils and the building standards people have a great deal to be responsible for. DS North London |
Dave Smithee London N |
| 16:25 on 03 March 2007 |
| I got the defferent noice problem in my home which has not explained any where of this website. ant this about wodden flat neighbours who living upstair and heaveavy footstep and kids jumping and making a big trouble for me. day time kids are allert and night time thier parents. I dont understand what they do? they dont listen to me. I told them many time. also called enviroment people and they said they have to asess. so shal i ask u what action to be tanen in that cases? Thank you please reply to sarwaralamx@gmail.com |
ALAM LONDON |
| 13:26 on 27 February 2007 |
| Above us we have a family with a young child. They have recently had laminated flooring installed and my life has become horrendous. The little girl runs around in her shoes (as do the whole family), when playing with her toys, she seems to like throwing them on the floor or playing with pull/push toys and she doesnt sleep on a night, My son and I have had no sleep. I am sure the sound is much worse in my flat than it is theirs. I have tried asking nicely and even asked them to come into my flat and listen for themselves but they wont and now they ignore me. We share the same landlord and he refuses to do anything but tell me to find somewhere else to live. |
Joanna Weekes Hendon. London |
| 08:57 on 24 February 2007 |
| Since 5th december builders have been working on the next door semi. We have become shell shocked with the level of noise. As I work from home I cannot hear the phone and talk to clients when the noise is at its peak.Our house is filthy from all the dust a rubble and this does not help. Have spoken to the builder and the home owner who does not live there but have received no help. As far as we are concerned there is no solution to all the jack hammering, banging and disruption. I have a Saturday off today and was woken at 7.50 by the builders arriving and chatting under my bedroom window. |
Rita Carroll Bedford |
| 12:39 on 22 February 2007 |
| I live in a house which faces a greeen. Since a young child moved in next door all the neighbourhoods children congregate on the green playing football. The ball has damaged plants in my garden and continually hits my windows and glass front door. I have asked nicely and not so nicely if they could play further away from the house and I get nowhere. To cap it all they have now erected a huge trampoline (Aprox 10 high and wide) in their small back garden so the kids are also on that at all hours. I need to sell my property for financial reasons but I am trapped as no one will buy under these curcumstances. Can you help? |
Jacqui Bournemouth |
| 21:28 on 17 February 2007 |
| NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOURS PLAYING LOUD MUSIC AT 2am IN THE MORNING, MY HUSBAND WENT ROUND AND ONE THREATENED TO HIT HIM, THEY WERE ALL DRUNK, IT WAS HORRIBLE,WE RANG THE POLICE BUT THEY SAID TO RING THE COUNCIL,THEY SAID TO MAKE NOTES OF DATES AND TIMES WHICH WE ARE DOING,BUT THAT DOESNT HELP, WE GET SO WORKED UP ITS A WONDER ONE OF US DONT HAVE A STROKE. NOBODY SEEMS TO HELP THESE DAYS,IT WAS FAR BETTER WHEN THE POLICE WOULD COME OUT TO SOLVE IT. |
Sheila Rishton Lancs |
| 05:05 on 12 February 2007 |
| I have suffered for the last 18 months from a tennant with several personal issues.The list is huge,24/7 parties,loud music,agressive shouting+ swearing,urinating outside,ranting in the street,drugs,criminal damage.He affects 5 neighbours.3 of us own our homes.We had him arrested+called the police several times.Our management company having a huge number of complaints have failed to act.We have asked for eviction before someone is injured.I can look after myself but 3 of my neighbours are females and are terrified by his behaviour.Has the management co the power to evict this tennant.We are way past the point of mediation here |
Phil Northampton |
| 00:34 on 12 February 2007 |
| I am a student at music conservatory -at college daytime -have to practice evenings. New neighbour just moved in. I had told landlord we should consider soundproofing can hear normal conversations-said he didnt think my cello was intrusive. Neighbour complained first day. Said she had to turn up television to hear over my playing. In evening I played as quietly, using practice mute - knocked door asking me to stop -she gets up 6am. I stopped but could hear her television for an hour or more. I have to practice-no other place to do it. Also teach from home occasionally. My flat is owned -hers is rented. What can I do?? |
Charliecello Glasgow |
| 18:38 on 07 February 2007 |
| I have a noisy neighbour very inconsiderate who believe me stomps about in the bedroom/living room/kitchen and bathroom on purpose very loudly makes the whole of the flat shake. we live in a one bedroom flat and the neighbour lives above he has took one look at me and my partner and decided he just does not like us it has been going on since the first day we moved in about 14 months ago we are at our nerves end and have tried every thing a letter to neighbour offering the hand of friendship no reply the enviromental people they think it is day to day noise but it definately isnt the police say nothing to do with them our management company nothing to do with them. |
julie portsmouth |
| 17:42 on 02 February 2007 |
| Am I legally allowed to live on a first floor flat with a child permanently? I have recently become homeless and have been housed in a first floor flat on a temp basis, I asked if it would become a permanent tenancy after they investigate my homeless case and decide if i become homless intentially or not, and they said they dont know if it will as they dont know what the legal rights are on living in on first floor with a child. I would appreciate any advice on this as I would like to stay in the flat they have placed me in as I dont want to be moving around. I would also like to decorate and I dont want to be doing this if I will be moving. |
Cass Cheshire |
| 01:21 on 27 January 2007 |
