Partnership in Dealing with Noise

Environmental Health & Licensing deal with matters relating to noise in the borough of Elmbridge.

|Elmbridge Housing Trust (EHT) are the largest social housing provider within the borough. They have nearly 5000 properties and are responsible for dealing with antisocial behaviour of occupiers of EHT properties and are also called on to deal with noise.

With this in mind both parties have got together and agreed how best to deal with your noise complaints. By working more closely on noise matters we aim together to provide a simpler and more effective service to those suffering noise disturbance from leaseholder's or tenants living in EHT accommodation.

So how does it work?

Environmental Health & Licensing will take the lead when dealing with your complaint. We consult with EHT and keep them fully informed of any progress in accordance with the Protocol agreed by the Council and EHT. The partnership in noise relates to complaints solely about noise from an EHT property.

Who should I complain to?

Complaints solely about noise can be made to either Environmental Health & Licensing (using our |online noise reporting form ) or directly to |Elmbridge Housing Trust. Those complaints made directly to EHT will also be forwarded to Environmental Health & Licensing to investigate.

How will my complaint be dealt with?

Complaints about noise from EHT properties will be dealt with in a similar way to complaints from non-EHT properties. Environmental Health & Licensing keep EHT fully informed of the action taken, and for those complaints that require more formal action, both parties have a number of sanctions they can consider.

I'm constantly disturbed by loud music/barking dogs from my neighbour who is an Elmbridge Housing Trust tenant, what should I do?

• Firstly, it is essential that you know the source of the noise nuisance. It is not always obvious especially if you live in flats or converted dwellings.
  
  
• Next, try discussing your concerns with your neighbours - they may not realise they're disturbing you.
  
  
• If you feel unable to approach them directly try writing a polite letter. You could use our |template letters as guidance. Remember to keep a copy.

Start gathering evidence

• Nuisance record sheet
  Record incidents of noise on a |nuisance record sheet . These are an essential part of the investigation; they allow us to more fully understand how the noise is affecting you and the frequency of disturbance. Should the case proceed to Court (and with your permission) they may form part of the evidence for the prosecution. Nuisance record sheets are also available by post from |Environmental Health & Licensing (you can upload completed nuisance record sheets using our |online noise reporting form ).
  
  
• Audio/ visual recordings
  You can use a mobile phone or video camera to capture incidents of noise nuisance (see |guide to gathering evidence). Again, any short audio/visual clips you have gathered can be uploaded using our |online noise reporting form
  
  
  
• Register your complaint using our |online noise reporting form , where you can upload a copy of your completed nuisance record sheet and any short audio/visual recordings you have taken. If you prefer you could register you complaint with your housing manager who will refer the complaint to Environmental Health & Licensing, in line with our 'partnership in noise protocol'. See our quick guide to noise for further details including what to do if the noise is occurring out of office hours.

• If you do not have access to the internet please call Environmental Health & Licensing on the telephone number below.
  
  
• We will then begin an investigation to assess whether the noise constitutes a |statutory nuisance. If a nuisance is confirmed a Noise Abatement Notice will be served preventing further noise nuisance. Failure to comply with a Noise Abatement Notice is a criminal offence.
  
  
• EHT classes noise as anti-social behaviour. As part of the management of antisocial behaviour EHT can apply to the Courts to seek possession of the property by evicting tenants from their home. Should your complaint result in this action, under the partnership in noise, both the Council and EHT will work closely to ensure that those tenants and leaseholders causing this level of noise disturbance will not be allowed to continue.
  
  
• If relations between you and your neighbour have deteriorated and noise is just an additional problem, you may decide the best approach is to consider mediation. Many Elmbridge residents who have experienced noise problems and taken part in mediation have a successful outcome. |Find out more about mediation.

|Environmental Health & Licensing
Elmbridge Borough Council
Civic Centre, High Street
Esher, Surrey KT10 9SD
Tel: 01372 474750
Fax: 01372 474915
|Environmental Health & Licensing online noise reporting form

|Elmbridge Housing Trust
Case House
85-89 High Street, Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 1DZ
Tel: 01932 235700
Fax: 01932 235701
|Elmbridge Housing Trust online complaint form