Anti-Social Behaviour

The types of conduct that we would not normally investigate as anti-social behaviour include (but are not limited to):

• Children playing in the street, around their home or park and not causing damage or being abusive
• Children arguing
• People gathering and socialising in the street, unless causing damage, being abusive or threatening
• Riding bikes or skateboards around the estates that we manage
• Events in the home such as flushing toilets, cooking smells, smoking in own home, vacuuming floors, washing machines, babies crying or playing
• Staring or looking at someone
• Pets straying across garden areas
• One off noise nuisance such as a one-off party or BBQ
• Normal conversation heard through walls or floors
• Noise travelling through ceilings or walls due to poor insulation or type of flooring
• People carrying out DIY in reasonable hours (we normally suggest not outside the hours of 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays)
• People mowing lawns during reasonable hours of the day (see previous point for suggested timescales)
• Normal vehicle noise
• Neighbours walking around their home and across floors
• Neighbours closing doors, cupboards or windows
• Parking issues, including parking across driveways
• Civil disputes such as boundary issues
• Certain incidents which may be considered a criminal offence, which should be reported to and dealt with by the police, such as burglary and theft

If you are concerned about the noise levels coming from next door, then often the best way to deal with the problem is to go to the source and talk to the person causing the problem.

Most problems can be solved amicably without the need for further action. You may feel anxious about approaching your neighbour but they may be unaware that they are the source of a problem. When approached, often they will be embarrassed about the nuisance they have been causing and will be more considerate in future. It is important to do this as early as possible before the problem spirals out of control.

Having a quiet word

Before you approach your neighbour, plan what you are going to say. Keep calm and be pleasant and then they are more likely to respond positively to your complaint.

Never approach your neighbour when the noise is actually happening. You are more likely to be angry and have an argument with your neighbour if you do.

In addition to this, if it is late at night and your neighbours are playing music loudly or having a party, they may have been drinking alcohol. If this is the case, they are unlikely to be as receptive to your grievance as they may normally be - they may think you are just trying to spoil their enjoyment.

Be careful

Before you approach your neighbour, it is important to assess the risk to your personal safety and property. If you feel frightened or intimidated by your neighbour and you are worried that they may respond aggressively, then approaching them to complain may not be the best option for you.

If this is the case, then check whether your neighbours are tenants. It is contained within the Conditions of Tenancy that tenants must not cause nuisance to neighbours and your Tenancy Services Officer will be able to assist in such cases.

Mediation Services

If you get a negative response from your neighbour and the noise continues, the next step in solving your problem would be to consider mediation. Your Tenancy Services Officer will be able to make the appropriate referral, please contact us on 0800 833 160 or via our 24-hour Anti-Social Behaviour reporting line 0800 833 163.

Southend-on-Sea City Council

You may also like to visit the Southend-on-Sea City Council web pages relating to Noise Pollution, which you can access by clicking here: Noise pollution – Southend-on-Sea City Council