| I live in a housing association flat it has been bilt for aprox 15 years. I live on the ground floor and the walls are like cardbord and the cealings so there for I hear alot of what the neighbours get up to but they have no consideration for that at all I have too children my youngest is two in march they keep him awake at night with there music and chating and yes I can hear every word even when they are talking about how they can wake me and my kids up. I have asked them a number of times even cryed and pleaded at them to keep it down but it just makes them worse. |
Kim West Sussex |
| 21:54 on 18 January 2007 |
| I live on the ground floor in a converted victorian house. Between my flat and the first floor flat there is absolutely no sound proofing, I hear every movement the upstairs neighbours make. I complain (politely) but am ignored. The owner has sinced moved tenants in and noise has doubled. They however, dont believe they make any noise. Dropping items on the floor, pouonding down their hall way, walking heavily on floorboards, the noise doesnt stop. Ive tried a lawyer, no help. The freeholder doesnt want to get involved. Ive suggested a mediator, but again ignored. My last and only option now is to take them to the magistrates, I pray that something can be down from this. |
Caroline London |
| 11:01 on 08 January 2007 |
| I have a large section with trees, and it seems lately that they have been coming onto my property and climbing my trees, when I approach them they say they are allowed When I say they should have asked my permission they said that half the tree is theirs.they continue to climb & shout out on purpose when I go down the back they spray me with water pistols, there are quite a few children - like 6 or more around the age of 8 - 9 yrs They also dont seem to have a bed time still outside yelling at 11.00 in the evening or more. The more you say something the more abuse you get. it just gets worse. Please help me out here. |
ruth Invercargill new zealand |
| 23:16 on 04 January 2007 |
| I am selling my house but have neighbours who are noisy and some times play music till the early hours of the morning including during the week, i have not officially complained about them to the council or police because i am trying to sell my house and dont want it to put people off. Wanted to just confirm that unless i have put in an official complaint then i dont have to declare it when selling? |
Jenna Manchester |
| 09:33 on 20 December 2006 |
| We live next door to a pub. Usually they hold events upstairs which is not a problem for us as we are in the ground floor flat. However on occasion they use the downstairs room and the musicians are positioned right next to the adjoining wall with a bedroom in our flat. We have rang them and asked them to turn it down and been ignored. I dont know what the next step should be. |
Liz London |
| 11:59 on 19 December 2006 |
| The Problem is that one of my bedrooms is situated next door to the neighbours living room and I can hear them talking, etc. Sometimes they stay up late and it is difficult for me to get to sleep. Their bedroom is situated above mine so I can hear squeaky floorboards etc. The second bedroom is situated below their kitchen, so you can hear their washing machine etc. I have spoken to them several times but to no avail. My housing association has put me on their long wating list. What can I do? Do I have any rights? |
Beverley St. Marthe London |
| 10:52 on 10 December 2006 |
| I am unfortunate to live above the most inconsiderate and disrespectful family. It seams only way they communicate is by shouting at each other and their young boy makes an unbearable racket up until past 11pm sometimes. A quite evening in is often ruined, and I have been down to speak to them many times but that might only get me 1 nights peace. I want my local council to write them a letter threatening to take further action, because nothing I do seams to make one iota of difference. |
Steve Mclaren North London |
| 11:50 on 05 December 2006 |
| Very useful site we are going to include links from our own web site and put an article in our Dec newsletter. |
Barbara Accrington |
| 08:45 on 21 November 2006 |
| Hi, Our landlord is starting work of a relatively large scope - in our garden - building a warehouse - in order apparently to build another house at the back of the garden (we have not been warned by him). The sawing, hammering and drilling begins at 8am. It is fine during the week - although definitely annoying because some of us work from home. But I am wondering if it actually legal to start the works at 8am on saturdays (and sundays in case he decides to start works then). Thank you. |
Andreas Leamington Spa |
| 20:58 on 04 November 2006 |
| I live on the ground floor of a block of six flats. The flat above has been let to three students in a two bedroom flat. They do not play music but invite lots of people in. Since the flat was renovated we can hear lots of noise - obviously no underfelt for carpet. The worst thing is the continual thudding across the floor and screaming with laughter. The thudding is so bad it knocks things off the wall and is torture especially when it goes on for 3 or 4 hours. Their landlord doesnt care about our stress. How can we make him soundproof their floor. |
JH Portsmouth |
| 19:06 on 30 October 2006 |
| my neigbour upstairs does a lot of noise drill; hammer, until what time in evening he can do that? Im living in an estate and my babies cant sleep. At what times can he does this ? |
nell london |
| 13:43 on 25 October 2006 |
| My neighbours are fine. Im trying to find a solution for my friends, who have some very loud (and criminal) neighbours, but are afraid to take official action because they want to sell their home and have been advised that any official involvement has to be declared to potential buyers (which would clearly put anyone off moving in!). I want to confirm if this is the case, and would like advice on how to deal with this problem... |
NM Portsmouth |
| 16:29 on 20 October 2006 |
| An unexplained humming and droneing goes through the house loudest at night. at approx 11.30.pm 3am. 5.30 am. I live near a Southern Water refinery. Some workers have come when the noise is on and have heard the noises but have not investigated it. I have phoned central control to ask for the freshwater workers to investigate, still,nothing happened.This goes on after the electric is turned off in the house. Envorimental health have not picked it up at all. I am a carer I need my sleep but am getting nowhere. Help. |
