Are your noisy neighbours making your life hell?

The law is on your side – know your rights!

1. Preamble

Properties are getting smaller and smaller and people are moving more towards communal living in complexes and estates.

One would think that living in a community would ensure a safe and peaceful lifestyle…. Unfortunately, there are a large number of people who move into estates and complexes, and believe that it is acceptable to continue to live in the lifestyle possible in free-standing larger properties where parties, singing, shouting, loud music, barking dogs, nuisance children and revving or hooting motor vehicles do not affect their neighbours.  Very often these misguided people are also bullies, and any attempt at begging for their consideration will result in simple escalation of the same or worse behaviour. See case studies (https://www.bregmans.co.za/what-is-the-essence-of-common-law-nuisance/)

The law frowns on any behaviour that disrupts the peace of one’s neighbours, and there is now in fact a whole branch of law given to the relationships between people who live next door to one another. This branch is called Environmental Health.

Any noise that disturbs or impairs the convenience or peace of any person is defined as NOISE NUISANCE, and both are illegal in terms of the Environment Conservation Act (73 of 1989) and the Noise Control Regulations of 1999. https://archive.opengazettes.org.za/archive/ZA-GT/1999/provincial-gazette-ZA-GT-vol-5-no-75-dated-1999-08-20.pdf In particular, see part II, Page 9, which clearly spells out the prohibition of disturbing noise!

The understanding that people may have parties and make a noise until 10 pm is completely incorrect.  The noise control regulations stipulate that no noise at any time may disrupt the peace of one’s neighbours.

(See more details on our by-laws below)

Procedure if one wishes to have a party on their premises:

If a person wishes to have a party on his premises, he needs to contact each and every one of his neighbours who will be affected by the party, and receive their written consent.  His request, together with his neighbour’s consent must be submitted to Environmental health, who will supply them with a noise exemption for the duration consented to by the neighbours.

2. Difference between Disturbing Noise and Noise Nuisance

Disturbing noise

For example a loud party, noisy equipment etc, and this is governed by municipal by-laws, so if your neighbours are driving you up the wall:

Procedure in a free standing home:

A call to the Metro police should quieten them down. Tel no for Metro Police is:  011 375 5911 or 011 375 5555.

Once the metro police are contacted, they willinvestigate, determine the noise level and they would apply the protocol necessary to ensure that a resolution was in place.

See procedure below for noise nuisance if this is a recurring complaint.

Procedure In complexes with 24 hour guards:

• The guards must be given the power to make the first contact with the culprit, informing them that there has been a complaint and that they are to immediately cease with their noise.  If the culprit ignores the guard;
• The guard would then call the control room, who would send out their 24 hour patrol vehicle to approach the culprit with a firmer attitude;
• If the culprit continues, the control room would then contact metro police (as per free standing home above).
• (However, the managing agents would also after this procedure be in a position to fine the culprit.
•  (so long as this is written in the complex rules).

Noise Nuisance      

A noise that continues over a long period of time eg a dog that barks continuously day in and day out, Neighbours who continually play their music or TV’s at a disturbingly loud volume, traffic or machinery, the sound of which is persistent and inescapable.

This problem is a little more tricky, but once again, the law is on your side as long as you are being reasonable (i.e. not overly sensitive or irritable).

Steps to take for Noise Nuisance:

• A written complaint together with an affidavit needs to be written to Environmental Health.
• Environmental Health Directorate; 011 582 1517 or 011 226 8300.
• See the link for your regions and the exact person to contact (The list dated May 2019 has been copied below for easy reference):  http://www.foodfocus.co.za/home/Industry-Topics/food-safety/Environmental-Health-Department-Contacts
• The complainant will be notified in writing that a notice had been served. If the person to whom the statutory notice has been served does not comply with the instructions set out in the notice and the noise nuisance continues, the investigating official from the department must take the matter up with the control state prosecutor in order for a notice to appear in court to be issued.
• You do have the option of applying directly to a court for an interdict to prevent your neighbour from causing the specific noise, or sue your neighbour for damages suffered as a result of excessive noise.
• If in either event you do succeed in obtaining an interdict, but your neighbour persists with his or her unlawful actions, the neighbour may be found guilty of contempt of court, in which case the court may impose a fine or even imprisonment in serious cases.

