Investigation and enforcement
Once we receive your report, we’ll review the details. We may contact you for more information.
Noise investigations can take time. We appreciate your patience.
You may be asked to:
- use a noise app to record short clips
- continue keeping a noise diary
Contacting the business
We’ll usually contact the business first. In many cases, this resolves the issue quickly.
Further investigation
If the noise continues, we may:
- install noise monitoring equipment at your property
- visit your property to assess the noise
We’ll consider:
- time of day
- frequency and duration
- location of the business
- nature and impact of the noise
- any steps taken to reduce it
When we can take formal action
We can only take formal action if there is clear evidence of a serious impact.
Statutory nuisance is about someone being unreasonably stopped from enjoying their home or property. It does not cover:
- minor annoyance
- frustration
- inconvenience
Whether something is a statutory nuisance is a judgment made by the investigating officer.
Enforcement
If we find the noise is a statutory nuisance, we can issue an Abatement Notice. This requires the business to stop the nuisance.
If they don’t comply, we may:
- take legal action
- prosecute the business