c.passfield sandown, iow. |
| 14:42 on 19 October 2006 |
| I have constant problems with my neighbours who rent the house next door to me. They have been there only 3 months but it feels like 3 years. There is constant noise and abuse from them, I have had time off work with stress from there behaviour I have had to call the police on two occaisions due to threats. Yesterday they threatend to burn my house down with us in it. The letting agencies response was very poor but I think we have won in the end and a notice is hopefully being served for them to find further accomodation when the lease runs out in January 2007. |
kim lancaster |
| 19:25 on 17 October 2006 |
| where do people go, who do people speak to, who feel that they are being subjected to unreasonable complaint by a neighbour. So unreasonable that it is affecting our family life, and relationship with other neighbours. I feel victimised in my home, and that a distant neighbour is controlling the way we live because they are inconsiderate, with no way and no one to which i can express how we feel as a family, everything is in favour of the complainer, whom i strongly believe in my situation is completely in the wrong, after considering all fair and reasonable circumstances. |
Ash Leigh |
| 21:10 on 12 October 2006 |
| my neighbour revs his car at 6 -7am he hammers and drills from 6am untill he goes to work then does it again up until 10 - 11pm last year he used to rev his cars on a night too up untill 11pm, if i say any thing he shouts abuse threatens violence n says he can do it from 6am til 11pm |
philippa sergent wakefield |
| 13:33 on 07 October 2006 |
| I have a neighbour who has a damn great Rotweiller dog. This dog barks more or less constantly for about 45 minutes anytime from 10.30 pm to midnight and again at some time after 6 am. So I either cant get to sleep at night or am wakened by the barking in the morning. I am too afraid of some retaliation if I complain. |
Ann Leicester |
| 18:16 on 05 October 2006 |
| An industrial operation some 1/2 mile from us is very noisy and works often 24/7 even when not they start their noise at 6:30 am. We are in a rural area and there is no other noise but environmental health are powerless or reluctant to progress it as it is too much hassle and the chance of getting an abatement notice is "very poor" Uk noise legislation is pathetic and needs to follow the German model eg no noise on Sundays period! and much tighter regulations overall. As ever UK law is pathetic, weak and only benefits the very rich who can afford solicitors at £250-1000 per hour! |
mike byford stoke on trent |
| 17:22 on 04 October 2006 |
| The family next door scream and shout at their children, thump around on their floorboards for hours on end, slam doors (I once counted 42 door slams in one hour!) and allow their 9 year old daughter to swear and stay up, making a racket, until 10.30pm each night. We have complained twice before and they seemed quite embarrassed, but after a few weeks of relative quiet they always resumed they bad habits. Lately its been unbearable again. I went round again and the father threatened me with violence and screamed the most obscene names at me Ive ever heard. |
Simon Bristol |
| 13:41 on 02 October 2006 |
| The children in our street are being accussed of anti-social behaviour. One of the young girls has a foul mouth and often is very loud in voicing her opinion. The housing assocation has written letters to a group of parents reference that all the children are taking part in asb which has resulted in my own son not playing out as he can not play with out fear of me getting another letter. i can understand people complaining about the foul loud mouth but its the innocent kids that are suffering the only crime they are committing is guilt by association.any advice please |
anon plymouth |
| 16:34 on 29 September 2006 |
| Cont…Avoidance tactics, i.e. earplugs, drug taking, moving house, seeing a psychiatrist are unrealistic solutions for many and are distorted in their approach, putting the onus on the person affected to alter behaviour. Ive now resorted to writing up my own information sheet to encourage local residents to take action and support one another, in jointly resolving these problems, in the hope of encouraging a preventative approach. |
Susan London |
| 16:32 on 29 September 2006 |
| An EHO said, “Your mental health problems are not our problem”. (How not so, when related to noise?). Being called ‘MAD by my neighbour highlights the necessity for a multifaceted and joint approach, from mental health organisations, disability organisations (particularly those related to hearing) and major environmental organisations, addressing the issue giving it a much higher profile. The hazardous affects are insidious and globally recognised, but receive little public coverage. I live in a diverse area where communication under these circumstances can be difficult. A global perspective is imperative. |
Susan Lond |
| 16:29 on 29 September 2006 |
| 10 YEARS of repeated problems, gravely affects every aspect of my life. NO CLEAR GUIDELINES, TV/RADIO ADS exist, countering an increasingly noisy and dangerous environment. Experienced repeated mental breakdowns. AVERAGE PERSON clause, omits specific health needs, making the situation almost impossible to resolve. Mental health services refer you to the Env.Health Service, an ineffective and dangerous cycle, as officers are not sensitive to specific health needs. They do not observe or consider the stress and knock on effects. Inadequate PREVENTATIVE METHODS ensures the problem returns, exposing vulnerable people to further distress. to be cont. |
Susan London |
| 16:24 on 23 September 2006 |
| I registerd a complaint regarding noisy neighbours about 6 months ago. the noise pollution has not subsided although complaints have been registered. i am at the tail end of having to put up with disrespectful neighbours. What can i do? |
maria london |
| 16:43 on 21 September 2006 |
