[Closed] Neighbour noise!

If you get the authorities involved it'll come up when you sell your house (assuming you own it). Which for most people is an immediate hurdle to reporting stuff as they think their house will immediately become unsellable.

If they're prepared to talk I'd go and talk to them again and explain what the problem is for you (any other neighbours who could pipe up too?).

Keep a diary, for a start.

Further to wwaswas - you could point out to them that it will also come up when THEY try to sell their house, too. Though this is a bit useless if they rent, but at that point you might have more success with the landlord.

If you get the authorities involved it'll come up when you sell your house (assuming you own it). Which for most people is an immediate hurdle to reporting stuff as they think their house will immediately become unsellable.

If they're prepared to talk I'd go and talk to them again and explain what the problem is for you (any other neighbours who could pipe up too?).

We are there semi, so no impact to other neighbours.

I understand the impact to declaring it on me, would it also impact them. I am just looking to write to them with the threat of action at this stage.

Past talking, they have declared that they will not entertain any neighbourly relations now as I am unable to tollerate minor noise apparently, so its getting serious

Record it then play it back through the wall using a very large sound system. On a school night.

Problem is, they my be reasonable as anything when sober, but add a few drinks & lots of friends, 'reasonable-ness' leaves the building.

[s]TBH though, 6 parties a 365 day year and your upset?[/s] re-read it but even so compared with some neighbour issues [s]Really[/s] this is a first world problem, get some ear plugs.

Past talking, they have declared that they will not entertain any neighbourly relations now as I am unable to tollerate minor noise apparently

But you said...

Both times I am met with a humble embarassed apology and assurance it wont happen again

So which is it?

didnt get invited ?

sounds like you need a detatched house 😀

Every couple of months is borderline excessive. If you compete at a national level and need your sleep just ask them to warn you when tbe parties are going to be so you can work around it somehow.

Really this is a first world problem, get some ear plugs

this ^^^

or buy somewhere detached.

Blimey I though youd escaped from all this kind of nonsense?

I can't see a party every couple of months as unreasonable, though toning it down a bit after midnight would be more polite, in reality parties tend to get noisier as the night goes on. We have parties quite often, but the neighbour's are usually invited, so if they don't come along they at least know to break out the earplugs.

Record it then play it back through the wall using a very large sound system. On a school night.

This happened just down the road from us the escalation was rapid and ugly

TBH though, 6 parties a 365 day year and your upset?
Really this is a first world problem, get some ear plugs.

yeah, I knew someone would have this view. We've got earplugs and we could still hear it, My view is that its week 42 and its happened 6 times, so thats a 14% chance of it happening on any given week! I know there are much worse neighbours out there, I've had them before!

this is a first world problem,

Doesn't make it any less of a problem to the OP though.

Gloves off IMO. A good neighbour wouldn't have done this to you twice. Go straight to your Councils noise team.

You could also wait until the noise stops, wait an hour then knock/bang them up. You need bigger balls to do this though.

A party every 5-6 weeks doesn't really sound that excessive, especially if it's on a weekend (assuming you don't work shifts etc).

Maybe they don't realise how easily the sound travels through your party wall - invite them in to listen next time it happens. And as above, ask them to let you know in advance so you can plan around it.

An occasional party doesn't sound like unreasonable behaviour to me..

expecting your neighbours to strictly conform to [i]your[/i] lifestyle seems pretty unreasonable though

Past talking, they have declared that they will not entertain any neighbourly relations now as I am unable to tollerate minor noise apparently
But you said...

Both times I am met with a humble embarassed apology and assurance it wont happen again
So which is it?

You've mentioned your gripe to them twice, and now you're threatening legal action?

This definitely makes you come across as a bit of a nutjob

Once every couple of months is not excessive. Are you in a city? That's part of urban living IMO. Sleep in a room without a party wall and put ear plugs in. Being able to hear it is a bit annoying but not the end of the world. I suspect it is the fact that it annoys you that keeps you awake rather than the noise itself.

I suspect it is the fact that it annoys you that keeps you awake rather than the noise itself.

