Neighbour with loud plumbing (Scotland)

Mouse-Mouse

Hi guys. I moved to Scotland last year and would like some advice as to how to handle a problem with my neighbours – one flat on a floor below has a faulty water pump which is causing loud vibrating noise at various times of the day and night (it happened at 3am, 7am, 23pm etc) and goes on for good 20-40mins at times.

It is a huge inconvenience to the rest flats in our building (I spoke to other flat-owners) so we asked the factors to interfere. They have gained access to this flat to establish the cause (now we know it is the pump) but as it is a private repair, they can’t force anything.

The landlord for the flat in question is ignoring the emails from the factors and so are the tenants. This same flat was responsible for the overflow pipes leaking onto the electric box too which the factors seem to have rectified.

Please could anyone advise on what other options we can use? Call the police? Take them to court? :wall:

Thank you in advance.

jamei305

In England the local council environmental health department should determine whether the noise pollution constitutes a statutory nuisance. I guess it's the same procedure or similar in Scotland

davidmcn

Certainly not a police matter.

Noise pollution may be the simplest (and cheapest) option.

Otherwise you (either individually or collectively with the other owners/occupiers) could take court action for causing a nuisance. The threat of that may be sufficient.

If there are tenants in there, don't they want to do something about it?

Mouse-Mouse

I don't know if the tenants have some sort of arrangement with the landlord but for some reason they are in no rush to fix it even though it must be absolutely hellish for them..
Thank you for the advice - I shall investigate the noise pollution route and see if I can find anything else out.

theartfullodger

Two things:

a) see CaB advice here... & follow it...
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/housing/problems-where-you-live-s/neighbour-disputes-s/
b) You could try (??) and get this handled as ASBO & if so landlord is responsble: Check out his details by looking for him here...
https://www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
& report as here..
http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/neighbourhood_issues/antisocial_behaviour/private_landlords_and_antisocial_behaviour
- long-shot maybe but worth a try perhaps..

Slàinte mhath!

Mouse-Mouse

Thanks a lot! :j
I found the landlords, contacted the factors asking for all the correspondence and plumber's statement etc - will be taking it to the environmental health department first.