1 Topic by cognos

  • cognos
  • Unregistered poster

Topic: continuous low-level noise

For the last few days there has been a low humming noise coming through the wall from my neighbours' (terrace) house.

It is as if they are running  a pump or fan or suchlike around the clock.

It is not very loud, but I do find it oppressive when I am trying to get to sleep at night.

I am afraid that they no longer speak to me since a dispute concerning the back garden fence some years ago.

I have no idea what is causing the noise and it may only be temporary, but what if it is to be a permanent feature? As I said, it is not loud, but it is upsetting - I am writing this at 5am having been unable to get to sleep).

Quote Post 1

2 Reply by joanne

  • joanne
  • Unregistered poster

Re: continuous low-level noise

Honestly, there's nothing you can do. It's not "high level" enough to seriously bother the police and if they do come, they'll just brush it off. It's not loud enough for the authorities to care. While it may be annoying, there's pretty much nothing you can do. You can try snooping around but if they catch you, compliment them or something so they won't get irritated and keep the thing on forever. This is from my experience though and I sincerely do hope they stop whatever it is they're doing.

Quote Post 2

3 Reply by rosielee

  • rosielee
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Re: continuous low-level noise

maybe its cannabis factory and its the lights and fans you hear. you never know! have they got kids?
i thought my neihgbours were using a drill verey night it turned out to be a very loud and old hoover

Quote Post 3

  • Registered: 5 January 2010
  • Posts: 3

Re: continuous low-level noise

sounds like there boiler. I have the same issue

Quote Post 4

5 Reply by tjmreds

  • tjmreds
  • Unregistered poster

Re: continuous low-level noise

Joanne, although well intentioned, is, I think, wrong, the actual volume of noise legally doesn't matter. If you look at the guidance on this site you'll see that it is defined as noise which is causing a nuisance. I'd argue that a noise which is preventing you from sleeping could quite reasonably be defined as a nuisance, despite it's low volume.

My advice is, if you have the courage, approach your neighbour, try and avoid being too accusatory and just express the discomfort at being kept up to 5am. If you can't approach them, consider writing them a letter. Keep a log of dates/times and if all else fails phone your council - they're legally obliged to help you out.

We had noise problems with our neighbours, they didn't respond to our verbal and written requests for peace so we phoned the council who wrote them a letter which cited specific dates and times (we'd kept a record of). Although this hasn't been 100% successful (they were noisy again last night) they have definitely reduced the frequency of their noise and seem to turn the volume down a lot earlier than previously.

There is hope so have courage.

Peace.

Quote Post 5

6 Reply by joanne

  • joanne
  • Unregistered poster

Re: continuous low-level noise

Tjmreds, clearly your neighbours cared about the letter. Some people just don't care about the impact they have on others. I have neighbours who disrupt our sleep with a low-medium nosie level but the police think their music is "fun" and let them to do it. Meh. Guess you have better authorities there. Good for you.

Quote Post 6