Blaby District Council

Summary

Noise from burglar alarms can cause a great deal of distress and annoyance to occupiers of neighbouring properties.

If the alarm sounds for a long period of time or on a frequent basis it could be considered a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Under this legislation the environmental protection team can serve a legal notice on the owner or occupier requiring the person responsible to silence the alarm.

Further information

Can the Council investigate noise from a burglar alarm?

If the alarm is sounding for a prolonged period of time or on a frequent basis then the Council can investigate the noise under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Environmental protection officers will investigate to determine whether a statutory nuisance exists.

Will the police investigate the matter?

The police will only attend the premises where there is a report of suspicious or criminal activity.

What is a statutory nuisance?

There is no set definition but it is normally defined as a “material interference with the comfort and enjoyment of another’s home.”

In practice, to be a statutory nuisance, the noise would have to be excessive and unreasonable under the circumstances and significantly interfere with the use and enjoyment of someone’s home. For example: disturbance of sleep, forcing you to close a window, preventing you from using your garden etc due to the level, time, frequency and duration of the noise.

To avoid alarms causing a nuisance the external sounder unit to an alarm should silence automatically after a maximum of 20 minutes.

How does the Council investigate complaints about alarms?

An environmental protection officer would try to establish whether there is a contactable key holder who can silence the alarm. Failing this an officer would visit the area to determine whether a statutory nuisance exists.

What action can the Council take?

If the environmental protection officer is satisfied that a statutory nuisance exists, a notice can be served on the person responsible for the alarm. If the alarm is sounding after the period stated in the notice, normally 20 minutes, then the Council can carry out works necessary to silence the alarm. The alarm can normally be disconnected externally. All costs incurred will be recharged to the person responsible for the alarm.

I own an alarm. What can I do to prevent the need for the Council to get involved?

In accordance with the Control of Noise (Code of Practice on Noise from Audible Alarms) Order 1981, upon installation of the burglar alarm the details of two key holders should be registered with the local authority.

External websites

• Environmental Protection (external link)

Contact us

Officer / Team	Environmental Protection Team
Postal address	Blaby District Council Council Offices Desford Road Narborough Leicester LE19 2EP
E-mail address	env.health@blaby.gov.uk
Telephone	0116 272 7555
Fax	0116 272 7594

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This page was last updated on 23rd September 2009