The London Borough of Southwark and North Lancashire in Scotland received the highest number of noise complaints last year, exclusive research for This is Money reveals.
A Freedom of Information Act request filed by Churchill Home Insurance revealed that local authorities received more than 203,000 complaints from residents about noisy neighbours in 2023.
Fines for breaching noise abatement orders (NAOs) also rose by 56 per cent last year compared to the year before.
Noise complaints: Southwark and North Lankarkshire councils received the highest number of noise complaints last year, data shows
In Southwark, the local council received 10,069 noise complaints in 2023, while in North Lankarkshire there were 9,099, Churchill Home Insurance said.
Redbridge, Kensington and Chelsea and Birmingham councils had the third, fourth and fifth highest numbers of noise complaints received last year, the results added.
Annoying noise from neighbors is an even bigger problem this year.
In the first quarter of 2024, councils earned 59 per cent more revenue from fines for breaching the NAOs than they did in the whole of last year.
Despite persistent noise problems suffered by many in the neighbourhood, only 6 per cent of people support moving to Swiss-style “quiet hours”, according to the survey.
In many parts of Switzerland there are designated “quiet hours” from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
While Southwark and North Lankarkshire were the worst locations for noise complaints last year, Westminster, Falkirk and Wandsworth also ranked in the top ten worst locations for noise in 2023.
Keep it quiet: Of the 10 areas with the worst noise complaints last year, half were London boroughs, Churchill Home Insurance said
Of the 10 areas with the worst noise complaints last year, half were London boroughs, while Scotland featured in the top ten three times.
Local authorities that imposed the most fines for NAO violations did not receive the highest number of complaints.
According to the research, Calderdale, Gateshead and Burnley accounted for more than 50 per cent of all NAO fines issued last year.
An NAO tells a person what they must do to stop causing a noise nuisance or face further legal action.
Anyone who breaches an NRO can be fined up to £5,000.
Sarah Khan, director of Churchill Home Insurance, told This is Money: ‘Many people believe they are above the law and intimidate neighbours with excessive noise even when they have previously been banned from doing so.
‘High noise levels can be extremely distressing, especially if people are trying to get young children to sleep and want to keep the windows open to prevent them from getting too hot on a warm night.’
He added: ‘Some noise pollution is entirely accidental, as summer is a fantastic time to get outside, entertain and carry out much-needed garden maintenance.
‘However, noise can travel incredibly far without people noticing.
‘Talking to your neighbours and letting them know if there are any special events that might be louder or unusual or if you can carry out DIY work during the day can really help prevent problems arising.’
| Type of noise | Percentage of people negatively affected |
|---|---|
| 1. Frequent dog barking | 51% |
| 2. Celebrate parties/entertain | 37% |
| 3. Use of DIY equipment/power tools | 33% |
| 4. Trampoline | 24% |
| 5. Children playing in the garden. | twenty-one% |
| 6. Pressure washing | 19% |
| 7. Other gardening tasks such as pruning hedges. | 14% |
| 8. Mow the lawn | eleven% |
| Home Insurance in Churchill |
What kind of noise causes problems?
Barking dogs, parties and entertainment and DIY tools are the three biggest causes of noise disturbance, Churchill Home Insurance said.
More than half of people said barking dogs had a “negative impact” on them, compared with 37 percent who said the same about nearby parties.
One in seven adults has also been affected by neighbours using noisy DIY tools, the research found.
Trampolines, children playing in the garden, pressure washing and gardening work such as hedge trimming and lawn mowing also made the list of the eight worst noise problems.
Nearly a quarter of people said noise from people on trampolines had had a negative impact on them, while 19 per cent had problems with noise from people jet-washing nearby.
Most Britons think that parties and entertainment should end at 10pm on weekdays and 11pm at weekends.
Meanwhile, most people think that noisy outdoor work should end at 8 pm during the week and on weekends.
A nightmare story with a neighbour? Get in touch with us: editor@thisismoney.co.uk
