Investigating Noise Complaints

In order for us to fully investigate a complaint, a certain level of co-operation will be required from you and this may include some or all of the following

• The maintenance of log sheets which are to be filled in as and when the noise nuisance occurs.
• Access to your home for the purposes of monitoring. Monitoring may have to be carried out on more than one occasion.
• Should the complaint result in court action, you should be aware that their complaint will no longer be anonymous, and you may be named in court proceedings.

How we investigate

• We will endeavour to resolve the issues with regard to any noise complaint within our remit.
• It is imperative in all cases that the procedures established to determine nuisance are followed in accordance with law and best practice.
• These procedures may include observation, recording, inspection, noise monitoring, analysis, discussion and prosecution. A considerable expenditure of our time and resources may be involved in the resolution of noise nuisance issues.
• During the course of a complaints investigation, the use of sound level meters may be required for monitoring purposes. These specialised devices need to be operated under certain conditions which may depend on time, weather, environmental or technical factors.
• Noise nuisance may occur at any time including out of normal office hours, weekend or holiday periods and monitoring may be required at these times. It should be borne in mind that the provision of service during such times is subject to the availability of equipment and resources at that time.
• We will endeavour to arrange monitoring at an early stage and this may include home installation of a D.A.T. (Digital Audio Tape) recording device.
• The determination of noise nuisance may not always be clear-cut. This is due, in part, to the subjective perception of what constitutes “reasonable cause for annoyance”.
• The complete elimination of sources of noise nuisance which are the subject of complaint is generally not possible. In most cases, the reduction of noise to an acceptable level is considered reasonable and cases may be deemed to be resolved at this stage.