Noisy neighbours: what you can do

Talk first. Then keep a diary.

The answer in 2 lines. Start by talking calmly to your neighbour, then write to them. Keep a noise diary: dates, times, how long, what kind of noise. If nothing changes, report it to your local council: its environmental health team can investigate and serve a notice if the noise is a statutory nuisance. If you rent, tell your landlord or housing association. For noise with threats or antisocial behaviour, call the police on 101, or 999 if anyone is in danger. Mediation can help too.

The first 3 steps

Talk to them at a calm moment: they may not realise how far the noise carries.
Keep a noise diary: date, time, how long, type of noise, how it affects you.
Write to them politely if it continues, and keep a copy.

The steps, in order

A friendly chat, without blame, suggesting a solution (rugs, quieter hours, felt pads under furniture).
A polite letter describing the problem.
If you rent, tell your landlord or housing association. Most tenancies say tenants must not cause a nuisance.
Mediation: an independent person helps you both reach an agreement. Your council or landlord may offer it.
Report it to your council. If it finds a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it can serve an abatement notice. Ignoring the notice is an offence.

What not to do

Answering noise with noise or threats: you could end up in trouble yourself.
Going straight to court without trying to settle: it is slow and costly.
Keeping no written record of the noise.

The evidence that counts

Your noise diary, kept over several weeks. The council will often give you its own diary sheets.
Recordings, if the council asks for them (some offer a noise app).
Statements from other neighbours.
Copies of your letters and any replies.

Good to know

There is no rule that noise is fine before 11pm: loud, regular noise can be a nuisance at any time of day.
In older buildings, the problem may be poor sound insulation rather than bad behaviour.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own noise laws and council services.

In your city

Manchester: Manchester City Council has an online page for noise from another home, where you can report it.
Leeds: Leeds City Council takes noise complaints online through its antisocial behaviour team.
Elsewhere, search "report noise" on your council's website, or find your council on GOV.UK.

In Manchester, Leo hears heavy bass from next door every night until 1am. He talks to his neighbour, then writes to her. Nothing changes, so he keeps a diary for three weeks and reports it to the council. An officer visits, the neighbour receives a warning, and the music stops by 11pm.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Useful numbers and contacts (England)

Your local council: environmental health or noise team. Some councils have an out-of-hours service.
101: police non-emergency, for antisocial behaviour.
999: if someone is being threatened or is in danger.
Shelter and Citizens Advice: free advice, especially if you rent.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on 18 October 2026, for England. Confidence: high for the council's statutory nuisance powers and the Noise Act night hours (Shelter, GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk, council pages); medium for how quickly councils act, which varies. City details limited to what we could confirm. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis or legal advice.