Neighbours at war - house on market nightmare AIBU & WWUD

[Tutifruity1999]

Backstory
I've been living here 12 years and used to get on quite well with my neighbours who live 5 doors down from me. 5 years ago after I returned to work full time I got another dog to keep my dog company while myself and my partner was at work.

At the time I wasn't aware my new dog was a yapping dog, but I started getting complaints from environmental health noise team. They couldn't tell me who complained so I set up my iPod with a recording app when I went to work.
And both my dogs were barking quite a lot.
My first dog never had barked previously but the new dog was making her bark too. As I live in a semi detached I guessed it was my next door neighbour.

So I got a dog door cat flap installed so the dogs could go out when they pleased.

This seemed to improve things and I never heard anything more until a year later I had two letters from environmental health that two other people had complained.

I phoned the council to discuss things and told them what I had done to combat the problem. I had started working shifts so at that time the dogs were at home from 9-7 six days a week so we arranged for a dog walker to come in twice a day.

Things started getting worse and I was getting letters monthly from environmental health so we set up s video camera to see what was happening and my dogs were at the bottom of my garden barking at the pack of dogs who lived in the garden backing onto mine.

I had problems now as when they were in the house my next door neighbour complained and when they were let out a few of the neighbours complained so I couldn't win. So I was now taking them to a friends mon-fri and they would be left at home only on a Saturday.

Things then got worse and I was getting hand written letters saying shut your f*ing dogs up every Saturday and more letters from the council. As I was coming home one Saturday One of my neighbours came out from 5 doors down who I had previously been friendly with and really had a go at me about it saying things like I was distroying his life.

My point of why I posted
Fast forward to now, it's been a ongoing nightmare with getting shouted at in the street and letters. A relative of mine who owns a house with some land that has died and I have inherited the property and we have spent the last six months doing it up and we will be moving into it soon.

The neighbour who have been verbally abusing me in the street has just sold his house.

Mine has just gone on the market for rent. I haven't got a sign up as I don't want to draw attention to the fact that I am moving with my neighbours but I am using the same agents that he sold his house with.

I had 4 viewings back to back yesterday. I sat in the garden to get out of the way and it seems the verbal neighbours have found out the house is on the market. As soon as my second viewer came round I could hear a high pitched barking dog and loud music blaring from his house. Then his child was playing in the garden screaming. This is from a family who are quiet.

I am certain they are trying to sabotage my viewings. WIBU to go round there and have a word?

I don't know what to do, it was so loud the agent had to go back in the house to discuss feedback as I couldn't hear him.

WWUD?

[lljkk]

So he only sold his house to get away from you & now you're leaving anyway? Yeah, I could see that cheesed him off.

Um, what can you do? Eventually he'll actually move and then he can't sabotage your viewings any more (I think sold neighbour is the saboteur if I kept track?)

[Stitchintime1]

Why would they sabotage your viewings? They must be keen to get rid of your dogs. I'd just keep going and drop the price until you get away and your neighbours can breathe a sigh of relief.

[FlabulousChix]

You have caused nothing but a nuisance to your neighbours for years. Dogs can't le left for more than four hours if they are barkers. Mine gets left ten hours and never barks if he did I'd have to give up work or put in doggy daycare. That's what you should have done.

[ZuzuBailey]

I would apologise to all the neighbours and point out that if they let people view the house in peace, it might sell quickly and then you'd be gone.

We were bothered by a whining, yelping dog for months and I can sympathise with your neighbour who said it was ruining his life - it's soul destroying.

[Cabrinha]

Honestly, sounds like you're getting your comeuppance.
Neighbours won't be around for every viewing, someone will rent it from you.

[Cabrinha]

Is it wrong that I'm laughing about this neighbour's alleged noise sabotage includes a barking dog?

[lilwelshyrs]

Id feel awful in your scenario. I have two dogs (thankfully very quiet) and a good relationship with my neighbours. Id be mortified if they hadn't had a word with me to let me know that my dogs were being noisy when we were out. We've always had a dog walker come when we're at work.
So you did everything you possibly could to rectify the situation - dog flaps, moving your dogs to a friends house in the week... Your neighbours sound mental and I really feel for you.

