Noise from Car Alarms

A car alarm is a useful tool to protect your valuable property, but when the alarm sounds regularly or for long periods it can cease being a benefit and become a nuisance.

Car alarms can be activated when the car battery is running flat, in strong winds or if there is an electrical fault. If your alarm keeps going off (or doesn't switch off automatically), it can cause a noise nuisance to your neighbours.

I'm being subjected to a nuisance alarm, what should I do?

During Office Hours:

• contact |Environmental Health & Licensing (office hours 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday)
  
  
• complete our |online noise reporting form and we will investigate the problem.
  
  
• We will make every effort to contact the registered keeper of the vehicle. If this is not possible, or they are not contactable, and the alarm is still causing a |statutory nuisance we will serve a notice and undertake to immobilise the alarm or have the car removed to a secure pound.
  
  
• The Council can recover all costs involved in disabling a car alarm from the registered keeper.

Outside Office Hours:

The Council has no out of hours service to deal with noise from alarms, therefore, in the first instance:

• If you know the owner of the vehicle an initial approach may resolve the situation. If you don't know the owner, try asking a neighbour, they may be able to provide the owner's contact details. The sooner you can establish who the owner is, the sooner the alarm can be silenced.
  
  
• If you have been unable to trace the owner of the car and you feel that there is a significant impact on the local community, you may consider |speaking to the police.

How can I prevent my alarm being a problem?

• Have the alarm system serviced and repaired by a competent engineer.
  
  
• Always ensure that your windows and doors are fully closed when locking the car - wind entering the car can easily set off the alarm.
  
  
• Most modern car alarms have a 15 second cut-out. If your alarm sounds for longer there could be a fault and you need to check with your car dealer.