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AIBU?

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New neighbour, terraced house, seems to expect silence

779 replies

Bahhhhhumbug · 19/05/2021 01:34

New neighbour to my empty (atm) terraced property. As soon as moved in started sending me texts (got my number by asking previous neighbour she bought house off but that's a whole other thread) informing me there seems be a tv left on in the property.
She said l hope l didn't mind her texting me and she askedfor my number.
I texted prev. neighbours and queried whether their buyer knew my house was empty and she said yes as she had told her.
I have always got on very well with former neighbour so didn't 'pull her up' on giving out my number as was very out of character and just figured she got caught on the hop in what was a very stressful house move for unconnected reasons to this tale.
So l text back to new neighbour that yes l was aware and it was a radio left on a talking channel as the house was empty but thanks for letting me know.
Next day l get a phone call from her and she's all 'Hi (insert very shortened version of my name, which even the old neighbour never called me) and she tells me again the radio has been on all night (it hasn't its on a timer goes off about 11pm and a lamp comes on) because she ' can hear it ' l was l admit a little frosty with her as l was annoyed at these chummy texts and calls from someone who shouldn't even have my number and shouldn't have even asked for it imo though l accept old neighbour partly to blame.
I had to read between the lines at this point that she found it too loud so l said (without being asked) l would call next day, (which l did) and turn it down and move it to the far wall in the kitchen (no neighbours that side).
I've had another long text off her today after ld done all that saying can l please answer and confirm that l am going to turn it down (she wasnt in when l went round and obliged so obviously at this point didn't know l had already done so
) Whilst there l also checked upstairs l couldn't hear it wafting up the stairs which l couldn't whatsoever and l have good hearing. It is quieter than a normal volume speaking voice and you can only hear it after you've gone two doors into the house, it's about a volume 3 on Alexa equivalent.
Old neighbour when asked said couldn't hear it when l was in there and neither could l.
Shes rang me twice again now and l just ignored her in the hope she will text me and tell me what the fucks wrong now. She did then text saying she wants it switching off as she can still hear it.
She keeps bringing up that she works from home and l get impression she seems to think that means should be almost silence from neighbouring properties. Or maybe because the vendors told her my house was empty she had an expectation of it being completely silent.
If people moved in they would be entitled to watch tv, talk, have radio on etc and all at a higher wolume than one quiet radio. WWYD as she is really getting on my nerves now.
If l was a rude person l might suggest she should've bought a detached house maybe, but lm not.

Subject:
New neighbour, terraced house, seems to expect silence

Message:
New neighbour to my empty (atm) terraced property. As soon as moved in started sending me texts (got my number by asking previous neighbour she bought house off but that's a whole other thread) informing me there seems be a tv left on in the property.
She said l hope l didn't mind her texting me and she askedfor my number.
I texted prev. neighbours and queried whether their buyer knew my house was empty and she said yes as she had told her.
I have always got on very well with former neighbour so didn't 'pull her up' on giving out my number as was very out of character and just figured she got caught on the hop in what was a very stressful house move for unconnected reasons to this tale.
So l text back to new neighbour that yes l was aware and it was a radio left on a talking channel as the house was empty but thanks for letting me know.
Next day l get a phone call from her and she's all 'Hi (insert very shortened version of my name, which even the old neighbour never called me) and she tells me again the radio has been on all night (it hasn't its on a timer goes off about 11pm and a lamp comes on) because she ' can hear it ' l was l admit a little frosty with her as l was annoyed at these chummy texts and calls from someone who shouldn't even have my number and shouldn't have even asked for it imo though l accept old neighbour partly to blame.
I had to read between the lines at this point that she found it too loud so l said (without being asked) l would call next day, (which l did) and turn it down and move it to the far wall in the kitchen (no neighbours that side).
I've had another long text off her today after ld done all that saying can l please answer and confirm that l am going to turn it down (she wasnt in when l went round and obliged so obviously at this point didn't know l had already done so
) Whilst there l also checked upstairs l couldn't hear it wafting up the stairs which l couldn't whatsoever and l have good hearing. It is quieter than a normal volume speaking voice and you can only hear it after you've gone two doors into the house, it's about a volume 3 on Alexa equivalent.
Old neighbour when asked said couldn't hear it when l was in there and neither could l.
Shes rang me twice again now and l just ignored her in the hope she will text me and tell me what the fucks wrong now. She did then text saying she wants it switching off as she can still hear it.
She keeps bringing up that she works from home and l get impression she seems to think that means should be almost silence from neighbouring properties. Or maybe because the vendors told her my house was empty she had an expectation of it being completely silent.
If people moved in they would be entitled to watch tv, talk, have radio on etc and all at a higher wolume than one quiet radio. WWYD as she is really getting on my nerves now.
If l was a rude person l might suggest she should've bought a detached house maybe, but lm not.

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OP posts:
Branleuse · 19/05/2021 08:47

I think the point here is that this neighbour is going to be a fucking nightmare if people move in. If you rent out that house then your tenants are going to be in for a world of misery if this woman who has bought a terraced house has super sensitive hearing, works from home and is pretty forward about complaining about small stuff.
Id sell on ASAP before there is any proper conflict so at least then its not your problem

PussGirl · 19/05/2021 08:47

When I left a property for months at a time I used to have Radio 4 on loudly enough to be heard through the letterbox.

Detached property though - I'd never have done it with attached neighbours.

Zzelda · 19/05/2021 08:48

I think this is possibly the most unreasonable thing I've ever read on here

You can't have read much, then.

Livelovebehappy · 19/05/2021 08:52

Whilst you say you can’t hear it when in other rooms, clearly she can. Or she wouldn’t be raising it as an issue. Having the lights coming on and off on a timer is probably just as affective as having a radio on, which you’ve indicated can’t be heard from the outside unless the ‘burglar’ has already smashed the window. And at that point the damage will already have been done as there is nothing for them to rob from an empty house.

