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 3 4 5 6 7

Original poster

Nightmare neighbours

175 replies

RainbowBriteUk · 25/04/2021 20:43

I have been in my current property, a rental, since October last year. It's been a tough year. Redundancy, cancer and a few breakdowns. I thought I was finally settled in life.

NDN's, a man and a woman in their mid-fifties are noisy fuckers. They don't think anything of turning their telly up and every nice day they play music in their back garden so it's been a fair few weeks now. Also lots of shouting, DIY and generally being loud. Difficult when I am WFH and I would love to sit in the garden without their shitty music. However, for the sake of a neighbourly relationship I say nothing. They get pissed in their garden which is fine but become very loud. I've said nothing so far.

Today, I was trying to work. I was irked that they'd had their music on fairly loud since 10am in the garden. They then turned it up. I calmly went out and asked the man to turn it down as I was working and on a work call and the music meant I couldn't hear properly and concentrate and thanked him. It went down for a few seconds and then he turned it mega loud, put the speaker by my back door (fence seperates) and it's still on now.

I have had a few difficult years in rentals so finally hoped I had found somewhere to settle :( I have emailed the agency to let them know what happened but I am scared this is going to be it for ever now. He's going to do stupid things in retaliation. The music has been on very loud for going up to two hours now. Surprised no other neighbours are going off their head.

I have also found out he's been in trouble with the law for carrying an offensive weapon so quite shook up now. What can I do?

OP posts:

Jennifer2021 · 26/04/2021 07:55

@starcat2020 I know it's not that simple but the point of ringing 101 is just to get the incident number. We have a new agent now who I'm still holding out judgement on appears to be more proactive than the last one and they advised me to keep a diary and log all noise incidents with 101 and when they tell me they can't come out just to tell them yes I know you won't but can I have the incident number anyway please?

In an ideal world they'd be all manners of bricks rained down on these selfish arseholes nuisance neighbours but for some reason as a pp said they seem to be scared of them or scared of putting a foot wrong with the law.

Original poster

RainbowBriteUk · 26/04/2021 08:07

Thanks for your replies. They own their home.

I really don't want to move as I love the house but I have to don't I? Also not being able to enjoy my garden without the twats shitty music massively gets to me.

One night at half past midnight on a Sunday they had very loud music on in their bedroom which shares a very thin wall. They're just inconsiderate, entitled arseholes.

OP posts:

PyjamaFan · 26/04/2021 08:12

OP I know that moving house is a pain but you'll be saving yourself months if not years of noise, stress, anger etc.

Lalliella · 26/04/2021 08:33

Definitely move OP. This sort of situation never gets better, you can’t reason with cunts like that. You’ll be on edge all the time and it will destroy your mental health. Get out. There are other nice houses out there.

Love the Barney idea from earlier!

Original poster

RainbowBriteUk · 26/04/2021 08:39

Thanks for your replies. I'm going to find out if I signed a 6 or 12 month rental contract today. Fingers crossed it was a six month one.

OP posts:

Roszie · 26/04/2021 08:43

I would move. Did you record the music yesterday? I would keep a diary if it for now just in case you need it.

Jennifer2021 · 26/04/2021 08:56

I don't know the rules if you own your own home but if they're disturbing the peace do the council not have to get involved anyway if there's a complaint made?

I'm keeping a diary for now OP too and I like the PPs idea of Barney too. After last week's weekday party until after midnight I turned classic FM up a bit too loud on and went to meet friends for the day if you're looking for any other ideas to make that headache worse. A good go on the garden with a strimmer and a lawnmower makes sure theyre definitely awake by the time you've done too.

otterbaby · 26/04/2021 09:02

If you're worried about retaliation, it may be worth putting a camera in your back garden. We have one from Blink and it's not too expensive and easy to set up.

Sorry you're dealing with this - been there and it's not nice at all.

Uninspiredusername · 26/04/2021 09:03

I’m frustrated for you as you shouldn’t have to move. It’s your home, why should the bullies win? But of course it’s not as simple as that. I had a similar situation and our neighbours were eventually evicted, but two years down the line. Please don’t live in fear though, it’s not healthy and it’s just not fair.

Gothichouse40 · 26/04/2021 09:25

Thing is, if you move, you have absolutely no guarantees your next neighbours won't be the same or worse. Personally, Id bring in a law that nobody can play music in gardens at all. I don't know why but as soon as the sun appears, other people think you want to listen to their music. NO,we don't. I'm fortunate my neighbours play it fairly low, but all it takes is a change of tenant. I'd keep a diary and then complain to the Council. Definitely complain to the landlord. I would ignore neighbours from now on. Perhaps it differs from place to place but Im sure there is a no noise rule between certain times. Like another poster Im late 50s and cannot remember such selfishness and inconsideration from neighbours. I also think Lockdown has played a part as I know noisy neighbour complaints have increased to our Council. It's very difficult, Ive had inconsiderate neighbours and very sorry for anyone going through this.

