Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask the neighbours to keep the noise down?

74 replies

BetterNotBitter · 20/07/2013 20:06

Our neighbours have invested in a temporary hot tub.

It's 20.05 and there's about ten squealing, screaming, shouting, laughing, shrieking women in the garden right under our toddlers bedroom. They have music blasting and look to be settled in for the night.

Our toddler has been in bed an hour and they've just woken her up.

How late would you let it go on before asking them to keep the noise down? I'm thinking 9? Too early?

OP posts:
ohnoppp · 20/07/2013 20:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Teeb · 20/07/2013 20:09

I think post 10:30 to 11pm would be reasonable.

crazyhamsterdisguisedasapanda · 20/07/2013 20:09

Id go round now & say 'could you keep it down please as I have a toddler in bed'
I often have to do this with my neighbour

BeanoNoir · 20/07/2013 20:10

Oh, that's difficult. I can see both sides tbh, it's really hard having a toddler and wanting to keep their window open and for them to get to sleep, but it's also Saturday night and it's so rare to be able to have fun in the garden on an evening. I'd be pissed off having the toddler who can't sleep and pissed off being complained at when I'd got a hot tub and settled in the garden for a night of fun with my friends.

If it's not a regular thing, is there anything you can do to help toddler sleep? Move them to a different room until later? I'm finding having a fan on in dd's room is drowning out the sounds coming in from the garden next door.

I'm interested to hear what mn consensus is on this.

Hassled · 20/07/2013 20:10

9 is probably too early. They'll start getting maudlin and weepy soon enough and then it will quieten down. You'll only be able to hear the sound of them sobbing into their WKDs.

BreadNameBread · 20/07/2013 20:11

I think you could ask now but apologetically IYSWIM.
They may be understanding.

LaurieFairyCake · 20/07/2013 20:11

Too early.

Be pissed off after pub shutting time.

Shut the windows/ play white noise from YouTube. If you've an iPhone the relax melodies app is bloody amazing (free) as it has ocean/ river sounds that got me to sleep last week when the street was noisy and it was too hot to shut the windows.

BeanoNoir · 20/07/2013 20:12

I do think 9pm sounds a little early.

I know it's bloody late when you have a toddler - I'm usually ready for bed myself by then - but pre dc I would have found this pretty early.

Sirzy · 20/07/2013 20:12

I would say at least 10pm and even then really it would be too early - I think noise laws only come in at 11pm don't they?

On a hot summers evening as annoying as it is I think you have to just grin and bear it a bit because people will want to be outside enjoying the weather whilst it lasts.

Original poster
BetterNotBitter · 20/07/2013 20:22

I know, 9pm isn't that late on a Saturday night especially.

I don't want to be one of those really irritating neighbours who complains at anytime really. It's not even as if we know them as they've just moved in.

All windows are shut. I wouldn't mind as much if it was just that it'd woken her but she can't get back off to sleep for the noise and if this goes on for a few more hours shes going to be inconsolable.

Difficult one! Thanks for your replies. Maybe 9pm is too early, it's just they're SO loud!! It's as if we're blasting the music in our own house, if I had the tv on I wouldn't be able to hear it over their music!!

OP posts:
Cakebaker35 · 20/07/2013 20:23

Hmm really tricky one, can see both sides. I'd probably ask them now if they could turn the music down a little bit please - that's annoying toddler or not if it's just blaring - then if they're still really loud later, say past 11.30, I'd go back again. Good luck, feel for you!

ubik · 20/07/2013 20:23

Can you move toddler to another room?

HenWithAttitude · 20/07/2013 20:25

I opened this thinking you might be my neighbour! My DD is having a sleepover with 5 others and they are all in the garden shrieking and shouting Blush I have twice gone out and suggested a volume reduction... and hey presto it has happened (ish)

It's hard at this time but if I knew them I'd probably say something politely - often it's just lack of thought rather than belligerence

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 20/07/2013 20:27

If it is so loud that you can't hear your own TV with the windows shut then they are taking the piss.
I would go and ask them to keep the noise down a bit so that you can open some windows.

Original poster
BetterNotBitter · 20/07/2013 20:29

Their house kind of backs on to the side of ours and both our room and her room are on that side of the house. The spare room is on the other side but she'd still be able to hear them and there's no bed or anything in that room anyway. So no option to move her really.

I'm kind of hoping that soon she'll adjust to the noise and there won't be a need to annoy them! Wishful thinking probably!

OP posts:
YellowDinosaur · 20/07/2013 20:30

I might be unreasonable but I actually find other peoples music one of the most annoying things ever.

I'd put up with the having fun noises but other people dictating what music you must listen to makes me Stabby and I don't think you should have music on in the garden unless its for a special occasion and you let the neighbours know.

RoseFlowerFairy · 20/07/2013 20:33

I feel so bad for you.

Thing is it is Saturday night, it is lovely weather.

I would say something after 11pm.

Original poster
BetterNotBitter · 20/07/2013 20:33

Oh god. Now their wailing along to the music. And not in bloody tune either.

OP posts:
Shinyshoes1 · 20/07/2013 20:36

Too early to say anything now IMO it's a Saturday evening

I would wait until about 10.pm then say s

Shinyshoes1 · 20/07/2013 20:36

Something

BellaVita · 20/07/2013 20:38

Too early.

itsnothingoriginal · 20/07/2013 20:39

I can't stand hearing a loud bass outside but I guess it's a bit of grin and bear it at the moment! I would definitely be around having a word if it gets nearer 11pm but they would probably be pissed off if you go around now.

Tonight outside I can hear karaoke, a ceilidh and a very loud cow mooing so a myriad of a racket - it's just going to be one of those nights Grin

MrsWolowitz · 20/07/2013 20:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

maddening · 20/07/2013 20:47

I think that the 11pm limit is a red herring and based on what is believed to be a time before which you can do anything - but there can be a statutory nuisance any time of the day - so if there is regular unreasonable noise it could be anytime. People do have a right to peaceful enjoyment of their own home.

so whether the ndn are a statutory noise nuisance depends on whether this is a regular occurrence - as v loud music and shouting on a regular basis is a nuisance - you just can't expect any ndn to put up with that. However, if it is a one off then it's wise to let it go on a live and let live basis but if it went on past 11/11-30 you would be reasonable to go round as ask them to consider the volume and maybe move indoors

BeanoNoir · 20/07/2013 20:52

Or you could be really passive aggressive and get your dcs out in the garden at 6am tomorrow to play noisily Grin

Not a serious suggestion btw, but I bet it's tempting.