We've had a noise pollution letter from the council!!!

[Stillmonday]

We aren't big DIYers but February my husband fitted us a new kitchen, it took a whole month inbetween work and he always stopped any noise at 6pm.
Now we are doing some decking in the garden whilst on lockdown. Some sawing, sanding & banging again stops at 6pm.
A letter has just arrived warning us of noise pollution and excessive hammering, banging & use of power tools.

Our neighbour was really annoyed when we had our kitchen, they even recorded the noise it made one day but I tried to explain it was a one off and that's what happens when a new kitchen is being fitted.

Now we are quite shocked to receive the letter but don't know where we stand. Are we allowed to finish the decking or shall we not bother?!

In my area noise rules are that you must stop making loud noises between the hours of 11pm and 5am. I'm surprised the council gave them the time of day! After all, loads of people can only do DIY in the evenings. YANBU at all.

You've decided already you are entitled to make this noise regardless of circumstances.
A DIY kitchen fit is different to a two day professional fit so neighbours have already used up any goodwill but you can't see it.

Carry on making the noise, nothing will happen to you. Your neighbours have already experienced your selfishness and nowt mnet says will change that unfortunately for them.

They are retired but don't even clean their windows & never have in the 8 years we've lived here.

How strange that you notice, I've got no idea whether my neighbours clean their windows.

They sound jealous

Accusations of jealousy are so lazy.

I’d be right fucked off if I was in lockdown and my neighbours were hammering and banging away every single day. Your poor neighbours.

I’ve sold three properties and never been asked this mythical ‘neighbour dispute’ question. Is it real?

Yes it’s part of the property information form you have to fill in

So glad I live in a detached house 😂

Decking will take a few more days, maybe a week

Why do your jobs take so long? I imagine that’s what’s annoying them, it’s endless noise with work dragging on Day after Day.

Urgh, I hate decking. Always imagine rats and spiders lurking underneath it.

Anyway, YABU. Your poor neighbours! I doubt they're jealous of your home improvements, it's more likely they're just pissed off at the noise.

you Need to take the emotion out of this, you clearly dislike them and are judgemental over how they maintain their house.

It’s not about any of that, its about the noise you are making and how it is impacting them.

A month is a very long time for a diy project. Then to start another involving power tools, specially if it impacts their quiet enjoyment of their garden, is a lot.

Accept that what you are doing impacts them.could you reach a compromise, tel, them how long it’s going to take and ask them what times really annoy them or stop them using their garden. Apologise, don’t be defensive. Tell them you understand the noise is annoying, tell them it will stop soon.

Be kind and understanding , not a angry and defensive.

We’ve had our kitchen done, some structural work, a bathroom re-done etc. Sure, it was probably loud which is why it didn’t phase me when our neighbours moved out and had a whole renovation done over the course of several months.
As long as everything is quiet by the evening I can’t see the issue.

OP to be honest I would just say to crack on with it. Try to limit it a bit if you can, and stick to council time hours but some people just love to moan.

A month of that bullshit noise to fit a kitchen, and now you’re at it again?

I’m on the neighbours side. You sound like nightmares.

I would call the council and explain. I extended my house years ago and had neighbours complaining all the time to a point where they no longer talk to us but still keep trying to harass us (the building work finished years ago but they still talk about it to whoever gives them their time). Their house is a tip with rotten wood and rubbish on the floor and they do nothing about it. All I hear all day is them talking over the fence how horrible my house looks 😂.

The council gets jealous neighbours complaints all the time. A quick call to clear the situation should do the trick. Also worth looking at your council website to see what they see as acceptable noise and frequency. Good luck!

It coujld be more than one complaining-we used to have aneughbour who left their poor dog all day barking it never stopped-2 of us either side complained they got a letter but did nothing

then we had to make a diary of noise-t they evetually moved-so we dont know what would have happened-but the letter wasnt sent straight away so it must have been bad for you to get a letter so quick

Also - I deeply regret getting decking. It’s a nightmare, once this is over its being ripped out and replaced with a paved patio.

I actually would’ve said YANBU OP and that as annoying as it is everybody has to put up with the noise from neighbours DIY on occasion. But your posts since your OP come across quite badly I think and you do sound like you just don’t like them

We bought a fixer upper and are still doing the work 2 years on, if your doing it within the right hours then it's none of their business. Yes I agree the noise is annoying but what happens when they do work on their property? If they want peace and quiet they need a detached house!

When we did the kitchen it was worked on for 2 hours a day, from 4-6pm

I personally can't see what the issue is with that. Two hours a day is not excessive

I think whilst people are isolating and the weather is nice you don't want your neighbours making more noise than normal.

Your neighbours may need a break perhaps?
Do you know if any work nights or are on shifts.

They had a whole month of noise in February and now it is April you are at it again.

If it's true you were only working 4-6 then I'd take it as a malicious complaint. Yes it's annoying to hear drilling etc but they have had all day to enjoy the weather / "peace & quiet".

I always think when I read these threads people wouldn't be able to cope in the countryside! The noise of tractors / wrappers / combines / chainsaws working often into the night & heard from miles away. Often in the best weather as well 🙊

You aren't reading all my messages so I feel
I'm just repeating myself 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

@Likethebattle - I think it’s a standard question in the form the sellers are asked to fill in (the one that covers things like whether you are leaving fitted white goods).

Why do your jobs take so long?

That's the crux of the matter. A few days of noise is tolerable. When it's the odd couple of hours here and there every day for weeks, it's a pain in the arse.

Just get your heads down and finish the damn thing.

I’ve sold three properties and never been asked this mythical ‘neighbour dispute’ question. Is it real?

If you’ve sold three properties you have been asked it. It’s part of the Property Information Form which you complete and sign.

I may be mistaken here,but I thought I read somewhere that Power tools /Drilling were not to be undertaken during Lockdown? (cant remember where now).Normally your NDN would be able to go out and escape the noise ,but obviously are a captive audience ATM.