Are noisy neighbours making your life a misery?

Wednesday, 27th April 2011

27th April is International Noise Awareness Day

Maverick Television, the maker of programmes such as ITV1's Children's Hospital and Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies, is currently filming a primetime documentary series for Sky 1 about neighbour disputes and is planning to film in Waterford.

With International Noise Awareness Day on 27th April, now is the perfect time to address problems with neighbours.

Last year, at least three million UK adults suffered from noisy neighbours, but over a third failed to take any action, according to the experts at Which? Legal Service.

Neighbour noise can disrupt sleep, with six in ten people affected, while others complain that the noise makes them irritable, angry or stressed. One in ten sufferers have seen their work or health affected and yet so many of us fail to tackle the problem

This new series aims to offer help to people having difficulties with the noises next-door, above or below. Whether it's TVs at high volume, barking dogs, crowing cockerels or all night parties, Maverick Television will be following a team of experts as they attempt to resolve these problems.

Series Producer Fiona Inskip says "We are living in an increasingly noisy society. Our modern lifestyles mean we are often exposed to more noise for longer periods of time. Whether it's surround sound from the TV, the noise created from high heels on laminate flooring or the thumping bass of a music system; sometimes it feels like there's no getting away from it.

"What's more, we can easily end up living next door to people with very different lifestyles from our own; young families or students living next door to pensioners, or neighbours who work night shifts. What we regard as acceptable noise levels can vastly differ from our neighbour, and these differences can lead to disputes and conflict"

Maverick Television is working with a team of community mediators whose job it is to help resolve these issues in a neutral, non-confrontational manner that is acceptable to both parties involved.

If you've got a problem with your neighbours and you'd like to be considered for the show, please call 0121 224 8359 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.