Neighbours complaining. AIBU?

[MamaMiaReboot]

I’ve recently had new neighbours move in who seemed nice enough when I met them, if a bit strident.

But, they complain a LOT.

Yesterday it was that I put bottles “noisily” in the recycling bin at 7pm. (If anyone knows how to drop glass containers silently into a deep plastic bin I’d love to know! )

Today it was that my washing machine is too loud. And that I shouldn’t do my laundry on a Sunday.

I politely but firmly told them that I could hear their teenage son shouting when he watches football very loudly but that it was all part and parcel of living in a maisonette.

But, I’m wondering if I am BU about the laundry bit on a Sunday afternoon. Is there some neighbourly etiquette about that that I’m not aware of?

Don't answer the door to them, and if they accost you outside, just say you keep noise to an acceptable level. If they say they are going to take t further, just smile and say "OK"

They sound batty.

Phrases like "I'm sorry, that won't be possible" and "The noise from my washing machine is not excessive given that it is the middle of the afternoon on a weekend day, so no I will not stop doing my laundry just because you don't like it" became my script when the lovely tenants next door moved out and annoying complainers moved in a year or so ago.

They'd complain about anything but I was fortunate because, as they were tenants, when their petty whining got too much I called their letting agent and complained about their tenants' behaviour. The letting agent/landlord must have put them on a warning because the complaints stopped and they moved out not long afterwards.

I had lived in flats for years and only had the occasional problem neighbour noise. As is often the case we thought we would be just as fine when we moved to a semi. What a mistake! Neighbours have wooden flooring throughout and they never seem to take their shoes off even in the bedrooms. They both work and get up extremely early between 4 and 5 a.m. They drag their heavy wood furniture over the wooden floors. Their washing machine is on at least once every day and shakes my lamps on tables. They never talk but they do stare even to the point of climbing ladders to see over the wall. I wondered why the previous owners had put up a wall when other gardens here have fences.
Their conduct as well as the noise which gets even worse at weekends is very irritating. I do wonder what noises they hear from our house so I am reluctant to say anything. Combined with their inability to just say Hi or Good Morning or whatever I do not find my wishes for home to be homely.
People's times for what is acceptable will vary with what hours they work. I start at 9 and I really do get annoyed at being woken at early hours.
I think we just have to try to live with being in close proximity to others who live different lives.

OP The anti vibration mats are cheap, and work a treat.

I think you were spot on with your answer about the son and football. Every noise they make memory store so when they complain again say "yeh I can hear your bath running etc they will get as fed up of you as you are of them.

To posters who have suggested the anti vibration mat, I’ve found a few online which is great. Thank you.

However....the machine is extremely heavy and there is no way I’m able to move it out of its space let alone lift it to stick a mat underneath!

How did you fit yours?

I've had my neighbours knocking on my door because I was hoovering at 3pm. I've also had them bashing at 7pm when I was cooking dinner before and I tripped over a rug and landed into the front door before which was open and it slammed and then they came round and started bashing on the door saying I was being too loud.

Some people are a pain. Do the laundry whatever day you want too.