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MY neighbour likes to throw parties in their house and garden throughout the year that are very loud and keep my children up at night.

I’m expecting it to get worse with Christmas and New Year approaching. What should I do?

IF YOUR neighbour is creating too much noise, such as playing loud music late at night, there are steps you can take to resolve the matter.

If you feel comfortable, you should try to address the problem directly by talking to your neighbour first.

You should explain to them how the noise is affecting you and your children, and that you are requesting that they reduce the noise.

If you feel safe enough to do so, this is probably the best way to handle the situation to ensure you can maintain a positive relationship with your neighbour going forward.

If you feel you cannot speak to the neighbour, you could write a letter or email instead.

You should ensure that you describe the issues you are having and the preferred course of action you would like them to take.

It is important to keep a copy of any letter you send, as it may prove useful as a form of evidence later.

If your neighbour does not reduce the noise and they are a tenant, you could contact their landlord.

This could be the local council, a housing association, or a private landlord.

Should the problem persist, you should try to keep a record or diary of what the disturbance is and how often it happens, as this can be used as evidence in any future action you may take.

If an informal approach fails, you can take further steps, including contacting the anti-social behaviour team at your local authority.

They may be able to visit your neighbour to ensure the noise is reduced. If the officer that visits thinks that a noise problem exists, a notice can be served on the neighbour.

This notice will require the neighbour to stop the noise.

If they fail to respect the notice, they can then be issued with a fixed penalty notice, or fine.

You can find contact information for your local authority by visiting www. gov.uk/find-local-council.

The police also possess specific powers to deal with excessive noise.

They may be able to issue fines to people who have failed to stop making excessive noise after being asked to do so and can also confiscate sound-producing equipment.

Loudspeakers, except those used by the police, fire, and ambulance services, must not be used in the street at night.

You can also complain about noise from loudspeakers by calling the police on 101.

If your neighbour is physically violent, verbally abusive, or behaves in a dangerous manner towards you, it is important that you contact the police.

Advice Direct Scotland run advice.scot, which provides information and advice on a range of matters, including employment; housing; benefits; the practical aspects of family and relationships; and neighbourhood disputes, similar to your own situation.

You can contact the service by visiting www.advice.scot, or by calling 0808 800 9060 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).