It is always a good idea to try to sort out any noise problems yourself first. If this doesn't work, the Environmental Health Department of your local council can help.

• Deal with the problem yourself
• Talk to your neighbours' landlord
• Take action with other people
• Complain to the council
• What happens next?
• Noise at night

Deal with the problem yourself

It is always a good idea to approach the person making the noise, and politely explain the problem. You may be able to come to a compromise. If this doesn't work, or you are afraid to approach the person making the noise you can contact your council.

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Talk to your neighbours' landlord

If your neighbours are private tenants and talking to them directly doesn't work, it may be worth talking to their landlord. They may be breaking the terms of their tenancy agreement by making the noise. Their landlord may be able to deal with the problem or warn them that continuing to make the noise could leave them open to being evicted.

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Take action with other people

If other people are being affected by the problems your neighbours are causing, you may be able to take action together. There may be a tenants association or other group in your area that can help you to do this.

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Complain to the council

Contact the environmental health department of your local council. You can't make an anonymous complaint. Noise complaints are confidential, and the council won't tell the person making the noise who has complained. However, if the case goes to court the council may have to reveal who made the complaint.

The council will investigate your complaint. The council will need evidence of the noise problem, so it's important to contact them when the noise is affecting you. The council will try to take measurements and then decide what to do next.

If you live in Belfast you may be able to get extra help with night time noise from the environmental health department of Belfast City Council. The Noise Hotline is 028 9037 3006.

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What happens next?

Although there are legal controls over noise, there is no specific level when noise automatically becomes a noise nuisance. Whether or not the noise is acceptable depends on:

• where the noise is happening
• the loudness and nature of the noise
• how long the noise lasts for
• when the noise happens
• your personal circumstances

You may be asked to keep a diary recording the dates and times of the noise nuisance. The environmental health department can set up noise monitoring equipment to record the noise.

The environmental health department may then be able to get a Noise Abatement Order. If the other person breaks this order s/he can be taken to court and fined up to £5000.

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Noise at night

There are special rules to deal with noise at night. People causing unreasonable noise at night can be given a warning notice by the council. If the warning is ignored, and the noise continues the council can issue a £100 spot fine.

If the noise continues or the fine isn't paid the noise maker can be taken to court and fined up to £5000. The council can also take away the stereo equipment.