So, when and why might you need to contact the Environmental Health Department? Well, if you’re dealing with any environmental issues that are affecting your health, safety, or quality of life, they’re the ones to call. Whether it’s a noisy neighbour, a food hygiene concern, or a problem with air pollution in your area, the Environmental Health Department should help.
Environmental Health is a branch of public health that focuses on the environment around us. This includes everything from air quality and water safety to food hygiene and noise pollution. Essentially, anything that can affect our health and well-being in our surroundings falls under the umbrella of Environmental Health.
This blog covers the topic of when to contact Environmental Health in the UK about issues with neighbours. It explains the importance of environmental health, types of neighbourhood environmental issues and the responsibilities of the local council and environmental health officers.
The guide also provides information on how to contact Environmental Health, when to do so, and what happens after contacting them. I hope it helps and answers your questions.
Environmental Health Responsibility
If you’re dealing with an environmental issue caused by your neighbour your local council has a responsibility to protect public health and the environment. They employ Environmental Health Officers (also known as EHOs).
Environmental Health Officers are responsible for investigating and addressing issues like noise pollution, air pollution, and pest infestations. They also have the power to issue fines and take legal action if necessary to enforce environmental regulations.
It’s worth noting, however, that the resources and priorities of local councils can vary depending on where you live. Some councils may have more resources to address environmental issues than others, so it’s important to do your research and find out what your council’s policies are.
When to Contact Environmental Health
If you’re experiencing environmental issues caused by your neighbours, it can be difficult to know when to contact Environmental Health.
Here are a few common situations where it might be appropriate to get in touch and make an Environmental Health complaint about a neighbour:
- NOISE POLLUTION: This is when your neighbours are making a lot of noise that’s disrupting your peace and quiet. Whether it’s loud music, barking dogs, or shouting and fighting, excessive noise can have a real impact on your quality of life. If you have this issue I have an article on how to deal with noisy neighbours that I hope will help.
- NUISANCE & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR: This is a bit of a catch-all term, but basically it covers any behaviour from your neighbours that’s causing a problem for you or your community. This could include things like blocking driveways, or even criminal behaviour like drug dealing.
- RUBBISH & BINS: If your neighbour is accumulating waste that’s causing a health hazard or attracting pests, such as rats or wasps, you should contact Environmental Health. They can investigate and ensure that your neighbour takes appropriate action to clear the waste. I have an article on wheelie bin issues with neighbours if you are dealing with this problem.
- ISSUES WITH DOGS: This can include if your community has an issue with excessive dog fouling or dangerous dogs.
- AIR POLLUTION & QUALITY: This could be anything from excessive smoke from a neighbour’s wood burner or bonfire to emissions from industrial sites or busy roads. Breathing in polluted air can have serious health consequences, so it’s something you’ll want to address. I have an article on issues with neighbours’ wood burners that you can read here.
- PEST INFESTATIONS: If your neighbours have a problem with pests like rats or wasps, it can be a real health hazard for you and your family. Pests can spread disease and cause damage to property, so it’s important to get the problem under control as soon as possible.
- CONTAMINATED LAND: This can include your neighbour contaminating land, such as disposing of dangerous chemicals.
These are just some examples of situations where it might be appropriate to contact Environmental Health but as you can see, they deal with a lot of neighbourhood issues.
If you’re experiencing any other type of environmental issue caused by your neighbours, and you’re not sure whether it warrants contacting Environmental Health, it’s always worth getting in touch to discuss the situation with them. They can advise you on the best course of action and whether they can help.
How to Contact Environmental Health
If you’re dealing with an environmental issue caused by your neighbours and you want to contact Environmental Health, there are a few different ways you can do it.
- Contact your local council directly
The most direct way is to contact your local council. You can find the environmental health contact number on their website or by calling their main switchboard. They should have a dedicated Environmental Health department that you can speak to about your issue.
- Online complaint portal
Many councils also have an online complaint portal where you can submit details about the issue you’re experiencing. This can be a convenient option if you don’t have time to speak to someone on the phone or in person.
- Write to your council
If you prefer, you can write a letter to the council with your complaint.
