With more and more people renovating their property instead of moving, the amount of neighbour disputes relating to DIY are on the rise. In addition, with the new ‘work from home’ craze, it makes it even harder to undertake DIY without disturbing your neighbours. So how can you deal with neighbours DIY noise?
Everyone is entitled to maintain their property and undergo building work and DIY, but it should be done in a respectful way.
Most disputes can be resolved by speaking to your neighbours beforehand; communication really is key. Letting your neighbours know about up and coming building projects will mean they are not taken by surprise. That is not to say that you need to let them know every time you are going to pick up a hammer but it is polite to let neighbours know if there is going to be prolonged noise.
If there are any issues then these can be discussed at the start of the project and if necessary, any compromises can be made. For example, if you are intending on making noise for a long period of time, but your neighbour is due to have a birthday party, you could offer not to undertake noisy work on that particular day.
Here are the most asked questions relating to neighbours DIY noise and building work:
What time are you allowed to make DIY noise UK?
There is no set law that dictates what time you are allowed to make DIY noise in the UK, but you should do noisy work within ‘reasonable’ hours to avoid neighbour conflicts. Reasonable times for DIY noise would generally be 8am-6pm Monday to Friday. On Saturday between 8am – 5pm and Sunday (or a bank holiday) DIY between 10am – 1pm.
However, as there is no set law, these times are the general consensus of reasonable times to make DIY noise. People with full-time jobs will have to fit in DIY around their work, so it is reasonable for DIY to be carried out on the weekends.
Even though there is no law that states what hours are deemed reasonable, it doesn’t mean that a neighbour can make noise as and when they want. You have a right to complain if your neighbour is making noise that is a nuisance, at unreasonable times of the day or night.
For example, if your neighbour is making constant DIY noise at night time this would not be deemed as acceptable.
What constitutes as DIY noise?
DIY noise nuisance can be anything from banging, hammering, drilling or using power tools. It is a noise that disturbs your neighbours, that they can hear from their property. It can be from something as simple as changing a plug, if the noise is prolonged.
The larger the job is, it would be wise to discuss the potential noise with your neighbour.
What is classed as unreasonable noise from neighbours UK?
Unreasonable DIY noise from neighbours, is in a broad sense any noise that is disturbing you and affecting your enjoyment of your property. Unreasonable noise from neighbours can vary from hearing a loud TV through your adjoining wall, to loud parties in the middle of the night.
What decibel is too loud for neighbours uk?
The unit that environmental noise is usually measured is in A-weighted decibels. The permitted noise level is:
- 34 dBA (decibels adjusted) if the underlying level of noise is no more than 24 dBA
- 10 dBA above the underlying level of noise if this is more than 24 dBA
Understandably, this test would have to be carried out by an expert to establish if the noise is deemed reasonable or unreasonable.
You can purchase your own portable sound measuring device, such as the Tadeto Digital Sound Level Portable Decibel Meter to keep a log of the noise. Once you have gathered the evidence, then you can approach your Council to seek further advice.
I have a detailed article on how to gather evidence for a neighbour dispute you can read here.
Can I use power tools on a Sunday UK?
You can use power tools on a Sunday in the UK. As explained, there is no set law on when you can do DIY but out of courtesy to your neighbours, power tools should be used at a reasonable time of the day.
Some people don’t believe that any noisy DIY should be undertaken on a Sunday but is not practical when most people work Monday – Friday.
What time should my neighbour stop drilling?
Drilling is a particularly loud neighbour DIY noise and therefore, your neighbour should undertake this activity at ‘reasonable’ times.
Your neighbour should stop drilling by 6pm Monday-Friday, 5pm on Saturday and 1pm on a Sunday. However, these times are not set in stone.
Can neighbours complain about building work?
Neighbours can complain about your building work, if the noise is unreasonable or if the building work is unlawful. For example neighbours could stop building work if it isn’t lawful with the Party Wall Act.
Your neighbours can make a complaint to the council for noise pollution. The Council will then investigate and if could issue an abatement notice, stating when the work can be carried out. If the abatement notice is breached, then there could be a large fine and could lead to prosecution.
However, you would hope that your neighbour would talk to you first before a formal complaint is made.
What hours can builders make noise UK?
In the UK the Pollution Control Act 1974 is in place to protect the public against air pollution and noise pollution. The act limits noisy building work on constructions sites and public areas between 8am and 6pm from Monday to Friday.
Can builders play loud music?
Builders should try and keep radio noise to a minimum.
It is common for builders to play the radio but they should have it at a reasonable level, so that it is not causing too much disruption. It would be unreasonable for builders to playing loud music early in morning, late at night and weekends.
If you are having issues with builders playing loud music, the best option would be to talk to them and try and come up with a solution that works for everyone.
For example, if you are working from home, if you have a meeting when you need the radio to be turned off, just let them know.
How to deal with noisy neighbours DIY noise
Your first point of call should be to contact your neighbour.
Explain to them the issues and the disturbance and how you may be able to compromise. It might be that your neighbour wasn’t aware how much noise they were making and that they were disturbing you.
If your neighbour continues to cause noise disturbance and is unwilling to take your views into account, you can contact your council.
You can report a noise nuisance to your council by submitting a form on the Gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/report-noise-pollution-to-council.
I have an article on how to make a complaint to the council about a neighbour that you can read here.
Remember that the neighbour undertaking the DIY also has the right to make improvements to their house, just like you want peace and quiet in your home.
The council will have to consider the need for people to undertake DIY around their working hours, but also the right to peace and quiet at the weekends and evenings. The Council will try and come up with a solution that works for both parties.
The council can place restrictions on the times that the neighbour can carry out noisy DIY work via an abatement notice. If your neighbour is not adhering to the abatement notice, then you will need to gather evidence to provide to the council.
If you are dissatisfied with the actions of the Council, you can submit a claim at the Magistrates Court.
Remember that you are going to have to remain living next door to your neighbour, so this should be a last case scenario, as this will likely result in a breakdown of any neighbour relationship.
What is an abatement notice?
An abatement notice is a legally binding document/order that must be adhered to. The council have the right to serve an abatement notice under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. If the abatement order is not complied with, a large fine can be issued or could lead to prosecution.
The council will issue an abatement notice if they are satisfied that the DIY noise amounts to a statutory nuisance. The abatement notice will dictate when your neighbour can undertake DIY.
If the abatement notice is breached the council can also remove the noise-making equipment, such as a hammer drill.
Do you have to notify Neighbours of building work?
You don’t have to notify your neighbour of building work, unless it falls under the notification requirements of the Party Wall Act. However, it would be a good idea to notify your neighbours of the building work, to reduce the chance of neighbour disputes. If your neighbours have any issues you can deal with them before you start the project.
Hopefully, those FAQ answered some of your questions about dealing with neighbours DIY noise but please feel free to share your story in the comments.
By way of summary, try and do the following if you plan on making noise for a prolonged period of time:
- COMMUNICATE – Talk to your neighbour before you start work. Explain what DIY you will be doing, when and roughly how long it will take. This step is usually sufficient to prevent neighbour disputes.
- COMPROMISE – If your neighbour is not happy with your proposal, compromise and come up with a solution that works for both of you.
- BE REASONABLE – Stick to doing your noisy DIY within reasonable house.
Leave a Reply