I know this is not a work related issue but can anyone tell me what is the permitted level of noise in my back garden? I have just had a neighbour complain that my music is too loud as she can't concentrate while studying for exams. The "noise" is music on my iPhone being played through small portable speakers while I sit in my hot tub. Please note the time I am writing this after leaving the tub and sorting myself out before opening up the PC for a moan. Not exactly late in the day is it? The tub makes a noise itself while happily pumping and bubbling away and the music has to be a little louder than that, but I suggest it is not too loud to be heard in a house to the rear of mine and through an open window? I suppose I can make this a work related issue as I work at home in a rear bedroom and have the window open most of the time. These days there are many many different noises that disturb my concentration from barking dogs, to lawn mowers, to power tools, there is a building site (new houses) just down the road from me and I hear the usual construction site noises, however I have never though of complaining. I also hear the neighbours chewing the cud over the fence, I accept that as part of day to day life. Not quite a rant but please help if you know. Thanks

Section 62 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 lays down certain restrictions for the use of loudspeakers in the public. It states that loudspeakers are banned from 9 p.m. in the evening to 8 a.m. next morning, (except in some emergency situations). Therefore judging from the time of your post, you were complying with that piece of legislation. However the laws of "nuisance" come into play as pointed out by SNS. I believe that to fall foul of these any compliant would have to prove that there some form of malice involved by the noise creator or a deliberate act of nuisance being carried out.

Some great advice here I believe that nuisance noise in the general environment via environmental law is deemed to be at ~32 (yep 32) and above, figures far below the NAW standards and a prosecution can be brought by any person not just the enforcers and any person can bring in the enforcers and whilst the statement re the CPA 74 is correct we have moved on and at this time the point re 'malice' does not now stand as far as I am aware In most law cases such things were looked at before we had the technology that we have today and the world was a much better place

As post #2 above. There is no set limit (the noise level on a inner city street at 2.00am may well exceed the noise of a rural village at rush hour - so nuisance isn't XXdB). So in simple terms (there's a lot of case law) a noise nuisance is based upon the "added" volume above the background. Normally your local EHO will repsond to a complaint by asking the person to keep a noise nuisance diary - to see just how often this occurs - once a month being different to every day. Then they will monitor the noise and compare to the background level at a similar time of day when the noise is not occuring. It's if there is a notable difference between the two levels then action starts to be considered. Not linked to noise nuisance, but planning law, they consider a differance of 10dB to be a likely trigger to generate complaints. I think, like you suggest, someone stressing out doing some revision may well affect how sensitive they are to distraction. Why not ask how long the exams are for, and agree to use headphones for those few weeks - to keep the peace - literally. On a personal note I would be more concerned about the height of the fencing around your property as you exit the hot tub.

I remember years ago something similar to your tale. The answer at the time was "you play music for your entertainment and thus is another person's noise" so it should not be loud enough for neighbours to hear. It just adds to the general noise pollution of everyday life and actually can be controlled. Also it is not so remarkable that the older one gets the less tolerant you get in respect of unwanted noise - ask my missus, she hates flats, hotels, semi detached houses, rows of terraced housing and would rather live in a tent in a field than be subjected to other peoples noise - no she hates camping as well - come to think of it what does she like? lol Rich

am ........ I'm not illiterate just too quick on the send button!

You have a hot tub ! Thats pretty cool.

If I'm still watching TV when the wife goes to bed the wireless head phones come out. Maybe it's a good excuse to invest in some tech?