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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not expect neighbour to use washing machine overnight

583 replies

BornInTheWrongCentury · 17/01/2021 09:39

Just that really. Over the last couple of months our neighbours started using their washing machine/tumble dryer overnight, it was going on on at about midnight and stays on till around 3am.

My husband asked a them politely a few weeks ago when he saw them outside if they’d mind changing the time they have it on as it really disturbs us. We’re in a mid terraced house and they are the end of the terrace. Their kitchen is below our bedroom. The previous occupants took out a wall in their kitchen that separated the kitchen from their hallway so it’s open planned now so all sound from their house is amplified now anyway and noise seems to travel up the wall into our bedroom.

After my husband mentioned it to them they stopped for a couple of weeks but now the noise has started again as they are putting a wash on at about 10pm and it finishes at 1am.

It’s really upsetting me that I can’t go to bed and read/fall asleep in peace until at least 1am now.

If it’s relevant we own our house and their house is social housing. They are the end of the terrace so if I complain to the council or their housing association they will know it’s me. They are the kind of couple who seem ok as long as you’re on the right side of them but they are rather loud and look very intimidating and to be honest I don’t want to make things worse or get into an argument with them.

They are pretty good neighbours apart from this issue as in the only other noise we hear is their children (they have very screechy, door slamming children but I can cope with that during the day!) They don’t have parties or play thumping music - it’s just the issue with not being able to go to sleep when I want to. I don’t know if I’m just being over sensitive where I so tired.

What would you do?

YABU - just be grateful it’s nothing worse than a washing machine and try to ignore it/go to bed later when you know you’ll fall straight to sleep

YANBU - be brave and speak to them again asking them to not use after 11pm and complain to the council if they refuse?

OP posts:
Apple31419 · 17/01/2021 10:41

You are not being unreasonable! I was the noisy neighbor, I had no idea it was a problem (I'm abit hard of hearing) and was notified when the neighbours told me I'd been disturbing them for months.
I didn't find it hard to just change my routine a bit (mornings, hanging up when I got back from work rather than overnight)
I can't stand it when people say you can't expect others to change what they do - why not? If it's something that's not hard to do, then I don't mind doing it. I find it bizarre not to.

pennylane83 · 17/01/2021 10:41

They have done what you asked and no longer run the washing machine between midnight and 3am, they now put it on at 10pm instead. They probably get cheaper electricity at night so to complain again and expect them to spend more money running their washing machine at your convenience is unreasonable.

Notcontent · 17/01/2021 10:39

[quote SurferRona]Looks like @GoldieHelen isn’t wrong @FunnyInjury. www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/documents/how_to_be_a_good_neighbour_fact_sheet/Being%20a%20Good%20Neighbour%20-%20Advice%20Factsheet%20%282%29.pdf[/quote]
That’s incredibly sensible guidance!!!

I wish my council would publish something similar so I could print a copy and give to my neighbour who likes to share her music with the whole street!!!

Cabinfever10 · 17/01/2021 10:39

Yabu
Have a Biscuit for the social housing dig

hellasciously · 17/01/2021 10:38

It's common courtesy if you have attached neighbours to not use washing machines or dryers at night. I wouldn't dream of using them or vacuuming up late as they also have young kids. I'd mention it to them again.

diddl · 17/01/2021 10:36

@daisypond

How is their kitchen below your bedroom when you both live in separate terraced houses? I can’t picture it at all.
I'm struggling a bit with that tbh!

I think that all you can do is have the noise "measured" Op-it'll either be too loud or not!

QueenOfLabradors · 17/01/2021 10:36

Economy 7 means my electricity between 6.30 am and 11.30 pm costs about three times more than it does overnight. So running the machines at night is a complete no brainer. Obviously checking the fire alarm batteries regularly too! Sorry OP. But worth suggesting to neighbours a soft, noise and vibration absorbent mat under their machines.

