Noise Advice  SOUTHWARK

You can report a non-urgent noise problem by filling in the noise complaint form. If the noise is happening now, call the 24 hour hotline on 020 7525 5777. Southwark Council's noise team runs a 24 hour, seven day week service dealing with the control of noise, vibration, dust and other nuisances including

• Neighbours (loud music, parties and DIY work)
• Barking dogs
• Prolonged ringing of burglar and car alarms
• Entertainment venues, including pubs and tenants' halls
• Commercial / industrial premises and activities
• Construction sites
• Roadworks
• Stationary vehicles and equipment in the street

Tackling a noise problem

Step 1

Try to raise the problem with the person causing the noise, but only speak to them if you are feeling calm. Don't approach the person making the noise if you think your safety might be at risk. If you are a council tenant your housing officer will provide further advice and support. 

Step 2

Step 3

If the noise occurs frequently, it may be useful for you to keep a diary recording details of when the noise occurs and what the noise is. This can be used as evidence if you act as a witness in court. We suggest you click here to download the Noise Diary (57 kb).

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Penalties for noise makers

• A legal notice can be served on the person who is responsible for making the noise (normally the owner or occupier of the premises)
• If the terms of the notice are broken, legal action can be taken and the courts can fine the noise maker up to £5000
• Noise offenders may have all their sound making equipment seized, including TV's, CD's, tapes and loudspeakers. The courts have the power to keep all the equipment permanently
• If a Southwark Council tenant is served with a Noise Abatement Notice, the Neighbourhood Housing Office will be advised. This could lead to the tenant being evicted for breach of tenancy agreement

Our commitments to you

• If you call us by phone we will respond in 76% of noise cases either by phone or visiting* you within 45 minutes of receiving your complaint (*if the disturbance is still going on)
• We will respond to 100% of noise complaint cases within three hours and send you written confirmation of our action
• We will send a written reply to a letter or fax/email enquiry within ten working days of receiving it
• We will provide advice on the option open to you if we cannot take action for you
• We will deal with you in a professional and polite way

You can help us deal with your problem quickly and efficiently by

• Contacting the noise team when the disturbance is happening and allowing us into your home so officers can assess the situation
• Letting us know if the disturbance stops before we have visited you
• Giving us the evidence we need to take action and acting as a witness in court if necessary
• Telling us about any change in your circumstances
• Filling in feedback forms so we can improve our service

How to contact us