Your complaint should state the following:

Nature of complaint

Eg dogs barking or consistent noise (TV or radio or drums etc) (full details of exactly when, and possibly video evidence to be included in your affidavit).

The impact of the noise

Eg, your sleep is disturbed, you cannot study, you cannot hear your TV etc.

The exact physical address of originating noise

The contact details of the person causing the noise (the complainant):

Phone and email if possible

History of noise nuisance: (You can make reference to your affidavit)

Evidence to attempt to resolve the situation:

Eg telephone calls, WhatsApps, personal visits, witnesses, letters etc (as per affidavit)

Attachment: (Affidavit)

Proof of delivery to the complainant: (this is necessary)

Either proof of having sent a copy of this complaint by email, or a photo of your complaint attached to his/her gate, or a witness that the document has been hand delivered.

3. By-Laws

3.1 A Comprehensive overview of By-Law Enforcement by Honeydew and Linden Police Stations:

• http://honeydew-cpf.org.za/files/Bylaw%20Summary%20v3.pdf

3.2 By-laws relating to dogs states the following:

Prohibitions relating to the keeping of dogs:

No person may keep a dog –

• which barks, whimpers or howls to such an extent that it, or has another habit which, causes a disturbance or nuisance to inhabitants of the neighbourhood;
• which suffers from an infectious or contagious disease which, in the opinion of a veterinary surgeon, is of such a nature that such dog cannot be beneficially treated or boarded at a veterinary clinic;
• on premises which are not fenced in such a manner that the dog is at all times confined to the premises, unless the dog is confined to the premises in some other manner.
• https://www.joburg.org.za/documents_/Documents/By-Laws/prom%20dogscats%20by-laws%20100406.pdf

3.3 By-law regarding Property Encroachment

• https://www.joburg.org.za/documents_/Documents/By-Laws/prom%20encoachment%20by-laws.pdf

3.4 By-laws regarding noise nuisance

• https://archive.opengazettes.org.za/archive/ZA-GT/1999/provincial-gazette-ZA-GT-vol-5-no-75-dated-1999-08-20.pdf  (In particular, Part II, page 9)
• https://mra.ilovemelville.co.za/2017/02/noise-nuisance-information-complaint-procedure/ – see Standard Operating Procedure for Handling Noise Nuisances in terms of the Noise Control Regulations

CONTACT DETAILS (DATED MAY 2019) FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (SEE BELOW  THE TABLE TO SEE YOUR REGION), or

http://www.foodfocus.co.za/home/Industry-Topics/food-safety/Environmental-Health-Department-Contacts

REGION A

REGION B

REGION C

REGION D

REGION E

REGION F

REGION G

Suburbs in Region A

Airdlin Barbeque, Barbeque Downs, Barbeque Downs Extensions, Beverley, Beverley Ext.1 & 2, Beverley Extensions, Bloubosrand Extension, Blue Hills, Blue Hills Extension, Bothasfontein 408-Jr Ext.408, Brendavere, Broadacres, Broadacres Ext.1 & 2, Broadacres Extensions, Broadacres Park Ext.1 & 10, Buccleuch, Carlswald, Carlswald Estate, Chartwell, Country View, Country View Extensions, Craigavon, Craigavon Ext.1, Crowthorne, Dainfern, Dainfern Extensions, Dainfern Ridge, Diepsloot 388-Jr Ext.388, Diepsloot, Diepsloot Wes, Diepsloot Wes Extensions, Ebony Park, Ebony Park Extensions, Erand, Erand Ext.1 & 2, Erand Gardens Extensions, Farmall, Farmall Ext.1, Fourways Extensions, Glen Austin, Glen Austin Ext.1, Glen Nerine, Glenferness, Glenferness Ext.1 & 2, Grand Central Ext.21, Halfway Gardens Extensions, Halfway House, Halfway House Estate, Halfway House Ext.13 Halfway House Ext.2, Headway Hill, Inandan, Ivory Park Extensions, Jukskei View Extensions, Kaalfontein Extensions, Kengies, Kengies Extensions, Kildrummy, Kleve, Kya Sand, Kya Sand Extensions, Kyalami, Kyalami Extensions, Kyalami, Kyalami Ext.1, Kyalami Estate, Kyalami Estate Extensions, Kyalami Gardens Extensions, Kyalami Heights, Kyalami Hills. Kyalami Hills Extensions, Kyalami Park, Lanseria Airport, Lone Hill Extensions, Marise, Maroeladal Extensions, Midridge Park, Midridge Park Extensions, Milgate Farm, Needwood Needwood Extensions, Nietgedacht, Noordwyk, Noordwyk Extensions, North Champayne Estates, Palmlands, Paulshof, Paulshof Extensions , Plooysville, Rabie Ridge, Rabie Ridge Extensions, Randjesfontein, Randjespark Extensions, Riverbend, Riverglen, Sagewood Extensions, Salfred, Stratford, Summerset, Summerset Extensions, Sunninghill, Sunninghill Extensions, Sunninghill Park, Sunrella, Tanganani, Treesbank, Trevallyn, Trevallyn Ext.1, Vorna Valley, Vorna Valley Extensions, Waterval, Waterval Ext.2 & 4, Willaway, Willaway Extensions, Witkoppen, Witkoppen Extensions.