ZaZathecat · 19/05/2021 08:53

I'd turn the radio off for a quiet life, but God help the tenants who move in next to her!

Ohnoohnoohnonononono · 19/05/2021 08:54

At least if someone breaks in to your house, she’ll hear them. Whether or not she calls the police might depend on whether you are kind enough to turn the radio off in a completely empty house.

theweebabydonkey · 19/05/2021 08:56

Not sure if anyone has suggested this yet but a possibility is turning the radio off. Just a suggestion. Would stop you from being a completely out of order, rude, selfish and inconsiderate neighbour.

Comefromaway · 19/05/2021 08:56

@Definately

Having to listen to someone else's radio all day every day for no reason would drive me fucking insane. Imagine the monotonous radio noise always in the background ...never ever getting a break from it. Even if it is quiet clearly she can hear it, why would she lie? YABVU OP, and she sounds really nice, I'm sure she would keep an eye on your property for you if you asked her (and turned the radio off)
In which case live in a detached property.
theweebabydonkey · 19/05/2021 08:57

Wait. You can't hear the radio from outside?! Then what is the actual point?!

sleepyhead · 19/05/2021 08:58

A radio on in an empty house is the stupidest burglar deterrent I've ever heard.

999Alex · 19/05/2021 08:59

I don't really see the point in the radio being on I assume it's to make it appear someone is in.

If you live nearby offer to go around in to her house and see how loud it is. I know you say you already know but this time is different as she is there. If u can barley hear it then u can obvs tell her it is a unreasonable. Other option is just turn it off. She's not going to be ur neighbour at any point so u don't need to maintain a relationship.

I can only imagine what she's going to be like when u start doing work on the house 😫

mainsfed · 19/05/2021 09:01

@sleepyhead

A radio on in an empty house is the stupidest burglar deterrent I've ever heard.
Yep, let's ignore advice from experts and ex-burglars and listen to sleepy.

A radio times to come on at some points can be effective. What's extreme here is that it's an empty house an the radio is on for so long.

justanotherneighinparadise · 19/05/2021 09:07

The best fun will be when you get the house refurbed to sell and they’ll be the sound of DIY being done all day. Your phone is going to blow up!!!

Atalantea · 19/05/2021 09:07

@Loocheeyar

Just turn it off Completely unnecessary
exactly!

why is it on?

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 19/05/2021 09:11

This would piss me off beyond belief if I was your neighbour - turn it off.

memberofthewedding · 19/05/2021 09:11

Your NDN sounds like a pathetic whinger. As other posters have stressed if you plan to rent the house out expect your tenants to have a miserable life where she is constantly snitching if they so much as sneeze. You have a block facility on your phone. Use it.

I used to live in a house with a whining snitch next door. I dont play loud music, have no pets, rarely have visitors and dont have a car to block up other people's spaces. Still she constantly whinged to my LL about petty trivia. We both lost patience with her and threatened her with legal action for harassment.

NewMatress · 19/05/2021 09:12

I think complaining about the monotonous drone of a radio on for hours on end in an empty house is a world away from complaining about normal noise from a family coming and going.

m0therofdragons · 19/05/2021 09:12

Just turn it off and ask new neighbour to keep an eye out for you. If you can’t hear it outside then it’s achieving nothing anyway. Lamps on different timers would be best and not bother anyone. Surely if she can’t hear it she wouldn’t text. My old neighbour said she never heard Dd cry... I’m fairly certain this was a polite lie as dd1 was a screamer!

silverbubbles · 19/05/2021 09:12

Turn off the radio!

New neighbour has great hearing - I would be nice to her so she can watch out for your property and let you know when she hears intruders!!

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 19/05/2021 09:16

Weird thread. You don’t need to run a radio all day every day when you aren’t in. Either occupy the house or get some better security. Cameras, ring doorbell, alarm system etc. Leaving a radio talking all day when nobody is in the house is frankly bizarre. She can obviously hear it and it’s bugging her, just switch it off.

EverythingRuined · 19/05/2021 09:19

I’d just turn it off too. If you are genuinely concerned about burglaries then buy a motion activated plug ( wifi) if you have Wi-fi and set it up so the radio comes on if someone enters the property

If I were the neighbour I’d find it really annoying. If you don’t want to turn it off then at least limit the hours.

Also, wouldn’t it be better to not piss her off. She would probably hear if someone broke in.

SofiaMichelle · 19/05/2021 09:20

I'd block her number on your phone and not give it another thought.

Folklore9074 · 19/05/2021 09:23

Yes, exactly.

SmallPrawnEnergy · 19/05/2021 09:23

Random voices from an empty house next door are likely to be far more bothersome than normal noise of a resident family.
I have been in her house and listened for myself when previous owners in, whom lm friendly with and l couldn't hear it and l checked with them it wasn't a problem and they said couldn't hear it.

So the previous neighbours couldn’t hear this incessant noise, OP herself couldn’t hear it but it’s ruining the new persons life? OP, can you confirm is this woman a bat?

Is it not already obvious that she can hear it? You know, because she has reported hearing it and OP has confirmed that she has a radio on all day.
she tells me again the radio has been on all night (it hasn't its on a timer goes off about 11pm

New neighbour has also been complaining about the radio being on all night and OP has stated that it’s on a timer to turn off at 11 so maybe the noise isn’t actually coming from OPs house since her complains don’t correlate.

Folklore9074 · 19/05/2021 09:24

@NewMatress I think complaining about the monotonous drone of a radio on for hours on end in an empty house is a world away from complaining about normal noise from a family coming and going.

^this