Three million people suffer with noisy neighbours

At least three million UK adults currently suffer from noisy neighbours but more than a third fail to take action, according to research.

Loud voices or arguing from the neighbours was the most disturbing noise (58%), followed by blaring music or televisions (40%), the poll for Which? Legal Service found.

A quarter (26%) of those affected were disturbed by doors slamming, 15% suffered due to regular parties and 3% heard their neighbours having sex.

People stomping around, pets, DIY noise, musical instruments and ball games also rated among the most annoying neighbourly noises.

Among those who reported noisy neighbours, six in 10 lost sleep, while others said the disruption made them irritable, angry or stressed. One in 10 sufferers saw their work or health affected.

However, 36% made no effort to address the problem. Fewer than a third spoke calmly to their neighbours about the issue and just a quarter contacted their local authority.

Arguments developed among 8% of neighbours, while 7% moved house to escape the noise.

Which? chief executive Peter Vicary-Smith said: "Noisy neighbours can make life a misery, and our research shows that people are losing sleep, struggling at work and arguing with their partners, all because of disturbances from next door.

"People shouldn't suffer in silence. If talking amicably with your neighbour about the problem doesn't work, then contact your local authority who will be able to investigate the matter for you."

:: Which? surveyed 2,131 adults aged 16 and over between April 7-11.