If your neighbour is sabotaging your viewings, can you do viewings once he's moved out? Or not around? The issue between you and your neighbours could get a whole lot worse if you accuse them of sabotage (regardless of if they are sabotaging or not). So if you can wait until they move out to do viewings, I think that'll be your best bet.
Also people looking for accommodation aren't always totally put off by the neighbours. When mum bought her house, we didn't know we were moving next door to an incredibly shouty-sweary family with two rude boys... But I don't think it would have stopped mum buying the property if she knew this anyway. What I mean is, at least the potential tenants could be aware that their neighbours are noisy in the daytime!

[HagOtheNorth]

Is the sabotaging neighbour the same one who has sold his house?

[MidniteScribbler]

So you've been a nightmare neighbor for years, but the second that the neighbors make a noise you are upset?

And get out of the house for viewings. Nothing more annoying than an owner sitting there while you're trying to view a property.

[hairylittlegoblin]

Wow. They've had 5 years of noise and uncontrolled barking from your dogs and now you want to complain to them after one day. I'm very glad you're not my neighbour.

[Methe]

Serves you right.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Won't the neighbours be moving away imminently? Just wait until he's gone. Or tell prospective tenants that they are moving away on x date.

[whiteblossom]

Sounds like he is getting his own back on you.

We have a neighbour that got a new dog 6 months or so ago....Two months ago we decided to move, we have had enough so I understand your neighbours being upset with you, it does have a huge impact on the quality of our life (being woken up four times in the evening, waking the baby up, being woken up at stupid o'clock.) To be clear he also does other stuff to pissed us off but the dog was the nail in the coffin so to speak.

I don't understand how getting a second dog while your out at work all day helps the situation....? I have a dog and I trained her not to bark, only in certain situations so it can be done. Can you take the dog to your new house? Do you have neighbours there? Dog sitters?

[sneepy]

My next door neighbor has a horrible barky dog. If it's in the garden and I open my back door it starts barking at me. I hate it. HOWEVER, it goes to doggy daycare when she is at work so it is not barking at me all day. Your dogs sound awful and you haven't actually done anything to stop them. Do YOU think that's ok?

[whiteblossom]

Your recording of the dogs barking all day, take it to work and play it all day, see how you like it. Every day. Day after day.

[PrimalLass]

You've been totally irresponsible, thinking it was ok to leave (barking) dogs all day. Poor dogs and poor neighbours.

[NerrSnerr]

Oh dear. I hope you're not moving in near me!

[WhoNickedMyName]

Yes you'd be unreasonable to go round and have a word. Yes you're unreasonable to complain that your neighbour has made some noise for one day, suck it up buttercup, you've been a neighbour from hell for 5 years. I imagine they'll throw a street party the day you move out.

[letscookbreakfast]

OP karma is a bitch.

[magoria]

My neighbours dogs bark every time I go in the garden. They bark every night they come home after a night out sometimes in the early hours. They try not very effectively to shut them up.

YABU to think you have any moral high ground after a couple of hours of noise max compared to years.

If they are happy to yell at you and post notes you will get a mouthful if probably deserved abuse if you go over.

[mintpoppet]

I get woken up EVERY Saturday by a dog a street away from me. He's obviously in his yard and doesn't stop for ages. This is every weekend and it's early. Given that every day in the week I am up at around 5.30am I could do with a lie in to past 7am once a week. I can't even imagine how noisy it is for the immediate neighbour. I am a street away. If I were you op I'd be making massive apologies.

[TheWitTank]

Why the fuck did you get another dog when you work away from the house for the whole day six days a week?! Absolutely crazy! Completely unfair to the dogs and your neighbours. It sounds like they have rightly reached their limit with you. I work, but my dogs are never left for more than 4 hours -I come home at lunchtime and walk them. I would never have dogs unless I could look after them properly. Yours are bored and under stimulated. Your poor neighbours.

[SavoyCabbage]

You would of course be unreasonable to go and complain because they have been noisy one time.

It's more likely than not, a coincidence. They will probably be thrilled when you move.

[PurpleSwift]

Sorry but I hate pet owners like you and I have no sympathy for you at all. People working full time should not have a dog, never mind 2! You've been so irresponsible and honestly should have just rehomed your first dog. Do you think the dogs like barking all the time? Do you have any idea how stressful it would have been for them? Never mind your neighbours! 9-7 is a disgusting amount of time to be leaving them, even with dog walkers and I feel so so sorry for them. And letting them out unsupervised. You shouldn't be allowed pets.
Of course YABU and if I were your neighbours and you dared to come around after one days noise to complain....pfffft