Suburbs in Region B

Amalgam, Albertskroon, Albertville, Albertville Extensions, Aldarapark, Amalgam Ext.1 - 3 Auckland Park, Auckland Park Extensions,Berario, Bergbron, Bergbron Extensions, Beverley Gardens, Blackheath, Blackheath Extensions, Blairgowrie, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Ext.2, Bosmont, Brixton, Bromhof Ext.2, Bryanbrink, Bryanston Extensions, Bryanston West, Bryanston West Ext 1 – 2, Claremont, Clynton, Coronationville, Cottesloe, Country-Life Park Cowdray Park Ext.1, Craighall, Craighall Ext.2, Craighall Park, Cramerview, Cresta, Cresta Extensions, Croesus, Crosby, Crown, Crown Extensions, Daniel Brinkpark, Darrenwood, Darrenwood Extensions, Delarey, Delarey Extensions, Douglasdale Ext.9, Dunkeld, Dunkeld West, Dunkeld West Extensions, East Town, Emmarentia, Emmarentia Ext.1,  Ferndale, Ferndale Extensions, Florida Ext, Florida Glen, Florida Glen Extensions, Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau Ext.1, Forest Town, Forest Town Ext.1, Franklin Roosevelt Park, Franklin Roosevelt Park Ext.1, Glenadrienne, Gleniffer, Greenside, Greenside East, Greenside East Ext.1, Greenside Extensions, Greymont, Greymont Ext.1, Homestead Park, Hurlingham, Hurlingham Extensions, Hurlingham Gardens, Hurst Hill, Hyde Park, Hyde Park A. Settlement Hyde Park Extensions, Industria, Industria Ext 1 & 2, Industria North, Industria North Ext.1, Industria West, Jacanlee, Jan Hofmeyr, Kelland, Kelland Ext.1, Kensington B, Langlaagte, Langlaagte North, Linden, Linden Extensions, Longdale, Longdale Extensions, Lyme Park, Lyme Park Extensions,Malanshof, Malanshof Extensions, Maraisburg, Maraisburg Extensions, Martindale, Mayfair Ext.1, Mayfair West, Melville, Melville Ext.1 – 3, Micor Industrial, Mill Hill Ext.2, Montclare, Montgomery Park, Montgomery Park Ext.3, Montroux, Moret, Moret Extensions, New Brighton, Newclare, Newlands, Northcliff, Northcliff Extensions, Oerder Park, Osummit, Paarlshoop, Paarlshoop Extensions, Parkhurst, Parkmore, Parktown Extensions, Parktown North, Parkview, Parkview Ext.1, Pierneef Park, Pierneef Park Ext.1, Pine Park, Pine Park Ext.1 & 2, Praegville, President Ridge, President Ridge Extensions, Quellerina, Quellerina Ext.1, Randpark, Randpark Extensions, Randparkrif, Randparkrif Extensions, Richmond, Richmond Ext.1, Riepen Park, Risidale, Riverlea, Riverlea Extensions, Robin Acres, Robin Hills, Robindale, Robindale Extensions, Rosebank, Rossmore, Ruiterhof, Ruiterhof Extensions, Sandhurst, Sandhurst Extensions, Solridge, Strijdompark, Strijdompark Extensions, Triomf, Uitsaaisentrum, Valeriedene, Vandia Grove, Vandia Grove Ext.1 & 2, Victory Park Estate, Victory Park Extensions, Vrededorp, Vredepark, Waterval Estate, West Cliff, West Cliff Ext, Westbury, Westbury Ext.2 & 3, Westdene, Whiteridge, Whiteridge Extensions, Willowild, Willowild Ext.1 & 2, Windsor, Windsor Glen, Zandfontein Ext.42.

