main content Sound Advice for Summer Days

As the warmer weather finally arrives, Bromley Council is offering local residents a few simple noise and nuisance prevention tips to help make sure everyone has an enjoyable summer.

In the last year, officers from the Public Health Complaints Team have dealt with more than 2000 complaints relating to noise and other nuisance. During the summer months, when more people spend time outdoors or with windows open, there is a significant increase in the number of complaints received, particularly those relating to noise from amplified music, parties and smoky garden bonfires.

Noise and other nuisances can cause disruption and distress to everyone – at home, at leisure, at work and at study. National research has shown that noise control officers across the UK think that incompatible lifestyles and high expectation of quiet are the reasons for many complaints.

Jackie Goad, manager of the Public Health Complaints Team, says that most complaints can be avoided. “It’s just a question of being reasonable. Everybody is entitled to have a party or listen to music but the time at which it occurs, how long it continues and how frequently it happens must be ‘reasonable’. If people took a step back and asked themselves if they would be bothered by the noise they are making, most complaints could be avoided. In the case of parties, simple things like letting your neighbours know what’s going on and what time it will stop are likely to improve the reaction to any noise. People are far more understanding and tolerant if they know what’s going on and that they have been considered,” said Jackie.

Cllr Colin Bloom, Chairman of the Safer Bromley Partnership endorsed the council’s advice. “We want people in the borough to have an enjoyable yet congenial summer,” he said. “It’s clear that with a little thought and consideration, people can keep things under control themselves and avoid unpleasantness that can go on well beyond the particular incident that caused offence in the first place.”

Top tips on how to spread a little ‘neighbourliness’ in your local area

Muffle that Music

• Amplified music is the most commonly complained about noise – so keep the volume down particularly at night.
• Place speakers away from partition walls, floors and ceilings (this applies to TVs too). 
• Keep windows and doors shut.

Party Peace 

• If you have a party, warn your neighbours in advance and consider inviting them. 
• Keep windows and doors shut and if someone complains, turn it down. 
• Speakers should be kept indoors.

Garden Grooming 

• Use power tools with discretion – avoid strimming or shredding when your neighbours are trying to relax in the sunshine.
• Splashing fountains and tinkling chimes soothe on a sunny afternoon – but can be annoying at night.

Garden Bonfires 

• A smoky bonfire or having garden bonfires on a frequent basis may well cause a nuisance. 
• Avoid burning at weekends, bank holidays and when neighbours want to enjoy their gardens or have washing out. 
• Consider composting or taking garden waste to one of the civic amenity sites.

Better BBQs

• Barbecue smoke can cause a problem to neighbouring properties.
• Tell neighbours about the barbecue, or invite them. 
• Check the wind direction to ensure that the smoke won't blow straight into the neighbour’s property. If it does, consider moving the barbeque to a more sheltered area. 
• Don't light the barbecue when neighbours have got their washing out. 
• Be vigilant by keeping any smoke to a minimum and if a nuisance occurs be prepared to extinguish the barbecue.

Sssh – Don’t Shout 

• Do you really need to shout to be heard? 
• Consider the volume of your voice. In properties with poor sound insulation and outdoors – everyone can hear you! 
• Also, avoid slamming doors and thundering up and down stairs.

Banish Barking 

• Barking dogs are commonly complained about too – a barking dog is lonely, bored or unhappy. 
• If you have to leave your dog, make sure it has had enough exercise. 
• If necessary leave the radio on to keep it company and get a neighbour to look in.

Be a Quieter Consumer 

• We use many noisy appliances around the home operate them at sensible hours to reduce disturbance. 
• Make sure washing machines and fridges are away from party walls, and on a mat or carpet to reduce vibration. 
• When buying a new appliance ask about noise ratings, and choose the quieter option.

DIY Din 

• Do noisy jobs when they least disturb neighbours. 
• If you warn them in advance they are less likely to complain, too.

If bothered by smoke or noise, you might like to consider approaching your neighbours and explaining the problem.

If your neighbour causes a regular problem and talking to them has not worked, contact Bromley Council’s Public Health Complaints Team on 020 8313 4830 for further advice www.bromley.gov.uk/environment/envhealth/

ENDS


Notes to editors: 

• The Safer Bromley Partnership is committed to continuously improving safety in Bromley. We want a borough where people can live, work, play and learn safely. Our members include Bromley Council, Bromley Police, Health, Probation, Fire and London Ambulance Services, the Metropolitan Police Authority and Broomleigh Housing Association. 
• Since the local elections in 2002, the council has been led by a Conservative administration. Full council is made up of 60 elected councillors – 49 Conservative, 7 Liberal Democrat and 4 Labour – representing 22 wards across the borough. 
• For media enquiries, please contact Susie Clark, Communications Officer, on 020 8461 7911 or email susie.clark@bromley.gov.uk 
• For party political comment please contact:
  Conservative - michael.tickner@zip-mail.co.uk  
  Labour – john.getgood@bromley.gov.uk  
  Liberal Democrat – david.mcbride@bromley.gov.uk 
• Further information is available from Bromley’s Bromley Council’s Public Health Complaints Team on 020 8313 4830 or visit www.bromley.gov.uk/environment/envhealth/noise