At the moment, the law allows for fines to be issued between 200 – 1,000 lei for disturbing neighbours by producing any loud noises, including shouting, using power tools or other objects, resulting in complaints. Also, someone causing distress to inhabitants of a property can between the hours of 10pm and 8am, or 1pm and 2pm will also affected by the upcoming changes to the fines.

The draft voted by Parliament, states that the organisation of parties, or music broadcast at high intensity is to be amended with higher amounts from 2,000 lei to 3,000 lei, but they also acknowledged the fact that a need to implement a scheme to discourage such behaviour needs to be introduced.

Some residents have complained that despite police attending the source of such behaviour, the problem reoccurs, so therefore, the fine will be increased if the behaviour is repeated within 24 hours,

Should the fines not be a sufficient measure to prevent the anti-social or illegal behaviour, police will be able to submit a request to the courts for the offender to partake in community service.

PROPOSED CHANGES

According to the changes, repeat offences of disturbance of the tenants within 24 hours will be sanctioned as follows:

• A fine issued between 500 – 1,500 lei or the provision of 50-100 hours of community service as the result of causing disruption of inhabitants by making excess noises with any apparatus, object or by shouting.
• A fine issued between 2,000 – 3,000 lei or the provision of 70-120 hours of community service if the offence of disturbing in tenants between the hours of 10pm and 8am, or 1pm and 2pm. This will include any person producing noises with an alarm, or by using any apparatus, or musical instrument at high intensity within the premises, offices, or any other place within a building for the purpose of housing or within the immediate vicinity.
• A fine issued between 3,000 lei and 6,000 lei or the provision of 100-150 hours of community service for the organisation of private parties and the use of musical apparatus at the level of intensity which can disturb the peace of residents, in tents or other structures, within an uncovered space close to the perimeter of residential or social buildings within an urban environment.

In the event that the offender does not present an identity document by request of law enforcement,  the fine will be increased from 100-500 lei to 500-1,500 lei due to “the refusal of a person to provide data for establishing his or her identity or to present himself or herself at the police headquarters”. Police will still verify the identity using checks within the police database.

FORCED INTERVENTION

The law will also introduce new powers to the gendarmerie, which will permit the use of physical force in order to ensure compliance. However, the opposition have complained that this would be unjustified. USR representative have argued that they will vote against the proposal.

The new fines will enter affect within 90 days of the law being approved.