Loud Music Or TV

What do I do if I am disturbed by loud music or loud TV?

• first, try to discuss your concerns with your neighbour, they may not realise their loud music or TV is disturbing you
• if you feel unable to approach them directly try writing a polite letter, remember to keep a copy

Making a complaint to Environmental Health

Report a noise complaint

When completing the online form you will need to provide the following:

• details of where the noise is coming from, the house number and street address
• what time is the noise happening, eg late at night
• your name, address and contact telephone number

We will write to the address where the noise is happening and let them know we have had a complaint. We ask them to ring in to discuss this further with us. We will also ask you to fill in log sheets with the dates and the times of when the noise is occurring. This helps us decide if it is a statutory nuisance.

Environmental Health only take action where they are satisfied a statutory nuisance exists. 'Statutory nuisance' is defined by case law  as a general guide the noise should be an ongoing and have a major impact on your life not merely causing annoyance.

Action we can take

If a nuisance is confirmed we will serve a Noise Abatement Notice preventing further noise nuisance. Failure to comply with a Noise Abatement Notice is a criminal offence.

What to do if you receive a complaint from your neighbour

Try to put yourself in your neighbour's shoes and be considerate, even if you feel upset by your neighbour's complaint.

• lower the volume of a stereo - in particular the bass
• switch to headphones, especially late at night
• if you live in a flat, ceiling hung speakers may not be a good idea
• don't mount a TV or speakers on a wall adjoining your neighbours' property, the sound will travel through the wall
• be careful to keep music volumes as low as possible at night especially between 11pm and 8am
• adverts are often louder than the main feature you are viewing - you may need to reduce the volume during breaks of this kind