Suburbs in Region C

Aanwins, Allen's Nek, Allen's Nek Extensions, Alsef, Alsef Ext.1, Ambot, Amorosa, Amorosa Extensions, Arena, Ballindean, Batavia, Batavia Ext.1, Bellairspark, Bellairspark Extensions, Bloubosrand Ext.13, Boskruin, Boskruin Extensions, Boundary Park, Boundary Park Extensions, Bram Fischerville, Bram Fischerville Extensions, Breaunanda Ext.2, Bromhof, Bromhof Extensions, Brushwood Haugh, Bush Hill Estate Ext.1, Carenvale, Constantia Kloof, Constantia Kloof Extensions, Cosmo City, Cosmo City Extensions, Creswell Park, Culembeeck, Culembeeck Ext.1, Davidsonville, Davidsonville Ext.1 & 2, Discovery, Discovery Extensions, Dobsonville Ext.8, Doornkop Ext.2 & 3, Douglasdale, Douglasdale Extensions, Fairland, Fairland Extensions, Fleurhof, Floracliffe, Floracliffe Ext.1, Florida, Florida Extensions, Florida Hills, Florida Hills Ext. 2 & 4, Florida Lake, Florida North, Florida North Extensions, Florida Park, Florida Park Extensions, Florida View, Georginia, Glen Dayson, Golden Harvest, Goudrand, Goudrand Ext. 1 & 2, Grobler Park Extensions, Hamberg, Harveston, Haylon Hill, Helderkruin, Helderkruin Extensions, Honey Hill, Honey Park Ext.6, Honeydew, Honeydew Extensions, Honeydew Grove, Honeydew Grove Extensions, Honeydew Manor, Honeydew Manor Extensions, Honeydew Ridge Extensions, Hoogland, Hoogland Extensions, Horison, Horison Ext.1, Horison Park, Horizon View, Horizon View Extensions, Hunters Hill, Johannesburg-North, Jukskei Park, Jukskei Park Ext.1, Jukskei Park Ext.5, Kelly Ridge, Kevin Ridge Ext.3, Kevin Ridge Proper, Kimbult, Kloofendal, Kloofendal Extensions, Kya Sand Extensions, Laser Park, Laser Park Extensions, Lea Glen, Leratong Village, Lindhaven, Lindhaven Extensions, Little Falls Extensions, Manufacta, Manufacta Extensions, Matholesville, Matholesville Ext.2, Meadowhurst, Meadowlands Extensions, Mmesi Park, Mostyn Park, Noordekrans Ext.2, Noordhang, Noordhang Extensions, North Riding, North Riding Estates Ext.1, North Riding Estates Proper, North Riding Extensions, Northcliff Extensions, Northgate, Northgate Extensions, Northwold Ext.11 & 16, Northwold Extensions, Olivedale Extensions, Ontdekkerspark, Ontdekkerspark Ext.1, Paarderand Ext.1, Panorama, Panorama Ext.1, Pennyville, Poortview, Poortview Extensions, Princess, Princess Extensions, Putcoton, Quellerina Ext.4, Radiokop, Radiokop Extensions, Rand Leases Extensions, Randparkrif Extensions, Reefhaven, Robertville, Robertville Extensions, Roodekrans, Roodekrans Extensions, Roodepoort, Roodepoort Ext.2, Roodepoort North, Roodepoort West, Roodepoort West Extensions, Ruimsig, Ruimsig Extensions, Sandpark, Selwyn, Sharonlea, Sharonlea Extensions, Sonnedal, Sonneglans Extensions, Stormill, Stormill Extensions, Strijdompark Ext.1 & 3, Strubens Ridge, Strubensvallei, Strubensvallei Extensions, Sundowner, Sundowner Extensions, Technikon, Thulani, Thulani Ext.1 & 2, Tres Jolie, Tres Jolie Extensions, Tshepisong, Weltevredenpark Extensions, Westgate Park Ext.1 & 2, Wibsey Dip, Wilfordon, Wilfordon Ext.1, Wilgeheuwel, Wilgeheuwel Extensions, Willowbrook Extensions, Wilropark, Wilropark Extensions, Witpoortjie, Witpoortjie Extensions, Zandspruit, Zandspruit Extensions, Zonnehoewe.

