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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this super annoying or is it just me?

52 replies

Owlettecatboy · 28/09/2017 19:43

Backstory: I live on a Georgian terrace in a very famous tourist spot. All the houses are owned occupied bar one. New tenants moved in a couple of doors down they are very well to do and are obviously paying an absolute fortune in rent. All the houses have large gardens and gates at the front.

For some unfathonable reason the new tenant have installed an old fashioned shop bell on their gate which goes off continuously throughout the day. When their kids come and go, when the mum comes back from the school run, when the postman delievers the post etc. Etc.

Why would someone do this? It's driving me potty! I feel a bit petty asking them to take it down and I'm not sure if I'm being a bit unreasonable?

OP posts:
AfterSchoolWorry · 28/09/2017 20:15

Stick corn plasters all over it! But do it like a Ninja in the night! 🌙 😃

AfterSchoolWorry · 28/09/2017 20:16

All over the thingy that rings.

overstuffedburitto · 28/09/2017 20:18

Stuff it full of playdoh Grin

Didactylos · 28/09/2017 20:22

Clapper, not clanger
is technical term for the bit that dangles in a bell

this may or may not help your problem

Original poster
Owlettecatboy · 28/09/2017 20:29

@didactylos that does help! Grin

@overstuffedburrito you are a genius! Silence the clapper without permanent damage! Thank you

OP posts:
RagamuffinCat · 28/09/2017 20:32

Is it a listed building? If the gate is original it might be part of the listing and any alterations to it would need listed building consent?

Original poster
Owlettecatboy · 28/09/2017 20:35

It is listed and I'm sure that they don't have the appropriate consent.

To be fair I'm sure they think it is "fitting".

OP posts:
Original poster
Owlettecatboy · 28/09/2017 20:36

Sorry I meant to say that yes, the gates and front gardens are all listed.

OP posts:
RagamuffinCat · 28/09/2017 20:37

Maybe you could helpfully point out they need permission as you wouldn't want them to get a fine?

Darkstar4855 · 28/09/2017 22:42

I sympathise as I work nights and that sort of thing is really annoying when you're trying to sleep in the day (like people beeping the car horn when driving away from their friends' houses Angry).

I think it's reasonable to ask them to stop it, as others have suggested you could write a note if you don't feel comfortable speaking to them directly. Maybe they don't realise how annoying it is. Are you friendly with any of your neighbours? Do they feel the same? Maybe a united front would help if they are reluctant to get rid of the bloody thing.

I don't think that the fact that they might be paying more rent than you pay for your mortgage has any relevance. It certainly doesn't give them the right to behave antisocially!

AntiHop · 28/09/2017 22:46

They've done something unreasonable to a listed building? I wonder if they previously installed a door in the place of a window into another mumsnetter's garden.

DanHumphreyIsA · 28/09/2017 23:44

@AntiHop Grin they just don't know when to stop

bridgetreilly · 28/09/2017 23:53

To be honest, I'd leave it a while. It'll probably be annoying them too...

melj1213 · 29/09/2017 00:55

If they're renting, did they have the landlord's permission to install a bell on their property?

I'd definitely speak to the neighbours first and tell them how irritating it is and that they need to remove it. If they don't remove the bell then I'd be straight on to the landlord/agent to make a noise nuisance complaint.

Butterymuffin · 29/09/2017 01:00

You need to watch the Windchimes episode of The Middle where their neighbour puts up (you guessed it) a load of windchimes.
Actually, maybe that would work for you? When they come and complain about the tinkly 90s throwback annoyance of it all, you can offer to do a deal in the style of US/Russian arms treaties.

SunSeaAndSangria · 29/09/2017 01:03

Superglue?

MardyMatilda · 29/09/2017 01:46

Why are they paying so much more than you to live there??

Shadow666 · 29/09/2017 01:56

Just talk to them first. Be polite and friendly and see where that gets you.

When we were kids, my parents installed a dart board on the party wall. It genuinely never occurred to them that this may be a tad annoying for the next door neighbours who decided to sell up and move rather than ask them to move it which my parents would have gladly done.

Bonkers! The lot of them.

Original poster
Owlettecatboy · 30/09/2017 10:33

Update! They have taken the bell down! I'm not sure if they saw this thread or whether someone else spoke to them but I'm very happy! Thank you MN!

OP posts:
Original poster
Owlettecatboy · 30/09/2017 10:40

Update! They have taken the bell down! I'm not sure if they saw this thread or whether someone else spoke to them but I'm very happy! Thank you MN!

OP posts:
Original poster
Owlettecatboy · 30/09/2017 10:41

Sorry for the double post!

OP posts:
DartmoorDoughnut · 30/09/2017 11:20

Result!

Shadow666 · 30/09/2017 11:30

Great news! Maybe someone else complained.

NobbyNobberson · 30/09/2017 11:58

😁 I can just imagine them reading this thinking 'ooh, we aren't the only ones with a bell on our gate......oh no, wait..........'

pigsDOfly · 30/09/2017 13:25

Can see you're so happy with the result Owlette you posted it twice.

Great result. Must be a MNer.