Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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.

Back to top

OP posts:
leftistbimbo · 19/05/2021 10:58

Have you ever worked in a shop, or any workplace, where you have to listen to the same repetitive radio station day in day out? It can be so infuriating, even at a low level. I do sympathise for your neighbour if she genuinely can hear it up until 11pm!

Also when I lived in an area with high crime we still got burgled when we were physically in the house, it was a regular occurrence in the area with people always posting about it happening to them on the community facebook page. I wouldn’t be too sure that the radio is really a worthwhile deterrent.

Greenmarmalade · 19/05/2021 10:59

YANBU! You’re not doing anything wrong.

I imagine keeping in her good books would be useful as she can alert you if they’re a break in, with her amazing hearing.

I feel so sorry for our terraced house neighbours now😆

2bazookas · 19/05/2021 11:00

Why have you left a radio on; who is supposed to hear it

The point of leaving a radio on, is for it to be audible from outside the house to create the illusion there is someone at home. Audible to persons outside the house.

That does not match your claim below, it's only audible after going through two doors and not at all upstairs.

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

One of you is exaggerating but I'm not entirely sure which.
If she continues to complain, you can resolve it by visiting both houses together while the radio is on, to see how much if anything is audible inside her house.

MLMsuperfan · 19/05/2021 11:00

If your neighbour applies for a noise abatement notice they'll likely get it because it's not reasonable to deliberately make noise from an empty property that is designed to be heard from outside. In fact if I was them I would get one now, because it will be a slam dunk.

coronafiona · 19/05/2021 11:01

You are leaving a radio playing in an empty house all day for security, but have now turned it down so it can't be heard, is there still a security benefit or best to just turn it off so your neighbour isn't annoyed?

CharlotteRose90 · 19/05/2021 11:01

Omg . Switch the bloody radio off. If I had to listen to my neighbours radio all day and all night till 11pm I’d be sending you constant messages to switch it off. Down right rude and selfish.

Theunamedcat · 19/05/2021 11:02

@MLMsuperfan

If your neighbour applies for a noise abatement notice they'll likely get it because it's not reasonable to deliberately make noise from an empty property that is designed to be heard from outside. In fact if I was them I would get one now, because it will be a slam dunk.
You do realise that the neighbour will actually have to prove that she can hear a quiet radio above everything else you cant just say I can hear it
weirdphobia · 19/05/2021 11:04

YABU - turn it off

Comefromaway · 19/05/2021 11:06

For a noise abatement order the noise has to either be excessive or above a certain level at night.

I doubt either will apply.

TheVanguardSix · 19/05/2021 11:06

God another one with a 'turn it off!' ffs!

Such a weird thing, leaving a radio running day and night. I hate the radio. It's sooo aggravating.

Juno231 · 19/05/2021 11:07

OP - you keep ignoring a very valid question posed her multiple times now.

How the f is this radio deterring burglars if you're insisting it can't be heard from outside the house???????? My god surely that is the clue to just turn the stupid thing off - not only is it upsetting your neighbour but according to you not even fulfilling the one task you gave it.

Lweji · 19/05/2021 11:07

Go round there and unplug the radio. Invest £16 each in motion activated intruder alarms and ask the neighbour to contact you if one goes off. A happy neighbour is a good neighbour and a much better protection for your property than an inaudible radio.

Good advice.

TheVanguardSix · 19/05/2021 11:07

Seriously, OP, what is normal about leaving a radio on day and night? Have a word with yourself.

Juno231 · 19/05/2021 11:07

here*

friendlycat · 19/05/2021 11:09

I would think the most sensible option for everyone’s sake is simply to turn the wretched radio off. It would drive me nuts.

Notaroadrunner · 19/05/2021 11:10

See how she likes it when your friend moves in and makes noise. Surely when buying a terraced house its expected that you will hear some noise from adjoining houses. Mil used to leave the radio on 24/7. Even after she died it was left on until the house was sold. As you say, if someone broke a window they might think there is someone in and it could deter them from entering the property. I'd try leaving it off for a couple of days, don't tell the neighbour and see if she continues to complain. She must have super hearing if she can hear it after it's been moved and turned down, especially as the previous neighbours didn't hear it. If she does complain again I'd just block her number. She shouldn't have been given it in the first place.

hollieberrie · 19/05/2021 11:10

@CharlotteRose90

Omg . Switch the bloody radio off. If I had to listen to my neighbours radio all day and all night till 11pm I’d be sending you constant messages to switch it off. Down right rude and selfish.
This.

Its so selfish. I live in a terraced house and i'd be going crazy if i could hear your radio on and off all day. Also.. 11pm?! Way too late.

RhubarbTea · 19/05/2021 11:11

Fucking hell, turn it off. I actually moved from a previous property I rented partly because the NDN did this, but with the telly if they were ever out for the day or away. The constant drone of noise ALL THE TIME made me slightly crazy and it was just miserable. You're being completely unreasonable here.

Cookies2523 · 19/05/2021 11:11

Change your phone number, then tell your friends when they move in, to have loud TV, chat loudly & have friends round. Your batshit, controlling neighbour will then know what noise is!

EverdeRose · 19/05/2021 11:11

I'd text back and tell her you've moved the radio but go and actually turn it off. If she messages to say she can still hear it after that I'd be convinced she's making it up. If she doesn't it was actually annoying her.

2bazookas · 19/05/2021 11:13

Whoever said what's the point is that it's a high crime area and if someone broke a window at the back (the favourite) or broke in the back door they would hear voices.

You're deluding yourself. If an intruder hears voices that keep talking calmly over the crash of a smashed window, he knows he's hearing a machine not occupants.

bridgetreilly · 19/05/2021 11:13

Block her number, OP.

BaileysforBreakfast · 19/05/2021 11:14

Britnee Don't sell the house op. Rent it, but make sure the tenants have really screechy, screamy children, and a trampoline, because apparently that noise is completely allowed, and even be encouraged

WTF is wrong with some people? I know this is a poor attempt at humour, but why would you want to inflame an already bad situation?

SquirtleSquad · 19/05/2021 11:16

@bridgetreilly

Block her number, OP.
Don't block her number if you're so concerned about burglars and think there to be a genuine threat, she's obviously there a lot and could come in handy if there's a disturbance at the home and she can let you know.
Rosebel · 19/05/2021 11:17

So why do you think she's complaining? She obviously can hear the radio or she wouldn't have mentioned it in the first place.
I must have missed something. Is your friend living there? If so why do you need a radio on?
No you can expect silence but perhaps you can if you're told the house is empty.