Considerate NeighboursHelpful tips on how to keep your noise levels low at home.
Everyone needs a rest from noise – especially during weekends and evenings. We suggest that unavoidable noisy activities are carried out between:
Monday – Saturday 8.00am – 7.00pm
Sunday 10.00am 4.00pm
Remember that neighbours sharing party walls, floors and ceilings tend to be worst affected, and that noise can cause problems depending on:
- how loud it is
- how long it lasts
- how often it occurs
- the time of day it happens
Late Night Party Goers
If you're having a party or barbecue, remember to warn your neighbours in advance and tell them what time it will finish. Keep the music turned down low and don't stand outside on balconies or in gardens late at night. Ask your guests to go home quietly.
Noise Outside
Don't operate noisy appliances or equipment such as lawn mowers or power tools late at night or early in the morning. If you're playing music outside, try to keep it at a level that cannot be heard outside your boundary. Make sure that your children don't cause too much noise, especially by kicking balls against the neighbour’s walls. If you have a marquee, remember that it has no sound insulation and all the noise you make inside will be heard outside.
Radios, Stereos, TV’s & Musical Instruments
Keep the volume as low as possible and if you have bass control on your stereo make sure it's turned right down. Late at night you should use headphones or listen to music on a personal stereo. If you play a musical instrument avoid practicing early in the morning or late evening/night. If the instrument has an amplifier, turn the volume down or preferably use headphones.
Household Repairs & Improvements
Let your neighbours know beforehand if you are carrying out potentially noisy operations, using power tools or working on party walls or floors. Carry out noisy operations during the day keeping the evening for less noisy work such as painting and decorating. Don’t leave DIY equipment running – switch it off when not being used. Remember that hired equipment, e.g. mixers, generators are often more powerful and noisy than DIY versions. Use hand tools wherever possible and complete the work as quickly as you can.
Domestic Appliances
Noisy appliances such as washing machines, spin dryers, freezers and fridges should not be situated next to party walls. Washing machines and spin dryers should stand on a solid floor or placed on a carpet or rubber mat to reduce vibration. Don't operate noisy appliances late at night or early in the morning.
Vehicles and Repairs
Try to do noisy repairs during the day (avoid Sundays) and if possible carry out work in a garage. Don’t rev the engine excessively and keep in-car music levels down and the windows closed. Remember to close doors quietly and use horns only in emergencies.
Dogs
Don’t let your dog bark or whine for long periods or leave it alone. If your dog barks constantly when left alone or disturbed keep it indoors. If your dog still barks when indoors make arrangements to leave it with a neighbour or friend or get someone to call in. Leave its' favourite toy or put the radio on at a very low volume. If it's a real problem consult your vet for advice about training.
How to contact us
If you want to make a complaint or need more information, contact us using the details below. If the disturbance is going on now, call our 24-hour hotline & you'll be visited or contacted within 45 minutes of making the complaint.
Tel: 020 7525 5777 (24 hours)
Fax: 020 7525 3077
Email: noise@southwark.gov.uk
Address: Noise Team, Environment & Leisure,
The Chaplin Centre,
Thurlow Street,
London SE17 2DG
Office hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday
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