Noise

Noise can be unwanted sound that interferes with the peace and quiet you enjoy in your own home.

The Council’s enforcement powers cover all types of domestic amplified noise. In some cases where we cannot take formal action, with your permission we can pass on your details to other services such as mediation.

Anti-social behaviour noise includes:

• Loud music
• DIY noise
• Loud televisions.

If you have approached your neighbour about noise and they are still causing a problem, in most cases we will ask you to fill out a noise diary to help us investigate.

We may also contact the person you are complaining about to advise them a report has been made and that we may take readings and recordings in the course of our investigation. We do not say who has made the complaint.

If we discover a nuisance in terms of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 then we can serve a Notice on the person responsible to stop, reduce or control the hours when the noise is made. If they fail to meet with the terms then a report may be made to the Procurator Fiscal.

Our Wardens are usually the first point of contact in dealing with minor incidents of antisocial behaviour and neighbour disputes and are a link between the community and the police in trying to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. They also have enforcement responsibilities including antisocial noise monitoring, dog fouling and litter. 

We believe that antisocial or nuisance behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Antisocial behaviour includes a wide range of issues including:

• Playing music at excessive levels
• Vandalism
• Harassment
• Violence
• Drug related issues
• Disorder and a wide range of criminal activities.

We can only tackle antisocial behaviour if you tell us about it and how it is affecting your quality of life. We need to know when and where it is happening so that we can target those causing the problems and introduce suitable and effective solutions.  

Where possible we aim to resolve problems informally through advice or mediation. 

If this cannot be achieved then we will instigate court action on your behalf. Court action will only be considered if you agree and you will be consulted at every stage of the process. Any information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Barking dogs are covered by the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and you can take your own case to the District Court. It is free and all you need to do is gather evidence (such as statements from other people who have heard the dog barking, recordings etc.) and put your case before a Justice of the Peace.

Please use the form below to report a noise issue, or alternatively call the police if the situation is urgent.

If you submit this form out of working hours our officers will not receive any reports until the next working day.

Please note: We require address details in order to enforce action regarding a noise report at a residence. If no address is given, very little action can be carried out by the Council.