Neighbours daughter...

[Francescaisstressed]

Last summer was horrific. We are in a middle terrace house. The one side is lovely, recently had a newborn baby. The other side is also lovely, apart from their young daughter.
Last summer when she came back home from uni, it was non stop parties, loud music, screeching and hot tub. I think she's 18 or so. The last few months have been blissfully quiet, but she's just returned home again today.
The music has already started, they re decorating the garden for a party and a bunch of cars are already outside.
Both my partner and I work from home - they know this.
The music is so loud I can hear it over noise cancelling headphones I bought last summer because of this.
Last summer, I knocked the door one day after the 4th day of loud music. They have a ring doorbell and I was ignored.
What do I do? I'm terrified of going the more formal route because i don't want to cause an issue, and also hoping that in the next year or two we can move.
But I just struggle in the house with it so badly. I can't enjoy my garden at all because of the behaviour, literally never used it in the summer and starting to dread the nice weather.
But I wouldn't mind so much if it was a weekend thing, it's the work days at 10.30 in the morning that kill me off.
what should I do?
YABU - try and ignore it and just move
YANBU - report and or write letter etc to them

[pam290358]

A couple of PPs have got hold of the wrong end of the stick regarding whether or not you have to disclose neighbour disputes when you are selling your home. Goldieloxx - if you have just had words with a neighbour, legally you don’t have to disclose it as a dispute but you have if you have complained to a neighbour in writing - and this could just be a note through their door - you are obliged to disclose it. It’s a legal requirement to declare any complaints or disputes with neighbours, regardless of whether the complaint was pursued via official channels, and regardless of whether or not it was resolved or is ongoing.

All vendors have to complete property information forms as part of the conveyancing process, and these forms specifically ask questions in this area, so it’s not a case of the conveyancing solicitors not pursuing things or missing information - the onus is on the vendor to complete the forms honestly and give full disclosure of any problems in this area.

And there are very real consequences to non disclosure. If a dispute in which you complained in writing to the neighbour, or took official action via the local authority, comes to light after the new owner moves in, they can take legal action against you for non disclosure. Buyers get copies of the property details forms so it’s easy to check whether or not you have been honest.

[Mirw]

In Scotland, we can get the Council to ASBO neighbours for this type of behaviour. If they don't want to work with the ASBO Unit, then they are charged with BOP. Which stays on their record. When it comes to getting employment, many people then have to explain their police record... And if they want to be a professional - law, medicine, social work - it is a gift that just keeps giving.

My thinking is that if you are not going to be neighbourly and only thi k about self, you thoroughly deserve the "gift".

[KingsOfTheWildFrontier]

I'm not good with confrontation either so I know how you feel. If it continues again you could keep ringing the bell until they answer. Otherwise as others have said, play annoying music or radio at inconvenient times and if they say anything say yes it's very annoying get disturbed by noise isn't it. Put the speaker close to their wall so only them can hear it.

[anon666]

Even though this seems like a minority view, I would take this as a catalyst to move rather than raise a dispute.

Having been in an incredibly frustrating and stressful neighbour dispute I would move heaven and earth to avoid it again.

[crosstalk]

Most solicitors don't find these things out. Most conveyancers appear to be legal executives and are persecuted if they don't turn over properties fast so the old searches they used to do don't appear unless you specifically ask.

Just ask the girl and her mother to keep the noise down and keep a record of it.

[Roxy69]

I am moving soon and if there were noise issues on file I wouldn't buy the house. Who would? Solicitors find these things out. If it's just you being sensitive and it isn't 365 days; unless you want to lose buyers I would keep schtum. However, go for a complaint if you have to or move sooner. But not when she's at home!

[Purplealienpuke]

@peachescariad ,
Thanks for trying to stigmatise social housing tenants.....
I'm a social housing tenant who is having terrible problems with a private owner neighbour....
It isn't me playing loud antisocial music or beating my partner on a regular basis!
I have called the noise abatement team. But because of the pandemic all they did was send letters to all the other tenants. Who won't make complaints because YOU HAVE TO DECLARE THAT SHIT WHEN YOU SELL FFS 😡
FML....
It really isn't right or fair to the next home owner/tenants (delete as applicable) to have no clue that the neighbours are a nightmare 😕
It has serious effects on people's mental health!!

[RenoSusan]

I found a noise cancelling ap that you put you ear buds in your ears and then point the microphone end of the phone to whatever you want to hear. The tech cancels everything else out. It is called Heardthat and it was introduced at the Las Vegas Tech show in January. Yes, I sound like a commercial but I live next to a 20 year old who turns up the base so loud that everything in my condo vibrates. I just point it toward the tv.

[Goldieloxx]

I would complain to the council, they have a statutory duty to investigate noise complaints at any time of day if it's a nuisance. Usually they will write a letter first and this results in most people stopping. If that's the case and the issue is resolved before you move you may not need to declare it in moving, you'd need to ask your solicitor, but if you csn say it's no longer an issue then most buyers won't be put off.
I lived with a nightmare noisy neighbour for a year, the council was brilliant and ended up evicting him in the end. I would always take action against noise or anti social behaviour, why should you not enjoy your home because of inconsiderate neighbours

[CrikeyPeg]

@ThisIsStartingToBoreMe

I managed to get this stopped by playing opera music at full volume at 6am the night after one of their parties when i was finally fed up.

