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AIBU?

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Original poster

Inconsiderate neighbours renovating

58 replies

SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 06:50

Next door neighbour is doing renovation of their existing loft conversion. The work is primarily going on from 5pm to around 9/10pm. It's typical construction type noise, drilling, banging, sawing, etc.
We have a baby who goes to bed around 7pm. She is constantly woken by bangs and random thuds (so cries). We soothe her, only to have her woken again.
We've spoken to the neighbours so many times. Their attitude is very much that they want the work done, so that's that.
My mum reported them to the council for noise nuisance. Someone came out but neighbours told a pack of lies (by their own admission) so no help there.
The part that's got my biscuit this time is that after been woken for the millionth time I went to talk to them again. Apparently because the baby wakes them up, and they don't complain, I shouldn't either, as it's not neighbourly.....

AIBU to ask them to stop at 7pm?

I feel like I'm loosing the plot, work has been going on for months now! I can't move the baby to another room as both bedrooms are effected. Her white noise machine just adds to the chaos and makes things worse Confused

OP posts:
oldoldieoldieold · 08/07/2023 10:54

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 08/07/2023 09:27

Sorry but you are being unreasonable. They DO need to get the work done, and 7PM is ridiculously early to stop. They’re not breaking any rules or laws by doing their work at this time. The world doesn’t stop to fit your baby’s bedtime routine! I’d suggest giving the baby a later bedtime! She’s a baby, it’s not like she needs to be up for school in the morning?

Rules stipulate that noisy construction work must stop at 6pm for a reason so how the hell is the OP unreasonable?!

rwalker · 08/07/2023 10:51

You can go down the Route of perusing a complaint which is fine but it cuts both ways
noise is noise wether it’s building or a baby

Silvergreenblue · 08/07/2023 10:47

SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 09:42

@Maray1967 no it's been going on for years. They basically use my drive as an extra space for their cars (they don't have a drive). I've always just put up with it unless I've needed to go out.

Well I'd put a stop to that immediately. Stop them from being able to get on your drive. They're CFs

EhrlicheFrau · 08/07/2023 10:39

I'm sorry this is so stressful for you. That said, while it might be annoying, I'm not sure the neighbours are doing anything that would be considered a nuisance.

wombat1a · 08/07/2023 10:37

Check on the time-limits for doing such work, even 9pm is too late almost everywhere for non-DIY work.

RudsyFarmer · 08/07/2023 10:02

I think focus on the fact the work will finish at some point.

Businessflake · 08/07/2023 10:01

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 08/07/2023 09:27

Sorry but you are being unreasonable. They DO need to get the work done, and 7PM is ridiculously early to stop. They’re not breaking any rules or laws by doing their work at this time. The world doesn’t stop to fit your baby’s bedtime routine! I’d suggest giving the baby a later bedtime! She’s a baby, it’s not like she needs to be up for school in the morning?

This is not true. General construction work is restricted to 8am-6pm.

Bingbangbongbash · 08/07/2023 09:51

SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 09:48

No new building going up, just sounds like they ripped everything out of the old one and are replacing (interior wise).

Lots of mixed views here, I guess that's where the problem lies!

It could still require a party wall agreement - you should speak to a surveyor or the council. Also check in with the building regs team. New bathrooms and lots of ‘minor’ renovations need building regs. And check your council website for acceptable working hours for trades - usually anything after 6 or 7 is prohibited. Good luck.

Original poster
SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 09:48

No new building going up, just sounds like they ripped everything out of the old one and are replacing (interior wise).

Lots of mixed views here, I guess that's where the problem lies!

OP posts:
Original poster
SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 09:42

@Maray1967 no it's been going on for years. They basically use my drive as an extra space for their cars (they don't have a drive). I've always just put up with it unless I've needed to go out.

OP posts:
Bingbangbongbash · 08/07/2023 09:41

Bingbangbongbash · 08/07/2023 09:38

Have you signed a party wall agreement? If your properties are joined, they need one. Without one, you can have the entire project shut down - although it may require legal action, which of course does cost money. If you have got one, speak to the surveyor you used (if there was one) for advice.

keep complaining to the council - there are rules about construction noise hours.

Sorry, should clarify that if they are doing work on the boundary - if they are just renovating the loft it may not be necessary, but if they are building a new room, it will be.