| I live across from a public house which has just recently changed hands and has a licence to 2pm which no one was aware of or consulted on as a neighbour. Since May (when landlord changed) I have been kept awake every friday & saturday night by load music, drunk behaviour and young kids playing outside by themselves untill 2pm in the morning in the road unsupervised . This can go on to 5.30am in the morning. The new lincing laws are full of red tape and it is very had to get anything done- beware do not move next t a pub!If you already live next to one look out for notices of changes in the licence |
JMM Stratford upon avon |
| 18:22 on 19 September 2006 |
| Why oh why are there no stronger laws or deterrents to stop these people ruining other peoples lives in the first place? Why does the sufferer have to continue suffering and when they do summon up the courage to speak to the perpetrator, they just get even more grief? Why do WE have to pander to these lowlife when they know they are being a nuisance and have no intention of shutting up! |
Penny Kent |
| 16:23 on 18 September 2006 |
| Charlotte, try some decent earplugs, Boots sell a couple of varieties. Worth a try. |
Mark Evans London |
| 15:54 on 18 September 2006 |
| The flat above ours is rented to a woman who recently started to make loads of noise. She seemed ok at first but now loud music is on every day and is LEFT on when she goes out; we are kept awake every night with visits from her boyfriends; she constantly screams at her child,who heavily runs and jumps around. I tried to talk to her in a friendly manner but nothing changed. I asked the owner of the property to have a word with her but still nothing. We are trying to sell and I am frightened to take this further in case I have to declare the problem which has only come about recently. However, if this is not rectified could the new owners could take us to court? |
suzy london |
| 14:21 on 14 September 2006 |
| I live in a houseshare, with very thin walls. The couple in the room next door to me have sex really loudly and I get to wake up or be kept awake trying to block out the noise of their intimacy. I have spoken to them in the past, trying to be tactful and saying that the walls are really thin. I understand that they are a couple and its only natural for them to be intimate, but I dont want to know when they are or have to hear the whole episode. Other than moving out, because I am really happy with the accommodation and price, what can I do? Have I got the right to not hear their intimate bedroom-going-ons? Thank you so much. |
Charlotte Isleworth |
| 16:05 on 12 September 2006 |
| Our problem started two years ago,we are so distressed and frightened,we are clumsiley just trying to get though the the day each day.can you help please please |
Anon wolverhampton |
| 10:13 on 31 August 2006 |
| how to tell my neighbour to keep it down |
anominous micham |
| 19:57 on 19 August 2006 |
| i live next door(semi-detached)to a young. . man who regularly,returns from the pub on a weekend and puts on loud music, he then shouts and uses bad language over the music, last night he was still doing this at 5.30am! needless to say my daughter and i got very little sleep. As he is 68" and more often than not very drunk i am very wary of challenging him,i have tried to speak to him but to no effect.i feel helpless. |
lynne bexhill on sea |
| 14:28 on 17 August 2006 |
| M Evans... Try the Noise Abatement Societys website - they have a permanent forum there. |
Ed London |
| 03:38 on 17 August 2006 |
| I would like to name and shame Hackney council in London as one of the worst councils in England when it comes to dealing with neighbour noise. We have been suffering for over a year and have basically been told that unless the noise reaches a level where we cant hear our TV they will not do anything. As a result this rules out all other noise nuisance such as repetetive base and the latest form of torture that our neighbour (who is a business by the way - they are a care home) is putting us through, which is a constant low-frequency buzzing emanating through our home due to their air conditioning. Hackney council have thus far ignored the issue. |
Sam Hackney, London |
| 19:44 on 16 August 2006 |
| In our area there are a lot of children who play around our house this has been happening for a year roughly and about 1/2 a year ago we started to ask the children to be quiet, most of the children are under 10 and they swear and shout about me and my family i am disguisted by the language they use even by anyone above 16 and most of the children are 6. they make me cry most of the day and i am disgusted by them all they really hurt my and im scared that soon as they get older they will start to physically abuse me, throwing stones etc. Im scared to call the police please help i need advice. |
Naomi Essex |
| 14:20 on 14 August 2006 |
| My neighbour – with lodger – would play loud music and bang doors till late, have unannounced parties till 6am... I started being friendly when mentioning noise, then got firmer then angry: nothing worked. Pleas were always forgotten. General noise concerns doors and footsteps: I hear his footsteps in my own bedroom – and he goes to bed later than me yet wakes earlier. His doors are ill-fitting and require a slam; this is heard throughout my flat. Last week 4 HUGE slams woke me @ 3am (they were drunk). This led to an ugly exchange but was resolved next day with the promise of fixing the doors. Well see. On average I am woken by him 6 out of 7 nights. |
M London |
| 14:20 on 14 August 2006 |
| I wonder if a forum could be useful for this site for us sufferers to make contact with each other and air our grievances and offer help/advice/sympathy with those in a similar situation? |
M Evans London |
| 17:55 on 13 August 2006 |
| for years put up with a neighbour from hell.people that lived in the flat over her never want to stay.she lets her dogs bark day and night lets them out or leaves them out during the night.plays loud music for hours on end she is so loud in herself you can here her and her boyfriend in to the early hours of the morning Iam net door with the windows shut. I am worried about reporting her as she drinks and is a very violent person could I report her anonymously. |
