Your community

Our responsibility

Many students live in the Holylands or the wider university area of south Belfast. We work with our partners to make sure that everyone living in the area respects each other and the community. 

We can issue fixed penalty notices for noise, littering and on-street drinking offences in Belfast. 

Noise

To report a noise problem, call the noise hotline (Monday to Sunday, 8pm to 4am) on 028 9037 3006. If someone is making too much noise, our noise control officers can serve them with a warning notice, asking them to reduce the noise within ten minutes. If they don't, we can issue a fixed penalty notice of £110, or we can take them to court. The court could fine them up to £5,000. We can also seize equipment such as music players, mixing decks, amplifiers and speakers.

If you're having friends round to your house, you should:

• tell your neighbours in advance
• ask them to contact you if the noise is annoying them
• keep doors and windows shut, especially after 11pm
• ask guests to stay inside and keep quiet when entering and leaving your house
• turn music down, especially after 11pm

If you or your guests cause a nuisance to your neighbours, you may also be investigated through the university's disciplinary procedures.

Find out more about our noise control services

Drinking on the street

It's illegal to drink alcohol on the street in most areas of Belfast, including Botanic Gardens, the Holylands and the greater university area at any time of the year.

The police and our officers can prosecute you if you're consuming alcohol in any of these areas.

Fixed penalty notices for litter and other offences

We can issue a fixed penalty notice to you if:

• you cause damage to a house, shop front or other public property, the amount can be up to £500
• you drink alcohol on the street, the amount can be up to £500
• you drop litter, the amount is £80
• litter gathers in your garden, the amount is £110

Antisocial behaviour could lead to expulsion from university or college. If you're prosecuted in court for noise or on-street drinking offences, you'll have a criminal conviction. This could affect future job and travel opportunities.

Report antisocial behaviour

To report antisocial behaviour, contact the police by calling 101, the non-emergency phone number.