to think electric guitars aren't acceptable at any time of day in a house with shared walls

[tyler80]

One of our next door neighbours (semi) seems to have recently acquired an electric guitar & amp.

It's loud enough in our house that we cannot say watch a dvd whilst they're playing. I've been round a couple of times and to be fair they've always immediately turned it off/right down. But would I be unreasonable to tell them it's not acceptable to us at any time to play it that loudly and I shouldn't have to go round each time to tell them this?

"But it all depends on frequency and duration.half an hour a day would not be considered excessive by any reasonable person"

The law agrees with me, that amplified music played at that level is unreasonable on any sort of regular basis.

Unfortunately, as demonstrated here, a lot of people seem to believe that they are permitted to make as much noise as they want as long as it's in the daytime and doesn't go on for too long. It's not the case.

Depends on the size of the amp. I've got an electric guitar (somewhere) and a tiny tiny practice amp, makes it loud enough to hear tonal quality etc but not so loud it disturbs anyone in the house, and I always closed the door of the room I was in. Again, we're detached though.

Could you maybe see if they have a smaller amp? Some of them are non-intrusive.

Tyler, I sympathise with you and think YANBU. I posted a thread about neighbour's NYE party and found that a lot of people think that having kids in the house = neighbours' right to play loud music. I think that an amplified guitar would always be too loud. Yes, headphones / find a place to practice (school music room?) I agree that there is some give and take with neighbours, but I think it's important for everyone to try and be considerate. I am lucky, in that my neighbours agree with me and were very apologetic about their son's loud party. Perhaps invite your neighbours round to hear what the amplified guitar is like? Think it's important to keep it friendly. They may be a bit frustrated by their teenage son as well.

'Why don't ypu buy YOURSELF some headphones to hear your DVDs'

Because according to most council by-laws, playing amplified music is against the law at any time.

I used to work in the music department of an RG university.

We didn't even allow amps in our practice rooms, they're that loud! Even in relatively soundproofed rooms, amps are so loud others can't hear themselves sing, play piano/keyboards, even brass instruments. It disturbed other users too much.

People who needed to use that equipment had to book rooms inside a concert hall we had use of.

And people find it acceptable to use that sort of thing in a flat or terrace house?

we didn't allow bagpipes down there, either .

those users have to book room in the concert halls.

Still haven't had an answer on my question regarding cosmetic/ non-essential diy or building.
Are people who get a conservatory/a loft conversion/an extension done because they want it done and feel it would increase their enjoyment of their house automatically selfish twats also?
After all they are doing it out of choice not necessity and it will encroach on their neighbours peaceful enjoyment of their home for a time.

DIY work can be considered a statutory nuisance, especially as people start to hire industrial tools to use in a domestic situation (e.g. floor sanders). I don't know where the limits are drawn though.

There were builders in next door before the new neighbours moved in and they produced nowhere near the level of noise that the guitar does.

I was talking about from peoples personal perspective and interpretation rather than a legal point. A lot of people were saying that things like music etc. should never be heard at any time of day for any period not matter how infrequent,as it's something you do out of choice yet they were happy to justify diy as an essential and babies crying etc. as unavoidable.
I was just wondering how these people felt about things like barking dogs (owning a dog is not essential and it is something you do for your own enjoyment) or non-essential diy or any other number of things which people choose to do which their neighbours will be able to hear and so will encroach on their neighbours peace for an amount of time no matter how fleeting.

Hi Mayorquimby. I think it's all a matter of how loud it is, really. If the DIY was so deafeningly loud that I couldn't hear my own TV, or prevented me sleeping at night, yes, I woul consider it unreasonable. But I've had a neighbour who did near-daily DIY (he did professional carpentry on the side at home, so not really DIY) and it wasn't a problem - I could hear it, but it was not as loud as, for example, amplified music, so it didn't prevent us living a normal daily life.

And with the dog - if the dog was constantly, loudly barking, I would have a chat with the neighbours - perhaps the dog has a problem. We had a dog for 20 years when I was a child (in a detached house), and a dog who is treated well, exercised properly and has enough company doesn't bark a lot. Ours didn't even bark when we had burglars, which is perhaps going too far.

I think if a baby was crying loudly and constantly, I would be a bit concerned and maybe go round & see if my neighbour needed any help - perhaps the baby is ill, or she needs a bit of help with other things so she can give the baby her attention.

Not that I am the perfect neighbour, I am sure. But if I was aware (or suspected) that something I was doing was preventing my neighbours from sleeping/hearing themselves talk/watching their own television etc. I would be very sorry, and would stop it. There is a huge difference between reasonable/ordinary levels of noise, and something that prevents you sleeping/talking etc. in your own house. It surprises me a bit that people don't see that. Perhaps some people have felt victimised by neighbours asking them to be quieter, and are reacting to their own experience? I don't see how Tyler's can be considered unreasonable, when you look at the facts of what she's said.

'Because according to most council by-laws, playing amplified music is against the law at any time. '

What a loud of rubbish! Every radio, TV , CD player has an ampifier in it.If it has a volume control it has an amplifier.
So according to you it is illegal to play music on a TV radio or CD player.Who is your local council-the Taliban??

Oh and noise is a nuisance.It is not a law it is a tort.

Is it not then Tort Law? Certainly noise and nuisance is covered by legislation which surely makes it law, otherwise Authorities would not be able to enforce something that is not law. I thought the difference between Tort and Criminal was who brought it to court anyway - nothing to do with it being Tort or Criminal - it's still the law (unless I have it round my head of course).

Oh, and by the way, Katiestar, yes, the law (tort or otherwise) covers all amplified music including Cd players/radios etc etc. It's why Local Authorities can seize such equipment if they are proved to be causing a nuisance.

Mayorquimby - Undoubtedly, people who wish to extend their homes so they can continue living in them or just enjoy a bit more space are undoubtedly selfish. Good point. Well made. The OP defined the problem as not being able to watch a DVD due to the noise of an amplified guitar. If a neighbours DIY is causing you not to be able to watch a DVD on a regular basis then I suggest you complain to your local council. It comes under the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993. You could try complaining to them about any babies that cry too.

It's simply civil law rather than criminal.
Which means that the conduct is unlawful rather than illegal as far as I can remember

Motherjack i was responding to expatinscotland who said that most councils had a law where you couldn't play any music through an amplifier.

Ahhhh! I see KS. Yes, that couldn't be the case. Expat probably missed out the part of unreasonable levels or what have you. Either that or it's really, really quiet where she lives