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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.

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OP posts:
TheQueef · 20/05/2021 10:59

Sooo @Bahhhhhumbug are you gonna turn it off for a week? See if she is exaggerating?
Or has the thread reignited your determination?

Sparklingbrook · 20/05/2021 11:00

@Merchymor

OP, maybe you should ask to get your thread deleted as it's obvious you're not interested in what people have to say despite asking for opinions?

Otherwise it may seem like you're just deliberately trying to wind people up.

I agree. 500 posts and nothing has changed. Confused
category12 · 20/05/2021 11:00

It's obviously loud enough to hear tho and causing her issues.

Be a good neighbour as it's really not the super burglar deterrent. Your neighbour would be a better one, if they were on side.

And talk radio is worse than music, as human beings we're hardwired into listening out for speech in a different way, that makes it harder to tune out.

ConstanceGracy · 20/05/2021 11:34

This would do my nut in.
How selfish to have this radio on for 8 HOURS A BLOODY DAY!

just have the lights on a timer ffs

Theunamedcat · 20/05/2021 11:39

@Merchymor

OP, maybe you should ask to get your thread deleted as it's obvious you're not interested in what people have to say despite asking for opinions?

Otherwise it may seem like you're just deliberately trying to wind people up.

Or people are deliberately not reading the partaken she states she was in the neighbours house when it was in its old position right by the wall and couldn't hear it since then she has turned it down and moved it so you can "not hear it" even more

It wouldn't suprise me if she didn't come back to the thread you lot have gone fucking insane about it

Sparklingbrook · 20/05/2021 11:41

It wouldn't suprise me if she didn't come back to the thread you lot have gone fucking insane about it

She came back less than an hour ago. But the thread's going in circles.

justanotherneighinparadise · 20/05/2021 11:46

I honestly don’t understand why MN don’t delete these ‘pile on’ threads. It’s like bear baiting. Can only think it earns them revenue.

Sparklingbrook · 20/05/2021 12:19

@justanotherneighinparadise

I honestly don’t understand why MN don’t delete these ‘pile on’ threads. It’s like bear baiting. Can only think it earns them revenue.
To delete a thread they need it to be reported.
ConstanceGracy · 20/05/2021 12:47

*Or people are deliberately not reading the partaken she states she was in the neighbours house when it was in its old position right by the wall and couldn't hear it since then she has turned it down and moved it so you can "not hear it" even more

It wouldn't suprise me if she didn't come back to the thread you lot have gone fucking insane about it*
How would she know there was a radio on in the house if she couldn’t hear it ?..

Quaggars · 20/05/2021 12:54

So you '' can not hear it even more? ''

You realise people have differing levels of hearing, right?!

SakuraEdenSwan1 · 20/05/2021 12:58

Goodness me look at all the perfect Mnetters berating you @Bahhhhhumbug for daring to have your radio on in the property you own!!

Wind your necks in the lot of you, 11PM is the cut off for noise and the neighbour is going to have much more to complain about when tenants move in then have the TV blasting out in every room.

Tell her you are not doing anything wrong and if she is not happy to report you to the council who will just laugh at her, then block her and your friend for giving your number out without your consent.

SakuraEdenSwan1 · 20/05/2021 13:00

@Winkywonkydonkey

Other pointless things you could do to dissuade burglars:
  • ice on the outside steps
  • broken christmas baubles on the floor
  • manikins rigged up to dance around on a small train track
  • sit inside and pretend to be a voice off an old gangster film
Hahaha, we need a Tarantula as well!!!
Freyaismyname · 20/05/2021 13:06

Honestly I couldn't cope with a neighbour like you! How bloody selfish!?

thebestnamehere · 20/05/2021 13:17

If she has autistic tendencies, she may be super sensitive to noise. Like listening to someone else's headphones on the train. Bloody awful. And if you are lying in bed knowing you have an hour to go till 11pm even worse

Serves no purpose to have it on late or even at all

SakuraEdenSwan1 · 20/05/2021 13:20

@freeez

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

Just turn it off. It's clearly annoying her and it serves no purpose whatsoever.

