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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to complain about the noise

45 replies

thegreatwideopen · 24/05/2015 10:38

Hi all,

Have NC for this. I live with my child in a rented flat which shares a common stairwell. The neighbour across from me is in her 50s, and has family round fairly regularly to visit (have 2 children, one about 4, the other around 1) but when they leave, the 4 year old can be noisy in the stairwell (chats to parents, sings to himself etc), which can echo in the stairwell. They have to go past my door and down a set of stairs to get outside. It isn't particularly late when they leave (anywhere from 6 -8pm) but aibu for wanting to complain to them/local authority? Would I have any grounds for action? I haven't lived there long, only a few months.

OP posts:
GeraldineFangedVagine · 24/05/2015 10:41

Seems really mean to complain if you ask me. It's still quite early and how long can the noise last for? 5 mins? Less? I think you will fall out with your neighbour and think the council would laugh at you. YABU.

ilovesooty · 24/05/2015 10:42

Sorry that doesn't sound like a reasonable complaint to me. You could ask them directly to be mindful if the echoing as they leave but this is a four year old.
Complaining to the local authority sounds OTT.

KoalaDownUnder · 24/05/2015 10:45

Unless there's anything else to this story, no.

You sound outrageously intolerant, tbh. Hmm

soverylucky · 24/05/2015 10:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

afreshstartplease · 24/05/2015 10:46

Oh give over

youmakemydreams · 24/05/2015 10:46

Do your dc never utter a word on the stairwell?
It's not unreasonable noise. They are chatting, singing and being 4. You cannot complain about normal every day noise you live in a flat it happens.

MakeItRain · 24/05/2015 10:46

It doesn't sound like too much of a problem really. Presumably it doesn't last very long, it's not late and it sounds like lovely noise - a child chatting and singing. I don't think a complaint would get you anywhere, because I don't really think anyone would really understand what the problem is. Unless it's at your child's bedtime and interfering with that or waking him/her? If it's that you could maybe tell them when your dc's bedtime is and ask if they could encourage him to be a bit quieter if they leave after that. If not then I'm not sure you'd have much grounds for any complaint.

It's obviously really stressing you out for some reason though. Are you worried/ stressed about something else and focusing on this instead?

PtolemysNeedle · 24/05/2015 10:47

You have a problem with being able to hear a four year old for as long as it takes to get down a couple of flights of stairs? Yes, YABVU.

pictish · 24/05/2015 10:47

Yabu. Come on now. Stop it.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 24/05/2015 10:48

Has to be a reverse. It would be madness to complain to anyone about a few minutes of noise from a child at those times.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 24/05/2015 10:49

Seriously, you want to complain about a bit of stairway noise from 6-8pm? Don't be daft.

thornrose · 24/05/2015 10:49

YABVU that's just normal everyday noise we all have to live with. Don't you and your child chat on the way downstairs?

NerrSnerr · 24/05/2015 10:51

Is this a reverse?

gamerchick · 24/05/2015 10:52

Has to be a reverse man, nobody is that intolerant to a few minutes noise now and then and then post on the Internet asking if they should complain to the big guys Hmm

TenerifeSea · 24/05/2015 10:54

Umm, how old is your child?

SqueezyCheeseWeasel · 24/05/2015 10:55

Sounds like a problem of crap acoustics on the stairwell rather than noisy kids, tbh. You/your family are probably as loud to your neighbours when you come and go.

SqueezyCheeseWeasel · 24/05/2015 10:56

Assuming this isn't a reverse or whatever.

Perfectlypurple · 24/05/2015 10:56

That wouldn't be classed as noise nuisance. You would have no grounds to complain.

Floralnomad · 24/05/2015 10:57

If this is actually true please do complain as I would imagine it would give the people at the council a good laugh and brighten their day ! YABVVVVVVU .

AGirlCalledBoB · 24/05/2015 10:57

Are you joking? You seriously want to complain for the couple of mins Imag most it takes a 4 year old to walk down the stairs?

They will not take it seriously, they are making noise for a couple of mins and it is not even that late when they are doing it. It is petty to complain about this.

Original poster
thegreatwideopen · 24/05/2015 10:58

No, not a reverse ladies. Just wondered if I was being unreasonable or not, sometimes these things can seem bigger to me than they actually are I guess. As I said in my original post, they do have to pass my front door. Sometimes they leave just as I have DD settled, as it can be around bedtime.

Think I'm overreacting, and I'm grateful for the comments. Don't have much in the way of adult conversation these days, so things can be a storm in a teacup. Thanks for putting it into perspective.

OP posts:
Reginafalangie · 24/05/2015 10:59

No grounds for action at all but I think you knew that.

Learn to live with it of move.

AuntyMag10 · 24/05/2015 11:01

Yes mean to complain about a visiting child. He's hardly throwing a party at 4yo.

gamerchick · 24/05/2015 11:05

I'm glad you see that and I understand what it's like when you don't get much adult interaction. No it's not grounds for complaint. There may not be any harm in asking your neighbour if they could be considerate when passing your door because it's your child's bedtime and it takes longer to do or something but equally they could be one of those types to ramp it up.

As an aside echoey places are excellent for sensory stuff.. I love to sing in places that echo. I can understand why the 4 yr old does it, it's a nice feeling.

youmakemydreams · 24/05/2015 11:06

As someone who is prone to over reacting myself thegreat I can understand why it is good to get some outside perspective. I'm very grateful to have dp and my dad who will happily tell me I'm being an arse when I am Grin
When I was a lone parent my evenings when the dc were asleep were precious so can totally understand how it got blown out of proportion in your head if it's happening at bedtime. You took the replies graciously Flowers