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How to approach neighbour about 6am screaming…

354 replies

Larrythecatforpm · 19/07/2026 13:13

My neighbour opposite has young children, I sympathise and understand kids that age are going to make noise, it’s just what they do.

However every single weekend for the past 6 months since then moved in (and I imagine most of the summer hols) the neighbour has been letting them play out in the front garden from 6am or getting them in the car and they just scream full pelt non stop.
It’s right opposite my bedroom window, they wake me up and I can’t get back to sleep.
I am absolutely sick of it. They are council tenants can I put in a noise complaint? I have mentioned it to the mother before and she didn’t seem to see the issue using the excuse they’re little. Angry

This morning it was from 5.45am.

OP posts:
Marieb19 · 20/07/2026 19:33

You can complain to the council but they will ask recordings, a list if dates and times of thd disturbances. They will suggest mediation (which i would recommend) but they are likely to do very little. Some councils leave anti social tenants terrorising neighbours for months

LettingItAllHangOut · 20/07/2026 19:06

I raised three children. We had a swimming pool and it could get quite noisy outside IF I allowed them to scream. I taught them to be considerate of others and to lower their voices. Making the lame excuse that “they’re kids” is just lazy parenting. OP shouldn’t have to move house. Neighbours should parent their children.

LilyBunch25 · 20/07/2026 18:55

B206 · 19/07/2026 13:18

Do they actually scream?

I always see social media and MN posters about adults "screaming at" them, and children "screaming non stop for hours" but in my experience anyone actually screaming is a very brief and rare thing.

A child who screamed full pelt non stop would have a very sore throat indeed and be exhausted after a bit.

So I assume the screaming is hyperbole.

How noisy are they actually, if you describe it objectively without exaggeration?

You're wrong. We had this with an adjacent neighbours child who literally screamed 4 hours non stop.

LilyBunch25 · 20/07/2026 18:54

MandemChickenShop · 19/07/2026 13:16

just don't. move, get some earplugs, close your window.

so what if she's a council tenant.

Don't be ridiculous. Constant screaming from that time of the morning is a noise nuisance. Report OP.

netflixfan · 20/07/2026 18:51

Larrythecatforpm · 19/07/2026 13:22

Yes it’s actual screaming, sometimes crying but a high pitched walling sound. It lasts about 10-20 minutes and then goes quiet but by then I am wide awake.

So its just a short period of kids screaming 10-20 mins. The thing that is getting on your nerves is that you cant get back to sleep!

Id have a nice word with her, explain your problem, take some cakes maybe always a winner, and ask her to go in the back garden for a fag. Or you could move to the back bedroom, that might be a solution.

MyRubyFox · 20/07/2026 18:44

It's bloody selfish, that's what it is.

Pessismistic · 20/07/2026 18:40

Hi op why not show the neighbour the footage then explain yes kids are noisy but at that time of the day there usually in bed asleep then if they are up early then it’s on the parents keep the noise down. If nothing changes after the video contact the council it’s not the rent side it’s another department who will offer you advice. Also start a diary of times etc. good luck been there it’s a living hell.

SweetcornFritter · 20/07/2026 18:39

People who don’t think kids scream continuously while outside playing have never lived next to a primary school. I marvel at their collective lung power and persistence.

MiloMinderbinder · 20/07/2026 18:36

Nighttime Hours (11 PM to 7 AM): Noise levels are strictly monitored. Councils can issue warning notices for noise that exceeds permitted base levels during this window, regardless of whether it qualifies as a full statutory nuisance. 1, 2, 3]

Noise nuisances: how councils deal with complaints

How councils deal with complaints about noise at night, intruder alarms, construction noise and loudspeakers in the street.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/noise-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints

NewYearSameMe16 · 20/07/2026 18:35

If you don’t want a confrontation, maybe you could put a polite note through the door highlighting the times it’s happened and that she may not be aware how much the noise travels. Show some empathy about noisy kids, possible ND, etc and ask if there’s anything you or the neighbours (who have also been bothered by the noise) can do to help. You may not actually care or mean a word of it but it’s all in the spirit of keeping good relations. If it continues after that, absolutely make a complaint to the council.

Bia92 · 20/07/2026 18:27

B206 · 19/07/2026 13:18

Do they actually scream?

I always see social media and MN posters about adults "screaming at" them, and children "screaming non stop for hours" but in my experience anyone actually screaming is a very brief and rare thing.

A child who screamed full pelt non stop would have a very sore throat indeed and be exhausted after a bit.

So I assume the screaming is hyperbole.

How noisy are they actually, if you describe it objectively without exaggeration?

Lol, mine scream all the time... to the point I end up crying because it is to much. My youngest screams about 25 times a day for about 5- 30 mins. One time it was for over 2 hours because i wouldnt let him go on the oven that was on cooking dinner, not that i would atall lol. It can be over simple things such as getting in the car, not running around the shop, walking home, leaving the park, brushing their teeth, going to school... anything and everything!!!

Allotment117 · 20/07/2026 18:20

Has anyone actually thought the child could be autistic. Maybe since 2am bouncing off the walls . It might actually be the mother's only escape to let them out,put them in the car. You don't live in their shoes. Go talk to them. And BTW im talking from first hand experience. 2 hours sleep for some non verbal is enough and then your awake as Im sure some of you know.

