Noisy neighbours
We are all affected by noise, wherever we live, but sometimes it can be so unreasonable that it becomes a statutory nuisance. Nuisance can occur if noise is so loud, regular, or prolonged, or at unreasonable times; to the extent that it is unreasonable and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of your home.
Some examples of noise which might create a nuisance are:
- Playing loud music late at night
- Excessively loud television or radio noise
- Allowing dogs to bark excessively
- Frequently using power tools for DIY
- Construction work early in the morning or on Sundays
- Loud fans or machinery
- Noise from commercial premises operations or equipment
- Faulty alarms
More information on statutory nuisance can be found on gov.uk.
We are not able to deal with:
- Transport noise, or any noise from vehicles on the highway - you can find out who to contact about transport noise at gov.uk.
- poor sound insulation or everyday noise (like walking, talking, laughing, children playing or babies crying), as case law prevents action over such matters.
- Noise from talking, shouting, swearing, banging, or noise from social gatherings, would fall under Anti-Social Behaviour and would be best reported to the anti-social behaviour team as they are more equipped to help with the situation. Alternatively, you can access and find out more about our Neighbour Nuisance Support Group.
If you and your neighbour rent your properties from a Housing Association, then you should contact your housing manager about the situation.
Ways to resolve the situation directly
- Approach your neighbour or the business causing the noise. Explain politely that you are being affected by noise, as they may be unaware of the problem and may be willing to reduce the noise
- Speak to Mediation Plus about the situation. They offer one to one conflict support (without involving your neighbour) and mediation services to help you find a way forward. Visit www.mediation-plus.org.uk, email neighbourhood@mediation-plus.org.uk or phone 01424 446808. In most cases their support is free to access.
- If you are a tenant, speak to your landlord. All landlords have powers to take action against tenants who are causing nuisance to their neighbours
Make a complaint
If you make a formal complaint, we will normally ask you to keep a diary, recording dates and times of the noise and how it affects you. On receipt of this information, we will investigate to check if the noise is causing a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Once we have received a complaint, a letter shall be issued to the offending property to notify them the complaint was raised.
To make a complaint, visit our Citizen Portal and fill in the relevant application, see details below.
When you make a complaint, please follow the below guidance:
- Sign in or sign up to our Online portal (use the button below)
- Navigate to “Report an Issue”. You may need to click the 3 lines in the top left to open the menu
- On "Report an issue" select the request type from the Dropdown menu and complete the online form. This includes information such as:
- Your details. These will be kept private unless the case goes to court. We do not accept anonymous complaints.
- Details regarding the relevant property/premises. We will require the full exact address of the property.
- The type and frequency of the nuisance.
Make a noise nuisance complaint online
If you have any problems/questions regarding the portal, please email ehl@horsham.gov.uk
Take your own legal action
Sometimes it is not possible for the Council to take action: for example if we are unable to witness the noise. In such circumstances, you can take independent action under Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by contacting the Magistrates' Court directly. Further information is available from Environmental Protection UK.