Once every couple of months is not excessive.

Why should your sleep suffer in your own home? You'd come to dread it happening again. Worse if you have small children too.

You've mentioned your gripe to them twice, and now you're threatening legal action?

This definitely makes you come across as a bit of a nutjob

I followed the lastest complaint up with an email saying pehaps rather sarcastuically that I didn't enjoy their rendition of Money for Nothing and Call me All, reinforcing the conversation I had with them that I was taking part in an important race the next day. Hence the eagerness to complain

I got one back saying they thought I was intollerant (a point re-inforced by many above I know) and why had I bought a semi.

this is a first world problem

So you're not allowed to let anything other than death and starvation to trouble you?

wood chopping at 9am the morning after the party - with a 2 stroke.

Blimey I though youd escaped from all this kind of nonsense?

We never had any of this at all in London! I think our ex neighbout was a lady of ill repute, but she was a bloody quite one!

this ^^^

or buy somewhere detached.

Indeed, this is on the agenda, as I seemingly have a low threshold of tollerance to this kind of stuff.

We do have opposing lifestyles though, I am racing 3 weekends out of 4 so early to bed and no drink, something they have no interst in accomodating, I have suggested 12am is a good compromise, they do not agree.

this is a first world problem

Whoever says this obviously devotes their own life to charity?

Ill always remember going round my mates once years ago and his mum was upset that the noisy neighbours had been keeping her awake. his older brother who was a bit of a lad kidnapped their rabbit, donned a balaclava held its ears back and pointed a replica bb gun at its head while we took a photo. he put the rabbit back unharmed but posted the photo with a warning through their door!

ive no idea what became of the situation but it was pretty funny at the time...

LOL, no pets there, thank god!

Your problem is that at soon as you followed up the chat during the party with a sarcastic e-mail you've lost any goodwill from them. A chat in the drive the day after the party along the lines of "did you have a good night last night? I can't believe how much the noise travels though the walls, did you know I race lots?", if delivered correctly, will get them on side and maybe working with you. However, the e-mail now means you have come across as a bit of an arse so they won't work with you.

So your options are nuclear (environment health) or peaceful (smile, have a chat, invite them over for a beer).

Why should your sleep suffer in your own home?

I live next to retired people, they're so nice and quiet. Hope they don't go anywhere anytime soon....

Neighbours should discuss noisy parties before having them - I told mine when we were having one for my 4 year old; that did get a bit out of hand though.

I have suggested 12am is a good compromise, they do not agree.

Any pearls of wisdom out there!

Make friends with them then you'll be invited too.

this is a first world problem, get some ear plugs

It's really not.

Having lived through living next to noisy neighbours for nigh on seven years and moved away earlier next year I can tell you that the impact can be massive. Everyone has the right to not be disturbed in their own home at unreasonable times. Anyone who doesn't understand the social contract of living in a house adjoining another deserves the full weight of the consequences of their behaviour.

OP, start making a diary now, if you do contact EH they will want to install a Db meter and have you make a diary, so the sooner you get started the better.

In my case the neighbours were beyond reasoning with and the behaviour deteriorated to the extent that the police were called to visit them (not by me), but the best advice I got in that time was to go round outside of the times of the disturbance, explain the impact on you and try to remain cordial throughout.

Did you suggest this in person or over e-mail

Yeah, email. realise I have lost their goodwill, they have lost mine after the first informal chat about it to be honest.

The real question for me was are EH likley to tell me to whistle for this reglarity, and I'll still have to declare on the sale docs that I complained. Thats lose lose lose for me, so need another tactic.

This is quite close to my heart at the moment, we have some new tennants next door who have been in a couple of months.

Thankfully the key for us is tennants. We've tried the nice approach, tried the going round and banging on the door late at night approach (and they refuse to answer) so we have gone to the letting agency.

If they carry on, they get served notice. 🙂

Some of the stories have been quite amusing though. The young lady sounds like a massive headcase. Don't know why he puts up with her, she's not even good looking. The sex is crap too, because we get to hear that (all 10 minutes of it, albeit at 100db, as she's got a mouth like a gutter).