- Contact your local MP
If you’re not getting anywhere with your local council, you could also try contacting your local MP. They may be able to raise your concerns with the council on your behalf and help to get the issue resolved.
When you’re contacting Environmental Health, it’s important to provide as much detail as possible about the issue you’re experiencing. This might include the location, the type of problem, and the impact it’s having on your health and quality of life.
The more information you can provide, the easier it will be for the council to investigate and address the issue.
I have an article on how to gather evidence for a neighbour dispute that should be helpful, you can read it here.
What Happens After Contacting Environmental Health
When you make an Environmental Health complaint against a neighbour, what happens next will depend on the nature and severity of the issue you’ve reported.
Here’s an overview of the typical steps involved:
- Initial contact: When you first contact the Environmental Health Department, you’ll need to provide them with details about the issue you’re experiencing. They may ask you to complete a complaint form, or they may take details over the phone. They’ll usually ask you for your contact details so that they can get in touch with you if they need more information.
- Investigation: Once Environmental Health has received your complaint, they’ll investigate the issue to determine the cause and severity of the problem. This may involve visiting your property to take measurements or samples or speaking to your neighbours to get their side of the story. The length of the investigation will depend on the nature of the issue, but it could take several weeks or even months to complete.
- Formal action: If the investigation confirms that there’s a problem, Environmental Health may take formal action to try to resolve the issue. This could involve serving a legal notice on your neighbour requiring them to take specific steps to address the problem. Alternatively, it could involve prosecuting your neighbour if they’re found to be in breach of environmental health legislation.
- Closure: Once the issue has been resolved, Environmental Health will usually close the case. They may contact you to let you know what action has been taken and to check that you’re happy with the outcome. If you’re not happy, you may be able to appeal the decision or seek further legal advice.
These are the typical steps involved in the process of contacting the Environmental Health Department about a neighbourhood environmental issue.
While it can be a lengthy and sometimes frustrating process, it’s important to remember that they’re there to help and to ensure that everyone can enjoy a healthy and peaceful environment.
If you are having to deal with an environmental issue, I would highly recommend contacting your local Environment Health Department to get the issues resolved before they escalate.
Legal Recourse
In some cases, contacting Environmental Health may not be enough to resolve the issue you’re experiencing with your neighbours.
If this is the case, several legal remedies may be available to you:
- Injunctions: An injunction is a court order requiring your neighbour to stop doing something that’s causing a problem. For example, if your neighbour is playing loud music late at night, you could apply for an injunction requiring them to stop. Injunctions can be expensive and time-consuming to obtain, so it’s important to try and resolve the issue with your neighbour.
- Anti-social Behaviour Orders: An Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO), now known as Community Protection Notice ( CPN ) or Criminal Behaviour Order ( CBO ) are orders that can be used to prevent your neighbour from engaging in behaviour that’s causing a nuisance or annoyance. CPNs and CBOs can be obtained by the police or the local council, and they can last for up to five years.
- Statutory Nuisance: If your neighbour’s behaviour is causing a statutory nuisance, you may be able to take legal action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Statutory nuisances include noise, dust, smoke, and odours. To take legal action, you’ll need to demonstrate that the nuisance is having a significant and unreasonable impact on your quality of life. If you’re successful, the court can order your neighbour to stop the behaviour or pay compensation.
These are just a few examples of the legal remedies that may be available to you if you’re experiencing problems with your neighbours. It’s important to try mediation or seek legal advice if you are not able to resolve the issue with your neighbour or the Environmental Health Department.
Citizens Advice also have some further information that might be helpful to you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, environmental health is an important issue that affects our daily lives, and it’s crucial to know when and how to contact the appropriate authorities when you experience environmental problems caused by your neighbours.
By understanding the types of issues that can arise, the responsibilities of the local council and environmental health officers, and the legal remedies that are available, you can take steps to address the issue and protect your quality of life.
As always, I would recommend that you discuss the issue with your neighbour first, before making an environmental health complaint against your neighbour. Many disputes can be resolved with a simple conversation.
If you’re experiencing an environmental issue with your neighbours that can’t be resolved amicably, don’t hesitate to contact Environmental Health and seek advice. Remember, everyone has the right to a healthy and safe living environment.
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