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AIBU?

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Should I ask my neighbours if we can have designated times to sit in the garden?

633 replies

Guarddogdaschunds · 26/06/2026 07:19

I will preface by saying that it is possible this heatwave has affected my rational thinking. So I will bite- I am so sick of listening to my neighbours having their dinner in the garden and having to listen to their booming voices for hours on end. It has reached the stage where we feel relegated indoors, especially in the evenings.

We live in a new build in close proximity to our neighbours so can hear everything as you can imagine. They are a couple in their early 30's (I think), no kids. The man with the booming voice works from home and has taken to working from his garden throughout the day, often vaping. My kids are off school, trying to make the best of the time off and I really don't think they should have to hear the details of his teams meetings. Surely he should work inside and allow people peaceful enjoyment of their gardens? I have never worked from home, but wouldn't it be considered a GDPR breach if others can hear?

They have had friends over for BBQs the previous 2 nights and have been sitting outside chatting until around 9pm. The BBQ smell lingered for so long and of course they were all vaping and drinking alcohol. One of their friends was regaling them with tales of her dating escapades-hardly an appropriate topic for my 9 year old to have in earshot. I also don't want my kids damaging their lungs inhaling all of those disgusting vape particles. The women have also been prancing around in very skimpy bikinis. I know women are entitled to wear what they want, but come on-all the neighbours can see if they look outside their upstairs windows! I'm also concerned as yesterday, the visiting friends were there for several hours and appeared to drive themselves home- were they over the limit?

On both occasions, I have brought my kids inside, as I don't want them to hear the sordid details of their conversations. I also feel awkward that they are only a few metres away from me, so I don't want to have my dinner outside in case they listen to our conversation. Would I be unreasonable to pop over or post a note through their door requesting that we have an outdoor mealtime rota so we can all enjoy our gardens in peace-as we are entitled to?

OP posts:
WeddingInvitation · 26/06/2026 07:25

This is why we moved, throw in a hot tub, discussions about drugs and quietish music till 2 in the morning. On a week day as well as weekends . Then their kids out all day screaming with grandma. Young couple, 30s professional jobs. My peaceful back garden became unusable. So glad we moved before lockdown!

ETA we would also have friends round but were more considerate of neighbours.

justanothermanicm0nday · 26/06/2026 07:24

Sounds completely normal to me! Me and my neighbour had been chatting over the fence to each other yesterday both in our bikinis! What do you do when you go on holiday? Just stop looking out your window into their garden and give them some privacy! If the noise bothers you put on some headphones! It’s just part and parcel of being in a semi detached/terraced house!

Honeyhonay · 26/06/2026 07:24

You don’t want to hear the details of his meetings, you don’t want to over hear details of their conversations, you don’t want to see women in bikinis while you peer intently out your upstairs window stalking them and keeping a tally of how many drinks it appears they may have consumed.
You sound mental.

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 26/06/2026 07:24

I feel your pain, in that our neighbour also dominates the space- he uses power tools, their dog upset my dog and was out all the time, spa, loud, music, karaoke… I’d never plan to entertain in the garden, as chances are they’d be noisy next door.

In your situation though, it would be resolved by playing your own music. Put a kids playlist on, and it will mask their chatter.

clarepetal · 26/06/2026 07:23

"The women have been prancing around in their bikinis"

Wow.

WolfinSheepsDress · 26/06/2026 07:23

Op can't you get your kids scresming a bit ,water guns footballs etc !

Dontwearmysocks · 26/06/2026 07:22

If you don’t want neighbours, move somewhere you don’t have them.

You have no right to expect others to modify what sounds like perfectly normal behaviour.

Mostlywilliow · 26/06/2026 07:20

You’re utterly absurd. If this is what upsets you, sell up and move to somewhere remote and isolated.

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