Jennifer2021 · 26/04/2021 09:39

Please don’t live in fear though, it’s not healthy and it’s just not fair.

What @uninspiredusername said. It took me weeks to build up the courage to go sit in my own garden again. I now sit in direct view of the cctv so if anything happens there's proof it was done unprovoked. I know I shouldn't have to but that's the lengths I'm having to go to. Get the cctv if you can OP if they're anything like my batshit neighbour they'll complain but it should if they have any sense make them think twice about kicking off.

Jennifer2021 · 26/04/2021 09:45

@Gothichouse40 that's what ours said. The first lockdown was filled with them sorting neighbour disputes and such constantly. Ours previously got told off for the noise because of a young child and an old person who were seriously ill on this street and both are no longer with us. This was our asbo neighbours defence that she didn't have to turn it down yet and the police told her it doesn't matter what time of day it is if it's causing too much of a disturbance to your neighbours it's breaching the tenancy anyway. Obviously don't know if the rules are different elsewhere and this was a while ago.

Abracadabra12345 · 26/04/2021 12:13

@RainbowBriteUk

Thanks for your replies. I'm going to find out if I signed a 6 or 12 month rental contract today. Fingers crossed it was a six month one.

Did you find out about the length of your tenancy? I read this late last night and was horrified for you.

Original poster

RainbowBriteUk · 26/04/2021 14:54

@abracadabra12345 I emailed the agency last night but had no reply unfortunately. It was a new tenancy in October so hopefully just a six month one.

My mum think they're going to do it (the loud music) til very late again tonight and that they're not going to leave me alone now. Not sure I can bear it another night

OP posts:

Shopaholic100 · 26/04/2021 15:28

You have my sympathy op💐 I can totally relate to your situation. The law protects these vile monsters, they continue with their campaign because they know they can! If the innocent party makes a complaint they are penalised further by having to declare it (stuck there even longer), the council/police rarely help.

Why are the laws not there to help the innocent who just want to live in peace? Why don’t these individuals find likeminded noisy neighbours?

user1471538283 · 26/04/2021 17:08

Oh you poor thing. The anxiety is crippling. Can you stay somewhere to give yourself a break tonight?

Original poster

RainbowBriteUk · 26/04/2021 20:20

Thank you for your replies @Shopaholic100 and @user1471538283. I have come home tonight but was really nervous doing so. Although this is my first run in with them, I am feeling really anxious about the situation and looking to move. I know it was only music last night and that shouldn't bother me but it was loud (felt like being at a concert) and because it was done deliberately it's really got to me.

OP posts:

Cherrysoup · 26/04/2021 20:49

I’m so sorry, OP. We had similar for a year before we managed to sell to someone who worked permanent nights and didn’t care about the neighbours being loud druggy arseholes all night. Good job you rent. Just get out, it’s not worth the stress.

Original poster

RainbowBriteUk · 26/04/2021 21:06

Thank you @Cherrysoup.

Does anyone know if I had a six month contract with agency but didn't sign an extension when it was up for renewal recently (agency must've forgot or been busy), does that mean I can exit with just a months notice?

OP posts:

Skyliner001 · 26/04/2021 21:12

@RainbowBriteUk

Thank you *@Cherrysoup*.

Yes I would have thought so. You haven't signed another contract so it should be month by month.

Whoopsmahoot · 26/04/2021 21:37

Move ASAP, it’s not going to get better. Life is too short to live like this.

Childrenofthestones · 28/04/2021 09:52

Sorry to hear this. Invest in some Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones. They are fantastic and at least you won't have to listen to the cockwombles next door while working.

Original poster

RainbowBriteUk · 28/04/2021 12:24

Hello, thanks all for your advice.

I have had a few days of contemplating moving and have made the decision to do so. I am devastated though. I love the actual house and I have put a lot of love and care into it. The neighbours have been quiet since but all it takes is a nice day and they'll be back out there, won't they? I wouldn't mind but we talked over the fence, didn't get overly friendly or anything but seemed to get on OK. I am really sad about moving though.

OP posts:

Jennifer2021 · 28/04/2021 13:39

^
I have had a few days of contemplating moving and have made the decision to do so. I am devastated though. I love the actual house and I have put a lot of love and care into it. The neighbours have been quiet since but all it takes is a nice day and they'll be back out there, won't they?^

Going by our experience sadly yes. honestly if I had the means I'd be out of this area like a shot. I've also spent years thinking it'll get better. It never did. Hope you're much happier in your new home.

Original poster

RainbowBriteUk · 28/04/2021 14:49

Aww thank you @Jennifer2021. Really hope things change for you soon

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Swipe left for the next trending thread