How to Make a Noise Complaint in Denmark (2025)
Loud neighbours, all-night parties, or construction after hours? Here’s who to contact, how to document the problem, and what your rights are as a tenant or resident.
Overview: noise rules in Denmark
Quiet hours
Check your house rules (“husorden”) for night/Sunday limits. Repeated breaches can trigger warnings or fines.
Common issues
Loud music/parties, persistent barking, DIY after hours, bar/venue noise, construction outside permitted times.
Legal limits
Municipalities set decibel limits for day/night. Persistent excess can lead to enforcement—and for tenants, in extreme cases, eviction.
Who handles noise complaints?
Landlord / housing association
Most neighbour disputes go here first (landlord, property manager, or building board).
Municipality (kommune)
Public/venue/construction noise is handled by the kommune’s environmental department.
Police (114)
For severe late-night disturbances, safety concerns, or repeated incidents. Emergencies: 112.
How to make a complaint: step by step
1) Talk first
Polite, specific, and solution-oriented: mention times and impacts; propose a quiet-hours agreement.
2) Keep a log
Date, start/end time, type of noise, where it’s heard. Short recordings help—don’t publish them.
3) Write to landlord/board
Attach your log and any clips. Ask for written acknowledgement and next steps.
4) Contact your kommune
For street, venue, or construction noise. Many municipalities have online forms.
5) Call 114 if needed
Persistent late-night parties or disorder? Call the non-emergency police number (114).
6) Know your rights
Tenants require warnings and evidence before eviction; persistent offenders can face fines/eviction after due process.
When should I call the police?
Late-night noise
If noise continues past midnight and you feel unsafe or repeatedly disturbed, call 114.
Danger or threats
Violence, threats, fights, or suspected crimes: call 112 immediately.
Multiple complainants
Encourage neighbours to submit their own reports—numbers strengthen the case.
Useful links & resources
Copenhagen Kommune
Aarhus Kommune
Danish Police
politi.dk/en — 114 (non-emergency), 112 (emergency)
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Visitors’ laws
Frequently asked questions
🗣️ Do I need Danish to complain?
No—most landlords/municipalities accept English. Police operators speak English too.
📈 What counts as “too loud”?
Depends on local limits, but persistent disturbance during quiet hours or levels above normal living sounds may qualify.
🙈 Will my neighbour know it was me?
Landlords try to keep complaints confidential, but full anonymity isn’t guaranteed if legal action follows.
🎙️ Should I record the noise?
Yes—for evidence to landlord/municipality/police. Don’t post recordings publicly.
🏛️ Landlord isn’t acting—now what?
Escalate to your kommune, tenant association, or seek legal aid.
🐶 Barking dogs?
Valid complaint—follow the same steps. Ask owners to keep pets quiet during quiet hours.
🚫 Can I be evicted over noise?
Only after warnings and evidence of persistent/severe disturbance—due process applies.
🆘 Who can help in English?
Tenant unions, legal aid clinics, and your municipality’s citizen service; police (114) can advise on next steps.