Noise that is enjoyable to one person may be annoying to another. Too much noise can reduce people’s quality of life and in some cases harm their health.
If you're affected by noise from a neighbour – for example, a loud air conditioner – there are steps you can take.
Talk to your noisy neighbour
If you feel safe, talk to your neighbour to find a solution. Talking about the noise early makes your neighbour aware of the problem. They may be more considerate in the future.
Tips for talking to your neighbour:
- Plan what you're going to say before you approach. Be calm, and they are more likely to respond positively.
- Pick a moment when you think your neighbour may be more likely to listen.
- Explain how the noise impacts you – for example, disturbing your need for peace, relaxation or sleep – and how this makes you feel.
- Focus on what you are hearing (the impact) rather than what your neighbour is doing (their behaviour).
- If you suggest a reasonable action that may help solve the problem, use language like, ‘Would you be willing to ...?’.
If talking does not work or you do not feel safe to talk to your neighbour, there are other options.
Report noise to council or police
You can report residential noise to your local council(opens in a new window).
Councils investigate reports of residential noise. Your council considers how the noise impacts you and if it's unreasonable. To support their investigation, they may:
- use equipment to measure noise levels
- ask you to keep a diary of when the noise happens.
Councils address long-term issues such as machine noise or animal noise, including barking dogs. They may issue a residential noise improvement notice. This requires a person to stop, minimise or prevent noise. Councils do this if unreasonable noise is likely to continue or happen again.
For more complex issues, councils may work with police.
Police respond to late-night noise such as parties. They also respond to issues where the noisy neighbour is threatening. Police may issue a warning or an on-the-spot fine to a person who makes or allows unreasonable noise from a residence.
Police or councils can direct offenders to stop unreasonable noise. A direction can remain in force for up to 72 hours. Not complying with a police or council direction is an offence, and offenders may get on-the-spot fines.
Mediation and the courts
If the problem is not easy to resolve, you can get help through formal mediation. The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria(opens in a new window) helps people settle their disputes in a cooperative and lasting way.
Mediation relies on both parties being willing to discuss the problem in the presence of a mediator. Services are free and confidential.
You may also take legal action under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 or Environment Protection Act 2017. You should get legal advice if you’re thinking of doing this.
Get help from a residential body
An owners corporation must have a process under the Owners Corporations Act 2006 to deal with noise complaints in apartments. This process:
- helps neighbours communicate
- sets out how the corporation manages formal complaints.
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, landlords can take action against tenants who make unreasonable noise. For more information, visit Tenants Victoria(opens in a new window).
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