Think they actually are getting their second warning letter today!

In my case the neighbours were beyond reasoning

Fair enough but the neighbours in this thread sound pretty reasonable to me.. It looks like the OP has caused friction by being unfriendly

Some of the stories have been quite amusing though. The young lady sounds like a massive headcase. Don't know why he puts up with her, she's not even good looking. The sex is crap too, because we get to hear that (all 10 minutes of it, albeit at 100db, as she's got a mouth like a gutter).

Sounds like my kind of woman.

1.30 on a Saturday night seems OK to me, perhaps you should have a party and keep it going till late then at least they'll know how loud it is, seriously though a set of silicon earplugs and you'll be set. It's not weekly or anything.

Bagpipes. Even if you become very proficient it'll still sound like you've opened up Dignicats (Dignitas for cats - see what I did there). Definitely bagpipes.

The sex is crap too, because we get to hear that (all 10 minutes of it,

Can't be that bad if she's getting it three times in a row.

[i]Can't be that bad if she's getting it three times in a row. [/i]

*likes*

I am racing 3 weekends out of 4 so early to bed and no drink, something they have no interst in accomodating,

Errrm .... why should they ?

Thats like saying .... can you kept the noise down I've got to get up early to go fishing !!

They see your "racing" as a past time... something done for fun and leisure... nothing more..... just like the fun they are having... hey they maybe "racing" down pints of lager ??

My point is .... I think you need to come at this from a different angle than, them not accomodating your pre-race prep.

Good luck

I think any time after 11 even once a year or ever is unreasonable. Why is it OK for other people to randomly steal your sleep? It's antisocial and inconsiderate. We often have guests until the small hours, but we are more than capable, despite being quite drunk, of behaving in a quiet reasonable manner after 11pm.

Record it every time, go to EH they will send them a warning letter and maybe they will back off, if not play it back to them with very loud speakers.

What i have garnered from this is that you are complaining about approximately 1 in 40 nights bad sleep? More chance of getting woken up by a fire engine/ambulance/police car surely?

Lol, 6 parties in 10 months? Woe is you.
Get a grip or go live in the middle of nowhere.

tbh, if we were having a broken weekend one in six times we'd be pee'd off too, especially if there's no warning.

What i have garnered from this is that you are complaining about approximately 1 in 40 nights bad sleep? More chance of getting woken up by a fire engine/ambulance/police car surely?

Indeed, or about 1 in 7 saturdays..

Lol, 6 parties in 10 months? Woe is you.
Get a grip or go live in the middle of nowhere

Thanks for the comments, I will be trying to

We lived through this crap at our last place.
Trailer trash neighbours who alternated between load shagging and even louder fighting (sometimes in the same evening)
The final straw was him chucking her out at around 2am, and her breaking back in via the front window with a shovel.
I called the cops after she threatened me with it, and they took her away.
When she was released she came back and scratched 'PAEDO' across the bonnet of his car with her keys.
a week later she'd moved back in and was driving around in said car.
Our house was on the market a month later.

Its not the same as a fire engine is it? The fire engine doesn't stay outside your house from 9pm till 3am honking its horn. Plus I don't object to losing my sleep when someones life is in danger, but when someone chooses to keep me awake becasue it's fun.
It's mean. I would never do it to my neighbours.

We lived through this crap at our last place.
Trailer trash neighbours who alternated between load shagging and even louder fighting (sometimes in the same evening)

We've had similar, drunken arguments from them, he's taken off in the car after a skinful, heard him pushing her about whilst pregnant too.

He's an arrogant bully.

Just paints a bit more of a picture of who I am dealing with.

This is about your race prep?

Have you tried shouting:

"On Your Left!!" or "Podium Rider" or

"Straaaaaaavaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!! at them?

I'm sure that would help them understand the gravity of the situation.

