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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:
QuestionEverythingOrBeASheep · 20/05/2021 18:01

@k1233

Why don't you turn it off for a day or two (without telling her) and see if she still complains. There's nothing worse than a radio at just audible level - you can hear it but not quite make out the words.
This is a good idea. Turn it off and don't tell her you've been, then wait and see.

Why not put timers in different rooms with lamps and get a ring doorbell.

I have a 92 year old neighbour that has the TV on all day at a level I can hear all the time when I'm home. I don't complain as everyone has the right to live in their own house the way they want. It's better than the house 8 doors down that has screaming kids all hours of the day and night. That is my idea of hell and would bother me much more. Maybe she will be unlucky to have that experience if you sell. The radio would be the least of her worries.

Jeannie88 · 20/05/2021 18:02

Having a radio on inside really isn't much of a deterrent so yes I would turn it off and have an alarm/cctv instead. She may be sensitive to noise and if it's making her unhappy listening to hours of background droning then be the bigger person? X

FrozenVag · 20/05/2021 18:05

What’s more evident from a distance ... a light on or a radio ?

Eh do you think you might be doing this all wrong? If somebody’s close enough to hear a radio chances are they’re already through the window

Lights every time

Gmom · 20/05/2021 18:09

Wow. Turn the radio off. I can't believe you'd dig your heels in about radio volume that bothers your neighbour when you are not even living in the house listening to the radio. Do you have some kind of supernatural belief that burglars are unable to distinguish radio from real conversation and that radio sound protects your house like a magic bubble shield? Why such an utter lack of empathy to your new neighbour? Why so prissy about your neighbour having your number? Why when she called you by your nickname (e.g. Steph instead of Stephanie) couldn't you just politely correct her by repeating back your full name? Are you a narcissist perhaps? Turn the radio off, try to access some basic communication skills and empathy and befriend the neighbour and ask her to text you if she sees or hears anyone snooping around or in the property. If she works at home you're very lucky as she'll be looking out for your property for you all day. My security alarm went off yesterday (likely because of the strong wind rattling the door and setting off the tamper switch just as I popped out quickly for the school run) and two kind neighbours texted me saying they'd checked the house out to make sure there were no problems. Neighbours are a good thing if you can engage properly with them. "Neighbourly" for example means "helpful, friendly or kind" not "paranoid, crabby, and out of town with the radio left on."

icedgem85 · 20/05/2021 18:11

Turn it off!! How annoying are you lol

Passenger42 · 20/05/2021 18:13

Just turn it off, waste of your energy bills. If you have lights on a timer that should suffice. You should keep your neighbour sweet if the property is empty as they can look out for you.

AnnieSnap · 20/05/2021 18:14

I agree with the others here. Just turn it off!

Chocolate4ever · 20/05/2021 18:14

OP, it's your property so ultimately your decision how to prevent a burglary. If your NDN doesn't think it's enough, tough. You acted with as much reasonable consideration as you could, I wouldn't have bothered at all tbh.

MrMucker · 20/05/2021 18:14

I'd have thought a neighbour working at home and then sleeping there at night is a far better deterrent to burglars than intermittent tinny noise inside the house.
However, if the neighbour feels your defensiveness and oblviviousness to their needs in the same way as it can be read here, then they are not especially likely to want to let you know if they see anybody casing the joint.
Sorry OP, but much of your posting is very "me me me". Obviously we cannot change that, it just seems to be who you are. Limited capacity to see the other side of the story, which is a shame for someone who owns a property with other sides to every story ie a terrace.
I guess you could take this post personally, but honestly-everything you have posted has been to reinforce what you want and defend your set opinions. It's as if you are immune to hearing what is said.

ForeveronEtsy · 20/05/2021 18:19

If it’s so quiet that you have to be 2 doors in to hear it- why is it even on? Risk of burglary to terraced houses is low due to close proximity. You are being OTT.
Just turn it off

Alexis26 · 20/05/2021 18:22

@Shopgirl1

She got your number to ask you to address an issue you are causing her in her own home. Your response is completely unreasonable - I think it’s perfectly acceptable she got your number, and completely unreasonable on your part to continue leaving the radio on. You should turn it off and stop being so selfish.
Completely agree! Different things bug different people. A consistent radio background noise coming on daily at set times even at 2 hour intervals IS annoying! It will NOT stop burglers as they have probably been surveiling your house for several hours or days and will know no one is in! She may raise the alarm if a pipe bursts or she hears a window smash in your house - it's best to keep neighbours on side where possible. Definitely not worth upsetting them over an unnecessary radio!
Brown76 · 20/05/2021 18:29

Having a well disposed next door neighbour that works from home (and has sensitive hearing) would be a better security measure than the radio, if anyone breaks in.

