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• Types of noise
• Neighbours and loud music
• Barking dogs and other animals
• Alarms
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• Other types of noise

• Related links
• Environmental health
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Reducing Noise in the Home
• Noise Concern
• Environmental Protection UK

Tips for reducing noise

Living beside noisy neighbours can be unbearable, especially if the people next door do not realise they are causing a nuisance.

You can cut down on the amount of noise you make, and avoid upsetting your neighbours, by following these simple tips:

• Televisions and stereos
  
Keep the volume and base of televisions, radios and music players to a respectable level, especially at night. Position speakers away from neighbouring walls and make sure they are off the floor and on a stand.


• Barking dogs
  
Train your dog so that it does not bark all through the day and night. Don't leave your dog home alone for long periods of time or, if possible, ask someone reliable to take it for a walk. More tips are available in our dog wardens section.


• Household appliances
  
Avoid using noisy appliances such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines at unreasonable hours, such as early morning, and at night.


• DIY work
  
Inform your neighbours if you are planning on carrying out DIY work. Aboid drilling and sawing at unreasonable hours, such as early morning, and at night.


• Alarms
  
Always have an alarm key nearby or know its exact location so that alarms can be dealt with as quickly as possible. If you are going away, give an alarm key to a responsible neighbour so that they can switch off any false alarms.


• Parties
  
Consider your neighbours when you plan a party, particularly at Christmas or New Year, so that they can also enjoy their evening. Inform them in advance so they can plan ahead and set a reasonable start and finish time which your guests stick to. Ask taxis to ring the doorbell when they arrive, rather than sounding their horn, and keep noise to a minimum by moving stereos away from walls and closing doors and windows. Make sure your guests leave quickly and quietly and do not disturb your neighbours.