Noisy Neighbours
Safety is paramount
It may be obvious to mention your safety, but it's worth doing so. Often people who are living with neighbour noise and nuisance are subject to threats of intimidation, violence, anti-social behaviour and general bullying.
Don't ever approach your neighbour in circumstances where you feel threatened or uneasy and simply don't go at all if there's another option or if you can avoid it.
If you're in any doubt always dial 999 for Police Help and support.
Here's our 3 Major Points of advice if you need to tackle a neighbour who could pose a threat to your safety in any way:
- Don't go alone wherever possible. Take a friend, relative, partner or other neighbour with you. They can act as a witness if the worst happens and can help you in other ways where needed.
- Take a mobile 'phone with you. It's easy to put one in your pocket concealed away, but accessible in case you need it.
- Tell someone where you're going, how long you'll be and ask them to take action you agree on if you're not back before a certain time has elapsed.
Don't ever approach noisy neighbours who are threatening or intimidating. Call the Police using 999.
Record, Record, Record!
Start noting down all the noise disturbances
It's vital to do this if you haven't started already. It provides a picture of what's happening from your neighbours that's disturbing you. Remember, small instances and occurrences of noise nuisance add up.
You can use our free blank noise logs to record noise nuisance. It's very important that you put when the noise started and when it stopped, the nature of the noise (e.g. music, dog barking) and it's also essential to list how the noise affected you. This could be because you were kept awake until 4am, couldn't hear your own TV over the neighbour noise, made you feel physically sick and tired, and so on.
These logs are also your evidence - keep a photocopy of them or the originals before you hand them to someone else for their records.
Get a Mediator?
Mediation
Mediation is sometimes an option people overlook. We hear comments such as 'OK, why should I try mediation when it's not my fault?'. Fair enough, it may not be your fault - after all, you've not asked to be disturbed by your neighbour's noise, why should you sit down and discuss it with your neighbour and a mediation group when you haven't caused it?
It's a normal reaction - but be proactive, show your neighbour you can meet them halfway and at the end of the day if the outcome gives you a higher quality of life it is worth it.
Mediation representatives who are trained, will listen to both your side of things and the views of your neighbour - this can be done independently or in a meeting where you are all present. The mediator will attempt to reach an objective and successful compromise and plan of action where needed that suits both you and your neighbour.
For mediation to be ultimately successful, it does of course require the co-operation of both you and your noisy neighbours.
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