The Housing Ombudsman has launched a call for evidence to support its next systemic investigation which will look at noise complaints.

The investigation will explore how social landlords manage reports of noise nuisance and what drives complaints about how those are handled.

The Ombudsman has determined a significant number of complaints relating to noise over the last three years – 848 in total – and identified maladministration in 41% of cases. The lines of enquiry for the investigation will include:

• How do policies around noise work in practice?
• How do landlords work with other agencies?
• What is successful in mitigating for/dealing with inherent modern noise?
• What is successful intervention?

The call for evidence to answer these questions takes the form of surveys for member landlords and their residents. The Ombudsman will also draw insight from its own casebook and from its Resident Panel members, together with fieldwork in five landlords of varying size, type and location and their residents.

Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman, said: “Noise complaints can have a particularly significant impact on residents causing deep frustration and stress, and it’s an area that also presents difficult challenges for landlords.”

“We are keen to examine all aspects of noise related complaints and particularly how complaints are managed under anti-social behaviour policies. The statutory thresholds can be high and result in a lengthy process for residents while they may continue to experience the disturbance.”

“Our investigation will examine the relationship between anti-social behaviour and noise transference from our unique and independent perspective, so we can share best practice and learning across the social housing sector.”

The surveys close on 13 May 2022.