Brits lose sleep over noisy neighbours, finds Which?

At least three million UK adults* are currently suffering from noisy neighbours, but over a third fail to take any action, according to the experts at Which? Legal Service**.

New research for the legal telephone advice line from consumer champion Which? found that the public is most disturbed by their neighbours' loud voices or arguing***, with six in ten people affected, while four in ten sufferers have had to endure loud music or televisions blaring****.

A quarter of those affected have had issues with door slamming, one in five have been bothered by their neighbours stomping around, and 15 per cent have suffered due to regular parties.  An unlucky three per cent have been privy to hearing their neighbours having sex.

Neighbour noise takes its toll on sleep, with six in ten currently affected in this way, while others complain that the noise makes them irritable, angry or stressed.  One in ten sufferers have seen their work or health affected.

Despite these issues, 36 per cent of people suffering from noisy neighbours have made no attempts to rectify the problem.  Less than a third spoke calmly to their neighbours about the issue, while only a quarter contacted their Local Authority.  An unfortunate eight per cent ended up arguing with their neighbours, while seven per cent of people even moved house to escape the noise.


Which? chief executive Peter Vicary-Smith says:


"Noisy neighbours can make life a misery, and our research shows that people are losing sleep, struggling at work and arguing with their partners all because of disturbances from next door.

"People shouldn't suffer in silence - if talking amicably with your neighbour about the problem doesn't work, then contact your Local Authority who will be able to investigate the matter for you."


To coincide with Noise Action Week (26-30 April), Which? Legal Service has the following top tips for how to deal with noisy neighbours:


1. Note down disturbances: Keep a diary of when the noise occurs, and how long it lasts

2. Speak calmly: Talk to your neighbour to see if they will reduce the noise

3. Contact the freeholder: If you live in a flat and own the leasehold, contact the freeholder who may be able to take action against the other leaseholder

4. Use your Local Authority: If there is no change, you can contact your Local Authority's Environmental Health Department who will investigate the noise and can prosecute where necessary

5. Consider further action: If all else fails, consider legal proceedings, but these are costly and should only be considered after taking legal advice

Research notes

* 7 per cent of UK 16+ adults are currently affected by noisy neighbours. Based on a UK 16+ population of 49.9 million, this equates to between 3.0 and 4.2 million people (with 95% confidence).

** Which? surveyed 2,131 British adults aged 16+ from 7-11 April 2010 about their experiences with noisy neighbours in the past three years.

*** Based on those people who are currently affected, or have been affected in the last three years

**** The top 10 neighbour noises among those who are currently or who have been affected in the last 3 years were:

  1. Loud voices/ arguing (58%)

  2. Loud music/TV (40%)

  3. Door slamming (26%)

  4. People stomping around (19%)

  5. Regular parties (15%)

  6. Pets (eg dog barking) (11%)

  7. DIY noise (eg drilling) (9%)

  8. Musical instruments (7%)

  9. Ball games (6%)

  10. People leaving pub/club/restaurant (5%)