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Noise from children next door: understanding, solutions and agreements
Running over your head, toys on the floor or shouting in the garden can disturb your rest. How do you discuss what you hear, what small adjustments can you try together, and what is a reasonable expectation?
Children need space to play and grow. You can still ask about specific disturbance without judging their upbringing. Aim for a practical change that fits the family’s circumstances.
The rules and services in this guide apply to England.
What sound do you hear and when?
Try to distinguish between voices, crying, running, jumping, and toys that are tapping against a hard floor. Do you hear a brief moment after school, repeated banging early in the morning or prolonged shouting near your window? The place, duration and time help to make the conversation specific.
Children’s everyday play and the occasional thud are part of ordinary life in a shared building.
Record what you hear, such as “several dull thuds in the bedroom between 6.30 and 7am”. Do not assume deliberate behaviour or even the source home without checking.
What makes it sound loud and what does it do to you?
Running and jumping can set the floor vibrating. Voices travel differently, so check whether the main problem is impacts through the floor or sound through the air.
If the sound interrupts your sleep or makes it difficult to concentrate, describe when that happens and how it affects you.
Take account of age, baby crying and any additional needs. A request about rolling toys on a hard floor is different from expecting a baby never to cry. Ordinary family life is not automatically antisocial behaviour.
What can you do first yourself and together?
- Choose one recurring moment. Start with the noise that is most disruptive. A recognisable example gives more guidance than a list of everything you hear.
- Discuss it with the parents or carers. Choose a quiet moment and ask if you can discuss something. Describe what you hear and how it affects you, without labelling the children.
- Ask for a small trial. Think of a different play area, softer toys at a certain time or a mat in a frequently used play area. Ask what is feasible for the family.
- Discuss the result. Agree when you will give feedback. Also mention what is going better and adjust the trial if it makes little difference.
A calm opening
“Over the last few mornings, I have heard several thuds above my bedroom around half past six. That woke me up. I understand that the children can be up early. Could we see if something else can be played in that place, or test together if a mat makes a difference?”
Adjust the room, time and sound to your own situation. Ask for the other person's experience. Seek support first if previous contact has led to threats or if you feel insecure.
What tools and adjustments can you try?
A safe rug or play mat in the main play area
Try a rug or play mat where the children usually play. Listen from the affected room and agree when to check whether it helps.
Different toys or a different play area
Try one voluntary change: quieter toys early in the morning, a different place for a lively game, or a safe mat on the busiest floor area. Let the family choose what is workable and compare the effect from your room.
An agreement for garden or balcony
Ask whether noisy play could take place farther from a bedroom window at a particular time. Explain the quiet period you need and listen to what is realistic; do not frame it as a blanket ban on play.
Investigation of the floor or building
If the floor still carries the thuds, ask your landlord or managing agent to investigate the structure before anyone buys underlay.
Is it mainly about walking, knocking and sliding? In the guide on impact noise you can read more about the transfer and possible tests. Read the related guide
Which rules and agreements are relevant?
In England, the council can assess serious or persistent noise under the statutory nuisance framework. The time, duration, frequency and local circumstances all matter. Check your tenancy or lease for any building rules.
What if the nuisance keeps coming back?
If you cannot agree a workable change, send a brief diary to your landlord, housing association or managing agent. For serious persistent disturbance, ask the council’s environmental health team what evidence it needs.
Sources and review date
Guide reviewed on 7 November 2026.
GOV.UK — Complain about noise to the council
GOV.UK — How councils deal with noise nuisance
Keep the next step manageable
Use the free incident diary for a few representative observations, any agreement and improvements. If you need outside help, see Who can help. State what happened, what you have tried and what you are asking the recipient to do. You do not have to keep approaching the neighbour if contact feels unsafe.
Would you like to write to your neighbours?
On the situation page you can see the CalmNotes bundle, its contents and the other support options.