ToniHargis · 20/05/2021 18:30

11pm is too late to be hearing a radio from next door.
I agree with someone's idea of going in to her house to see if you can hear it.

Staffy1 · 20/05/2021 18:35

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 voice

If you have an alarm I imagine they wouldn't even hear the radio above that. Lights on a timer and an alarm should be enough. The radio on for that long and that late is totally pointless and obviously irritating to your neighbour.

Schoolchoicesucks · 20/05/2021 18:39

If it can only be heard from the room it's in, what is the point of it being on?

Any burglar will already be in the room and able to see there are no people, only the radio.

How peculiar to not just turn it off.

BMW6 · 20/05/2021 18:45

I think if I was the OP's neighbour I would put a sign on the OP's window
"This is an empty property" Smile

Staffy1 · 20/05/2021 18:46

@Zzelda

Yeah, police do occasionally advise people leave a radio on for a few hours if they're out for the evening. They do NOT advise people to leave the radio on all bloody day, and every day, when the property is completely unoccupied

That's OK, then, OP isn't leaving the radio all day. Not sure why so many people are struggling to understand this basic fact.

It's 8 hours. That's most of a day. 8 hours intermittently from 9:00am to 11:00pm, so no chance of an early night or a quiet morning ever.
Birdcloud · 20/05/2021 18:47

Oh do stop making it difficult for this woman and turn it off. It sounds like she’s suffering from a kind of torment that you can stop right now.

Bobbiebigbum · 20/05/2021 18:50

What's the point if its not audible? And if it is she's within her rights to be stressed by it. Just switch it off. It's weird.

llizzie · 20/05/2021 18:52

I would like to take this opportunity to ask about noises in neighbourhoods which are driving people mad!

Where I live there is a constant humming noise, like a fan, motor, or someone leaving their vacuum cleaner on 24/7. Now one knows where it comes from. There are a lot of new builds in the area and some on the local social network have wondered if it is them, or fans on a radon gas extractor. Sometimes it is like the drone of aircraft. All sorts of reasons have been suggested. Sometimes it is like a train in the distance, which it could be. The nearest train station is not far, but that is a minor station. The main one is 10 miles away.

We have to grin and bear it. Every now and again a newcomer to the Next Door social site asks what it is and how to stop it, but since no one knows what it is and where it comes from, it is impossible.

Poptasmagorical · 20/05/2021 18:53

How many people need to tell op to turn the radio off before she stops trying to convince us that the neighbour can't hear but potential burglars can?
Turn it off.
And then try to avoid starting any more posts asking for opinions you don't want to hear.

Cailleach1 · 20/05/2021 18:53

Imagine if the neighbour became so fed up that she complained loudly outside to neighbours. Highlighting how the radio and lights were on timers to make it appear as if someone lived in the empty house. Also, how she wouldn't even notice burglars to report them over the noise of the radio. Any opportunistic ne'er do well could be passing or it could be passed on through the grapevine.

If the neighbour works from home and there is goodwill, they would be better security. As it stands, they could easily and inadvertently let people know your property is really empty as they are so fed up and might vent publicly.

Whitchurch · 20/05/2021 18:55

Hey Op - you're not being unreasonable. The ones who think you are either a) can't read or b) haven't read all your posts or c) are making "their truth" up as they go along.
Your neighbour is going to get quite a shock when people move in isn't she?

caringcarer · 20/05/2021 18:59

I would set the timer to go off at 10pm instead of 11pm. Then ask if you could go into her home and see if you can Hear it at all.

Poptasmagorical · 20/05/2021 19:00

@Whitchurch

Hey Op - you're not being unreasonable. The ones who think you are either a) can't read or b) haven't read all your posts or c) are making "their truth" up as they go along. Your neighbour is going to get quite a shock when people move in isn't she?
Have you RTFT?