Your rights under the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 work alongside the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Noise Act 1996, and, in some cases, the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Together, these laws protect people from excessive or unreasonable noise that affects their health, well-being, or ability to enjoy their home.

How Does It Differ From the Noise Act 1996?

The Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 complements the Noise Act 1996 but applies more broadly. While the 1996 Act focuses mainly on night-time noise from homes, licensed premises, and entertainment venues, the 1993 Act deals with noise that may amount to a statutory nuisance. Your local authority’s Environmental Health Department investigates such cases to determine whether the noise is serious enough to take formal action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

What Constitutes a ‘Statutory Nuisance’?

A statutory nuisance exists where noise or vibration is, or is likely to be, harmful to health or a nuisance. This means the noise must cause significant disturbance or interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of property. Examples include continuous loud music, barking dogs, industrial operations, or regular building work carried out at unreasonable hours.

Your Local Authority’s Responsibility

Before contacting your local authority, it is usually best to approach your neighbour informally to explain the problem, as many people are unaware they are causing a disturbance. If that does not help, you can write a polite letter. We provide two templates – one informal and one formal – which you can find here.

It is your local authority’s duty, usually through an Environmental Health Officer (EHO), to investigate complaints about noise coming from:

  • Buildings, including homes, flats, and commercial premises
  • Land, such as construction sites, farms, gardens, and parks
  • Vehicles, except for general road traffic noise
  • Machinery or equipment such as generators, air-conditioning units, or construction tools

The EHO will assess whether the noise amounts to a statutory nuisance. If it does, the council can issue an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requiring the noise to stop or be reduced. Failure to comply is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution and fines. For ongoing or serious cases, councils can also use powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to seize equipment or issue a Community Protection Notice.

What If the Officer Disagrees?

If the Environmental Health Officer decides the noise is not a statutory nuisance but you still believe it is, you can challenge the decision. Start by following your local authority’s complaints process. If that does not resolve the issue, escalate it to the Chief Executive or contact your local councillor for support.

If the matter remains unresolved, you can refer it to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. The Ombudsman will check whether the council has correctly followed the law and its own procedures. If you still disagree with the outcome, you can apply directly to the magistrates’ court under section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The court can issue an abatement order if it finds that the noise amounts to a statutory nuisance.

Resolving Noise Issues Amicably

Where possible, try to resolve noise problems directly with your neighbour. Many disputes can be settled through a simple conversation or by using a mediation service. If that fails, contact your local Environmental Health Department rather than the police. They have the legal authority to assess the problem and, if necessary, take action to restore peace and protect your right to enjoy your home.

Modern Reporting and Evidence Tools

Most councils now provide online noise reporting systems where you can log complaints and upload supporting evidence. Many also use smartphone apps such as The Noise App, which lets you record short sound clips of the disturbance along with the date and time. These recordings help Environmental Health Officers assess the level, duration, and regularity of the noise before deciding whether a statutory nuisance exists.

When submitting evidence, keep a simple log of when and how long the noise occurs, what type of sound it is, and how it affects you. Avoid recording conversations or private areas – the aim is to demonstrate the impact, not to identify people. Digital tools make it quicker and easier for councils to review evidence, helping to resolve genuine cases more efficiently while ensuring both sides are treated fairly.

You can find your local council’s noise reporting service by entering your postcode on the official GOV.UK noise reporting page.