Noise
Are you having difficulties with noise in your accommodation?
Most often, students socialise, study and work at different times and have varying lifestyles. This can cause problems if students are wanting to study, sleep and play at different times.
Many problems in shared houses and flats concern noise, sometimes from a flat-mate or sometimes from a neighbour. Noise disruption can also include environmental noise from traffic, members of the community or building works.
Step one:
It is always best to speak to the person causing the problem first. This may seem a little daunting but quite often people who are making excessive noise are not aware of how much disruption they are causing and how it is affecting the other people around them. When made aware of the problem, they will often change their behaviour. To achieve this, it is best to deal with the problem calmly, pointing out the effects that the noise is having on you. It is important to remain polite but firm and ensure that you do not aggravate the situation by shouting or getting too upset.
If you or the person making the noise have been drinking, or the noise is a “one off” it may be better to speak to the person the next day and calmly and politely explain the problem you experienced.
Step Two
If talking to the person causing the problem does not help resolve the situation, you should contact Unipol to discuss these problems that you are experiencing. Unipol will provide you with a ‘noise log’ in which to record the dates and times that this is occurring. Unipol will also request that you provide some details in writing about how this is affecting you, and what you have done yourself to try and resolve the situation.
Your information in writing will not be shown to the person causing you distress and Unipol will do what they can to make sure that we keep your name and address in confidence. Occasionally however, the person(s) you have made a complaint about can guess who has complained or may approach you to ask if you have made the complaint.
Your noise complaint should include:
- Your name and address and a daytime telephone number.
- The address where the noise is coming from.
- The type of problem (for example banging, loud music, environmental noise).
- When and for how long the problem occurs (it will help if you have kept a written record of the times and dates when the problems have occurred). Download log (link to incident noise log)
- The way the problem affects you (for example if it keeps you awake).
- Anything you have done to try to deal with the problem yourself (for example speaking to the person(s) directly).
Step Three
Once your written information is received, the Tenancy Support Officer will contact you to arrange a meeting to discuss the options available to you.
Options that may be available to you will include:
- Unipol writing to the perpetrator on your behalf.
- Mediation, or a joint meeting with the perpetrator.
- Unipol arranging a formal meeting with the perpetrator on your behalf.
- Reporting the problem to another agency (Leeds City Council or Environmental Health)
- Making a formal complaint through your college or University.
- Mutual exchange with another tenant in a Unipol property.
- Possibility of moving to another Unipol property available. (Please note, there is an administration charge for this option if tenants wish to relocate without trying any of the other options above. Relocation would also only be available to Unipol tenants on individual contracts).
Download - Top Tips for being a considerate neighbour & Noise log
Links
Leeds
Drop-in services at Unipol Student Homes
Leeds City Council From their search engine, insert “Noise Nuisance” or you can email: env.health@leeds.gov.uk.
For investigation of serious noise complaints, Leeds City Council provides a night time and weekend service. Day Time: 0113 2476284 Night time: 0113 2407361
Leeds Metropolitan University student services, counselling, dept management etc
Leeds Metropolitan University Student Union
The University of Leeds, support, guidance, welfare
The University of Leeds Student Union
Leeds College of Art and Design
The Northern School of Contemporary Dance
Bradford
Bradford City Council. From their search engine, insert “Noise” or environmental health.
The University of Bradford student services
The University of Bradford Students Union