Making a Noise Complaint
How to make a noise complaint about neighbours, businesses, or construction through your local authority's environmental health team.
Overview
Excessive noise can constitute a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Local authorities have a duty to investigate complaints about noise and, if a statutory nuisance is established, must serve an abatement notice requiring the noise to stop or be reduced. Common sources of noise complaints include loud music, barking dogs, noisy neighbours, construction work, commercial premises, and late-night entertainment. You also have the option of taking private action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or pursuing a civil claim in private nuisance.
Who Can Use This Process
- You are experiencing unreasonable noise from a neighbour, business, or other source
- The noise is persistent or recurring (not a one-off event)
- You have tried to resolve the issue informally first
Step-by-Step Process
Keep a Noise Diary
Record every incident of noise, including the date, time, duration, and type of noise. Note how it affects you (sleep disturbance, inability to use your garden, etc.). Many local authorities provide noise diary templates on their websites. This evidence is essential for the investigation.
- Record the noise on your phone if possible
- Note any witnesses
- Keep the diary for at least two weeks before complaining
Try Informal Resolution
If safe to do so, speak to the person causing the noise. They may not realise how much noise they are making. A polite conversation can often resolve the issue without involving the council. If you are a tenant, you can also contact your landlord or housing association.
- Write a polite letter if you prefer not to speak face-to-face
- Keep copies of any correspondence
Report to Your Local Authority
Contact your local council's environmental health team. You can usually do this online, by phone, or in writing. Provide your noise diary and any recordings. The council has a duty to investigate under s.79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. An environmental health officer may install noise monitoring equipment or visit to witness the noise.
- Check your council's website for specific noise complaint procedures
- Some councils have out-of-hours noise teams for night-time disturbances
Abatement Notice or Further Action
If the council finds a statutory nuisance exists or is likely to occur, it must serve an abatement notice (s.80 EPA 1990). Non-compliance with an abatement notice is a criminal offence. If the council does not act, you can take your own action by applying to the magistrates' court under s.82 EPA 1990.
- The council can seize noise-making equipment
- You may also have a civil claim in private nuisance for damages or an injunction
Costs
Important Warnings
Do not take matters into your own hands — retaliation can undermine your complaint and may itself be a criminal offence.
If you pursue a private prosecution under s.82, you may be liable for costs if the case is unsuccessful.
Construction noise during normal working hours is generally not a statutory nuisance unless it is excessive and unreasonable.