Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

New neighbours and building

33 replies

HoustonBess · 12/04/2019 12:12

Currently 36 weeks pregnant, also have a toddler. Live in a Victorian terrace.

Our next door neighbour sold his house without us knowing anything about it (no sign out, didn't tell us he was moving, DH bumped into him one day and he said he'd sold and moved out).

New neighbours have not moved in but there's loads of building work going on. None of the workmen can tell me what building works are planned or give any info.

AIBU to be royally pissed off that I don't know if there will be loads of noise when I'm trying to nest/have newborn? The least the new neighbours could do is introduce themselves and give us a heads up about how long noise will last?

I know I don't get to decide if people sell their houses or have building work done, but the total lack of manners seems too much!

OP posts:

IWouldPreferNotTo · 12/04/2019 12:16

So if they had said "were having builders in in normal working hours" what would you have said.

It would have been polite but it wouldn't change the situation

Tara336 · 12/04/2019 12:18

I always think it’s polite to let your neighbour know your moving/selling I know it’s not compulsory it’s just nice manners. Maybe ask the builder to pass your details to the new owner?

multiplemum3 · 12/04/2019 12:19

I understand you're going to have a newborn and it would have been nice for the new owners to say something but it's not really any of your business.

Poppyfr33 · 12/04/2019 12:20

Why should your neighbour let you know they have sold their property? I would be annoyed if I had building work going on and my workmen had told a neighbour what they were doing, it is private. I can understand some of your concerns but you are being a bit precious.

woollyheart · 12/04/2019 12:22

Maybe your old neighbour told them that you were difficult neighbours, so best just to get on with the work in case you try to interfere?

FaFoutis · 12/04/2019 12:23

YANBU
It is bloody rude not to tell your neighbours that you are having building work that will affect them.
Of course it is your business. We are not on this planet to treat each other like shit. What is the world coming to?

Bankofenglandfiver · 12/04/2019 12:24

I can understand you’re upset, but realistically, what do you want them to Do? The building works will be normal hours. And as long as they’re within whatever your local council allows, there’s not much youcan do

fiorentina · 12/04/2019 12:29

If it was a big extension you’d have had notice of a planning application, if you’re in England. So probably just a refurb. Yes it would be polite to say hi. They could just be an investor/landlord, or aren’t if they aren’t based locally. Hopefully they will stick to working hour and be done quite quickly.
Babies can sleep during noise too, so hopefully you will be fine.

kamikazeshady · 12/04/2019 12:30

I don't think you are being unreasonable.

I live in a property that has three flats in. Neighbours moved in, did loads of building work and didn't even inform me until I asked. It pissed me off. A heads up would have been sufficient.

Turns out I was right in being annoyed by their attitude as he now thinks he owns the whole building...

FaFoutis · 12/04/2019 12:30

She wants to know how long it will last and what to expect. She's not asking them to stop. How is building work private? Unless they are installing a sex dungeon.

If you are justifying this behaviour is it because you would do it yourself?

Bankofenglandfiver · 12/04/2019 12:31

But they might not be in the area. I moved one time and got work done before I moved in.

I was 3 hours away and couldn’t speak to the neighbours as I wasn’t there.

Original poster

HoustonBess · 12/04/2019 12:31

I guess if they'd told me, I'd at least know if they're planning a full-scale renovation or just a couple of days of bits and bobs. I've got no idea how long it will go on for.

We've been the opposite of a difficult neighbour with the neighbour who sold. Let him have access to do works etc.

It's not so much that I think the world should stop for me having a baby, just that not knowing if it's going to be days or months of work is really frustrating. If I knew it was a big thing I could try to find a friend to stay with if need be.

I guess the flip side is they'll hear a newborn all night when they do move in

OP posts:

woollyheart · 12/04/2019 12:44

If it was a really huge project, there would have been plans agreed, and you would be aware of those. So hopefully it is just things like changing bathroom etc.

Of course, internal work can still be quite noisy and disruptive.

Hope your birth goes well, and things quieten down for the new baby!

stanski · 12/04/2019 12:46

Have a look at your local planning portal. Each borough has their own so if you google 'name if where you live - planning portal' then track it down by address, you'll be able to see what scale project there are doing. If it's not in there then it's nothing major

stanski · 12/04/2019 12:47

*name of where you live

GladAllOver · 12/04/2019 12:50

If you haven't met the new owner, and the builders are in already, I'll bet that it has been bought as a rental and the builders are updating the property ready.
I would check with the LA planning department to check if major changes are planned - although you should have been consulted.

GladAllOver · 12/04/2019 12:53

Crossed with stanski.
You can also check with the the LA what the time restrictions are on building work so you can get some peace e.g. on Sundays.

motheroffourcats · 12/04/2019 12:54

If the work requires planning permission or building control approval you would probbaly have received some written notification from the Local Authority. You can search any council's planning portal and building control portal. Some as easier to use/find than others but they are mostly there to be found. It can be intersting to put in your post code and see which local proeprties have applied for which permissions and if any have been refused.

I would perhaps try to speak to the builders again and ask if they could let you kow rougthly what length of time they have been employed for e.g. 4 weeks.

Also, you can (after registration has been dealt with by the buyer's solicitor) find out the name and address of the buyer and then you'll know of the buyer was an individual or a company.

It is a little strange the previous owner did not mention that he was completing a sale but perhaps he/she was embarrassed to discuss personal matters. Some neighbours are very private. He might have sold it to a relative or friend and then there would have been no For Sale board or obvious viewings to notice.

Hope all goes well for your baby's arrival.

Original poster

HoustonBess · 12/04/2019 13:07

Thanks all. Nothing on the planning portal but could be a loft conversion as permitted development.

The trend where we live is run-down rental properties selling out to gentrifiers so I doubt it's being done up for rental, maybe a quick turnaround profit? Bleh.

Thanks for the good wishes.

OP posts:

GladAllOver · 12/04/2019 13:35

If it's a loft conversion there may be a party wall issue that needs a proper agreement. You should make every effort to find out what's going on.

Raver84 · 12/04/2019 13:41

This shouldn't bother you at all. It's their house not yours and what they do with it is up to them so long as they are within the law. Leave them to it.

Order654 · 12/04/2019 13:45

It’s really none of your business what they have going on. Some people are so bloody nosy now a days.

I wouldn’t tell anyone if I was selling my house or what building work I was having done as it’s not anyone’s business except mine. As long as the buildings are they in the allowed times to make noise then they are doing nothing wrong. Get over yourself.

Original poster

HoustonBess · 12/04/2019 13:45

@Raver84 I think you're just trying to wind me up. Let me know where you live and I'll come and make banging noises outside for an unspecified period and we'll see whether it bothers you at all! Bonus if you're heavily pregnant!

I am leaving them to it, I've got no other choice as no bugger's bothered telling me what they're up to.

@GladAllOver good point, thanks

OP posts:

Order654 · 12/04/2019 13:46

Builders*

coral13 · 12/04/2019 13:57

Unfortunately this an issue with terrace houses and why semi detached and detached houses cost more.

Flip

1 2