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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:
SummerSnowstorm · 10/08/2024 10:32

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 10:31

OK I'm going to suggest we limit it to half an hour a day and one hour a day on the weekends. That's a huge reduction for our son and I think it's got to be within reasonable.

If you walk him to the park for half an hour a day, and an hour on the weekend, then yes that's reasonable. More than about 5 minutes occasionally isn't reasonable. A basketball isn't like football where its an occasional bang, it's loud and relentless. Often worse than building work noise.

Startingagainandagain · 10/08/2024 10:32

'@OpalBird
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. '

The lack of self-awareness is impressive.

Your kid is making noise several times a day with a basketball (a really intrusive sound) and your neighbours have had enough which is completely understandable.

They are giving you a taste of your own medicine.

Reduce the noise to 30 minutes a day and your neighbour might be more accommodating...

You son can play in a local park or join a sports club if he he wants to play for longer.

TheTigerWhoCameToEatMyArsehole · 10/08/2024 10:31

Fuck being your neighbour.

GreenIvyy · 10/08/2024 10:31

If hes 13 he should be able to meet friends and go to the local park with the basketball. So your saying they still have to put up with 2 hours of basketball a day, down from 4! Omg op basketball noise is so bloody annoying! I feel for your neighbours if anything

Original poster
OpalBird · 10/08/2024 10:31

OK I'm going to suggest we limit it to half an hour a day and one hour a day on the weekends. That's a huge reduction for our son and I think it's got to be within reasonable.

OP posts:
Fannyfiggs · 10/08/2024 10:30

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 10:21

He's out there with his leaf blower at the moment. It's a normal time to do things.

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Nah, you're taking the piss now 😂

TonTonMacoute · 10/08/2024 10:30

You have clearly massively underestimated the irritation factor of a kid makes playing basketball I'm afraid.

SummerSnowstorm · 10/08/2024 10:28

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.

Show quote history

Half an hour 4 times is 2 hours... double would have been 4 hours before. And dotted all through the day would be relentless.
Take him to the park, or find him something else to do so he has more of a range of experience.

CautionaryTaleGirl · 10/08/2024 10:27

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 10:26

I do think that is a coincidence. He's not the type to go out and do it just to make noise. Living a tit for tat existence would be miserable, so why would he bother? I think other posters are more likely right that they have decided just to live without worrying about noise on their side anymore. I don't think they're going out of the way to make noise.

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Yes. That's what I meant. They are no longer trying to be good neighbours.

And that's your fault.

Self unaware again...

CormorantStrikesBack · 10/08/2024 10:27

If you want the music to stop then you have to stop the basketball. Simple.

otherwise this will just escalate and I’d assume they can play music for more hours than your son will want to play basketball

Original poster
OpalBird · 10/08/2024 10:26

CautionaryTaleGirl · 10/08/2024 10:23

And why do you think he's out there with a leaf blower?

You are so unbelievably self unaware OP.

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I do think that is a coincidence. He's not the type to go out and do it just to make noise. Living a tit for tat existence would be miserable, so why would he bother? I think other posters are more likely right that they have decided just to live without worrying about noise on their side anymore. I don't think they're going out of the way to make noise.

OP posts:
theduchessofspork · 10/08/2024 10:25

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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Well that’s 2 hours basketball for 2 hours music - how isn’t that reasonable.

The thunk of a basketball is very annoying OP, when it’s 2 hours a day

CarlieF · 10/08/2024 10:24

Nothing wrong with neighbours playing their music if it's not at an unreasonable hour. Suck it up.

Skyliver · 10/08/2024 10:24

I really dislike other people’s noise - for that reason we went detached and away from people as far as possible. Next door is flats of old people so no noise there. Back of us (but way far away from our house/garden) are some friends but their garden backs away from us, and to other side is 1 neighbour but there’s a garage and a big bit of garden in the way before you get to their garden. They have kids so can be a bit noisy but we have kids too so it doesn’t really bother me, but we get zero noise from their house

CautionaryTaleGirl · 10/08/2024 10:23

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 10:21

He's out there with his leaf blower at the moment. It's a normal time to do things.

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And why do you think he's out there with a leaf blower?

You are so unbelievably self unaware OP.

Workhardcryharder · 10/08/2024 10:22

BigBoysDontCry · 10/08/2024 07:56

Personally I don't think basketball nets in a residential street should be allowed and only total picks would allow their DC to be outside bouncing a ball like that. That's not 'normal kid playing noise'. I'm team neighbour.

If your kid enjoys basketball then take him to a park or a sports centre.

This can’t be serious

DarkForces · 10/08/2024 10:22

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 10:18

I honestly prefer none like it used to be, but an hour is ok. I suppose they like no ball like it used to be, so give and take.

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But you've been doing all the taking and you need to really reflect on this properly. I don't think you're going to get anywhere with them until you understand the depth of what they're feeling.

dontstopmenowimhavingagoodtime · 10/08/2024 10:21

WildfirePonie · 10/08/2024 10:16

You could purchase a portable stand with net and move it away from their side or carry it to the park. Is that possible?

Oh stop it coming up with great easy solutions..... OP doesn't want that!

Original poster
OpalBird · 10/08/2024 10:21

Otherstories2002 · 10/08/2024 10:19

It’s 10:18… and he’s already been out?!

This has to be a troll post.

He's out there with his leaf blower at the moment. It's a normal time to do things.

OP posts:
NC1258 · 10/08/2024 10:21

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.

Show quote history

Very selfish on your part. Basketball = torture in a residential setting and I say that as huge basketball fan. Take your kid to the park.

Otherstories2002 · 10/08/2024 10:20

OpalBird · 10/08/2024 10:18

I honestly prefer none like it used to be, but an hour is ok. I suppose they like no ball like it used to be, so give and take.

Show quote history

Unfortunately for you music playing is considered normal household music as long as it’s not loud. Based on your level of entitlement and attitude here if I was them I would laugh in my head and carry on listening to my music.

MySereneDeer · 10/08/2024 10:20

Wow, OP. I must admit I come to MN in part to educate myself about the sorts of people I might not meet in real life. Seldom have I been so glad not to know a person as I am you. You just seem like a terrible, terrible person. Utterly devoid of empathy, completely selfish.

I’m curious if you’ve ever taken a test to see if you are a psychopath or narcissist? It’s really not normal to expect so much more consideration from others than you give them.

PurpleWhirple · 10/08/2024 10:20

BoxOfCats · 10/08/2024 07:59

Half an hour at a time, a few times a day?! That absolutely is excessive and I would be pissed off in their shoes. Basketball noise is repetitive and annoying.

This. And I am a parent to two basketball fans. I send them to the park.

oakleaffy · 10/08/2024 10:19

My lovely elderly neighbour {90's} used to have the radio on fairly loudly in her bedroom all night long the last couple of years of her life.

She asked if it disturbed me.

I said ''no''.. Had she been an unpleasant neighbour, the sound would have been much more annoying.

The fact she'd asked showed how considerate she was.

Thankfully it was radio 4 , a speech station, not music.

Good neighbours are a huge asset.

Otherstories2002 · 10/08/2024 10:19

It’s 10:18… and he’s already been out?!

This has to be a troll post.

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