Suburbs in Region D

Armadale, Chiawelo, Chiawelo Extensions, Comptonville, Devland, Devland Extensions, Dhlamini, Dhlamini Ext.1 & 2, Diepkloof Extensions, Diepkloof Zone 1 – 6, Dobsonville, Dobsonville Extensions, Dobsonville Gardens, Doornkop, Doornkop Ext.1, Dube, Dube Ext.2, Emdeni, Emdeni Ext.1 & 2, Jabavu, Jabavu Central Western, Jabavu Central Western Ext.1, Jabavu Extensions, Jabulani, Klipspruit, Klipspruit Extensions, Klipspruit West, Klipspruit West Ext.1 & 2, Lenaron, Lougherin, Mapetla, Meadowlands, Meredale Extensions, Mofolo Central, Mofolo North, Mofolo South, Mofolo South Ext.1, Molapo, Moletsane, Moroka, Moroka North, Naledi, Naledi Ext.1& .2, Naturena, Naturena Extensions, Noordgesig, Noordgesig Ext.1, Orlando, Orlando East, Orlando East Ext.1, Orlando West, Orlando West Extensions, Phiri, Pimville Zone 1 – 9, Pimville Zone 1 Ext, Power Park, Power Park Ext.2 & 3, Protea City, Protea Glen, Protea Glen Extensions, Protea North, Protea North Extensions, Rivasdale, Senaoane, Slovoville, Slovoville Ext.1, Stesa, Tladi, Zola, Zondi.

