What can I do?

If you are experiencing a noise or odour nuisance to such an extent that you need to take action, there are a number of things which you can do to help the council resolve your complaint:

Keep detailed and accurate records of the incidents on the diary sheets sent to you

Keep a precise record of the dates, times and duration of the nuisance. If your complaint is about dogs and there is more than one dog that barks in the neighbourhood, make sure that you have the right one. This is a basic point, but mistakes have happened.

Discuss the noise problem with the person responsible for it and make them aware of your concerns

After recording incidents in your nuisance diary for a few days, go and speak to the occupier (where you feel safe to do so), preferably during the period of disturbance or a short time afterwards. The occupier may not be aware that they are causing such annoyance so be polite. If you go round and give your neighbour a piece of your mind, you may provoke a similar response and that will not help in working out a solution.

If for one reason or another you do not wish to meet the occupier face to face, send him or her a polite letter explaining your problem, which will give them the opportunity to resolve the situation and strengthen your case should it not. Suggest it would be helpful to meet and discuss your complaint. Don't forget to put your full name and address on the letter. The worst thing you could do is to send an anonymous letter.

Speak to other neighbours affected and get them to support your claim if possible

If additional residents are willing to come forward having witnessed the nuisance themselves or are also directly affected by it the council may have greater grounds to prove a statutory nuisance is occurring.

Be prepared to make a formal statement and to attend court if required

Keep a written record of who you have seen, what was discussed, any letters you write and any received.

Be patient. The council will try to resolve the complaint as quickly as possible but in some cases it can be a lengthy process, particularly if the noise is intermittent.