what can i do about my noisy neighbours

<p><a href="http://www.d-w-s.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/noise.jpg"><img alt="noisy neighbours" class="size-medium wp-image-2478 alignright" decoding="async" src="http://www.d-w-s.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/noise-300x300.jpg"/></a>Though many people may suffer from having noisy neighbours only a minority take action. Part of this minority are a couple from Ipswich who recently installed a ‘anti-child device’. The device emits a frequency that can only be heard by young adults, thus making their neighbours children flee back into the house. The couple state they have lived with unreasonable noise from the children next door for four years, and it has been causing them misery in their own home.</p> <p>The couple say they had no choice but to take this action, as the noise was making them leave their garden. Since this the couple were charged for harassment by the police (though acquitted in the criminal courts) the local authority has now also stepped in, warning the couple they could be further faced with civil action and a fine, due to the powers of the Antisocial behaviour Crime and Policing act 2014.</p> <p>Though very few people would resort in taking action such as this couple, many people may get frustrated and angry due to their noisy neighbours. However, as noise is subjective is can be difficult to prove noise nuisance claims, as what may be an unbearable amount of noise for one person, that level of noise may be acceptable for others. The level of noise needs to amount to a legal nuisance for the law to assist, the law is also very unlikely to intervene if the noise is created by children.</p> <p>To prove a claim of noise nuisance you will need to collate evidence of the type, volume and frequency of the noise, your local authority can install noise recording equipment to capture the types of noise, in order to help you with this process.   Though the local authorities can only take action if the nuisance is prejudicial to health (statutory nuisance) you can use the recording to assess a private nuisance claim. For further evidence you should also keep a diary log of dates, times of noise and the type of noise heard.</p> <p>You need to take into consider whether the noise is beyond the volume and frequency that is to be expected given the neighbourhood you live. For example what may be considered a noise nuisance in a rural area may not be considered so in a town. If so you need to be able to prove this.</p> <p>Before beginning to collate evidence, you should speak to your neighbours. The majority of the time your neighbour may not realise that there is an issue, thus can be solved by communicating more. If this does not help, you may also wish to consider mediation, as the discussion between parties is assisted by an independent third party.</p> <p>Our team of solicitors who specialise in disputes, including those with neighbours can help if you wish for advice or to discuss your rights, and the evidence you need. We will always recommend you and your neighbours try and resolve the problem, as taking further steps can diminish any relationship between yourself and your neighbours, however if you do wish to take further steps we are here to help.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>