jones brighton |
| 11:53 on 12 August 2006 |
| I live in a new block of apartments. I have a noisy neighbour, he is unemployed and usually drunk. I repeatedly ask him to turn his music down, he does for a few mins but because hes so drunk he forgets, then turns it up again. He screams at his wife until all hours of the night, repeateadly telling her to "get-out!". I had a word about this too, which was quickly forgotten. How do i get his landlords details? Our building management company say they arent allowed to tell me! |
Anon Ipswich |
| 18:59 on 09 August 2006 |
| I have just moved to a new flat and in less then two weeks have found myself worken up three times by our neighbours down stairs, talking too loudly after an evening out. I wasnt sure what to do, but after reading this if it happens again Ill talk to them. I was planning on knocking on their door and saying hello anyway. One thing, given the above, if I get woken up again would it be a good idea to bang on the floor a few times, or is there a reason why this shouldnt be done? |
Phil Southampton |
| 13:52 on 08 August 2006 |
| We are living at the moment in the multilet house. Housemates who moved in last couple of months are very very noisy. Expecially with their music, jut living next door to my room. Music is being turned on very loud at any time at day and nite. talking doesnt help, one we have tried to speak to them my boyfried got phisiclly abused (not to menion verbal) talking to lanlord doesn help at all as he often joins housemates in their numerous drinking parties, which often start very early in the mornings - every weekend! please let me know who I can contact to try to stop this unpleasant living at least for a while before I manage to save enough to move out from that place. Thanks |
Agnes london |
| 09:42 on 08 August 2006 |
| We have a childrens playground at the bottom of our garden. the local authority insisted on play areas on new housing estates. What I dont understand is why. We have a massive field next to our house which could have been utilised for this purpose. I have complained loud and long to the environmental health dept to no avail. Because it is an open public place there is nothing they can do. The noise of the swings, clanging of the gate and screaming children are a constant nuisance and it is not restricted to 1 hour or so a day. During the school holidays and weekends the noise is unbearable. Unfortunately it seems we have to grin and bear it. |
Christine Salisbury Lancaster |
| 08:36 on 08 August 2006 |
| We never do any vacuuming until after 9am, never play loud music and no music at all after 9pm, but sometimes I wonder what the point is of having a wall between us as it sounds like theyre already in the room half the time. Ive already heard the verbal abuse one of my other neighbours experienced from them after politely asking them to keep it down, and am convinced that speaking to them will achieve nothing. "Theyre only kids" apparently. Were hoping to sell this autumn, but once anyone sees the state of the house next door and its occupants, I dare say theyll lose interest. |
Anon Kent |
| 08:36 on 08 August 2006 |
| When theyre outside, they kick footballs up my windows, run across my garden destroying plants and swear like troopers. This hot summer has only made things worse with late night BBQs, ensuring that we have to shut our windows to escape the smoke both from the BBQ and their cigarettes. And just how many more things they need to hammer, drill or saw in that house I just dont know, but when my girlfriend and I come home from work each day, the noise starts. We try to be quiet ourselves. Continues...... |
Anon Kent |
| 08:36 on 08 August 2006 |
| I live in an otherwise peaceful road where all but one house is privately owned. The exception is the one lived in by my next door neighbours. Mum, Dad and three kids who appear to have had zero discipline in their entire upbringing. The parents are "between jobs" and the kids stay up til all hours screaming, yelling, running about the house. Continues.... |
Anon Kent |
| 16:15 on 06 August 2006 |
| Residents have an appalling noise problem with a childrens holiday camp. Particularly noisy and abusive children, and foul mouthed instructors. Noise starts early in morning until late at night, every day throughout the year. The camp have been approached many times but refuse to abate the noise, just laugh and ensure that it worsens. The environmental health dept. has been complained to by several residents , but although the dept. say the noise is unacceptable, they are dragging their feet. We are all at our wits end. What can we do? |
Pearson Fishbourne, I.o.Wight |
| 11:23 on 05 August 2006 |
| I live in an ex local authority property on an estate where most of the houses are privately owned, unfortunately the property next to mine is still occupied by a council tenant. I am in a no win situation as i am unable to complain to the police or other authorities about the constant noise from my neighbours because should i ever want to sell my house due to new government legislation i have to divulge any disputes which i may have had with neighbours to any possible buyers which could jeopardise any sale. I cant win!! |
anon newcastle upon tyne |
| 10:42 on 05 August 2006 |
| My neighbour can be very awkward when my children want to play in the back garden. She constantly tells them to shut up and not to be noisy. If we want to have some music on (which is quite low might i add) she complains its too loud and starts shouting abuse at me and my family. When i tell my children off, she complains that we are being too noisy and often tells me to shut up. She has never had children therefore does not know what obstacles your up against when dealing with children. My neighbour makes our lifes miserable as we can not go into the garden when we want and do what we want without her being rude and shouting at us. please help!!! |
Kay Southend-on-sea Essex |
| 23:15 on 04 August 2006 |
| my neighbours argue very loudly and they use lots of bad language during theirr arguements |
| 22:44 on 04 August 2006 |
