To seriously lose it with this noisy neighbour?

[Marmitetoasties]

Bit of backstory-we have lived here for around a decade and the drunk next door (semi detached) is basically a pain in the arse. Can't sit in the garden as he's always out there smoking with friends drunk, can't go or sit outside without being letched at or told to fuck off for no reason. The biggest issue, is him playing music at ridiculous levels through the wall, shaking the whole house. We've tried every authority we can think of but never get anywhere with complaints and he is unapproachable.

Today marks three days until I've got to hand in my massive MA thesis. I've just printed it out, and sat down to meticulously scan for error, and he's started the music up. The on day I can't leave home to work, or buy earplugs as shops are shut and no car.

I don't know what to do. I want to go round and smash the stereo with a cricket bat. Not now. I've come too far with this MA. AIBU to go round and off? He's had enough chances, and I don't know what else to

Ha! That should say kick off (silly iPhones)

If you feel up to ripping him one, do so - often people like this back down easier than you might imagine - it will be a good De-stressor and clear your thinking. Make sure you have a quick exit plan prepared (do not enter), like leave your door open ready to run to it. Good luck OP.

How loud is it? Loud enough to dial 101?

If you have already been through all the authority's I presumed he's had a letter or 2 and if he's paid no attention to them I highly doubt he will give a fuck if you go round.
I would also he's drunk today as the weathers been so nice so your potentially going to start on a drunk which wouldn't be the best ideal?
I play music a lot at home instead of watching tv, it's not exactly to late for him to have music on.

As hotels said - fucking tell him in no uncertain terms.

Don't phone the Police (I know you didn't say you were going to, I'm just saying don't because they have no powers of arrest over noise)

DO keep a diary, times and dates, record the level of the music (there are free apps that can do this) and complain to environmental health.

But firstly - definitely rip him a new one (if you are up to it)

@Justdontknow4321 this isn't just playing music

think massive stereo at full volume, vibrating the glasses in the kitchen level of noise

Knock and ask him to turn the bass & volume down abit? It will be the bass that's making it vibrate.

How would the police help when it's a council issue?

Depends where you live - our council say contact 101.

When my nightmare neighbours used to make lot of noise the police said it was disturbance of the peace!

I have the same, but at least yours is playing it indoors. Mine takes the music outside. Vile man "it's my garden and I'll do what I want"

I plan on moving.

I'm tempted to play TS at full volume on repeat.

Loud noise from a stereo affecting next door falls under the provisions of statutory nuisance and these are dealt with by environmental health at the local council, not by the police. not ever. The police sometimes get involved if there is menace or bullying but other than that they don't.

is the house rented or owned? if rented contact the landlord directly. they have a responsibility to ensure people living in their property don't cause a noise nuisance. if owned, then start a noise diary - date time, duration and level. every time it happens. in terms of level if you can hear song words/recognise the song write this down.

go to your local authority and speak directly to an eho. make it a formal complaint and then keep on at them to make sure they investigate and deal with it.

but be aware. if you own your own home then when you come to sell it you will have to declare that you reported your neighbour and this can sometimes put people off.

this is absolutely and wholly an EHO issue for them to deal with. good luck OP message me if you want any further help - ex EHO.

BulletFox

It is. But it's not something they can arrest you for if it's just loud music.

Piss artists causing a disturbance etc, yes, they can do something but if it's just home alone loud tunes the police can't do a thing.

Mummymeister has nailed it from top to bottom. I was drafting more precise post in another tab but there is no need as she has done it for me. Awesome post, bursting with facts. Pay attention!

@BulletFox

Okay, for what offence can they arrest you for?

@user1471449805

Then your council are palming you off to a partner agency who have less powers than they do.

Thank you Fallingorbit. I was an EHO for over 20 years. I could write a book about the things people complain about in relation to noise. I similarly could write a book about the number of people who tolerate it and its intrusive nature - ruining their enjoyment of their home.

by the time these tolerant people get to Env Health they are at the end of their tethers. people need to give a reasonable amount of time for their neighbour to change their behaviour but not let them take the piss. I have seen people have breakdowns because of noisy neighbours - its horrible when its you suffering.

We had loud neighbours and I eventually borrowed a friend who is in a bands sound system he uses for gigs and played death metal with the speakers pushed against the wall. We all had a jolly time dancing and the music was scary enough that he stopped.

The trick with these people is to make them think you are crazier than they are.

I didn't mention arresting, they did once threaten to take the neighbours into custody once for didturbance of the peace. Perhaps the police here are just really friendly, I have some of their mobile numbers on my phone.

It sounds like op's neighbours could be construed to be threatening though if they've sworn at her in the past

Manclife - the police get involved if you are threatened or abused by your neighbour particularly if you complain to them and they make threats about your safety, racist abuse that sort of thing.

they also get involved if there are any other offences like drugs or drug dealing.

They don't knock on the noise makers door and ask them to turn it down.

we used to work with the police in the early 80's when pay parties were a big problem but that's because it was organised crime behind it.

@BulletFox

I'm assuming you're in Scotland otherwise the police were lying.

@mummymeister

So criminal offences then rather than noise issues. You're unlikely to get the same response now though. They're too busy safeguarding people.

@Manclife, no - perhaps the local ones are just quite protective of me then!!

Landlord got a court order to get mine out in the end.

I can massively empathise, we had a similar situation in our last house, drunk single guy playing fucking Cher at max volume over and over, pulling down our fence, and basically acting like your worst nightmare . In the end we couldn't take it anymore and sold up. It makes me sad that we were bullied out of our home but after the dust settled I was glad. I am not sure I can offer any advice but I would say is if you have spoken to him, the po,ice and council have tried and he is still a dick what's the likelihood of him ever changing. Is it an option to move?

Eh aren't much good, it will take them months to make a visit and the neighbour will be warned so they will be quiet for the visit and they will close the case.