Noise problems we can investigate

We can investigate noise problems that may be causing a ‘statutory nuisance’. This means noise that is interfering with the use or enjoyment of a person’s home or affecting a person’s health.

You can read more about what counts as a statutory nuisance and how councils deal with complaints.

Some types of noise are unlikely to be considered a statutory nuisance. You can read about the types of noise we cannot investigate.

There is a different way to make a report of a busking or street entertainment problem in Westminster, including problems with noise or licensing.

Animal noise

It is natural for animals to make occasional noise, for example, dogs barking. If the noise is persistent or during unreasonable hours (such as late at night), you can report it to us.

We will try to work with the animal’s owner to reduce the noise before taking formal action.

For any other animal issues such as stray dogs, you can make a report of an animal or dog problem. If you notice signs of animal cruelty, you can report this to the RSPCA.

If you report animal noise, an officer will review your report within one working day.

Bars, pubs, nightclubs, or licensed premises noise

If you live close to licensed premises such as a bar, pub or nightclub, some noise is to be expected. If noise interferes with the use or enjoyment of your home or affects your health (for example, keeping you from falling asleep at night), you can make a report.

An officer will review your report within one hour.

Building sites and construction noise

Building and construction work can be noisy because of the use of heavy machinery and equipment such as drills and power tools.

We require that building sites take reasonable measures to reduce the effect of noise where possible. If a building site is not doing this, you can make a report to us.

An officer will review your report within one working day.

Out-of-hours building work or construction

Building work is only allowed between:

• 8am to 6pm on weekdays
• 8am to 1pm on Saturdays

No noisy works is allowed on Sundays or bank holidays unless special permission has been granted.

The following activities are not permitted on Saturdays, unless special permission has been granted:

• demolition
• excavation
• piling works (driving large structural elements into the ground)

If noisy works are happening outside the permitted hours without permission, formal action can be taken against the contractor.

If you make a report of out-of-hours building or construction noise, an officer will review your report within one hour.

DIY noise

If noise from home DIY projects is interfering with the use or enjoyment of your home, or affecting your health, you can make a report to us. This includes DIY that is persistent or happening during unreasonable hours (for example, late at night).

If you make a report of DIY noise, an officer will review your report within one working day.

Burglar or fire alarm noise

We can investigate burglar or fire alarm noise if:

• an alarm has been ringing for more than 20 minutes
• an alarm has been ringing on and off for more than one hour
• an alarm goes off a lot without a clear reason

An officer will review your report within one hour.

If we cannot find the owner of a property

If we cannot find the owner of a property, we can get a warrant to enter a property to stop an alarm. The owner of the property will be charged for any costs involved, for example, if we have to employ a locksmith.

If we enter a property to stop an alarm, we will:

• leave the property secure
• if we damage locks, we will replace them with locks of equal or better quality
• if we change the locks, we will leave a note explaining where to collect the new keys
• leave a notice inside to inform the owner of the property of the reason the alarm was stopped

Noise from fire alarms may take longer to resolve as we give 24 hours notice to the property owner before we enter.

Vehicle alarm noise

We can investigate complaints about a car, motorbike, or vehicle alarm if:

• an alarm has been ringing for more than 20 minutes
• an alarm has been ringing on and off for more than one hour
• an alarm goes off a lot without a clear reason

A notice may be served on the owner or registered keeper of a vehicle to stop an alarm within a reasonable amount of time.

If you make a report of a vehicle alarm problem, an officer will review your report within one hour.

If we cannot find the owner of a vehicle

If an alarm is not stopped, and the owner cannot be found, we can enter a vehicle to stop an alarm. We use specialist companies to do this and take every care not to cause damage. If a vehicle is on a private street or land, we may obtain a warrant to enter the vehicle.

If we cannot unlock a vehicle door, we may break a window - but this is rare. If the alarm cannot be stopped, we may tow the car.

If we enter a vehicle to stop an alarm, we will:

• inform the police
• make sure the vehicle is left secure
• tow the vehicle, if it can’t be secured
• write to the owner of the vehicle, if their address is known
• leave a note to inform the person responsible for the vehicle of the reason the vehicle was entered

Shops, offices, and commercial business noise

If noise from a shop, office, or commercial business interferes with the use or enjoyment of your home, or affects your health, you can make a report to us.

