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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:
GayPareeee · 08/07/2023 07:29

I am having my loft done and there builders don't start until 8 as per the rules and are knackered by 2, is yours solid?

Can you record with the time a couple of times and go back to the Council, I understood they're meant to take it very seriously . .

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.

3isthemagicnumberrr · 08/07/2023 07:22

I have a baby. Our neighbours are doing a huge project (8 months and counting). Yes the noise has been annoying especially during the summer when we want to go in the garden/ baby is napping but he’s learnt to sleep through it. I’m 100% sure he’s woken them up a lot with crying so like pp says, it’s give and take. Technically they shouldn’t make noise after 6pm but maybe would have been better to talk to them rather than going to the council….

Now I would suggest either just waiting and accepting the noise, or go round and apologise for getting off on the wrong foot and go from there. They are much more likely to be reasonable (eg no drilling after 6pm) if you are nice rather than on the attack.

Oliotya · 08/07/2023 07:20

Can you get an idea of what exactly they're doing and how long it's likely to take?
Are they doing the work themselves?
I imagine if you make them stop work earlier it will just drag on longer unfortunately.

Summer2424 · 08/07/2023 07:19

Hi @SareBear87 omg YANBU! I would report them again to the council.
Hope it gets sorted x

Milk2SugarsAndAShotOfYourFinestValium · 08/07/2023 07:09

In our last house (terrace) my neighbour had a baby in the room adjoining our bedroom and I don’t think we had one solid night of sleep. So I am inclined to believe them on that. (Obviously we never complained because wtf can anyone do about a baby crying?!)

I think maybe try to diplomatically negotiate a definite finish time and fit baby’s routine around that? Not sure you have many other options tbh. I know it’s frustrating but the renovation will get finished so it’s not forever.

olympicsrock · 08/07/2023 06:57

So they shouldn’t be going on past 6pm Monday to Friday.
However I suspect your child does wake then disturb them too. Give and take…
Could you be more flexible while this is going on? Perhaps a later bedtime… 8 o’clock?? To be honest lots of things make a baby grumpy at bedtime. Mine were miserable at that time whatever I did. I wonder if you are putting your baby’s discomfort down to the noise when maybe they would be grizzly anyway.

DustyLee123 · 08/07/2023 06:54

I don’t think you can ask them to stop that early, and I think complaining to the council will have fuelled the fire.
Just hope that it’s done soon.
Would it be quieter to settle her downstairs for now ?