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Noise from DIY works
Noise from DIY works
Noise from DIY activities is a common source of complaint. Inevitably such works are often undertaken during evenings/weekends, at times when neighbours may be trying to enjoy their leisure time and therefore noise from this source may be particularly intrusive.
Residents should attempt to strike a balance between their right to undertake work and the rights of neighbours to the reasonable use and enjoyment of their property. The person undertaking DIY should therefore be aware of the potential disturbance that may be caused.
Before starting DIY works, you should:
- Consider the impact upon your neighbours of the works you will be carrying out
- Discuss the works with any neighbours who will be affected by noise or other nuisance
- Take into account any special needs your neighbour may have, such as shift work, children’s sleep patterns, people working from home, etc
- Try to reach a consensus on the least intrusive times when noisy work may be carried out
Disturbance from DIY works can be minimised by keeping noisy activities to sensible hours and by thinking about what type of activity you are doing. "Noisy activities" can be:
- Power Tools: Hand-held power tools (drills, saws, sanders, nail guns, etc)
- Hand Tools: Use of hammers, saws, etc
- Plant: People can now hire tools and plant that are the same as those used by professional builders. These can include pneumatic hammers, cement mixers, large power saws and planers, compressors and generators, etc. Use of this more powerful type of equipment needs greater consideration.
- Walls and Floors: Work on the walls or floors between properties can create surprisingly high levels of noise. Even work such as wallpaper stripping or wall preparation can sound very loud next door. Similarly work on the floor, such as plumbing, rewiring and especially sanding, can be very loud downstairs.
The times agreed may vary according to each case however for general guidance, noisy activities (such as those described above) should be restricted to the following hours:
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday, including Bank Holidays 10am to 2pm
Weekdays 8am to 7pm
We have a duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to investigate complaints of noise and to serve Abatement Notices where statutory noise nuisances are found to exist or are likely to occur or recur.
Adherence to this guidance will greatly assist in reducing the impact of your DIY works upon your neighbours and minimising the likelihood of us needing to take formal action.