Noisy ventilation equipment is installed above our bedroom

Noise & Neighbours

This article discusses strata ventilation noise complaints, including whether constant fan noise is regulated under environmental noise laws and what owners can do to address it.

The ventilation equipment is installed on the roof above our bedroom. We can hear the extractor fans 24/7. How do we stop this?

There is strata-owned ventilation equipment installed on the roof right above our bedroom. We live on the top floor of the building and can hear the extractor fans 24/7. The noise is particularly disturbing at night with the constant humming.

Is the level of allowed noise regulated by the Environmental (Noise) Regulations or does it fall under the Strata Titles Act and by-laws? What can we do about it?

We recommend you contact your own local government authority. They will be able to guide you accordingly.

The noise emitted by air-conditioning and ventilation equipment falls under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.

Those regulations are administered by each respective local government authority (e.g. City of Perth, City of Joondalup, etc). We recommend you contact your own local government authority. They will be able to guide you accordingly.

Most local government authorities also have guidelines, complaint procedures and forms published on their individual websites.

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Published: 27 Mar 2026

Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026

This post appears in The WA Strata Magazine March 2023

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Answer by

Andrew Chambers

Chambers Franklyn Strata Management

Andrew Chambers has over 30 years of experience in strata management and is Managing Director of Chambers Franklyn Strata Management. Active in the industry since 1994, Andrew is the current SCA (WA) President, immediate past President of the national Strata Community Association, a Life Member of SCA (WA), and holds the accreditation of Honorary Fellow Strata Community Manager.

A foundation member of the Strata Titles Chapter for REIWA and one of the longest-serving volunteers in SCA (WA) history, Andrew is passionate about professionalism and education in the strata industry. He continues to manage a number of large and diverse strata schemes, keeping him closely connected to the issues owners and residents face day to day.