Environmental Protection

Noise Advice

What is noise?

Noise is unwanted sound.

Problems from noise in neighbourhoods are usually caused by

  • noisy visitors,
  • damage or disturbance within a property,
  • excessive noise in the late evening or night time,
  • loud music and
  • noisy parties.  

Noise problems may also include barking dogs, fireworks or noise of a more planned nature from industrial  or commercial sites. These can be more involved and are covered on other pages.

What can people affected by noise do?

Being affected by noise is quite a common problem accross both Scotland and the UK with Shetland being no different. Those unable to resolve the matter themselves can consider the below options.

  • Relationship Scotland Shetland whom can help with informal resolutions as well as safe and appropriate communication.
  • Environmental Health. You do not need to be a tenant to report noise problems or antisocial behaviour in your neighbourhood; you can be a resident living in your own property.  People who are council tenants should report problems of antisocial behaviour to their designated Housing Officer. 
  • Your Landlord. This could be Housing Services. Hjaltland Housing Association or any other landlord. If you are struggling with or do not have a landlord you can also contact Environmental Health.
  • Police Scotland. outside officer hours the Police are the only service in Shetland available to respond to noise.

What can people who receive a noise complaint do?

It is important to remember that there is a reason for all behaviour. Even if the complaint does not seem so serious it was serious enough for someone to make a complaint. It maybe that the person being affected is struggling to cope and this is another thing that makes them feel bad.

Being on good terms with a neighbour can often make the difference between sorting out problems or it becoming a long drawn out dispute. The best outcomes are often informal ones that give everyone the most flexiability and freedom to live their lives. After all most people just want to get on with their lives in peace.

Contacting neighbours when neither party are upset and have time to discuss it can be a good idea. Again Relationship Scotland Shetland work with these types of problems and can help come up with good informal resolutions that work for all parites.

With this inmind the following suggestions could help reduce any noise impact on neighbours, show good will and prevent any further disruption.

  • Keep music & TV volumes as low as possible especially when people may be sleeping.
  • Keep TVs in bedrooms quiet at night time especially if its next to someone elses.
  • Consider headphones but be wary as high volumes can still affect your own hearing.
  • Also headphone background noise from games can mask loud vocal noise and banging.
  • Adjust input and output volumes so there is no need to shout into microphones.
     
  • Turn bass settings off or down very low.
  • Low pitch like bass travels well through flats, walls and floors and can be more annoying.
  • Move speakers, tvs, subwoofers off walls, floors and hard surfaces to avoid further noise.
  • Rubber matts are very effective way to reduce around 90% of this type of transmition.
     
  • Keep musical practices short and to respectable times. Ideally when neighbours are out.
  • Consider quieter ways of practising like using headphones, mutes, pads or brushes.
  • Avoid using amplifiers.
  • Consider a more appropriate venue to practise in.
  • Shetland has plenty of public buildings and garages that maybe better for practises. 
     
  • Shetland is a very quiet area. Visitors to an area can have more impact than expected.
  • If having a party keep windows & doors closed.
  • This can often be the difference between having a police call out or not.
  • Guests going outside for fresh air or smoking may not be aware of how loud they are. 
     
  • Be mindful of noise when doing DIY.
  • Avoid before 8am, after 9pm or any other time that maybe problematic for neighbours.
     
  • Be mindful to close doors gentle especially if in a flat or late at night.
  • Often noise from slammed doors can get louder and travel further than other noise.
  • Slow door closers, felt or rubber strips can help reduce noise or even rubber bands. Further suggestions. (external link)
  • Soft surfaces like curtains, rugs, sofas, carpets, underlay & rubber mats are good.
  • These can absorb sound while hard surfaces may act more like a drum.

We can live by our neighbours for a long time. A little effort and good will now can make a big difference and prevent an ongoing dispute.  

 

What help can the Council offer?

  • Environmental Health investigates complaints of noise from industrial, commercial and domestic activity.  They can help resolve issues and can take statutory enforcement action if need be. The antisocial behaviour coordinator can also look at any noise involving asb.
  • Housing Services can help liaise between tenants regarding complaints or antisocial behaviour.  They may also refer a complaint on to the Community Mediation Team if they are unable to come to a satisfactory resolution.

If you feel you are unable to resolve any problem with noise that is affecting you in your home and neighbourhood, you can contact us at Environmental Health or the Housing Team.