Considerate Parties

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• Advice on Considerate Parties

We accept that people have the right to enjoy their homes and holding a party can be the best way to celebrate family occasions.  Nobody objects if the party is well managed and is conducted in a considerate manner, showing consideration to neighbours who may not be invited.  

The powers available to us to deal with disturbance from parties are not aimed at one-off celebrations which are conducted in a reasonable manner, however action can be taken against the person responsible where the noise is excessive and the party organiser uncooperative in controlling the disturbance.

The following measures will ensure that you are best placed to hold a party that reduces the likelihood of causing unreasonable disturbance to your neighbours:

If you are planning a party your neighbours are likely to be more understanding if you warn them well in advance, giving them at least a weeks notice.  Don’t just tell your immediate neighbours but all those who may be affected.  This is particularly important in blocks of flats.

So that neighbours hearing your celebrations know when to expect it to stop provide an end time and keep to it.  Depending upon the type of property you occupy the end time may not always be a complete end to the party but a time when you have decided that the music will cease and addition noise control measures taken.  Make sure that the end time is reasonable.

During your party go outside and check noise levels.  The bass notes of music is often the single most cause of complaints so ensure that music is adequately controlled and the volume does not increase during the evening.  Remember that unwanted sound will have a greater impact later at night when other background noise levels reduce.

Think about the size of your home to ensure that the number of guests you have invited have sufficient space and fresh air without compromising your ability to control the noise

Keep as many of your windows and doors closed as possible to control the break out of noise.  This is particularly important as the evening progresses.  Do not let your party spread onto communal areas, balconies or the street.

If your guests are leaving late at night ask them to say their goodbyes inside your home rather than out in the street and no sounding of car horns please.

Outside parties can present great problems to neighbours since your ability to control the noise is seriously reduced.  If you intend to play music outside, and especially if you have a band or DJ, it is advisable to start the party earlier so that music can be ceased at an earlier hour.  After this time the party may be continue inside to enable you to control noise.

Depending upon the type of party you intend to hold, the number of guests and size of your home you may wish to hire a hall that may be more suitable for your needs.  Halls are often more able to control noise and you will ensure that you do not upset your neighbours

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 we are able to take legal action where it is satisfied that noise amounting to a statutory nuisance exists, or is likely to occur or recur.  If you are holding a party where complaints have been received and you are requested by an officer of the Environmental Health Service to reduce the noise caused and refuse to do so, you may be served with an Abatement Notice.

The Abatement Notice will require the noise nuisance to be abated within immediate effect.  Failure to comply with the Notice, without reasonable excuse, is a criminal offence and on summary conviction you may be liable to a fine of up to £5000.

Pollution Control Section
Environmental Health Service
Guildhall
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1Eu

Telephone - 020 8547 5002

E-mail -  environmental.health@rbk.kingston.gov.uk