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Noisy Neighbours: What You Can Do
Try to sort out a noise problem by talking to your neighbour first. If they rent, you could contact their landlord. Mediation can help. For a statutory nuisance such as loud music or barking dogs, complain to your council. Contact the police if your neighbour is violent or harassing you.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Your Options
Steps
Try to solve the problem informally by talking to them. If your neighbour is a tenant, you could contact their landlord. You could use a mediation service if that does not work. You can complain to your council about a statutory nuisance such as loud music or barking dogs. Contact the police if your neighbour is breaking the law by being violent or harassing you. As a last resort you can take legal action through the courts. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Keep a diaryRecord each incidentDates, times and how long it lasted
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Keep a noise diary.
Step 2 of 5
Talk calmly to your neighbour, or write a polite note.
Step 3 of 5
If they rent, contact their landlord or housing association.
Step 4 of 5
Try mediation.
Step 5 of 5
Complain to your council's environmental health team.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Local Council
Statutory nuisance complaints.
Police
If there is violence or harassment.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Recordings and a diary make a council complaint much stronger.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes Checked 13 October 2026