Brits can't tolerate noisy neighbours

Noise is the number one reason for a dispute with neighbours, new research shows.

It is the reason for well over half of disputes with neighbours, with men more likely to get into an argument about it than women.

Research by Halifax Estate Agents shows that men are also more likely to argue with their neighbours over on-street parking spaces.

Unless residents have been allocated particular parking spaces, they do not have an automatic right to park outside their house; but despite this 37 per cent of men have argued with their neighbours about where they park.

The research also reveals an interesting regional divide when it comes to noisy neighbours.

Eighty per cent of people in the south have fallen out with neighbours over noise, while only 56 per cent of people in the north have done so – either because they are quieter or more tolerant of noise.

Homeowners in the north, however, are more likely to fall out with their neighbours over mess left by pets on their lawn – 30 per cent had done so compared to 21 per cent in the south.

Noisy neighbours can be a serious problem and cause misery for those who have to put up with the noise.

"If an issue should arise, try to talk about it calmly wherever possible. Otherwise, it could spiral into an unpleasant situation for everybody involved," said Colin Kemp, managing director of Halifax Estate Agency.

The Citizen's Advice Bureau says in the first instance people should try talking to their neighbour about the problem, or if they are a tenant, to contact their landlord.

A record should be kept of all occasions of excess noise and disturbance, and homeowners can put in a request that an environmental health officer (EHO) investigates the noise.

If an EHO does establish a noise nuisance and it cannot be resolved through discussion, they may serve notice to the person making the noise or their landlord. Failure to comply can lead to prosecution or an injunction being put in place.

Halifax points out that resolving disputes without the need for official intervention is preferable, because when it comes selling your property any disputes or complaints between neighbours will need to be declared on a 'Sellers Property Information Form'. XXX