Noisy neighbours

Dealing with noise nuisance that affects your quality of life.

If you are experiencing noise nuisance from a neighbour, your first option is to contact your neighbour yourself.

Explain to them how the noise is affecting you and ask if they could do something about it. In many instances, your neighbour may not be aware that they are causing you a problem.

You may wish to contact your neighbour in writing rather than speak to them directly.

If that does not work, you can consider:

  • reporting the noise nuisance to us
  • mediation with your neighbour
  • taking legal action

Report noise nuisance

You can report noise nuisance to us using the details below. Our office is open on Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.45pm.

Email: environmental.health@woking.gov.uk 
Telephone: 01483 743 840
Telephone (out of office hours): 0300 369 0582

Keeping a noise diary

After you have first reported the noise nuisance to us, we will ask that you keep a noise diary for 3 weeks. This will record when the noise took place and how you were affected it by it. We will not accept diary sheets for an unreported case, and you may be asked to complete them again.

Download the document below to help you keep a noise diary.

Noise Nuisance Diary Sheet (PDF, 30.68 KB)

How we deal with your complaint

If the disturbance remains unacceptable, and this is supported by your diary sheets, we will visit your property to assess the disturbance ourselves.

If we think there might be grounds for an investigation, we will write to your neighbours to say we have received a complaint and ask them to minimise the disturbance. We will not reveal your details.

If it is confirmed that a statutory nuisance exists, our options include:

  • serving enforcement notices
  • seizing noise-producing equipment
  • prosecution

Failure to comply with a notice is a criminal offence which carries a maximum fine of £5,000 for domestic premises or £20,000 for a business. If the case goes to court, you will be required to give evidence to support your complaint.

Mediation with your neighbour

Mediation Surrey offers a mediation service that can help you resolve problems caused by noise nuisance.

Mediation is a way of dealing with neighbour disputes with a compromise that both parties are satisfied with. The mediators will arrange a meeting to find out what the problem is about and discuss the options available. This service is free and can avoid you having to go to court.

Email: info@mediationsurrey.org 
Telephone: 03301 340 260

If the noise nuisance happens infrequently or for a short time, it may be difficult for us to help you.

Private individuals can take their own action in the Magistrates' Court under Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 - Legislation.gov.uk. 

You can also take civil action to seek an injunction to restrain the defendant from continuing the noise nuisance.

Contact a solicitor for guidance before taking your own legal action.