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Nuisance can be defined as behaviour or actions, which cause disruption, distress and/or interference to neighbours. In these cases the person (s) causing the problem may have no intention of causing harm.

Examples could be:

• A 'one off' party.
• Barking dogs/failure to control dogs.
• Persistent playing of loud music.
• Repeated disturbances at night.
• Children causing disturbance or damage in communal areas.

What should you do?

• Try talking to the person causing the nuisance - they may not be aware they are causing a problem.
• If this action is not successful - contact the Council.
• Give clear details of the complaint with names and addresses of the people causing the problem.

What the Council will do

• We will write to the tenant causing the problem within enter amount working days. We will not reveal your identity.
• If the problems continue we will issue diary sheets for incidents to be recorded over a number of weeks.
• On receipt of the completed diary sheets an Officer from the Council will visit the tenant causing the problem and/or yourself depending on the evidence supplied on the diary sheets.
• If the nuisance continues and sufficient evidence is available the Council will decide an appropriate course of action.
• In some instances we may involve other agencies such as Social Services or the Mediation Service. In extreme cases we will take legal action.

If there is no breach of tenancy conditions and we are unable to resolve the situation we will give advice on alternative courses of action available to you.

Noisy neighbours

Many noise problems, particularly those involving neighbours, can be resolved informally, for example, by explaining to your neighbours the difficulties they are causing. Approach your neighbour and explain politely that you are being troubled by noise. You may find this difficult, but often people are unaware that they are causing a problem. Most will be glad to do what they can to reduce noise. However, approach the matter carefully if you think your neighbour might react angrily to a complaint. If this approach fails the Council’s Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Division may be able to help.

Report noise pollution