Bingbangbongbash · 08/07/2023 09:38

Have you signed a party wall agreement? If your properties are joined, they need one. Without one, you can have the entire project shut down - although it may require legal action, which of course does cost money. If you have got one, speak to the surveyor you used (if there was one) for advice.

keep complaining to the council - there are rules about construction noise hours.

mondaytosunday · 08/07/2023 09:35

I'm amazed at these replies - normally everyone is 'no work after 6' and 'report report'!
Your child crying is irrelevant.
Rule is no work after 6pm.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 08/07/2023 09:30

PissPotPourri · 08/07/2023 07:26

I think YABU. Annoying for you, yes, but I’d it stops at 10pm then not unreasonable of them. Assuming they work during the day, they have to do it at some point!
Baby will learn to sleep through it.

Mine would never have slept through it. Everything woke her up.

She was later diagnosed with ASd.

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 08/07/2023 09:27

Sorry but you are being unreasonable. They DO need to get the work done, and 7PM is ridiculously early to stop. They’re not breaking any rules or laws by doing their work at this time. The world doesn’t stop to fit your baby’s bedtime routine! I’d suggest giving the baby a later bedtime! She’s a baby, it’s not like she needs to be up for school in the morning?

AppropriateAdult · 08/07/2023 09:24

Noisy construction work at 9pm is completely out of order, I think they're being incredibly cheeky. Especially if they're avoiding doing it during the day so they can have quiet to work. I'd be inclined to pursue the complaint and record the noise at night.

Maray1967 · 08/07/2023 08:12

Parking across your drive is annoying - but was it a one-off or occasional incident with the builders? If so, I’d overlook that. But letting themselves into your garden - I would have gone ballistic.

Record the noise and log the times and report again, emphasising that it’s happening outside permitted hours.

GoodChat · 08/07/2023 08:06

As your DM has already reported them, you may as well give the council evidence of the work going on late at night

Allthingsbrightandbeautifulx · 08/07/2023 08:00

If you’re in the UK then 8am-6pm for construction work Mon-Fri.
They however cannot report a baby for crying, even if they are woken every night. Babies cry, there’s no law against them crying. Can’t believe people are even comparing the two.

Inconsiderate neighbours renovating
Milk2SugarsAndAShotOfYourFinestValium · 08/07/2023 07:48

Well, you have two options:

1- Extreme charm offensive to diplomatically get what you want.
2- Mega reporting offensive to force them to do what you want.

Both have pros and cons, and you know your neighbours best. Do you own your home? Number 2 likely to lead to ongoing stress tbh.

Sunnyfunnytimes · 08/07/2023 07:47

I can’t believe your mother reported folks who weren’t even her neighbours, why was that not your decision and you reporting if you chose that way?

Original poster
SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 07:45

We had also spoke to them several times about it before mum reported them (asked if we can know what days work is being done, etc.) as work just suddenly started. We were told to mind our own business and things will be done when they're done.

I just feel like because I've let previous issues slide (parking across our drive, burning waste, letting themselves into our garden to "trim" the trees) they feel it's now ok to do what they want

OP posts:
igor · 08/07/2023 07:44

I have to admit that as they are prioritising quiet during the day to facilitate WFH I would be as noisy as possible during the day

Original poster
SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 07:33

We've tried later bedtimes (last night was 10pm but she cried from 8pm), extra naps during the day, settling her downstairs then taking her upstairs, keeping her downstairs (bad idea, we then inadvertently kept waking her), nothing works.
On weekends they don't have workmen in and she sleeps well, then isn't grisly, which in turn means she sleeps better.

I didn't want to report them but mum felt the noise was excessive and workmen shouldn't be coming in that late. The houses are small terraces so noise and vibrations carry annoyingly well.

Apparently the work will take as long as it takes but it's already been 4 months. It seems the workmen can't come during the day as neighbours WFH and the workmen have other jobs.
I don't know what they're doing as they won't say, but a toilet arrived the other day so I assume they're installing an en suit bathroom.

I just feel so frazzled :(

OP posts:
Peony654 · 08/07/2023 07:32

Most councils specify the hours within which renovation noise can take place, so you’re within your right to complain if it’s beyond those hours. They do not have the right to complain about your baby. But I’m not sure there’s much else you can do - can baby’s bedtime shift later for now?