| A very good site - I imagine that many people have been affected by noise during the recent heatwave. I have a few problems with sound - why do people with loud car exhausts have to rev them several times when starting up? Also how do they pass their MOT? Why cant aircraft pilots train during the day or at dusk instead of screeching over us at 1am? I wonder how many of the two stroke engines buzzing around the estate belong to legal motorbikes that are ridden on the roads? |
Richard Swindon |
| 20:51 on 04 August 2006 |
| Hi, I live in a flat and have suffered at the hands of the neighbour who lives beneath me. When he is at home he sometimes plays loud pop/rock music. I have spoken to him about it on numberous occasions and have lost my temper with him on one occasion in particular where i ended up shouting expletives at him. I have involved my local council who take the matter seriously and have dealt with him in the past, but little by little he pushes the boundaries. I just cant understand why someone thinks it is accetable to inflict their music on others. Part of the problem is the way the flats are constructed (Cheap ex-council) but he should take that into account as do i.It is VERY frustrating. |
Craig Chesterfield |
| 18:56 on 04 August 2006 |
| My neighbour has been playing loud music to the early hours on a regular basis and argues in the street in the early hours fighting with his girlfriend. She smashed all his windows and mine. Also she had my son assaulted he has had 4 or 5 operations at hospital through no fault of his own. It happened in June 2005 and he still has severe pain. My daughter who is 13 has been kept awake all night for two years (and my wife}. My daughter sits in bed crying because she cant sleep. Please can you send me some leaflets documents to help me to solve this problem. thanking you |
steven warrington |
| 13:57 on 04 August 2006 |
| I would like to agree with the comment from Pat below about the difficulites for some of us in approaching our neighbours. Like her I live in Haringey where the local noise service advise not to talk to noisy neighbours but to use their service. I live on difficult estate, with high levels of anti-social behaviour where it is easy to feel intimidated. I find it comforting to know that if the noise gets too bad I can use their confidential service. |
R London |
| 09:59 on 04 August 2006 |
| For the last 2 nights we have been treated to DIY noise until 10.30. I am not an expert on legal issues - but I believe that building sites do not work until this time and pubs and clubs have to comply with the law. Why does this not apply to ordinary neighbourhoods? Any way rant over - I suppose this website has given me the chance to blow off some steam! |
Sandra Sheffield |
| 09:58 on 04 August 2006 |
| The only heartening aspects of your website are the comments from others affected by noise. At least I know that there are other people who have consideration towards their neighbours. We have suffered with constant DIY late into the night (indoors and outdoors) for approximately 18 months. Our neighbours have adapted 2 garden sheds to hold frequent karaoke parties, which go on well into the early hours. |
Sandra Sheffiled |
| 17:34 on 03 August 2006 |
| We have an ongoing issue with our neighbours - they have parties until all times, which result in screaming matches on the street. They are unbelievably inconsiderate. The council have tried seizing their equipment but they simply hid it and carried on. The police are called out on a regular basis to break up the gangs of kids wrecking our property. Our life is hell because of them and we cant sell our house to escape it. The police should have more power to stop this happening. |
Rita S Manchester |
| 09:47 on 03 August 2006 |
| have tried speaking to my neighbours they dont want to know, only interested in enjoying themselves. The council have been contacted, nothing happens. Police have told them to keep the noise down, they o until the Police are out of sight then continue. Something for them to look at and think about may hopefully work. |
anon failsworth |
| 09:07 on 03 August 2006 |
| I am not a kill-joy and it is hot weather dependent, but can anybody tell me if there is a time at night that music from garden parties and barbecues has to cease by law? (like sounding a car horn after 11pm). Is it a national or local council that decides a time? It only used to be about six times in the summer that we suffered loud techno/garage (c)rap until about 2am, but since May it has been most weekends. At least there is some advantages to cold and rain! If neighbours were to at least apologise or warn neighbours they were going to have parties it would take the sting out of the situation a little. Its the total couldnt-care-less less attitude that irks the most. |
John London |
| 21:33 on 02 August 2006 |
| is there a leaflet available that I can post through the neighbours door explaining to them what affect their behaviour (and that of their kids) has on us. I have tried to make one up but cant get the wording right and I dont want to make matters worse. Something simple and to the point would be good. |
anon failsworth |
| 20:14 on 02 August 2006 |
| I would like to give my noisy neighbours a print out detailing the law regarding noise nuisance etc. Does such a leaflet exist. The one on your web site tells them how to be considerate but doesnt explain what laws they are breaking and what could happen to them, or am I looking at the wrong part? |
Susie Manchester |
| 18:43 on 02 August 2006 |
| Hi, Im having problems with my neighbours complaining about the children playing in the garden during the day? Please can you point me in the right direction to find out what is allowable. Neighbours want no noise, not a reduction, they want to hear the birds sing etc. What should I do? jabbazxr@btinternet.com |
Anon |
| 13:52 on 02 August 2006 |
| The idea is a good one but I have already spoken to my neighbour more than once. She takes it on board for so long the we are back to square one. I do understand that a lot of the problem is the design of the flats that we are in(her floor our ceiling)is wooden. We can hear every footfall and she tends to walk about until the early hours of the morning when we have to be up for work at 7am. We can also hear her more intimate moments which is not very pleasant. I wonder if there are any soundproofing solutions that you could recommend. We love our flat but feel that the only way to get some peace is to move but how do you sell a flat with a noisy neighbour? |
