Renfrewshire Council

How to make a complaint about noise

If you have a problem with domestic noise, you can make a complaint to our Noise Enforcement Team. 

An officer will investigate your complaint and, where noise is caused by antisocial behaviour and is found to exceed permitted levels, the perpetrator may be issued with a warning notice under the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004.

Failure to comply with a warning notice may result in a £100 fixed penalty notice being issued.

You can call the Noise Enforcement Team on 077 6898 8186 from:

• 8.45am to 4.45pm, Mondays to Thursdays
• 8.45am to 3.55pm on Fridays

Outwith these hours, you can call Police Scotland on 101 about noise complaints.

Excessive dog barking

Telling the owner

It is not required before taking legal action as detailed below but, If you think it is appropriate, you could informally speak to the dog owner about the issue. They may not know there is a barking problem as it may only happen at certain times, for example, if the owner is out.

Relevant legislation

The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (under Section 49) allows any person affected by dog barking to take private action.

Any individual affected by dog barking can make an application to the Justice of the Peace (JP) Court for an order to be made.

The application must be made by the individual affected and not by the Local Authority.

If the Court determines that the dog is causing annoyance, it may make an order requiring its owner to take action to prevent the annoyance from continuing.

In terms of this legislation the Court cannot order destruction of the dog.

Keeping a record of the issue could help if you proceed with civil legal action. Useful details include:

• When it happens
• How long it goes on for
• What type of noise it is
• How this causes annoyance
• Anything else you feel is relevant

What happens next

If you proceed, you will be expected to appear in Court on the day of the hearing, together with any witness you may have. 

Alternatively, you could hire a solicitor to act on your behalf, although legal representation is not required. 

The Court will also seek information from the dog owner.

There may be a fee for making an application.

Noise from children

Everyday noise from play or family life involving children is not antisocial behaviour and is classed as normal living noise.

In certain circumstances involving excessive noise, we may investigate the complaint.

If you have concerns about the welfare of a child or young person you can get more information and advice on our child protection page.

Burglar alarms

Complaints are regularly received about noise from burglar alarms. Let the council and police know who holds a key for your alarm system. 

This can be done by filling out a burglar alarm notification form [471KB] and sending completed copies to environmental services and Police Scotland. This will allow us to contact the key holder and have the alarm checked.

Industrial and commercial noise

Noise from industrial or commercial premises, such as construction sites, pubs and clubs or mobile food outlets, is a statutory nuisance complaint.

To report noise from an industrial or commercial premises, contact our Environmental Improvements Team about at email e-prot.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 0380.