noisy neighbours who appear to be running some sort of business from their front garden - who should I complain to?

[moffat]

Basically they have three cars on the driveway and play very loud music from the car radio - always seem to be tinkering with the cars - a new car appeared today. Is this reportable to someone - trading standards perhaps?

Planning department. If they're running a car repair business from home it's likely to be in breach of planning.

Cant you just ask them to turn it down a little bit?

Yes, simply ask them politely if they can keep it down.

Why do you feel the need to report them? For having 3 cars on their driveway - oh no!

I shared a house with 6 people a few years ago, (nearly scarred me for life but that's another story) we had 5 cars between us and at any one time you could guarantee that one of the cars would be receiving some sort of tinkerage.

Why do you assume they are running a business?

They do not look approachable. Cars never go anywhere just back and forth in the driveway - constantly tinkering, sitting in the cars, playing loud music.

if the cars never go anywhere it cant be much of a business! Just go and have a nice word, its not really that big a deal surely. Are you afraid of them?

If they're working on their own cars then it's a hobby not a business.

Had the same problem only with motorbikes. Is the house owner occupied or are they tenants? If they are tenants they are not supposed to undertake any activity that causes a nuisance to neighbours, one being noise and will possibly be in breach of their tenancy agreement.

I do sympathise, after all their "hobby" is taking away your right to quiet enjoyment of your own garden and home.

thanks ElsieMc they are tenants I think the owner has leased it to the Council. Have had some very dodgy people there in the past. Two cars are always there but get moved when a new car appears. Could also be benefit fraud situation I guess as they don't seem to have jobs. Littlepushka I'm not afraid of them but don't know what kind of people they are so don't want to create hostility.

Thanks for that info Collaborate will keep it in mind if things get worse.

Hmm, I think a visit from the authorities might get their backs up more than a friendly neighbourly request to keep the noise down a bit IMO.

Moffat, you don't need to create hostility, you can just go ask them nicely. if they refuse or give you a hard time then involve your local authority or the police on account of noisy neighbours.The environmental health dept have procedures they will instigate for noisy neighbours and the police may consider breach of the peace if it is really loud or at unsocialble hours. but the car tinkering of itself is hardly offensive, surely?

I know what you mean LittlePushka - there is noise at odd times eg this morning at eight. It's just so weird that they sit in their cars to listen to loud music, not sure why it bothers me so much. People do tend not to stay there for very long so hopefully they will move on.

Are they quite young? Sort of 17-25 or so? Blokes? If they like cars it is sort of a rite of passage for grease monkeys. Hope you can resolve it Moffat.