Lynn Leeds |
| 15:42 on 01 August 2006 |
| We have a relatively new nursery ay the end of our garden.The first summer it was fine. Apparently it was not very full then (summer 04). Last summer was unbearable: children screaming all day{8am to 6pm). WE have been to see the manager and mentioned our concerns. Apparantly, under the national curriculum they are not allowed to stop children scream. I have measured 70 decibels regularly. We can hear the screams even when indoors, with windows shut and modern double glazing. The nursery is open 364 days a year. |
Anna Oxford |
| 10:27 on 01 August 2006 |
| My neighbours teenage daughter often has 20+ friends around and they stand in the garden, talk loudly, shout, slam the gate and run up and down the alleyway between 1am and 4am. They also vomit and urinate in alleyway. What can I do about noise from gardens please? I have double glazing and cannot even sleep with my windows closed. I have called police but they do not move the teenagers on. I am reluctant to complain to the council as I do not want a complaint on record. This is the same situation as Suzie from Manchester below. I have tried speaking with my neighbours and they were pleasant to me at first but I now just receive abuse. |
Katie Cambridge |
| 19:25 on 31 July 2006 |
| we are building an extension. We do not start work on the extension early or carry on late. Our neighbours often complain which is driving me mad. one sunday, we started at 2pm, 30 minutes later they were complaining, we had done no work on the saturday. But its all right to let their child scream and shout all saturday and sunday in their garden while playing in a paddling pool. I do not complain about this, every one makes noise at some point. As long as its not every day then people should be able to carry on with their lives without being harassed by the neighbours. |
A cheshire |
| 17:01 on 31 July 2006 |
| Our noise relates to children next door age 4 and 6. We are quite happy with them playing and have a good relationship with parents. However their small garden has a large slide a 12 trampoline and a 12 highsided pool and this equipment takes up 80% of garden. The problem is that they SHOUT. Both boys have a very gutteral sound and the older simulates karate type chops as though he has been watching too many videos or like. The younger boy crys a lot when playing in the garden. The strength of noise can be heard indoors [ d/glazing] doors shut our TV on. It is not constant all day but it can be 2 hours at a stretch. |
John Hordle Lymington |
| 14:39 on 30 July 2006 |
| As a Mediator who deals with disputes that range from Boundary lines to Baseball bats, I feel the use of mediation is not used as much as it could be. Mediation is far more successful than people realise. Of course it may not work on all disputes but no agency can guarantee that. The mediation process is voluntary but I feel meeting with mediators should be compulsory. We work in partnership and take cases from Noise Team, Housing, Police and Anti-social behaviour Teams. |
Mediator London London |
| 13:39 on 30 July 2006 |
| Please make it more clear that a visit from the council Noise Abatement Team is anonymous, or at least it is here (Haringay). They encourage people to use them rather than approaching the noisemakers direct - as this is simply too dangerous. I would not feel safe complaining directly - instead the council sent round a couple of very skilled workers to point out what it is like for their neighbours, and to tell them of the next legal steps. Things have improved. Suggesting taking out a personal summons is out of the question for me and probably for most people, overt violence or sneaky vandalism are the likely responses. |
Pat London |
| 04:34 on 30 July 2006 |
| My Neighbour is Southern rail. For the past 4 years they have blasted away at 130db 100 feet from our bedroom window at worst every 10 minutes between 05.30am and 01.30am, leaving a 4 hour window for undisturbed sleep. The railway industry has resisted protest from every level up to Parliment...on the grounds of safety. We have lived where we are for 28 years and cannot even remember a complaint about the volume of horns before these new ones were introduced. Unfortunatly Local Council does not take the same responsibility to the health and safety of trackside residents caused through sleep deprivation. Any ideas for dealing with this neighbour? |
Andy Irons Canterbury |
| 23:17 on 29 July 2006 |
| Youths and adults gathering in large groups in the street alongside the rear part of my house - shouting, swearing etc., loud games of football day and night - this often continues until the early hours of the morning and I am frequently kept awake or woken by the noise. It would be neither appropriate nor safe for me to go and negotiate with these people. As I type this at 11.00 pm I am sitting in stifling heat as all doors and windows are shut to try to block out the din of a very noisy music system but the heavy bass is still getting through. I reported this at 9ish. Still, at least the yobs seem to be quiet! |
Sue Ilford |
| 17:49 on 29 July 2006 |
| We have had a problem with our neighbours for the last 4-5 years. Constant slamming of doors and windows, shouting, loud music in the garden. We have approached them on so many occasions I have lost count. Approached the local council. We have bought our house and our neighbours are tennents, I believe they must have signed a tenancy agreement which includes a section regards noise etc. . . Its not worth the paper its written on as nobody seems to help!!! They should be removed from the property. We are in a no win situation, complain then if you want to sell you have to declare it or put up with it and live a life of hell. .. either way the person making the noise WINS |
Jane Bingley |
| 15:04 on 29 July 2006 |
