New Year's Eve is traditionally considered a time for fun and loud celebrations. In cities, concert venues and public gathering places operate at this time, but many people celebrate the holiday in their apartments, with music, dancing, and noisy parties. This often becomes a cause of dissatisfaction for neighbors, especially those with small children, elderly relatives, or health problems. Do the usual rules apply to this night? The "Minsk-Novosti" agency asked Alexey Skaldin, head of the legal department of Housing and Utilities Service No. 3 of Pervomaisky District.
Illustrative image. Photo: freepik.com
Most people who experience discomfort from New Year's noise try not to escalate the situation and believe that on such a night, one simply has to endure it. Meanwhile, celebration traditions are effectively placed above the rights of other residents of the building to peace and rest.
However, the legislation of Belarus clearly defines rules of conduct in residential buildings. According to current norms, from 11 PM to 7 AM, any actions that create noise or vibration are prohibited. These include loud music, shouting, singing, the use of pyrotechnics, playing musical instruments, repair work, slamming doors sharply, and other similar actions. This rule also applies to New Year's Eve.
If these requirements are violated, residents have the right to contact the police. Administrative liability is provided for disturbing the peace: a fine of 2 to 10 basic units, and if the violation recurs within a year — 10 to 30 basic units.
At the same time, the procedure for bringing to responsibility does not always happen automatically. As a specialist in housing legislation notes, each situation is considered individually. Celebrating New Year's may be considered a mitigating circumstance, and the so-called insignificance of the violation is also taken into account — if the noise did not cause significant harm to other residents.
Police officers pay special attention to the reasons for the complaint. If there are small children, seriously ill, or elderly people in the family who need quiet, this becomes a strong argument for taking stricter measures.
Upon arrival at the call, law enforcement officers may limit themselves to a verbal warning, recommend reducing the volume of music, or continuing the celebration in public gathering places. However, if the noise continues or repeated complaints are received, offenders may be brought to administrative liability.
Comments
[Зрэдагавана]