Edit: :lol:, still, once it's got to you , it's got to you and will continue to be a ballache until you get it sorted. Good luck.

realise I have lost their goodwill, they have lost mine after the first informal chat about it to be honest

I personally would go round with a bottle of wine, a smile and a "sorry I was a bit short on the e-mail, I was a bit tired" and try to talk to them again. You have nothing to loose so it's worth a shot. It may go against what you think is right (why should you apologise to them and not the other way round) but if it helps it is worth biting your tongue. And please, don't send any more e-mails, that is a sure fire way to wind them up more and get them firing up the stereo.

I suspect all those saying variations of "Live with it" would (or do) behave in a similar manner themselves.
Whereas those that have a more sympathetic view of the OP's situation may have suffered with noisy neighbours.

I'm in the second camp.

Loud music/party noise is not unavoidable in the same way that a crying baby is. I've been kept awake by both (when I've had to be up for work at 6) and I managed to have sympathy for the parents of the upset kid.

To those saying "just live with it", out of interest; where do you draw the line with antisocial behaviour?
If someone caused some purely cosmetic damage to your car by parking badly in a crowded street (and kept quiet about it) is that ok?
Bonfires in the middle of a lovely sunny day when you're out in the garden topping up your tan?

Si

I personally would go round with a bottle of wine

To those saying "just live with it", out of interest; where do you draw the line with antisocial behaviour?

I've been a noisy neighbour (still am occasionally) and I've been on the receiving end of noisy neighbours more than once..

It's about communication and being err, sociable (the clue is in the word).. You discuss behaviour with your neighbours, in a neighbourly way, work out what works best for everyone.. it's when the discussions become unfriendly that you have a problem..

Expecting everyone to simply conform to your own ideals is a bit myopic..

Expecting everyone to simply conform to your own ideals is a bit myopic..

This is twaddle, since when was it an ideal to want a decent nights sleep? I don't care what you do as long as it does not interfere with my life, make as much noise as you want, as long as it doesn't wake me up thats fine.

I'm alright Jack.. 😆

You'll be glad you're not my neighbour then.. cos I treat folk as i find them, and you sound like a right herbert 😀

"Expecting everyone to simply conform to your own ideals is a bit myopic.."

What, like the idea that other people don't matter as long as I can make as much noise as I like whenever I like? 😉

Thing is, we're not talking about not being able to park right outside your house or something along those lines - we're talking about stopping someone sleeping. It's just ****ing rude IMO.
Maybe I just value my sleep too much.

Out of interest, if this was a work night, would you say it was still acceptable? (I'm not being argumentative, I am genuinely curious).

Si

"Expecting everyone to simply conform to your own ideals is a bit myopic.."

What, like the idea that other people don't matter as long as I can make as much noise as I like whenever I like?

U wot mate? like I said.. It's about communication and compromise innit..?

Basic principle of social interaction..

No worries, give me your address and I'll pop round and randomly wake you up.
You might call me a herbert, but if you are happy to party the night away and keep your neighbours awake then you are an ignorant person with little consideration for others.

My desire for a decent nights sleep does not stop you from partying, just don't do it where I can hear you, what exactly is wrong or selfish about that?

it's difficult to compromise on a broken nights sleep though? You either have one or you don't.

you're missing the point kids.. some people 🙄

We get the point Yunki, we just dont agree with it!

we just dont agree with it!

where do you draw the line with antisocial behaviour?

Shots fired or family member being kidnapped.

Yunki, you seem to think it's ok to interrupt other people's sleep so that you can have a noisy party and that people that want an uninterrupted nights kip need to compromise.

Where does the compromise on the part of the noise maker come into it.
Surely that would be something like "Ok, we'll make a note to keep it down after 12" or something along those lines.

You seem to be of the position that "compromise" means "come round to my point of view".

I'm sure the neighbours that kept having parties and keeping me awake also thought "Ha! he's out of luck with us as neighbours, blah, blah!"
However their landlord didn't like being woken up by a ringing phone any more than I liked being on the phone to him.
The noise stopped and we now have much more reasonable neighbours.

Si

we just dont agree with it!

So you don't agree with reaching a compromise that suits everyone?
You believe that everyone should just agree with you!?

