No Swimming Pool After 8pm - AIBU?

[Varala]

We had a swimming pool built (outdoor) last spring which has been great fun for DD and DH (I’m not much of a swimmer), especially during lockdown.

We do have a large garden, but it is bordered by three other nearby houses. Two just by the garden, but one of the houses is up against one of the far walls of the garden, by the pool.

Earlier today, a note was found shoved under DH’s windscreen wiper (not sure what’s wrong with the letter box, but hey ho). It is signed “your neighbours” and requests that we not use the pool after 8pm as they are being disturbed by shouting and splashing.

Very rarely is the pool in use that late in the evening anyway, but on the rare occasion it is, there is certainly not any shouting (though a bit of splashing can’t be helped). Are the neighbours just jealous that we have a pool? I’m fuming and ready to go round each of the neighbours individually to discuss, but DH has told me to drop it and they’ll let it go. AIBU to think it’s nobody else’s business what we do with our pool?

(note from mumwon if I was your neighbour -don't use pool after 8 as I want to otherwise you are mean ) looks out old swimming costume & flippers & beach towel)

Are you sure people aren’t breaking into your garden at midnight to enjoy your pool? How deeply do you sleep and do you have your windows open at night?

They are just jealous OP.

We have a pool - kids do shriek when using it - they can't help it. Luckily we are nearest neighbour is a long way a way. That's v close to their house and probably is annoying but it's also tough. Use your pool how you want.

@InFiveMins

Hmmm.... I think it's a reasonable request. I don't think they are jealous of your pool - just wanting to be able to relax and wind down in an evening without hearing your kids playing.

Why does the neighbours relaxation trump the kids playing?

It must be pretty grim living next to an outdoor pool with shouting and splashing never mind at 8 o'clock at night. Poor them.

Eh, I can see both sides of this. You have every right to use your pool at 8pm in the summer (it's still light then after all) esp3if you don't do it all that often. However my neighbours kids are playing out in the pool/trampoline/garden until at least 9pm at the moment and the shrieking is really starting to grate, especially as I have a toddler I'm trying to put to bed... Time for a face to face chat and reach a compromise?

I see the misery lot are out tonight. Yeesh, nothing is wrong with a child enjoying a pool and if most of you whingers read the OP she even said they aren't usually out that late, plus she says about her ONE dd and yet you all refer to children. God forbid a child enjoys their garden on a summer day

We have neighbours with pools. I don’t think they realise how loud they are when they are in the pool playing. We loved lockdown meant a grandparent didn’t have her grandchild over as we end up not using the garden as she is so loud!

I would totally ignore it, especially as the spineless killjoys didn't even have the courage to come to the the door to discuss the 'problem' like an adult.

I would suggest a face to face chat. Just pop round to the neighbouring houses and say “Hi just wanted to check in and make sure we weren’t disturbing you with the pool?” You’ll soon find out who it is. Hear them out. Putting a face to the anonymous pool noise might help them chill out a bit. Maybe say they’re welcome to come for a dip whenever they like (they won’t) but you’ll look good for offering)

Maybe say they’re welcome to come for a dip whenever they like (they won’t) but you’ll look good for offering)

Are you mad? They might take OP up on it!

Oh God, don’t invite them to use the pool whenever they like! As much as it’s fine if they say no, when they take you up on it, it’s a nightmare.

8pm is a bit early to have a silent garden! I think I’d rather splashing than the never ending screeching of the trampoline next door.

I'm just amazed (and very jealous!) about how many of you have pools! Where do you all live? she says sadly, looking around her poky London terrace with barely room for a foot spa

(and I'd ignore the note too OP as long as you're not taking the piss with it and it doesn't sound like you are)

8pm seems quite early but if there's splashing and shouting all day then it must be a nightmare. Building a pool close to 3 neighbours means you have to be considerate.

And please realize that no one is jealous of you. That makes you sound so pathetic and petty.

GreytExpectations

I have 4 kids who manage to enjoy their garden on most summer evenings without being a nuisance for the neighbours.

One child swimming shouldn't make any noise at all, but the OP feeling the need to add "(though a bit of splashing can’t be helped)* make it sound like there is far too much noise and it's not just one child swimming quietly.

It's especially selfish as the OP put the pool at the far end of her own garden not to be disturbed but gets in a rage when the house next to the pool dares to be inconvenienced WHo is the CF here?

If they had written 9pm would you have still written your post?

If it was a rare occasion just keep going, but do be mindful. If it bothers them that much they will come and have a face-to-face chat.

I agree that parents are often desensitised to the sound of their own children though and it is probably louder than you are admitting / believing.

If I had a large garden and was building a pool, I certainly would not be placing it near the neighbours property.

@Viviennemary

It must be pretty grim living next to an outdoor pool with shouting and splashing never mind at 8 o'clock at night. Poor them.

I can think of a lot of grim conditions that people might have to live in. Family of 6 in a 1 bedroom flat in a tower block, tenant with black mould in the walls. Weirdly “in a house with a garden next door to a swimming pool” doesn’t quite make into the top 10 grim living conditions countdown...

@SantaClaritaDiet

GreytExpectations

I have 4 kids who manage to enjoy their garden on most summer evenings without being a nuisance for the neighbours.

One child swimming shouldn't make any noise at all, but the OP feeling the need to add "(though a bit of splashing can’t be helped)* make it sound like there is far too much noise and it's not just one child swimming quietly.

It's especially selfish as the OP put the pool at the far end of her own garden not to be disturbed but gets in a rage when the house next to the pool dares to be inconvenienced WHo is the CF here?

You are right, one child shouldn't make much noise, and the OP has said her child does not make much noise. Splashing in a pool is standard but you and others have jumped to assume the dd is shouting. If anything, I highly doubt your 4 kids are quiet at all, more kids means more noise. I definitely believe the OP over you if I'm honest.

If you were my neighbours I'd be leaving a cake on your doorstep in tbe hope we would become friends and you would invite me round!

Unless there is a backstory with the neighbours here... YANBU. Perfectly normal to enjoy your garden till dusk sets in. Dont want neighboyr noise of any description?? Buy somewhere miles from anyone.
Honestly, some people are just professional fun sponges. Ignore.

Mean of them not to leave a note rather than talk to you direct -but without knowing noise level/size of garden it’s hard to say! I would say though, as someone with neighbours on either side with children, that they do make a huge amount of noise...Whatever they are doing! Their parents are immune I think, but it would be nice to have a quiet drink outside occasionally without it feeling like we’re in a theme park! Saying that, I haven’t complained because, well, lockdown, poor kids are just bored, but then they are usually inside/in bed by 9pm latest. So I guess mine is a maybe?! Could it be more they are struggling with 24/7 noise generally and this was their no very nice way of venting it?

I think they are miffed they haven’t had an invite ....