Then you live a very sheltered life!
CellyBee · 20/05/2021 13:21

Omg turn the stupid radio off and get a proper security system installed! This is so bizarre!

Straighttalking1 · 20/05/2021 13:26

I don't know any burglars but I'm sure none of them listen for voices before breaking in Grin. So is it worth it ? But if it were me, I have no time for bionic hearing neighbour and I'd block her. Wink

Meghansego · 20/05/2021 13:27

You’re being totally unreasonable leaving a radio on all day, especially until 11pm. You’d be far less Intrusive by having a light on a timer. It would also be a better deterrent.

I don’t blame your neighbour one bit for being pissed off. Just because you can’t hear the radio from her house, it doesn’t mean she can’t hear it. You’re being very inconsiderate.

Quaggars · 20/05/2021 13:28

@SakuraEdenSwan1

Goodness me look at all the perfect Mnetters berating you *@Bahhhhhumbug* for daring to have your radio on in the property you own!!

Wind your necks in the lot of you, 11PM is the cut off for noise and the neighbour is going to have much more to complain about when tenants move in then have the TV blasting out in every room.

Tell her you are not doing anything wrong and if she is not happy to report you to the council who will just laugh at her, then block her and your friend for giving your number out without your consent.

There's a world of difference between a radio on in a house with people in and a house standing empty. If I'm alone during the day and everything is quiet, nothing turned on here, you'd easily be able to hear a telly or a radio coming from next door, even if it was just a low level, constant drone - in fact, I bet that's even more annoying! It is seriously unreasonable for anyone to subject neighbours to that, don't see why they bloody bothered posting if they don't want to hear yes actually, you are being unreasonable. I mean, why ask if you don't want to hear?
Bahhhhhumbug · 20/05/2021 13:33

@zzelda
**10:30Zzelda

I can't believe anyone is so obtuse and dense that they can't see the difference. Normal day to day neighbour sounds vs a radio on for 15 hours, constantly, echoing around an empty house, with no-one living there to ask to turn the cunting thing off.

@littlepattilou, it might have been an idea to read the OP's posts before accusing other people of being obtuse and dense The radio isn't on for 15 hours a day**

Thank you Zelda, also its not on 'constantly' nor as lve repeatedly said is it 'echoing around' the house. It can't be heard from any room in my house except for the room it's actually in (the kitchen) or when you are near the kitchen door on the other side of it in the lounge. Outside it can only be just heard when close to the back door which opens into kitchen.
I have not heard from the ndn now since l first turned it down and moved it further from the adjoining wall. I have also since changed the last 'off' time to 10pm and lamp to go off at 11 pm instead of 10pm (not that neighbour can see that unless she's outside)
@ConstanceGracey I have never said neighbour can't hear it only said that l and previous Ndn couldn't hear it from her house. That's what @theunnamedcat was quoting - me saying l and ex ndn couldn't hear it.
Also lve turned it down and moved it, so very likely she can't still hear it

OP posts:
sundayistheday · 20/05/2021 13:34

I don't agree... it's none of her business if it's empty or occupied! Your house, you are fully entitled to do with it what you like for security concerns or not! If she has a big issue she can contact local authorities who will send out a recording device to measure the noise and then laugh at her. Just ignore her.

Bahhhhhumbug · 20/05/2021 13:39

@Meghansego please RTFTorat least my posts.

OP posts:
katy1213 · 20/05/2021 13:41

That would drive me crazy. Turn it off.

SakuraEdenSwan1 · 20/05/2021 13:57

@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.
I think not when Police advice is to do this.
Gingerwhinger1 · 20/05/2021 14:02

I have not heard from the ndn now since l first turned it down and moved it further from the adjoining wall
So what's the actual problem? You had the radio in a place she could hear, you moved it from party wall and now she's stopped complaining. Its sorted!
Are you asking if she was reasonable to ask you to do something that has literally took zero effort on your part and you still get to deter burglars with your barely audible radio ?