Spotlight report on noise complaints – time to be heard
Published in October 2022
Report summary
At the heart of our findings in this report is a fundamental unfairness: most noise reports concern household noise rather than Antisocial Behaviour (ASB), and yet most landlords handle it under their ASB policy.
So, things like movement, intermittent music or the washing machine running at night (more common given the energy crisis) are viewed through the lens of ASB.
It is unfair to both the resident making the complaint and the resident being complained about for the noise to be treated as something it is not; and it is harder for the landlord to make consistent and reasonable decisions if it does not have the right framework for all types of noise reports.
What is in the report?
This report features:
- landlord policies and practice
- timeliness and communication
- modern living
- good neighbourhood management
- making a complaint
The featured case studies in this report have been selected to illustrate the range of findings and outcomes and how lessons can be drawn from those to share more widely.
The full report
Please view or download the full report PDF.
Spotlight report on noise complaints - time to be heard (PDF)
Helpful Links
- Noise complaints learning resources (Opens in a new tab)
- Follow up report: Spotlight on noise complaints – Time to be Heard (Opens in a new tab)
- Time to be heard - presentation slides pdf (pdf) ( pdf, unknown MB)
- Self-assessment tool (docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK) ( docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK, unknown MB)
Further learning on noise complaints
Noise complaints key topics page
Noise complaints are a common issue that residents and landlords face in their daily lives.
Explore guidance, spotlight reports, and training options for landlords and residents to help you navigate through this key topic.
View more Spotlight reports

Spotlight report on repairs and maintenance
This report reveals a 474% increase in repair complaints. It explores the critical role that trust plays in effective repairs and maintenance.

Spotlight report on attitudes, respect and rights
This report explores how current approaches for the sector are not working for residents with a vulnerability. With the need for a Royal Commission to create a long-term plan for social housing.

Spotlight report on knowledge and information management
This report reveals how landlord’s services can be held back by weaknesses in data and information. Calling for a need for better data systems to prevent simple service requests turning into lengthy complaints.