Alarms can protect properties against burglars, but they can also cause a noise nuisance to neighbours.

You are responsible for any alarm on your property.  If it sounds accidentally you could be liable for costs incurred by the council if the alarm has to be disabled.

To prevent your alarm becoming a noise nuisance, the following four steps should be taken:

1. Have the alarm serviced regularly
2. Fit a 20 minute cut off device to your system so that the alarm will sound for a maximum of 20 minutes and doesn't re-sound
3. Ensure sensors cannot be triggered accidentally, for example make sure windows are closed and pets are not left in rooms where the alarm could be activated
4. Complete the attached confidential key holders form. This makes sure we know who to contact if your alarm is sounding and causing an nuisance

What will we do if we receive a complaint?

As a first step, we (the environmental protection unit, EPU) will try to find the owner or key holders for the premises where the alarm is sounding. However, if this fails and the alarm continues we will try to switch off the alarm without gaining access to the inside of the property.

If this is not possible, we will serve a noise abatement notice and obtain a warrant from magistrates to enter the property and silence the alarm. Any costs for these works and EPU time will be invoiced to the property owner (this could amount to several hundred pounds).

Please contact EPU for further information or to report a noise nuisance.