QUESTION: I live in a block where, for the last year, there’s been a group of very noisy youths in one unit, shouting, swearing and talking loudly on their balcony all night, coming home at 4 am and being rowdy till 7 or 8 am or longer, with bottles being smashed and loud music.
I and others have complained in writing several times to our EC, who just say the owner of the unit doesn’t care what happens in it. I’ve rung the police but they don’t attend. What can we do to get our EC to take some action? – Batteryhen, via Forum
ANSWER: First of all, the EC can take action directly against the tenants, via Fair Trading and the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal, regardless of the landlord.
They can also take action against the owner for failing to manage their tenants properly.
What’s more, you and your neighbours can by-pass the EC and go directly to Fair Trading (Tel. 13 32 20) to get this problem sorted. And you can go to your district court and get a Noise Abatement Order issued against the tenants and landlord.
For the whole discussion on this and links to the forms and documents you need to silence noisy neighbours, go HERE.