The authority monitors activities to minimise pollution caused by noise, dust and other nuisances. What noise problems do we investigate?
We will investigate noise nuisance complaints relating to both domestic and commercial premises. Last year we responded to almost 1800 domestic noise nuisance complaints. We can investigate the following types of noise:
- The playing of loud amplified music or loud television
- Continuous dog barking
- DIY activities for prolonged periods or at unreasonable hours
- Continuous sounding car, house or commercial alarms
- Noisy industrial or commercial premises
How do we investigate noise nuisance complaints?
We discuss the problem with the complainant and may ask them to complete Noise Record Forms in the form of a diary, for a period of time. These help us to identify how long the noise goes on for and what effect it has on the complainant's enjoyment of their home life.
We try to resolve noise problems informally where possible and initially we may contact the person causing the noise to make them aware that complaints have been made to us.
If the noise persists after an individual has been advised and/or warned, we will attempt to gather evidence to prove that the noise complained about is what is termed a 'statutory noise nuisance'.
During normal office hours, we may for example attempt to visit and personally witness the noise. If out-of-office hours we may install sensitive noise-monitoring equipment e.g. tamper-proof tape recorders that make recordings which are identical to what the human ear would hear. Another option we have is to put the complainant on our Rapid Response Register, where the complainant can call-out an Environmental Health Officer to witness the noise nuisance.
In some cases we can also use evidence given to us by independent third parties who may have witnessed the noise nuisance whilst at your property, for example from Police Officers, other City Council officials or health service workers.
If the noise is a statutory noise nuisance – what happens next?
If we can prove the noise is a statutory nuisance we are required to take action under Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and this would normally mean serving a Noise Abatement Notice on the person(s) causing the noise nuisance. This can be the actual person causing the noise or any person who is allowing the noise nuisance to occur, for example the landlord of a property with noisy tenants. The abatement notice would require the statutory nuisance to be stopped and/or prevented from occurring again. If someone is found guilty of failing to comply with an abatement notice they can be fined up to a maximum of £5,000 for domestic noise and up to £20,000 for commercial noise. If we serve an abatement notice because of excessively loud music, but the problem continues, we will normally also seize all the sound equipment that is causing the problem.
Depending on the circumstances we may charge the perpetrator for return of the equipment or alternatively we may prosecute the person and ask the Courts permission to have it destroyed.
If you require further information, please get in touch by following the link below.