An officer will review your report within one working day.

Delivery noise

We can investigate delivery noise if:

• noisy deliveries are happening late at night (between 11pm to 7am)
• delivery staff are not using reasonable measures to control delivery noise

If you make a report of a delivery noise problem, an officer will review your report within four working days.

If a vehicle is causing a problem in an area with park restrictions, you can report an illegally parked vehicle.

Ventilation and fixed plant noise

Most buildings need some form of mechanical equipment to keep them warm or cool. Buildings such as offices or restaurants also need ventilation systems to help remove stale air. In new developments, this equipment must meet agreed noise limits. In older developments there may not be an agreed noise limit.

Fixed plant equipment is a permanent part of a building’s infrastructure. This includes ventilation, heating, and air-conditioning systems, but also:

• lifts
• plumbing
• electrics

If noise from fixed plant equipment interferes with the use or enjoyment of your home, or affects your health (for example, keeping you from falling asleep at night) you can make a report to us. An officer will review your report within four working days.

If you think new fixed plant equipment may have been installed without permission, you can report this to planning enforcement.

Neighbour and residential noise

If you can, sometimes the quickest way to solve a noise problem caused by a neighbour or resident may be to speak to the person. They may not realise they are causing a problem.

We can investigate neighbour or resident noise problems that are unreasonable and persistent. This includes issues with:

• loud shouting
• musical instruments
• loud music, television, or radio
• the unreasonable use of washing machines and vacuum cleaners (for example, late at night)

Everyday living noises such as footsteps, moving furniture or children playing are not considered to be a statutory nuisance. 

If you make a report of a neighbour or resident noise problem, an officer will review your report within four working days.

Party noise

It is not unreasonable for people to have the occasional party. However, parties can become a problem if:

• they are happening late at night (after 11pm)
• the noise levels are excessive
• they are happening a lot

If you can, the quickest way to solve a noise problem caused by a neighbour’s party may be to speak to the person. They may not realise they are causing a problem.

If you make a report of party noise, an officer will review your report within one hour.

If you are a Westminster Housing council tenant

If you are a Westminster Housing council tenant, you can report neighbour, resident, or party noise problems to your housing officer. You can also make a report using the MyWestminster Housing portal.

You can read more about reporting noise and anti-social behaviour.

Outdoor event noise

Outdoor events are usually issued a licence or are authorised by our special events team. Noise from these events is managed through conditions attached to the licence.

If noise from an outdoor event is interfering with the use or enjoyment of your home, or affecting your health, you can make a report to us. An officer will review your report within one hour.

Pedicab or rickshaw noise

A pedicab or rickshaw is a type of pedalled transport that is commonly found in Central London. Pedicabs or rickshaws are not allowed to operate loudspeakers in the street between 9pm and 8am.

If a pedicab or rickshaw is playing excessively loud music at any time, you can report the problem to us. This helps us to identify and tackle problematic locations. An officer will review your report within four working days.

Street works noise

Street works are needed to provide and maintain essential services such as electricity, water, gas, and transport systems.

We require that contractors take reasonable measures to reduce the effect of noise where possible. If contractors are not doing this, you can make a report to us.

An officer will review your report within one working day.

For any other street works issues, such as problems with skips or obstructions, you can make a report of a street works problem. 

Out-of-hours street works noise

Where possible, non-emergency works are carried out between:

• 8am to 6pm on weekdays
• 8am to 1pm on Saturdays

Emergency works may be undertaken outside of these hours to maintain essential services.

If non-emergency street works are happening outside of these hours and creating a noise problem, you can make a report to us. An officer will review your report within one hour.

Loudspeakers and other street noise

You can report street noise problems such as:

• the use of loudspeakers between 9pm and 8am
• loud machinery or equipment, such as generators
• stationary vehicles playing loud music
• parked refrigerator vehicle noise
• noisy ‘supercars’

We are limited in what action we take to investigate noise from demonstrations.

If you make a report of a street noise problem, an officer will review your report within four working days.

Underground tube, train, or station noise

If noise from an Underground tube station interferes with the use or enjoyment of your home or affects your health, you can make a report to Transport for London (TfL).

For problems with overground train stations, you can contact Network Rail.

If your complaint is not resolved by TfL or Network Rail, you can make a report to us. An officer will review your report within four working days.