Neighbour nuisance or anti-social behaviour issues

If you're experiencing noise, disturbances, or other issues with a neighbour - whether from a home, business, or licensed premises - resolving the issue early can help prevent escalation.

Talk to your neighbour

A friendly conversation is often the quickest way to resolve an issue. Many people are unaware their actions are causing distress, and a simple conversation can make a big difference, resolving the matter quickly. This could be talking to your neighbour and / or writing to them.

If you feel unsafe approaching your neighbours, call the police on 101 for non-emergencies or 999 if there is an immediate danger. 

See our guidance on how to resolve neighbour disturbance issues.

Make a complaint

If your communications don't help, you can make a formal complaint to us at Herefordshire Council, as your Local Authority. You'll need to provide details of the steps you've already taken to resolve the issue. If there are threats, harassment, or safety concerns, you may also contact the police.

We will assess whether the issue falls under statutory nuisance or antisocial behaviour laws. 

We record anonymous complaints, but enforcement may be limited. Complainant details remain confidential. If enforcement is needed, you would be asked to provide a statement that would identify you.

Common issues we can investigate

Issues we don't cover

We don't have the legal authority to investigate:

  • Aircraft noise
  • Road traffic noise
  • Military or MOD site disturbances
  • Drug-related activity, aggressive behaviour, or dangerous dogs (report to the police)

Our investigation process

We can only investigate if it can be demonstrated that the matter raised is:

  • Unreasonable - excessive disruptive behaviour that is over and above what would normally be expected for such activities / location / time of day etc. Is the person aware they are causing a disturbance?
  • Persistent - Must be a recurring or continuing issue, not a one-off or very occasional event
  • Having a detrimental effect on quality of life - causing harassment, alarm or distress, or significant disruption that is affecting how a person lives in their property or has a wider community impact

Where a complaint doesn't meet these criteria we will inform the complainant. 

If your complaint meets this threshold, a case officer will begin a formal investigation to establish if legal action is required.

This may involve:

  • Sending advisory letters
  • Conducting visits and noise monitoring
  • Requiring evidence (log sheets, photos, recordings)

Possible actions we can take

  • Formal warnings and notices - requiring the issue to be resolved

Breach of a formal notice is a criminal offence and can lead to:

  • Fines - up to £5,000 (homes) or £20,000 (businesses)
  • Seizing equipment - removing noise-making devices
  • Legal action - in severe cases, court orders or injunctions

If there is insufficient evidence to progress a criminal investigation we will be unable to take any further action and the case will be closed.

Report an issue to us

Use our contact us form to make a complaint about a statutory nuisance

Our contact centre opening hours are Monday to Friday - 9am to 4.15pm.

Alternative options for resolving your complaint

Before considering taking your own action it is advised you seek legal advice – see further information on Resolving neighbour disputes on GOV.UK