Revealed: Wiganers make thousands of complaints about noisy neighbours

Data obtained via the Freedom of Information Act shows that no fewer than 2,862 reports of nuisance noise were reported to the town hall between 2014 and 2018.

And those figures don’t include all the grievances lodged against those living in private housing.

Some 477 of those complaints have been from this year alone, while the 2016/17 financial year there were 776, 650 in 2015/16 and 350 and 2014/15.

Out of all the cases, 743 were dealt with by issuing advice about keeping the noise down, while 2,119 were referred to the authority’s anti-social behaviour team for further investigation. Of the complaints that were forwarded to the ASB team, 1,539 were resolved, while on 289 occasions, the complainants did not want action taken.

There were 83 perpetrators who had their tenancies terminated as a result of the noise complaints against them, while 29 evictions were carried out.

Some problems were so bad, however, that 28 complainants moved out of their homes to escape the noise troubles.

Injunctions were granted against 50 homes and 16 tenants were transferred to another council tenancy.

Four matters were resolved by mediation, while seven cases were left unresolved (in other words, there was insufficient evidence against a tenant, but the complainant was not satisfied with the outcome).

Finally, 12 cases were dealt with by referral to another party, such as mental health agencies.

On its website, Wigan Council outlined advice on what to do if your neighbours are causing a nuisance with excessive noise.

It reads: “You could initially try contacting your neighbour yourself. Explain to them the noise that you are experiencing and how it is affecting you and ask if they could do something about it. In most instances they may not be aware they are causing you a problem.”

The town hall is able to investigate instances of dog barking, loud music, burglar alarms, excessive noise from TVs, radios, DIY and musical instruments, as well as loud arguments and “noisy cockerels.”

They are unable to investigate certain issues such as anonymous complaints, fireworks or noise from children playing in the street.

Residents can report noise issues via the council website’s Report It section.

For more information, visit wigan.gov.uk