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Original poster

Neighbour building noise

29 replies

springoversummer · 31/08/2024 17:50

Have lived in my house for 10 years. Have had a problem neighbour in the past who played (REALLY) loud music all day and night. When they moved a lovely couple moved in and I was able to relax for the first time in years.
However, he is a builder and for the last 2 years has been renovating the house. This is renovation, not a bit of DIY. The front room was done which had a leak in pipes and the front pavement was dug up before all the work was done in the room. He has changed the direction of the stairs and bashed new doors at the opposite end of the rooms above. Has fully repositioned the bathroom, including all pipework to a different area. All the noise and disruption I have tolerated as I understand the house needed done up.
Now he is extending the kitchen. This will include building above the windows on my side, blocking out the light. He has said he doesn't need planning permission as building regs apply and I have no right to light. So, all the digging of foundations has begun and is disruptive. I work from home and understand this work is needed so try to work round it. My problem is that he is banging about well into the evening and both days over the weekend.
I have had a conversation with him asking to keep the noise over the weekend down. I have sent 3 texts in the evening asking how long the noise will be as it is an issue at night. This was 3 polite texts over 2 months. He has spat back that this is harassment and he can work on his own house every day until 9pm should he wish to.

I stress, despite these being terraced houses (noise carries), we try not to disturb neighbour with noise. I had years of Hell before they moved in and am probably slightly hypervigilant, however we live a quiet life and just want to sit down in the evening and watch a bit of Eastenders. We are not throwing wild parties. In addition, I have had to put mesh nets up to be able to open doors and let air in, this is because his 2 cats keep coming in. Their dog also barks regularly.

I used to get on with them and even went out for coffee with his wife. I really don't want tension especially as we have to live next to each other.

AIBU to ask for work to stop at 6pm and 1 day no noise at the weekend?

OP posts:
Scammersarescum · 31/08/2024 17:57

Definitely check with planning. You may not have an automatic right to light, but planning do look at where an excessive amount of light will be blocked.

Also I'm not sure what he means that he doesn't need planning because it's within building regs. That makes no sense. All construction has to be within building regs, that doesn't govern whether he needs a planning application.

Check with you council about noise. Record it and diarise it.

OhmygodDont · 31/08/2024 17:54

Problem you have is, if say he stops to give you peace right now. The longer the work will take as his doing it himself.

you could quite likely report him to the council for say Sundays but each day he doesn’t work is another day he will if you get me.

Doseofreality · 31/08/2024 17:54

I would contact the planning department and check what he has told you is correct about your right to light.

SquishyGloopyBum · 31/08/2024 17:53

I think there are rules about when building work can be done.

Have you had a party wall agreement? I'd also check the planning rules yourself, he doesn't sound trustworthy.