Noisy neighbours - rented property

creeping_jesus

Hi, I just wanted some advice as to what I can do about noisy neighbours in our flats. Theres 6 flats in total, we're on 1st floor, the guy next door has 3 dogs in a 1 bed barking at all times of the day and night. He also likes to go out in the middle of the night, slamming the door several times. Add to that, we have irish travellers who live underneath us.
They are the biggest cause of noise. From around 6 in the morning, till late at night (last night gone middnight), they slam doors so loud I'm surprised they haven't broken them straight off the hinges, loud music, cars in their drive way with music blaring on sub woofers (irritating as f**k bass music), house parties, little kids running round screaming gone past 11pm. The kids don't go to school so you can hear their family shouting and swearing at them all the time.
What rights do I have as a tennant, obviously when we looked at the property it was for a very brief amount of time, so these issues where not highlighted. We ourselves have a 3 year old, and it often means the noise keeps him awake till nearly 10pm sometimes, which is just not on.

Werdnal

Whether you are tenant or an owner occupier, you have the same rights and the same course of action - you report the anti-social behaviour to the police, and the noise nuisance to the local Enviro Health Department at your council.

Keep a diary of events, and try to record incidents on a video/mobile phone, to back your complaints.

creeping_jesus

Thanks for your reply, unfortunatley no-one seems to give a stuff, but I was also wondering, would I have a right to terminate the rental contract early under these circs?

Hump

Is your landlord a private individual/ company, a housing association or a council?

creeping_jesus

It's a letting agents. We're not supposed to have direct contact with the landlords, everything we do has to go throught the letting agents.

Hump

How long have you lived there for? and how long is left on your fixed term (if any)?

creeping_jesus

We've been here 2 months and have at least 4 more to make the minimum tenancy term of 6 months.

Yorkie1

creeping_jesus wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, unfortunatley no-one seems to give a stuff, but I was also wondering, would I have a right to terminate the rental contract early under these circs?

No, you don't have a right to terminate the contract early.

It is possible that your LL may agree to an early surrender of the lease - you will be liable for rent until the property is re-let, and for the LL's re-letting expenses.

IF the LL does agree (and he is not obliged to do so), make sure you get the agreement in writing or you will be without the proverbial leg to stand on if he goes back on his word and says you owe rent till the end of the contract.

Hump

OK so you need a bale out plan - usually this will be an arrangement to stay with friends/ relatives. You need this because as soon as you start complaining life might become a bit problematic.

Werdnal's advice is spot on - the noise should be dealt with by the council's environmental health section. They may have had previous complaints from your address - so they might be aware of the problems you are having. If your lettings agent or landlord was aware of problems that previous tenants have had in your flat then this might give you some leverage on leaving the contract early. Your best friend in all this will be the EHO. But a word of warning, the threshold for a nuisance is quite high in practice meaning that 'normal' noise in a poorly sound insulated flat might not warrant much if any action.

If it all kicks off then bale out - your health and welfare and that of your child is paramount. If you haven't got a friends/ family support network then you might need to talk to your local council's homelessness department. How seriously they take you and what assistance they will offer will depend on the seriousness of what happens. Hence petrol/ dog muck through the letterbox and/or death threats should move them to action - whereas 'bad stares' and being 'sworn' at probably won't.

creeping_jesus

For all its worth I'd rather pay £2100 for the 4 months not to live there, I'm gonna have a nervous breakdown at this rate. It's actually unbelievable that a few people can make that amount of noise. I might give the letting agents a ring in the morning and see what they say about the contract.
Thanks Hump for that advice, I'd never thought about that.

ruggedtoast

Move, start looking now.

This is one of the few times where being a tenant is to your advantage, just do your four months and move out. Thank your lucky stars you can.

In the meantime you could try knocking on their door and explaining about the noise, if they care they'll shut up, if they don't it could take months or years to come to any kind of resolution; with who knows what unpleasantness on the way.