Or are my neighbours complete IDIOTS 😂

[Lilianna123]

Another neighbourly dispute, same neighbours that claimed our cat was teasing their dog, and the same neighbours who accused us of stealing blackberries off their bush that happened to grow over my fence.

Well if I hadn't thought they were ridiculous before, I definitely do now.

Woke up this morning to find a note through the door saying they have had a new piano delivered and due to space they were limited on places it could go indoors (not our problem) they are saying where they have placed it is under a window and their view from the piano is a large oak tree which is in our garden. Their problem is that they are saying the many birds nests that are in this tree are distracting and these wild birds are making too much noise therefore distracting them from the piano.

There isn't even a suggestion in the note of what they'd like us to do about it. Not that I would even consider taking any action towards the tree but FFS what on earth are they doing? They don't have a bloody leg to stand on??

Lenina - thank you for saying that. I started following this thread and giggling too, but there were enough red flags for me as it went on to lead me to think that poor Andy has some real issues and his wife is being dragged into these / is struggling to cope. I'm guessing it is the onset of dementia too. It sounds very much like a couple of cases in my own family, to be honest. The story with the car was actually the one that triggered the hairs on the back of my neck to rise - that's a familiar activity that has suddenly become threatening for him. I don't know what to suggest you do except

• ask the wife if he is really OK (and maybe research some support for her from the council if she says no).
• speak to the council and highlight it as a probably mental health issue one rather than a recalcitrant neighbour and tree one.

I feel for everybody involved, to be honest. Dementia is awful and not fun at all. He's likely to get worse, though, and his poor wife is clearly not coping.

Piano playing time doesn't have to be undisturbed unless you're a crap pianist. Please quote that at him

Utterly, utterly batshit! Keep records for harassment - we had neighbours like this who retired and suddenly had not enough to think about. They started complaining over every minor thing. It got so out of hand that in the end the police went round with a notice warning them to stop and threatening to issue an ASBO/ prosecute for harassment. It stopped them, but without the ability to do anything about all their imagined neighbourhood slights, they moved house 6 months later. Win win! (except for their new neighbours, of course)

I've got an idea where Andy can put his piano up his arse where his head is

If this carries on I'd second looking into reporting for harassment, keep all the letters (write the dates on the back) and keep a diary of when they spoke to you. and look into getting a cctv/webcam thing on your tree as I wouldn't trust the arsehole to not take matters into his own hands

He said he will look into where he stands and be in touch!

I'd love to see Andy's solicitor's (or whoever he'll be getting advice from) face when he explains his 'problem' to him. I wonder wether they'll laugh in his face or wait til he leaves the building. What a git.

Id look into getting a preservation order as well, I wouldnt put it past him to "arrange" someone to cut the tree down when youre not there - sounds like Andy is used to being an important city person who gets his own way, and you are his replacement staff to boss around.

Keep records of every note, every conversation, every rant and take pictures now of the tree so you can be clear about any damage if he does decide to take matters into his own hands.
Maybe if he sees you taking the pics, it might make him realise that taking matters into his own hands isn't going to be taken lightly (or it might just tip him over the edge if he's a bit unstable which, to be honest, it sounds like he is)

Good luck

get a TPO.
that'll boil their piss!

seriously, I am sure there is a book in this.

Can we not all come round dressed as birds OP? We could all sit in the tree and mumsnet stare him...

Is it an acoustic piano?
Placing it in a window with direct sunlight will affect the humidity, and it will quickly go out of tune. Tell Andy to move it.
If it's electric, tell Andy to get some headphones then he won't be able to hear the birds.

In all honesty, as completely lunatic as they sound, I think you absolutely have to engage.

I think you need to send a recorded letter and an email stating that you will not be removing the tree, that the tree is on your property and that any attempt by them to remove the tree will be criminal damage.

Because otherwise you may return from holiday one day to a garden without a tree. I know they can legally remove over hanging branches but that is all.

I'm with others guessing something seriously wrong.

It has moved beyond laughable. Definitely protect yourself legally by dating letters & journalling these behaviours, but ask MrsAndy if she thinks somethings up.

Whether he has dementia or MH problems, it's not a great position to be in, just waiting for it to blow up.

And please get your keys back if you haven't already!

DH is a pianist. He manages to play everyday with me watching tv in the next room, the kids running around, the dog barking, all the usual busy house noise.

Andy is a dick.

Change the locks!

Oh, dear. Poor you, having to deal with all this - I have to say, your attitude is great! But I agree that things have taken a bit of a sinister turn - it does sound as though all is not right with Andy, poor bugger. And his poor wife. Record everything - keep the notes and make a note of every conversation you have about the tree. And maybe CCTV or something, because I wouldn't put it past him to try and take matters into his own hands while you're out.

how come there are birds next in mid October? surely that's a spring thing?

I'm having an awful day - this has cheered me up no end. True craziness in action

OP, can you befriend the wife? Sounds like she could do with a friend --and you'd get insider gossip-+

I would seriously log (no pun intended) all contact you have with them. Who said what etc. He is retired, bored, and has the time and inclination to make this turn into a long and protracted dispute.

Incidentally, how far is your tree from their window? Do they have double glazing? I know birds can be noisy, but the dawn chorus is over fairly early, even at this time of year.

It's at moments like this that you're grateful you're not married to Andy .

His wife sounds like she is quite sensible and probably just ground down by him. I feel sorry for her. And you, of course. You really don't need this shit! But I think you are handling it really well. Don't get drawn into their madness. You know what they are requesting is unreasonable - just keep remembering that!

Loving some of the responses on this thread though. Very funny. Hopefully cheering you up a bit Lilianna?

Sorry I'm no help but this is so funny. Having a rotten day at work & you've given me a good laugh in my lunch hour.

Personally, I'd write a note very similar. I'd talk about something new in my house tell them where I've located it and then move on to discuss something in their garden that your not particular fond of signing off with kind regards and see what there response would be

Find a video of someone playing the drums badly play it when you go out rather loudly if they complain say you thought mabey you could start a really rubbish band since they have had their new piano uve listened to them play n u think you could be deliciously atrocious together or your could both quit n enjoy the bird song see what they think ;)

Dear Neighbours.

Yes we received your note, but I had other more important matters such as feeding my vhildren to attend to first.

In reply to your note...

We love our tree, (which we will mot be removing)
We love its feathered visitors (which are protected in law btw)

We don't however enjoy Andys piano playing, we find it very intrusive & quite frankly loud & unnecessary. However in the spirit of live & let live we decided not to complain.

Our feathered friends really do seem to really enjoy Andys musical acumen though, so much do that they clearly love to join in & sing along.

In the light if that, surely the best way for Andy to avoid disturbance by the streets wild birds, would be to stop playing the piano so loudly that it encourages them to sing along

I just wanted to thank you for cheering up my day. Your neighbours are bloody bonkers!

How passionate about his music can Andy really be if he has only just now got round to buying his first piano?

On the plus side, this has presumably made your Christmas wish list a whole lot easier...
www.notonthehighstreet.com/garden/birds-wildlife/bird-feeders