AlwaysLatte · 17/01/2021 10:36

I'm amazed that the sound of a washing machine travels so that you can hear it but if it's due to cheaper rate (we put ours on at night too) then they could do a shorter cycle at 10.30 maybe? It's worth asking them. Or perhaps they need to ensure their washing machine is firmly fixed and not vibrating the units around it?

GoldieHelen · 17/01/2021 10:35

FunnyInjury

GoldieHelen really? All councils? Or have you just made that up wink

Nope. Check it up on your council website. They all differ but the general consensus is that it is not acceptable to use washing machines or other loud appliances between certain hours.

Notcontent · 17/01/2021 10:34

You are not being unreasonable!

Living close to other people, like in a terrace house, involves consideration by everyone. Otherwise no one would ever get any rest of peace.

I have lived in several terrace houses (in London so no choice) and neighbours’ washing machines can always be heard and ear plugs are no solution because there is plastic vibration from the spin cycle.

PeggyHill · 17/01/2021 10:33

Maybe that's the only time they can do their washing?

It sounds very annoying but if you've already told them about it then I'm not sure what else you can do.

Cactuslove · 17/01/2021 10:31

I think YABU. No idea why them being in social housing is relevant... you can hardly approach the Local Authority and complain that your neighbours are doing their washing. I can see why it would be annoying though but don't think you can really do much else other than the ear plug suggestions by PP.

daisypond · 17/01/2021 10:30

How is their kitchen below your bedroom when you both live in separate terraced houses? I can’t picture it at all.

vodkaredbullgirl · 17/01/2021 10:30

It's irrelevant that you own you property and they don't.

unbotheredbutbewildered · 17/01/2021 10:30

If it’s relevant we own our house and their house is social housing.

Would it be okay if they weren’t social housing then? Hmm

Unfortunately, that’s the peril of living in a semi or terraced. You should just suck it up and buy earplugs - they aren’t expensive

HighHambross · 17/01/2021 10:30

Yabu

ParlezVousWronglais · 17/01/2021 10:30

Legally it depends on the level between 11pm and 7am and the sound would have to be measured in your house - which the council could do if you complained.

The permitted noise level using A-weighted decibels (the unit environmental noise is usually measured in) is:

34 dBA (decibels adjusted) if the underlying level of noise is no more than 24 dBA
10 dBA above the underlying level of noise if this is more than 24 dBA

www.gov.uk/guidance/noise-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints

FunnyInjury · 17/01/2021 10:26

GoldieHelen really? All councils? Or have you just made that up Wink

MojoMoon · 17/01/2021 10:26

The council isn't going to do anything about washing machine noise so I don't think it is worth pursuing that route

Look at options for sound insulation in your home.

It is cheaper to run a washing machine overnight if you are on economy 7

YourWurstNightmare · 17/01/2021 10:25

Put yours on at 5 AM. Sometimes tit for tat is the only way to deal with assholes.

Lexilooo · 17/01/2021 10:24

Running washing machines at night is common, many people are on electricity tariffs that give cheaper rates between midnight and 7am or midnight and 5am. If you are on these tariffs your peak rate is higher so you really need to do things like run your washing machine at night as much as possible. They probably can't change either as they are in rented (it often involves a meter change and sometimes a wiring change).

You need to come up with some strategies, like ear plugs, background noise in your room or just accepting it.

I run my machine at night, we're detached so it doesn't disturb any neighbours but we both sleep fine with it on. It isn't a particularly intrusive or unpleasant noise.

Rooroobear · 17/01/2021 10:24

Go to the council??? Because they put the washing machine on at night? Really? That’s ridiculous. Yabu for sure.

Throwaway99 · 17/01/2021 10:24

How come the council allowed the previous tenants to take a wall out?

BettyAndVeronica · 17/01/2021 10:24

HA / council wouldn't even look in to a complaint about a noisy washing machine. So you would be U to go to them about this. That would cause you trouble with neighbour.

Best thing to do if it really bugs you is try and ask again, say it's noisy on your side and please could they not run it late at night. That's reasonable.

If that doesn't work, ear plugs. Life in terraces if far from tranquil. I've just moved out of one.