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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I am being unreasonable - neighbours renovating

29 replies

Unwind · 04/10/2010 17:09

I have lovely neighbours, I know we are very lucky. But they are renovating, and it has been constant drilling and hammering on the party wall for the past month.

I am restraining myself from knocking on their door and moaning about it. Please tell me that I am being unreasonable, to get that stupid idea out of my head.

The noise is just soooooo unfair

OP posts:
gingernutlover · 04/10/2010 17:10

are they doing it at reasonable times?

scurryfunge · 04/10/2010 17:11

Do they limit the noise to day times and can they give you an indication as to when they will be finished?

Original poster
Unwind · 04/10/2010 17:15

They've not told me when they will be finished but they do do it at reasonable times - almost always between 9 and 6pm

see, I know they are being reasonable, and I'm not

I want to ask when they'll be finishing, but my face always gives away annoyance

OP posts:
iliketosleep · 04/10/2010 17:44

Could always start a conversation with them and casually drop it in.

YAB slightly U things need doing but I can imagine the constant noise is a nightmare!

emptyshell · 04/10/2010 19:57

What do you want them to do about it? The rennovations have to be done, they're doing them during business hours to minimize the disruption - or do you just want them to sit in a shed?

BecauseImWorthIt · 04/10/2010 19:59

Unwind - I feel your pain. Our neighbours' renovation of their house took 5 years.

I would pop round - or perhaps leave a little, very polite, note, just asking for an estimate of how long their renovations are going to take.

BellaBearisWideAwake · 04/10/2010 20:00

do you have a party wall agreement?

Original poster
Unwind · 04/10/2010 20:19

I'll ask them next time I see them, while trying very hard to conceal my irritation.

There is no party wall agreement, but I am sure they will have guessed that it is affecting us badly, and will probably be mortified. They really are very nice, and good neighbours.

The renovation includes attic conversion, so I dread hearing how long it will take.

OP posts:
Appletrees · 04/10/2010 20:23

Hello unwind, I'll you what I would do, I would say it straight out, everything you've said.

Say, hi, I'm getting a bit desperate for you to finish because of the noise, I'm not cross with you, the timings are really considerate, but it's just doing me in a bit, can you please please tell me when it might be over, I need something to look forward too.

And then they'll be all upset and you can reassure them and say, it's not their fault, it's just, when will it be over. They won't mind.

Appletrees · 04/10/2010 20:26

I have a neighbour who's done this, she says, I'm so sorry, it's not you, it's not your fault, but I'm just finding it unbearable. Honestly, it makes me want to do everything to inconvenience her as little as possible. She's so sweet.

DurhamDurham · 04/10/2010 20:32

Remember that the renovations will be finished but she will always remember you moaning about it.They're keeping to the permitted hours, the noise cannot be helped. I know it's annoying but do you really want it to change the dynamics of what has been a good relationship until now. Even if she takes in good spirit she will probably be a bit upset and may be less likey to be understanding in the future if you need to have work done. Or need the plants watering whilst you are on holiday.

BellaBearisWideAwake · 04/10/2010 20:41

they should have sorted out a party wall agreement (i'm sure you know this!) and then you'd have a better idea about what the renovations entail/how long they will last etc. You can still ask them. I think it is illegal not to (happy to be corrected on that)

theyoungvisiter · 04/10/2010 20:50

um, not an expert but I don't think they necessarily do have to have a party wall agreement. Only if the work is structural.

If they are just drilling and replastering and stuff (noisy though this is) there is no need for a party wall agreement which only covers things like drilling for RSJs or structural work like removing chimneys.

Of course if they are doing structural work then they are in the wrong - but it's not correct to say that they definitely need one just becuase they are working on the wall, it depends what the work is.

PhoebeBurbabee · 04/10/2010 20:51

Its true a party wall award is a legal requirement

PhoebeBurbabee · 04/10/2010 20:53

im sorry if this doesnt link properly

london-party-wall-surveyors.co.uk/the-act-explained/party-wall-awards/

BellaBearisWideAwake · 04/10/2010 20:55

london-party-wall-surveyors.co.uk/the-act-explained/party-wall-awards/

I don't think it has to be structural, although I wonder how far it could be taken - my dad joked that putting up a picture hook affects the party wall!

newwave · 04/10/2010 20:57

If it is seven days a week could you not ask for one day with no noise, that is not unreasonable, if it is Monday to Friday the you are bring a little bit unreasonable although I can see how it would drive you nuts.

loubielou31 · 04/10/2010 20:59

Go out a bit more?

I know everyone is going to say that you shouldn't be forced out of your own home but the work is being carried out during normal business hours not late into the night or starting at the crack of dawn. You don't have to stay there and listen to it!

I would ask your neighbour (nicely) how long the work will take and perhaps that they ask their builders to be as considerate as possible but really you're just going to have to put up with it.

PhoebeBurbabee · 04/10/2010 21:00

thanks Bella

Original poster
Unwind · 04/10/2010 21:05

Thanks all

I do go out as much as we can, but with miserable colds and miserable weather just now, it feels a bit rubbish, not being able to enjoy our own home..

If they are meant to have a party wall agreement, it doesn't matter - we would never enforce anything against them. And realistically, I know that they will be wanting this over with even more badly than we do. I normally see a lot of them - but since this started we have hardly spoken, either because they are just too busy, or they are avoiding us. I shall invite them in for coffee in our non-building site, and let the noise tell its own story.

It helps to have a whinge on here Grin

OP posts:
theyoungvisiter · 04/10/2010 21:05

You usually don't need a party wall agreement for the following kinds of work:

* Putting up shelves and wall units.
* Replastering.
* Electrical rewiring.

All of this can very very noisy and disruptive but it doesn't require a party wall agreement.

For more information have a look at the official government booklet "The Party Wall etc Act 1996: explanatory booklet" which is available for download from most local government websites or from the office of the deputy prime minister here

I'm not sayign that the OP's neighbour's work categorically doesn't require a party wall agreement - but it's incorrect to say that it's definitely illegal not to have one. It may be perfectly legal - in spite of all the noise.

newwave · 04/10/2010 21:06

Unwind, greart idea, invite them in when the noise is at its worst

theyoungvisiter · 04/10/2010 21:08

I think that's a good idea upwind!

And I'm sure you're right - they are probably even more desperate than you are to get this over and done with.

BellaBearisWideAwake · 05/10/2010 06:48

theyoungvisitor, thanks for explaining that Smile

Chandon · 05/10/2010 07:49

When my neighbours built an extension and conservatory last year, the noise drove me mad.

I did ask them to keep me posted as to when the builders would eb there, when the project would be finished as the noise was so bad I could not do any work from home.

I get on with them well, but did not think they would be annoyed with ME being slightly annoyed.

The thing I regret is not telling them their extension has caused a massive crack in one of our walls. Did not, and do not know what to do about that...

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