I don't believe you

err.. and Si and the dbcooper..

Surely that would be something like "Ok, we'll make a note to keep it down after 12" or something along those lines.

Yes, this is exactly what I'm advocating.. I think you may have missed your medication today 😕

I think there are socially acceptable limits to noise, and you should seek agreement to go beyond these

[i]So you don't agree with reaching a compromise that suits everyone?[/i]

But you haven't explained how you can 'compromise' a late night party in a suburban semi with neighbours who want a full nights sleep?

Are some of you having a laugh or what? Being loud enough so your neighbours can hear you* at any time is not on, especially when you know they could be trying to sleep.

I would be mortified if any party I had would be loud enough to wake my neighbours, especially if it was 1.30!

I don't see how it matters how many times a year it is either, it shouldn't happen.

*excluding doing noisy DIY or something like that in the middle of the day.

My parents have the same problem, so I sympathise strongly.

I really don't see how people make the decision to have a late night, loud, drunken party in a semi-detached or terraced house, then think they have a right to do so... go to a pub like normal people.

Really Yunki?

Ok, so you're not going to answer any of my points just insult me?
Fair do's. You've definitely convinced me you're a reasonable person and your opinion is worth something.

<By the way, that's not really true>

Si

wow

I'll repost the comment that seems to have caused you fellas so much distress, just to clarify..

err, which part of this idea is it that you find confusing?

It's about communication and being err, sociable (the clue is in the word).. You discuss behaviour with your neighbours, in a neighbourly way, work out what works best for everyone.. it's when the discussions become unfriendly that you have a problem..

Expecting everyone to simply conform to your own ideals is a bit myopic..

Where does the compromise on the part of the noise maker come into it.

I suspect all those saying variations of "Live with it" would (or do) behave in a similar manner themselves.
Whereas those that have a more sympathetic view of the OP's situation may have suffered with noisy neighbours.

I've had noisy neighbours and dealt with them by talking and engaging them. I did this as I hate loosing my sleep, I'm a horrible person with no sleep and get very angry very quickly. I also think people will help more if you talk with them and engage with them instead of just calling EH or e-mailing them. As mentioned above, your race is something important to you that you want to do, their party may mean the same to them. Our discussions ended with them agreeing to let me know a week or 2 in advance when they were having a gathering and me not knocking on their door before 1am earliest. This has, in the last 2 years meant only once did it go later than 1am and a quick text saying "any chance or turning the tunes down?" resulted in the stereo being off 10 minutes later and an apologetic text the next morning.

Oh, and don't bring crying babies into this. Our old neighbours had twins that cried pretty much every night for 6 months which was then followed by a discussion between the parents as to who would deal with them. We then had our annual gathering that was a touch loud and at 11pm they knocked on the door. I was not happy.

hora

You could also wait until the noise stops, wait an hour then knock them up. You need bigger balls to do this though.

Not that kind of party?

I read threads like this with a feeling of dread, having been forced to move house when violent drug dealers moved in next door with loud parties, Police raids, 24 hour dealing and lurchers that whined and an alsation that barked all night. Dread because if it happened again we would have to move, our nerves couldn't cope with a second episode.

Finishing a party at 1.30 (still plenty of time for everyone to get some sleep)

I would be calling the council before then - OP is more tolerant than me I think. I would discuss with neighbour first though.

I've also recently moved out of a rented flat due to noisy idiots.

Parties/house music until 7am every weekend. Sometimes twice a weekend. Occasional violent arguments. Initially talked to them and they were apologetic, but it carried on. Contacted council, they sent a letter, then my car got vandalised. Council wouldn't monitor noise due to the arguments. Rang police, they never came.

Eventually moved out.

Kept landlady informed of everything, she's now selling the flat.

Neighbour also sold up.

This was all a few months back. I'm actually training in law at the moment, and tempted to sue him for my lost rent and deposit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuisance_in_English_law#Private_nuisance

It tempting to say this is "only noise" but honestly, it ruins your life while its happening. I used to dread the weekends, because they'd almost certainly involve confrontation, stress and days without sleep.