But playing annoying music at the same time sounds a lot more sensible!

Yup, opera or Barry Mannilow (authorities used him in car parks somewhere in Aus to discourage the yoof from congregating , not sure if it was effective or not though), Nana Mouskouri, Whats-his-namey Bieber, Celine Dion ... whatever it takes to disrupt their sleep/downtime =any friends with an annoying yappy dog? When they're in the hot tub screeching up a storm, mow the lawn, strim, chainsaw, maybe burn/smoulder damp greenwaste if the wind is in the right direction prob be quite effective! Make sure you've got the other neighbours onboard though, otherwise you run the risk of possibly ending up with a bunch of complaints.

The most difficult thing will be the timing of the sale of your property.

[Ilovemypantry]

I feel your pain, OP. I too have noisy neighbours (our houses are detached but still quite close together and we share a garden fence). I actually dread the summer as I know I won’t be able to sit out and enjoy my garden.
I think you should try revenge tactics, playing something loud that you know they will hate at a time when they might be resting. Sometimes it’s the only way to get through to people like this.

[Screwcorona]

You are absolutely not unreasonable...but I selected yabu, to vote for move house.

Because I'm aware these complaints take absolutely forever to resolve or may not resolve at all. If I was in your shoes I'd be looking to move asap

[NoProblem123]

They’re not going to get any better OP - keep quiet, don’t make an issue, don’t fall out, move.

[Shrivelled]

Sorry OP but you sound too nice. I was a little shit of a teenager and I wouldn’t have responded to a neighbour asking me to do something politely. I would have responded if my neighbour gave me a firm telling off though. If you can do that while her mum isn’t in and if that still doesn’t work, escalate if afterwards. I’m not saying be verbally abusive, but she needs to see you pissed off.

[Thighdentitycrisis]

@Crunchymum

100% agree

I am a secure tenant and there are plenty of noisy people around me who are transient private renters since the properties were purchased after right to buy. If they were long term tenants they would probably give a bit more consideration for their neighbours!

[user1471538283]

It is so horrible. My ex neighbours destroyed my mental health and I'm still not very well.

A polite note or a polite word will not cut it. I think you have to be very firm and tell them that it stops now. Their right to party and make noise does not trump your right to a decent life. If you didn't work her uni place would not be funded (because unis still get public funding from your tax).

It really winds me up. People are so selfish and entitled. If you live in a terrace or a flat you need to be more considerate.

Also please look at moving as soon as you can.

[Toomuchtrouble4me]

Does it go on past 11pm?
Otherwise it’s tough - she’s young and needs to party

[Crunchymum]

@skirk64

Yes, you have to inform potential buyers of anything that could put them off purchasing it, like noise. Legally you have to inform them even if you haven't complained, however a complaint puts it in black and white and can be used in evidence against you if you don't tell them. The days of "sold as seen" have been over for a while now.

It's shit and I'm in a similar position to you (the difference with me is that my neighbour's home is social housing, so it attracts a string of tenants who have no respect for their neighbours). I know I can't complain, I just have to wait until I can afford to move, and hope for the best.

Social housing attracts a string of undesirables does it?

Social housing is actually very hard to come by and usually once a tenant moves in, they stay (they don't have the option or economic means or support from council / HA to move all the time!)

Your post is very ignorant.

[jasjas1973]

I went through this many years ago, we spent a great deal of emotional energy involving police, council, noise meters etc etc but as one council man said to me "the law is there for those who want to keep it"
Police aren't interested in noise issues.... unless there is a threat of violence!

We moved, prob lost 20k on the selling price but boy was it worth it.

[Thighdentitycrisis]

I feel your pain OP

I live in a terrace too and lots of the houses are converted into flats which doubles the number of households enjoying their gardens.

I seem to be the only single person here at the moment surrounded by loud young professionals guffawing all day all weekend

The more they drink the louder they shout over each other, grrrrr the Australian one especially

[pam290358]

OP, if you sell up, you have to disclose neighbour problems whether or not reported and whether or not resolved, if reported, so I wouldn’t let that put you off making a complaint. If it’s this bad and you’re being ignored, I really would call the police. Then if it continues, complain via the council - hopefully a visit from the local constabulary will be enough to show them you don’t intend to put up with it.

[InFiveMins]

I feel for you OP. I'm sensitive to noise but that sounds more than just 'typical' noise to expect from neighbours - they sound like inconsiderate arseholes.

I would talk about it again with the mum - be honest and tell her the noise is getting you down and you are struggling with working at home etc.

If that doesn't work, book yourselves and your nice neighbours into a hotel for a full weekend and leave heavy metal music on at full blast. That should do the trick.

[Happyher]

Everyone is entitled to the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of their home. If you live in a terrace you can’t play loud music if it disturbs the neighbours. We can’t all do everything we want. If it happens again next holiday have an informal word with the police for advice Maybe they will agree to drive by one or twice a day and hear it themselves and have a knock on

[Happyher]

On the off chance they are tenants speak to their landlord

[Mumofthreeteenagers]

Unis went back this week so she shouldnt be there. I like the knocking, no answer do a note. Then knock and note again then 101. Regardless of what you do, its anti social and distancing rude. Your local counsellor can help too before you start the formal road. You can also download the noise monitors as well. Hope its sorted.