Noise control

Our service aims to tackle unreasonable noise disturbance and reduce the impact it has on the quality of people's lives.

Noise problems we investigate

We investigate complaints about excessive and intrusive noise from:

• loud music, TV or radio
• parties or other entertainment
• pubs, clubs and entertainment venues
• building and DIY work at unreasonable times of the day
• constant dog barking
• car and burglar alarms.

Noise problems we do not deal with

We do not deal with noise problems caused by ordinary domestic activities in residential properties or where properties have poor sound insulation.

Report noise nuisance

To report noise disturbances during normal office hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, phone 020 7926 6111.

Report noise at night

We provide a rapid response night service. You can call 020 7926 5999, Wednesday night to Sunday night, 8pm to 4am.

What happens after noise nuisance is reported

If you use the night service, our officers will make arrangements to visit your home as soon as possible. They will need to assess the level of the noise from inside your home.

If the noise disturbance is loud enough to be considered a statutory nuisance, the officers will visit the person making the noise and ask them to turn it down or turn it off. The person making the noise will not be told who has made a complaint about them.

Enforcement

If the noise does not stop or it is not reduced, we can serve a legal notice on the person responsible for the noise telling them that they are committing an offence if they ignore the notice.

If the noise problem persists the person responsible may be given a fixed penalty notice or taken to court and fined up to £5,000. The council can also apply for a Warrant of Entry which allows officers to seize noise-making equipment.

Our officers work in partnership with Community Safety, the Police, Lambeth Living and an independent mediation service to help tackle anti-social behaviour and resolve disputes between neighbours.

To report anti-social behaviour phone 020 7926 4000 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

What other action can you take?

In some circumstances we may be unable to get sufficient evidence to take action on behalf of an individual who has made a complaint.

You can take independent action by complaining directly to the Magistrates' Court under section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Download our step-by-step guide on how to take your own legal action.

Our service standards

• During operational hours we aim to respond to 80% of complaints about noise nuisance within one hour.
• Complaints requiring ongoing investigation will be allocated to an enforcement officer. We aim to respond to 90% of ongoing complaints within seven working days.
• Your complaint will be dealt with confidentially and we will not disclose your identity or give your personal details to the person making the noise.
• We aim to answer 90% of our public contact telephone numbers within 15 seconds.

Who to contact

You can contact us by phone or by visiting our offices at:

Environmental Services & Highways
185-205 Shakespeare Road
London
SE24 0PZ 

Rapid response night service: 020 7926 5999
Day-time telephone: 020 7926 6111
Fax: 020 7926 0530