Glasgowgal200 · 20/07/2026 18:19

ofcolitas · 19/07/2026 13:20

private?

The reason I ask is because if you own your property, you have to report disputes with neighbours when it's time to sell.

I would just blast out opera music as loud as possible, 20 minutes after she puts them to bed - she'll get the message soon enough.

Edited

Or heavy metal music

Steeleydan · 20/07/2026 18:18

Larrythecatforpm · 19/07/2026 13:22

Yes it’s actual screaming, sometimes crying but a high pitched walling sound. It lasts about 10-20 minutes and then goes quiet but by then I am wide awake.

So youre opposite her and can hear it,what about other neighbours and the people either side of her,can they hear them?
Sounds horrific ,she needs telling

RowsOfFlowers · 20/07/2026 18:10

Yerdug · 20/07/2026 18:06

Wait! No one's asked to check if the OP isnt sure that the kids are ND or not🤣

Oh god

Yerdug · 20/07/2026 18:06

Wait! No one's asked to check if the OP isnt sure that the kids are ND or not🤣

ScartlettSole · 20/07/2026 18:05

Justaquestionplease · 19/07/2026 13:33

From what I understand councils and local authorities do not act against noise complaints when it involves noise from children.... thankfully.

Yabu. Go live somewhere isolated if it bothers you so much.

Explain what is reasonable about letting children scream at 5:45am?!?!

Bunsy300 · 20/07/2026 17:55

Larrythecatforpm · 19/07/2026 13:16

No.

If you ever want to sell your house nobody will buy it as it will show up in the searches about noise complaints x

Sometimessmiling · 20/07/2026 17:50

Larrythecatforpm · 19/07/2026 13:17

I am asking because a noise complaint would do nothing if a private tenant or own the home, but as they are council would a noise complaint make the council actually do something about it?

Contact council. Regardless of who owns houses there is a noise policy

Bananarose · 20/07/2026 17:50

We have a playing out rule of 7:45 on school days and 8:30 on weekends.

if my children are too loud they are straight inside.

boundaries and respect are essential, in my opinion.

CouncilTennant · 20/07/2026 17:06

As a council tennent myself you absolutely can put a noise complaint in. Would be helpful if you first have 'evidence' of the noise complaint as the council dont like to move very fast without it. Any complaints I've put in have been asked to be supported by a noise diary. Can be written videos ect. Times noise starts, type of noises made, length of time ext. Usually over a 2 week period. Worst case outcome for your neighbour is being rehomed and potential social intervention. Worst case for op is they ignore your complaint.

HappyWelsh · 20/07/2026 15:04

handsdownthebest · 19/07/2026 13:45

Open the window and shout 'shut the fuck up'. Hopefully that should do the trick.
Stop pussy footing about with them.
Them being council tenants is irrelevant.
We're quite wealthy and so are my neighbours but had enough of them last weekend and told them to 'shut the fuck up' last weekend when we and half the road had enough of them.
Not heard from them since and don't care.

You’re doing the lords work! If my kids make a single sound before 9am outside I would go nuts, even the school run, getting in the car at 8:30, they know to be mindful of those who may have a day off and still asleep.

sunnybaros · 20/07/2026 14:05

High pressure hose. Put her fag out from a distance and soak the lot of them so they have to go inside.
Failing that, yes, complain to the council. My sister had a problem with screaming children next door at all hours (none of the household next door had to get up and go to work, so the time of day they made noise was irrelevant to them). They were warned by the council multiple times, changed nothing about their behaviour and were evicted.
Good luck - having neighbours who are arseholes is really tiring.

Butnotreally1 · 20/07/2026 13:53

Springtimeinsunshine · 20/07/2026 11:57

Don't post stupid stuff. Really? They obviously needed some kind of help which they wouldn't have had if I had been a twat like some posters on here and ignored the screams.

If kids scream and run around outside the house before 6am due to ineffective parenting then I dread what happens behind closed doors because of said ineffective parenting. Maybe they are left to find their own food, or eat scraps left over. Who knows. But the only way to find out is to report. No wonder so many children are neglected if society doesn't give a damn.

I wonder what help social services gave two families that suddenly stopped screaming “within a week”

and would you call SS in this scenario? … crying and screaming whilst being strapped into car seat and when following mum out in the morning whilst she has a ciggy for 10-20 minutes?

mjhx · 20/07/2026 13:49

Larrythecatforpm · 19/07/2026 13:17

I am asking because a noise complaint would do nothing if a private tenant or own the home, but as they are council would a noise complaint make the council actually do something about it?

Realistically what can you do?
Getting in to the car.. you can't stop them making noise and it's their garden they can go and play when they like.
Granted I tell my two to be quiet and would probably say no garden until like 8am. But.. kids? You like living in your home and they have a right to live in theirs.

I'm a council tenant. We don't bite 🤣.
But seriously? You can't tell them when they can go outside and be quiet when they get in the car.

I live in a tower block ground floor and the noise is crazy. Right next to the local park.
I wouldn't dream of complaining. I can't control what people are doing.. my property is fine and we are safe. If anything, my children and I have learnt to sleep through all the noise!