Noisy neighbours called the police because I confronted them about noise, HELPP

[Help101989]

Hi I’ve been having noise problems with my neighbours for years now with them allowing their kids to bang at unlawful hours of the night and all throughout the day ( they either just can’t control their kids or just don’t care) anyway yesterday I went up to speak to them about the noise and we had an argument, I asked them why they don’t move out as they have 2 kids and 2 adults in a small 1bed flat and they both proceeded to tell me to move out and that they had been here for 10 years etc. a lot more was said and then the woman decided to lie and tell the police I came up to threaten her, police came and spoke to me and their solution was to stay at a friends house to get a good nights sleep they also took my contact details and the housing association number but I highly doubt they will do anything.

I was thinking to write an email to the housing and CC in others so that action will take place

Do you really think families with children can “just move out”?

I’d expect them to start looking for a bigger property. I do understand they can’t just up and go. 😑

So they're in a HA home? What do you want them to do? Rent private instead?

them allowing their kids to bang at unlawful hours of the night and all throughout the day

There aren't 'unlawful hours' for noises to be made. Reasonably stringent criteria have to be met for a council to take action - quite rightly.

Why shouldn't you move out? If it's such a reasonable thing for them to do then it's quite reasonable for you to do so too.

Where do you want them to move out too, if you are worried about the safety and well being of the family contact the h.a who might be able to find them more suitable accommodation.

@Hen2018

Do you really think families with children can “just move out”?

This with knobs on….not sure if you’ve heard, but there’s a shortage of social housing. Not sure what ‘unlawful’ hours are but if you wish to complain like an adult, start a diary of times and type of noise. Daytime is pretty much off limits, because, you know, life. After 11, possibly.

Or you could move? Flats/terraced houses are always going to run the risk of having noise from next door etc.

What do you think 'unlawful hours' are? If you went up to their house and kicked off (you haven't elaborated on what 'more was said') then I understand why they may have called the Police.

Unlawful hours for me are 4-5 AM

Unlawful hours for me

Laws aren't 'for you' though - they're written into law.

4-5am is early and probably really annoying, but you can make a complaint via your council who will deal with it. There's no need to start an argument on the doorstep.

If someone came to my door and asked me why dont I just move I would think that was somewhat threatening tbh.

Noise from neighbours is often annoying but It doesnt sound like you have handled this well tbh.

Would be best to go down noise complaint route.
You can keep a diary, make recordings etc. If it meets the criteria then action can be taken.

If they are overcrowded I'm sure they'd love to move to a more suitable property but in many areas they are as rare as hen's teeth.

@ClaudiaWankleman I went up there nicely, then they was very rude. I didn’t go starting arguments

Where do you expect them to go to?

What age are the kids?

@Wafflesnsniffles no I agree I could have handled it better but when it’s been going on for years and you’ve asked them politely for years and they do not care, I will raise my voice as they did first

I understand it's frustrating, but put yourself in their shoes- stuck in a tiny flat with too many people, probably no possible way of moving to a bigger place, and then a neighbour comes over and moans about the noise. I would have just made them aware of the noise rather than complain about it, as a starting point anyway.

I went up there nicely, then they was very rude

It doesn't sound it - your own account is that you went up there to speak to them and that you had an argument. You were the person who led the 'move out' conversation. Then there's the cryptic "a lot more was said". Regardless of who raised their voice first, you haven't handled the situation properly.

Make a complaint via your council. They will decide what is reasonable.

So you live in a flat and expect it to be quiet. Think it's time you move you.

Is it noise making or everyday living noise OP?

Everyday living noise is doors closing, washing machine, walking/running about, dropping things.

Noise making is playing the drums , repeated slaming of a door over and over again, shouting/screaming that sort of thing.

I do sympathise with you but living in a flat does mean putting up with noise of a certain level.

I knew the moment I read the comment about them moving out that this thread would revolve around that, op! No, it’s not a reasonable thing to say or expect, but then when people ignore polite and reasonable requests only to ignore them or dish out aggression it can make us a little less understanding and compassionate to their circumstances oddly enough. Sleep deprivation doesn’t bring out the best either.

Op, I’ve been here. I absolutely recommend going down the council complaints route and not being drawn into arguments or worse. In my case I ended up involving the council after being filmed and threatened with the police (crime: shouting up at a bedroom window for occupants to go to sleep after months of disturbance, crime alleged by neighbours: my partner threatening them with violence) and it was resolved in a way that meant I had no more direct dealings with that neighbour. Nightmare neighbours think nothing of lying and exaggerating so I would avoid speaking to them directly from now on. If that doesn’t work for you, I’d see what your options are re moving. It’s not right, but there we are.

@TheAntiGardener thank you, I really was confused as to why everyone was having a go at me but I appreciate your advice and will be taking it on board

They are overcrowded in a one bed flat, you are not being unreasonable to complain about the noise.