Complaints

How to make a complaint
If you have complaint that you would like us to investigate or want advice, there are a number of ways you can contact the Environmental Health Department:

Telephone: 028 3752 9626
Textphone: 18001 028 3752 600
Online: Citizen’s Say
Email: ehealth@armagh.gov.uk
Fax: 028 3752 7184

Types of Complaints
Nuisance Complaints
Environmental Health can investigate include:

  • Noise disturbance (link)
  • Conditions in your house (link) that may affect your health (e.g.Condensation and/or dampness)
  • Smell or dust
  • Oil leaks and fumes
  • Filthy and verminous premises
  • Food Complaints

Other types of complaints

  • Fly tipping and illegal dumping (LINK). However, this is a shared responsibility with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (Link to their website).
  • Dog control (LINK) (including fouling, straying and illegal breeds)
  • Abandoned vehicles

The Council does not have a pest control service but does offer advice and has a range of information leaflets (LINK) on dealing with common pests.

The Council does not deal with blocked or overflowing sewers. This is the responsibility of NI Water who can be contacted on 08457 440088.  You should also contact them if you have a septic tank and it requires emptying.

Investigating a Complaint

When someone brings a complaint to the attention of the Environmental Health Department, the date, name, address, telephone number and details of the complaint are recorded.

The Investigating Officer will ensure the complaint is thoroughly investigated. The Officer must gather evidence and consider legislation, legal powers and professional guidance.

The complaint investigation will be recorded in a file unique to that complaint.

Environmental Health Officers have powers to enter onto any land to examine the existence of a potential nuisance.  An Officer may access the premises at any stage of the investigation until the nuisance has been dealt with.

The definition of statutory nuisance is contained in the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878 as amended by the Pollution Control and Local Government (NI) Order 1978, and the Clean Air (NI) Order 1981 and covers a wide range of issues e.g premises, watercourses, animals, accumulation or deposits of material, gases, dust and vapours.

If any person intentionally obstructs an Officer from carrying out their duties, the person may be liable to a fine.

Actions that can be Taken

In order for a statutory nuisance to exist, it must be affecting you in your home.
Following investigation, there are a number of options available to the Investigating Officer:

  • No further Action – If a Statutory Nuisance does not exist
  • Informal Action – Verbal or written advice
  • Formal Notice – This details the nature of the nuisance, the works necessary to abate the nuisance and the time in which the notice is to be complied with

Failure to comply with a Statutory Notice can result in the matter being heard in the Magistrates’ Court.