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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to tolerate my neighbour's water feature?

53 replies

Winceywoo · 03/07/2013 22:23

It's driving me nuts. They must have a huge pump and a big drop of water which i can't see through the hedge but it makes one hell of a noise 24/7. We can't open our windows at night, because the noise of water flowing/falling is so loud. TBH, don't even want to go into my garden in the daytime because of this noise. I don't wan't to have a disagreement with my nieighbour but need to get this sorted. All advice gratefully received.

OP posts:

holidaybug · 03/07/2013 22:27

Doesn't sound like you have a lot of choice. Either put up with it or speak to them at your peril. Having had neighbour issues in the past, I would now do the former.

frillyflower · 03/07/2013 22:27

I think you have to go and explanation that you have a weak bladder and their water feature is affecting you adversely.

breatheslowly · 03/07/2013 22:28

You need to go to see your neighbour and explain to them the impact on you. It must be costing a fair bit to keep it running all night.

BOF · 03/07/2013 22:29

Just ask them to turn it off at night? Their leccy bill must be massive.

WafflyVersatile · 03/07/2013 22:32

Ask them to turn it off at night. That's hardly unreasonable. You can tell them that it's very disruptive all the time but that you don't want to spoile their enjoyment. Off at night-time please and it would be even better if they only put it on when they are in the garden.

Maybe off at night will be enough to make it more bearable in the day time...

Sallyingforth · 03/07/2013 22:37

Creep out at night and drop in a bottle of washing-up liquid.

Facebaffle · 03/07/2013 22:42

Our neighbours asked us to turn ours off at night - I didn't realise it was so noisy as our bedroom is at the front of the house.

It's a reasonable request and hasn't caused any problems between us.

Pantone363 · 03/07/2013 22:46

Is it a fish pond type thing or a tacky plastic buddha waterfall type thing?

If its the first you've got no hope, koi carp people are nutters. If its the second wait until they go out and nick it. Don't do the second one.

SquinkiesRule · 03/07/2013 22:48

Ask them to put it on a timer so it goes off all night and comes back in the morning.

steppemum · 03/07/2013 22:49

LOL at the washing up liquid!

VivaLeBeaver · 03/07/2013 22:53

washing up liguid and food dye!

NatashaBee · 03/07/2013 22:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oreocookiez · 03/07/2013 22:56

how about some of that jelli bath stuff that makes the water go really thick? It wont be making as much noise then :-)

Elquota · 03/07/2013 23:41

Or gravy powder?

Original poster

Winceywoo · 04/07/2013 07:39

Thank you for your replies. The noise is affecting us all (even the teenagers who are usually ambivalent about this type of thing). We can't have our windows open at night even though our bedroom window is 50 feet away from their pond. I dread going into the garden to hang out washing. They have always run it 24/7 but only bought fish recently, which I guess are koi carp. I was thinking of sending a friendly note to them but am so worried about a backlash. We have been here two years and I have tried so hard not to complain as they are an odd couple, which is why I resisted saying anything. They recently turned it off for two weeks ( was that to settle in the new fish?). The peace and quiet was lovely and we even ate a meal outside on Sunday evening. Half way through the meal they turned it back on...they must have known we were there and I did wonder about their timing. They are well off so the running costs won't worry them. I am in such a state now, the noise is driving me insane but if they turn against us they could start playing music loudly instead, just to show us they are "in charge" iyswim. They already have a barking dog and speak loudly in a 'I am very important' type of way and they probably look down on plebs like us.

OP posts:

purplewithred · 04/07/2013 07:53

You really really need to nip this in the bud. Not just their water feature but your 'probably look down on plebs like us' attitude. You have as much right to enjoy your garden and your life as they have. It is perfectly reasonable to tell them it is very loud - they probably have no idea and may well be mortified that they are spoiling your garden for you. By the sounds of it they may well be a bit deaf!

guidance on tackling neighbours

lollylaughs · 04/07/2013 07:56

Our neighbour installed one, and I heard this noise of running water during the night one night so I thought our geyzer had burst. I was up outside at 3am in gown and slippers looking for puddles of water. Then I heard the water was coming from next door so I phoned him yes at 3am to tell him I think his geyzer had burst. He wasn't all that impressed to hear me on the phone that time of the morning, to which he then said, oh we installed a water feature today. Did I feel like a plonker..

Anyway, they were also running it 24/7 and it is right by our bedroom window, so when I saw the mrs a bit later, I just asked her if they could turn it off at night as I keep thinking my geyzer has burst. In fact if the windows are open it actually keeps me awake, I don't notice it in the day so much but at night when everything is deathly quiet it sounds like bloody Niagra Falls.....

But if they have Koi I think it has to be on all time as it pumps air into the water doesn't it??

EuphemiaLennox · 04/07/2013 08:06

Hmm, I am wondering how load a water feature would have to be to stop you eating or going in your garden?

Also your they have a barking dog, and talk loudly comments make me wonder if you're not overly sensitive to normal levels of neighbour noise. Does their dog bark incessantly? Do they shout? Do these things happen late st night?

A dog barking and talking in your garden are normal. Water festures are commonplace.

Also your comment about them thinking you're a pleb suggests some paranoia/over sensitivity. In reality they're probably not thinking about you at all.
I do think however asking them to turn it off at night is reasonable as nighttime disturbance is unreasonable.

EleanorFarjeon · 04/07/2013 08:06

We have Koi Carp and yes, we have to have a pump/filter running 24/7, but it isn't noisy.

I would definitely have a friendly word.

EuphemiaLennox · 04/07/2013 08:12

'I dread going out in the garden to hang out washing'.

OP honestly this seems a disproportionate reaction to a neighbours water feature, and suggests tge issue is yours.

Nighttime though reasonable to point out tge disturbance.

Tread carefully however as ongoing feuds with neighbours are much more upsetting than water features.

Original poster

Winceywoo · 04/07/2013 08:17

Thank you so much, I'm off to work now but will compose a draft letter later. I think.

OP posts:

SoulTrain · 04/07/2013 08:24

If you can, do it face to face OP. No room for misinterpretation then!

orangepudding · 04/07/2013 08:28

Ask them to switch out off at night as it disturbs your sleep. Hopefully they will be reasonable enough to do that and forget too switch it on in the morning!

brilliantwhite · 04/07/2013 08:53

so the sound of a waterfall is bothering you that much you dont want to go outside ,and now the dog and their loud talking bothers you , just hope a real problem never happens if you cant cope with everyday life.

valiumredhead · 04/07/2013 08:55

Don't do it by letter - face to face!

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