Really worried- am I a bad neighbour?

32 replies

badneighbour2 · 18/05/2024 01:39

Hi,

just wanted to get an outside opinion on this because I’m not sure if I’m worried about nothing!

I live in a new build style house- it’s detached but as with any new build is very close to the houses beside it. There is probably about 3m between my en-suite bathroom window and my neighbours en suite bathroom window (bit of a guess but I think 3m is about right)

im just worried I’ve been too noisy and causing them problems. I’m severely asthmatic and cough a lot during the night. My DR etc is aware and I’m on a few asthma meds and it’s generally well controlled apart from the coughing but that’s just normal for me. I’m just worried they can hear my coughing all night long next door and it’s keeping them awake or something because of how close we are to them. I try to keep my windows closed but sometimes its boiling and I have to open them and I find when the room is less stuffy it makes my asthma better, but obviously that would make the noise worse for them. If I sleep in the other room then that’s close to the other neighbour whereas in my room the main window isn’t close to the neighbour, it’s just the en suite window that’s close.

the neighbours are lovely and have never raised any issues, but we rarely talk because we’re always working etc but they have been lovely any time we have spoke. And I don’t make any other noise at all- no parties, no bbqs, no late night hoovering etc.

is it likely I’m worrying about nothing? Just really worried it’s causing them problems. I’m just getting over flu/chest infection so the coughing has been awful for the last 2 weeks which is maybe making me more conscious and worried about it

is it likely I’m being an annoying neighbour? Would it be a good idea to go round with some chocolates or wine to say sorry?

thanks, just really worried I’m causing them problems x

OP posts:

AuntieMarys · 18/05/2024 05:53

I wish you lived next door to me!!!

Beautiful3 · 18/05/2024 05:04

I highly doubt it because yours not sharing walls, you're detached. Don't worry about it.

NotReallyOnFire · 18/05/2024 05:02

Hi @badneighbour2,

I'm so sorry to hear that you have such a terrible cough. That sounds really hard.

I think a lot will be down to the accoustics between your buildings, and that can be quite hard to judge without being there.

My neighbour's house is about 20 feet away, but the way that his extention is designed creates a perfect echo chamber which amplifies any sound that comes from his house. We can hear him talking on the phone with perfect clarity from right out in the street, even if he is talking quietly. Before the extension was put on, we couldn't hear anything at all. So I think it is really down to the specific configuration of your walls.

I think that you would need to get some one to stand outside while you cough, and you might find that nobody can hear you at all. That is the most likely thing.

OtterInDisgrace · 18/05/2024 03:49

To be perfectly honest? It might well be pissing them off. But as someone who lives alongside very antisocial neighbours who clearly don’t give a shit, I’d say that your ‘noise’ is vastly different to the shrieking, screaming and slamming kinds of noises that make many people’s lives miserable.

in short, you sound considerate, op. So don’t worry, although it’s sweet that you do.

MumChp · 18/05/2024 03:41

Our neighbour said sorry last night for coughing. She shouldn't! She can't help it.

Applecake99 · 18/05/2024 02:19

How sweet of you to be so worried about your neighbour. I also try to be respectful with mine, but there are some things that we just cannot control. Of course you will not party until 04:00AM, but you coughing is something that you cannot solve, it's your health, that's it.

I don't think they can even hear you coughing, but if they do, most likely it's not bothering them so much, so don't worry about it.

Ive lived in several apartments, and I have never heard anyone coughing, so just forget about it, and if you need to open the window just open it, remember it's your health and that always comes first ❤️

nocoolnamesleft · 18/05/2024 02:18

As you're detached, I doubt they hear much. Do you hear much from inside their house?

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