| I have a neighbour who keeps their dog in a pen in their garden 24/7. The dog barks constantly and appears to be frustrated by the lack of human contact with its family. The dog is also clawing and digging in its kennel all hours of the night. My neighbours seem oblivious and do nothing. I find the constant barking very distressing and cant get a proper nights sleep. My friends no longer want to stay over because of the noise. My other neighbours agree with me, but no-one wants any animosity in what is usually a pleasant street. |
Lizzie Beverley |
| 10:21 on 29 July 2006 |
| my neighbour complained saying that he has had constant noise from my 2 youngest playing in the garden and in the house if my windows open i was pleasent with him and told him that i would try and keep the quiet but the more i think about it the more it is annoying me i feel like a prisinor in my own home and keeping my children indoors with the windows shut so not to upset them. but others are out in their gardens enjoying the summer. i disagree that the noise has been constant as my 3 year old goes to nursery and the noise mainly comes from when they are together as my 3 year old can be loud and prevokes my 2 year old who has a very loud cry i dont know what to do as they are only babies. |
joanne liverpool |
| 23:04 on 28 July 2006 |
| we have a neighbour who,s dog is always barking ,2 letters to person still the same,what can all the neighbours do please,thanks,they also keep everything a mess and leave children to go to pub. |
b.whitehouse birmingham |
| 21:10 on 28 July 2006 |
| The friends of our neighbours son gather here every night (15 yr olds) sometimes 6 of them. They scream, shout,swear and drink alcohol. Houses dont sell because viewers are intimidated by them or put off by the noise. The parents arent approachable and couldnt care less about what they are doing, the police and council have been involved but nothing happens. What can we do. Speaking to the kids brings nothing but abuse. |
Susie Manchester |
| 21:02 on 28 July 2006 |
| For us it isnt just one neighbour, it seems to be the area that is fairly noisy and children seem to be given too much of a free reign from their parents. We are shocked to still hear children out playing when their parents are not watching over them in this day and age. Another problem is the noise from what sounds like packs of dogs in the neighbourhood, especially very early in the morning. I wish that community police officers would patrol our area more frequently as the children seem to be growing up to be quite a nuisance and intimidating to say the least. |
Horbury, Wakefield |
| 14:59 on 28 July 2006 |
| Excellent website and tips. Thanks |
Sara Gloucester |
| 08:24 on 28 July 2006 |
| The situation with noise nuisance is only going to get worse. With the governments objectives to increase housing levels of background noise is only going to grow. Legislation used for dealing with noise nuisance is completely inadequate. We as a nation should be far more intolerant and unaccepting of noise. We should deal with that it more aggressively in a country that is so over populated. I feel this might revive a respect for authority and educate people to live by the rules. I deal with nuisance daily and feel pity and sadness for those that suffer and frustration that I can do so little about it. |
Sally London |
| 00:24 on 28 July 2006 |
| i came to the site looking for infomation on what the laws are on car bass, As there is a neighbours car that constantly plays very loud low bass right infront of my elderly parents house. This bass is so loud the whole house vibrates, but only last for a few mintues then goes off for half an hour. this happens from earlt morning to 10/11pm. I have searched the web for info and there is no stright forward answers anywhere, even here! |
Karim E8 |
| 22:41 on 27 July 2006 |
| We are currently being bullied and harrassed by our neighbours over the height of our 3m hedge. They have reported an alleged noise nuisance to the council as a way of intimidating us.We are a married couple with no children and I work full time often on early shifts, which means noise is minimal after 10pm. We feel they have abused your information to try to get at us. |
Gavin Hull |
| 23:10 on 26 July 2006 |
| every night from about 7pm to 10:30pm all i hear is either raised voises from my neighbour chatting to who she has in her house or most nights i hear her tv ! think the tone needs to be fixed on her tv ! even now at 11:06 pm 26/07/06 i hear her chatting to what seems like alot of people ! spoke to her a few times but she denies its from her house ! i need help to prove its her ! im thinking of moving but as you know the stress of moving is too great ! |
stuart falkirk |
| 20:43 on 26 July 2006 |
| This site is ok, but i have had a word with my neighbour and the noise persisted, but if i was to go and have a word with them for a second time they are likely to do damage to our property if they get annoyed [ dont ask why they are like that ] so the site dosent really help much as they are usually too drunk to give a hoot about what the 5 kids are up too and what we say to them. |
emma - |
| 19:30 on 26 July 2006 |
| Hi,My neighbour 3 doors along renovates old cars in his back garden.The noise is dreadfull and constant,it`s driving myself and other neighbours crazy.He has been asked to stop but became nasty and it`s getting worse.What, if anything can be done? |
Hettie Newark |
| 17:03 on 26 July 2006 |
| Hi, i wrote a couple of days ago, I printed out a couple of items from your page regarding local authorities and fines etc, highlighted the nessesary text and enclosed it with a polite letter through my neighbours door this morning at 6am when his music started...within an hour it was off....and i have had a beautiful peaceful day with all the doors and windows open...thankyou so much..fingers crossed it stays this way |
Deb Staffordshire |
| 12:47 on 26 July 2006 |
| Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the forum so far. I just wanted to remind everyone that if you want to discuss your problem in more detail you can call our noise helpline on 01273 682223. |
Noise Concern |
| 01:16 on 26 July 2006 |
| We cant get our own boys to stop playing loud music at all hours, when ever we go out its even worse and they have lots of people gathering at the house. Were at our wits |