How to protect your rights against noisy neighbours

NOISY neighbours can be nightmares, but there are laws in South Africa that protect people's rights to a peaceful home environment.

- ZELDA VENTER

“Late-night music, barking dogs, and even regular domestic rows are disturbances that can negatively impact your health and well-being,” says legal expert Cor van Deventer, director at VDM Incorporated.

He explains that in South Africa, your right to a peaceful living environment is protected by the Environment Conservation Act and local municipal bylaws, depending on the types of noise in question.

“First is disturbing noise, which can be scientifically measured in decibels - think music, power tools, and machinery - whereas the second - noise nuisance - is more subjective, referring to noise that disturbs the peace over a period of time, such as incessant dog barking.”