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AIBU?

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Original poster

Quiet neighbours now making noise.

589 replies

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 07:48

My neighbours talked to us about the noise coming from our property. OK, my son has a hobby that does make an annoying noise. Since then we have made sure he's doing it less but we obviously aren't going to stop him completely. They haven't said anything since and I think we've been considerate in reducing the number of hours our son does his thing.

It seems like they've now decided that they are allowed to make more noise. We've been neighbours for years and they've always been quiet. Now we get occasional music or radio in their backyard. When I asked them about it they said they have always worn headphones to be considerate but they don't really like listening that way, so they thought it was fair they got to have their hobbies the way they enjoy them best as well.

Would I be unreasonable to complain to them again? There is a difference between children playing and music when they have the option of headphones.

OP posts:
AllThePotatoesAreSinging · 10/08/2024 09:41

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 08:04

It could be argued it's inconsiderate and selfish to not allow a child their hobby. Maybe I'll limit it to three sessions a day but I think any less is not fair to my son.

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Well. You take this week’s biscuit for entitled CF. The world doesn’t revolve around you. Your son is 13, it’s not like he’s a 4 year old on a tricycle. He can go to the part and play there.

Your wfh got interrupted by their radio? Boohoo. Go to the office. No sympathy. You are the problem neighbour here.

Yes their change in behaviour is completely directed at you. Of course it is. You are inconsiderate. You’ve continued to be inconsiderate even after they’ve brought it to your attention. They’ve moderated their behaviour up until now to be considerate towards you - they aren’t doing any more though because you haven’t shown them that same consideration. Good for them. I hope their music grates on you.

user98265567843 · 10/08/2024 09:41

We live rurally. Our garden is about an acre, our next door neighbours a bit bigger so we are fair distance apart…I can still remember the summer, 1998, that their teenager took up basketball…boing boing boing thump. Repeat. I was thrilled when he went back to school in September!
Is there not a park he can go to, even our tiny village has a basket ball hoop.

Sunnysundayicecream · 10/08/2024 09:41

Is there not a local club he can go to? We live in a small town, but you can hire the local leisure centre sports hall out for basket ball. Could this be an option with a few friends?

Lovemybunnies · 10/08/2024 09:41

I hate the sound of a ball bouncing over and over.

godmum56 · 10/08/2024 09:40

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 09:32

I am thinking about how to address it with the neighbours. I have a feeling they've not said anything for months, so we thought all was well, so I'm hoping the tension over this hasn't sunk too deep over time. We've always had an easy relationship. No-one wants to live with neighbour tensions. Promising not before school seems like the easiest place to start.

when you "approach it" I hope they laugh.

mrsdineen2 · 10/08/2024 09:40

Bellatrixpure · 10/08/2024 09:38

I wake up at that time and seriously would lose my shit if every day I was subjected to that racket

just so you know, the world does NOT revolve around your son. Are you deluded that you think everyone should just pander to his needs?

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Not just his needs - I doubt he was too bothered by the occasional music that upsets OP.

stopthepigeonstopthepigeon · 10/08/2024 09:40

So you are allowed to make noise but they aren’t?

Blinky21 · 10/08/2024 09:40

Ocassionsal music from the backyard unless it's blaring out bass is completely normal, your son should take his hobby to the park or sports hall

BionicBadger · 10/08/2024 09:40

Poor neighbours. Well done taking the comments on board OP - your neighbours deserve an apology really.

Bunnyannesummers · 10/08/2024 09:40

A radio is normal household noise. Unless it’s turned all the way up or on before 8 or after 10, you cannot complain about it.

basketball is not a normal household noise and should be severely limited.

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 10/08/2024 09:40

Oh god there can’t be anything worse than the thud of the football/basketball.

mrsdineen2 · 10/08/2024 09:39

This is one of my favourite ever opening posts. If it's truthful, it belongs in psychology textbooks.

Bellatrixpure · 10/08/2024 09:38

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 09:33

In fairness, they are awake at 6.30. That's when their lights are on.

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I wake up at that time and seriously would lose my shit if every day I was subjected to that racket

just so you know, the world does NOT revolve around your son. Are you deluded that you think everyone should just pander to his needs?

godmum56 · 10/08/2024 09:38

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 07:55

The basketball is only about half an hour at a time, a few times a day. Their music yesterday was for two hours. We've got our son down to no more than three or four times a day now, so it's not excessive. It used to be twice that. So we've done something about it.

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4 times a day for 30 minutes = 2 hours. But also team neighbour here. Basketball is not approiprate in gardens.

MillyMollyMandHey · 10/08/2024 09:38

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 09:33

In fairness, they are awake at 6.30. That's when their lights are on.

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Because they have to get up at this time to enjoy a cup of coffee in peace and quiet thanks to your son.

AllThePotatoesAreSinging · 10/08/2024 09:38

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 07:55

The basketball is only about half an hour at a time, a few times a day. Their music yesterday was for two hours. We've got our son down to no more than three or four times a day now, so it's not excessive. It used to be twice that. So we've done something about it.

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Oh give over. Repeatedly bouncing a ball is completely obnoxious. YATA

Bellyblueboy · 10/08/2024 09:37

The sounds of a basketball bouncing is dreadful. Very irritating.

radio in a garden is a bit annoying - depending on how loud.

I pity any other neighbours caught up in this war! The incessant bouncing stops, then the radio started. So some poor sod has four hours of irritating noise.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 10/08/2024 09:37

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 09:33

In fairness, they are awake at 6.30. That's when their lights are on.

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I'm up at 530. I still don't want to hear incessant thudding at that time in the morning.

DisforDarkChocolate · 10/08/2024 09:36

It's time for you to invest in paving an area away from the house and finding some local hoops.

Notthatcatagain · 10/08/2024 09:35

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 08:22

Our concreted area is on that side. That's why it has to go there.

I see I'm going to have to think about this some more. How long do people think is an acceptable length of time total over the day?

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About the same length of time as you are prepared to tolerate their music would be fair

DarkForces · 10/08/2024 09:35

I'm so grateful our neighbours were into football after reading this. I'd rather have a hundred balls over than fecking basketball on concrete. If they've altered their behaviour this isn't going to be easily resolved if you're expecting them to return to silence. I certainly wouldn't

surreygirl1987 · 10/08/2024 09:35

Wowwww if this isn't a reverse, you are SO unreasonable! You don't realise how lucky you are to have such lovely considerate neighbours and you have taken advantage. They're not putting up with it any longer - quite rightly!

tuttuttutt · 10/08/2024 09:34

What the actual fuck. Your son is playing basketball for at least 2 hours a day and you're whinging at your neighbours enjoying their own music.

Fannyfiggs · 10/08/2024 09:34

CwmYoy · 10/08/2024 09:29

#team neighbours.

The incessant bounce, bounce, bounce of a ball is one of the most annoying noises in the world. Can you not see that?

I hope they play their music loud and long every time it happens.

I'm usually pretty easy going but that noise makes me want to take a big kitchen knife and rip through that ball until there's only dust left.

BetteLaSwet · 10/08/2024 09:33

I can only hope OP is having a laugh with us.

That would be mental torture for me. I’d end up insane 😂