WWYD?

[Whattodo20177]

More a WWYD really.

My neighbor has recently started leaving her bike in the communal hallway.

It is a pain to manoeuvre around with shopping etc as well as being a fire hazard

But I don’t want to ruffle feathers as she is a nice neighbour and the other neighbour in our block is a miserable complainer so I’m keen to keep her on nice neighbour’s side.

The bike doesn’t affect miserable neighbor as she is in the basement flat. Me and bike neighbour are the only ones who share this particular hallway.

The complicating issue is that I’m a professional pianist and so practice at least 4 hours a day. Only ever within the hours of 10am and 6pm though. She has always been complimentary about the music though whenever we’ve bumped into each other. But I’m worried that if I complain about the bike, she will turn and create bad blood.

WWYD?

By what law are you permitted to make noise that prevents your neighbours from having "quiet enjoyment" of their own flats?
They would be within their rights to make a noise complaint to the council if the music is invading their space (as would the neighbour with the DnB fans on the other side).

I think many posters here are ignorant of the regulations regarding noise nuisances. Whether it's related to your profession or not, any noise that causes "unreasonable interference" with the normal enjoyment of another's property can be subject to enforcement by the council. The times the noise occurs are not relevant, but noise that occurs "regularly or over a continuing period of time" is considered to be particularly unreasonable.
So as I said, digital piano and headphones, or if your playing does not bother your neighbours, you don't have to worry. Why don't you ask them?
And yes report the bicycle. It has nothing to do with the noise disturbance you may be causing.

I wouldn't have the gall to complain about anything my neighbours did if I was playing music for 4 hours a day.

Can I just point out that the hours I practice are pretty much when she is out at work.

Occasionally she might be in on the odd day here and there but as I said before, she’s said she enjoys the music. I have said to her on several occasions to text me or knock on my door if it disturbs her but that has never happened.

Also when I moved in, the first thing I did was lay down heavy carpets and sound absorbing underlay. Plus sound absorbing curtains along the walls of the music room. So can the rude comments about being an inconsiderate neighbour stop please. I am being considerate to the point of considering not mentioning a fire hazard so not to inconvenience my neighbour!

Not mentioning a potential fire hazard is an interesting take on being a "considerate" neighbour!

So you know your music doesn't bother her—that's fine and good. So we can leave that discussion and now you can go and speak with her about the bike that could potentially cause someone's death.

I lived under a piano teacher and I enjoyed hearing it. Had more problems with anti social neighbours in the years since then and unless the walls are made of paper then they won't be hearing every note, especially as the op has done as much sound reducing as she can.

If she hadn't mentioned the piano, then everyone would be agreeing that the bike needed moved for fire safety.

can't you just ask to see your lease or the rental agreement and see if it says anything about storing a bike in the hall? if there is nowhere else for her to put it what do you think she should do, what would you do? maybe she would be happy to store it in her flat.

A wall rack is £15???

" Hi neighbour, just wanted to say I have no issue with the bike being in the hall, but I'm worried I might knock it over and damage it, and it might be a hazard if we had a fire. I've found these wall mountable racks, they're £15, I'm happy to go halves with you so you can still keep your bike safely in the hall - do you want to order it or should I?"

What welsh said...
I’d be happy with that as the bike riding neighbour. I’d be less happy and think you were a bit of a dick if you went to the bother of getting the fire brigade in to do a check as some people have suggested here...

With everyone being encouraged to cycle, reduce their carbon footprint etc. then good on her for cycling, maybe she could buy a storage shed if there's anywhere to put it up. Are there stairs that might make it difficult to keep lugging the bike up and down, wonder what would happen if this was a new mum who kept her pram in the hallway? If I was her I would buy a trumpet too and start practising that.