Suburbs in Region E

Allandale Extensions, Abbotsford, Alexandra East Bank, Alexandra Extensions, Atholhurst, Atholhurst Ext.1, Atholl, Atholl Extensions, Atholl Gardens, Austin View, Austin View Ext.1, Bagleyston, Benmore Gardens Extensions, Barlow Park, Benmore Gardens, Birdhaven, Birnam, Blandford Ridge, Blue Heaven, Bramley, Bramley Ext.1, Bramley Manor, Bramley Manor Ext.1, Bramley Manor Ext.1, Bramley North, Bramley North Ext.1 & 2, Bramley Park, Bramley View, Bramley View Extensions, Brecknock, Bruma, Bryanston, Bryanston East, Bryanston East Ext.3 & 5, Bryanston Extensions, Casey Park, Cheltondale, Cheltondale Extensions, Chislehurston, Chislehurston Ext.1, Chloorkop Ext.5, Commercia, Commercia Extensions, Corlett Gardens, Corlett Gardens Extensions, Crystal Gardens, Cyrildene, Dalecross, De Wetshof, De Wetshof Ext.1 & 2, Dennehof, Dennehof Ext.1, Dorelan, Douglasdale Extensions, Dowerglen Ext.10, Dowerglen Ext.7, Driefontein Ext.41, Dunhill,  Dunsevern, Dunsevern Ext.1 & 4, Duxberry, Duxberry Ext.1, Eastgate, Eastgate Extensions, Edenburg, Edenburg Ext.1, Elton Hill, Elton Hill Extensions, Epsom Downs, Fairmount, Fairmount Ext.2, Fairmount Ridge, Fairmount Ridge Ext.1 & 2, Fairvale, Fairvale Ext.1 & 2, Fairway, Fairwood, Far East Bank, Far East Bank Extensions, Fellside, Forbesdale, Formain, Founders Hill, Fourways, Fourways Extensions,Frankenwald, Frankenwald Extensions, Gallo Manor, Gallo Manor Extensions, Glen Atholl,Glen Atholl Ext.1, Glen Austin Ext.3, Glenhazel,Glenhazel Extensions, Glenkay, Glensan, Grand Central Extensions, Greenstone Hill Extensions, Greenstone Park Extensions, Greenstone Park Proper, Gresswold, Halfway House Ext.24, Halfway House Extensions, Hawkins Estate, Hawkins Estate Ext.1, Highlands North, Highlands North Extensions, Houghton Estate, Hurl Park, Illovo,  Illovo Extensions, Inanda, Inanda Ext.1 & 2, Jukskei Park Extensions,  Jukskei View Ext.9, Kelvin, Kelvin View, Kentview, Kew, Kew Ext.1,  Khyber Rock, Khyber Rock Extensions, Killarney, Klevehill Park, Klevehill Park Ext.2, Klipfontein View,Klipfontein View  Extensions, Kramerville, Lealholm, Linbro Park, Linbro Park Ext.1, Linbro Park Ext.34, Linksfield, Linksfield  Extensions, Linksfield Extensions, Linksfield North, Linksfield North Ext.1, Linksfield  Ridge,  Linksfield Ridge Ext.1, Littlefillan, Lombardy East, Lombardy West, Lone Hill, Lone Hill Extensions, Longmeadow Business Estate Ext.1 – 9, Lyndhurst,  Lyndhurst Ext.1 & 2, Magaliessig, Magaliessig Extensions,  Magaliesview, Marlboro, Marlboro Ext.1, Marlboro Gardens, Marlboro Gardens Ext.1, Maryvale, Melrose, Melrose Estate, Melrose Ext.1 & 2, Melrose North, Melrose North Extensions, Modderfontein, Modderfontein Ext.2, Moodie Hill, Moodie Hill Ext.1 & 2, Morningside, Morningside Extensions, Morningside Hills, Morningside Manor, Morningside Manor Extensions, Mountain View, Norscot, Norscot Extensions, Northern Acres Proper, Norwood, Oaklands, Observatory Ext, Olivedale Extensions, Orange Grove, Orchards, Parkmore Ext.1, Parkwood, Parkwood Ext.1, Paulshof Agricultural Holdings, Paulshof Extensions 20, 32, 38, 40, 41, 44, 49, 51-54 & 59,  Percelia Estate, Percelia Estate Ext 1 & 2, Petervale, Petervale Ext. 4 & 5, Pineslopes, President Park Extensions, President Park, Raedene Estate, Raedene Estate Ext.1, Raumarais Park, Rembrandt Park, Rembrandt Park Extensions, Rembrandt Ridge, River Club, River Club Extensions, Riviera, Rivonia, Rivonia Extensions, Rouxville, Rouxville Ext.1, Sandhurst Ext.3 & 4, Sandown, Sandown Extensions, Sandringham, Sandringham Ext.2 & 3,  Savoy Estate, Saxonwold, Saxonwold Extensions, Sebenza Ext.6, Silvamonte, Silvamonte Ext.1, Simba, Strathavon, Strathavon Extensions, Sunningdale, Sunningdale Extensions, Sunningdale Ridge, Sunningdale Ridge Ext.1 & 2,Sunset Acres, Sunset Acres  Ext.1, Sydenham, Syferfontein, Talboton, The Gardens, The Woodlands, Umthombo Ext.3, Victoria, Victoria Ext.1 & 2, Viewcrest, Waverley, Waverley Extensions, Wendywood, Wendywood Extensions,Wesco Park, Westfield Proper, Whitney Gardens, Whitney  Gardens Extensions, Wierda Valley, Wierda Valley Ext.1,Winston Ridge, Witkoppen Ext.116, Witkoppen Ext.91,Woodlands Ext.1 & 4, Woodmead, Woodmead Extensions, Wynberg, Wynberg Extensions. Wynberg Extensions.