Maintenance/DIY

Noise from neighbours can annoy, cause stress and can generally affect quality of life. The best way forward is to avoid causing a problem in the first place. This guidance aims to assist you in dealing effectively with DIY noise.

We all need to do noisy work from time to time to maintain and improve our homes. However, this does not give them permission to annoy neighbours at all hours of the day and night. We all have to be reasonable to live together.

  • Do noisy jobs and operate noisy equipment when it will cause least disturbance to your neighbours - avoid working when they are trying to sleep or enjoy a quiet night in
  • If you are doing something really noisy for example, hammering, floor sanding, drilling in party walls - let them know beforehand and they are far less likely to complain
  • Where possible carry out noisy outdoor jobs in the garage or shed. If you carry out car or other repairs outside, do this in the place and time where it will cause least disturbance
  • If you are employing builders, agree working times with them for example, Monday - Friday 8am- 6pm, that will not annoy the neighbours - or you

Most people have jobs which need doing around the home, especially if they have just moved in or are redecorating.

Reasonable times for work

We suggest that people need a rest from noise at the weekend and in the evening. Try to carry out unavoidable noisy activities in sociable hours, which the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection defines as being between 8am and 7pm weekdays and Saturday and between 10am and 5pm Sundays

Substantial building works (for example building a conservatory or house)

If you are building a house or conservatory, noisy activities need to comply with the hours within the Council’s Construction Sites Guide:

  • Weekdays 8am to 6pm
  • Saturday 8am to 1pm
  • Sunday and Bank Holidays - No work where noise is audible at the site boundary

For further guidance on reducing environmental impacts of construction work, please see the full Guidance document