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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:
DreamingNow · 20/05/2021 21:37

There is no one here having the radio on all day whilst they are working from home?
Because that’s what happens in my house..... 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

How is that antisocial? And how will the neighbour cope once tenants have moved in?

Elle8344 · 20/05/2021 21:50

I suffer from fibromyalgia which causes extreme sensitivity to noise, light & smell. She could have a similar illness. I can hear a pin drop in my house...I've no doubt your radio would bother me too

Gingerwhinger1 · 20/05/2021 21:59

you can't expect absolute silence from your neighbours
you can when they are not living there.

tigerlilly22 · 20/05/2021 22:02

Just turn it off !

Cottonheadedninymuggins · 20/05/2021 22:02

At the risk of being a bit wanky:

OP: 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.

Level 3 on my newer generation alexa is a LOT louder than level 3 on our first gen alexa.

We generally have the radio on a few times during the day in various rooms when cooking/when sorting other stuff etc.

Level 3 is fine during the day with outside noise going on.

Level 3 in the evening past approx 7 is audibly too loud on the newer generation to the point where we have to ask her for volume down before asking her to do Hive actions via it.

Before Christmas the living room Alexa started playing music downstairs at level 3 approx 9pm when I'd moved upstairs to watch a film in bed. It was so loud it sounded like I was playing it - admittedly low - in my own bedroom and that was from the living room, near the front window to across the room-through a closed door - up the stairs and along the landing through a closed door.

During the day we wouldn't have heard it upstairs at all.

On the first gen alexas level 3 wouldn't have been heard upstairs at all or even a couple of rooms along.

Hope you can both come to an agreement and it can be sorted :) We have a neighbour who we have lived next door to for over 25 years. For 22 and a half years we had a fabulous relationship, then she moved a new boyfriend in 6m after her husband passed away and since then they've been booming music at all hours and abusive and awful. The entire neighbourhood are wary of her new partner as things have quite obviously change and he is standoffish to all. It's very stressful and we can't even sit in the house without some form of background noise happening to drown out his performances or at least try and cushion his noise levels. (currently going through council complaint and have been for over a year which nothing happening other than a few letters thanks to covid) Good neighbourly relations- especially with those directly around you are SO important!

llizzie · 20/05/2021 22:53

AngusThermopyle It is on wiki. When it reared it's head up again on the next door site last month a newcomer was quite desperate, and I posted that, which someone had drawn my attention to before the lock down I(or up, depending on whether you are in a bedsit or house).

It is very loud, much louder than a radio which comes on. I think the neighbour in the OP now knows when it comes on and off, and waits for it. I can understand someone wanting to make it look as though the house is inhabited. There are light adaptors for that. Perhaps the complainant would be happier with one of those things which can sound like a dog barking. The music will be more acceptable then.

Barney60 · 20/05/2021 22:59

alexa vol 3 is very loud, turn it off put 2 lamps on timers to go on and off at different times.

llizzie · 20/05/2021 23:00

I am selling my house in Oxfordshire. I am dreading having to move to a semi or terrace, which I shall have to do. It is so quiet you could hear a pin drop outside. It is at the end of a cul de sac with an area enough for 6 cars to park, though that is rare. There is no traffic noise, no pollution.
When I look out of my kitchen window I see a hedge around a field. My house is set right back from the others in the row, so there is nothing opposite to cast a shadow, so it gets the sun all day.

20 years ago we built a disabled living extension on the side and back. It gives me a bedroom that is surrounded by gardens. I never hear any noise, and no one hears my noise, because I have not had complaints and have my TV and music loud.

Ideasplease322 · 20/05/2021 23:04

She’s not lying - she can clearly hear it.

It’s silly to have to on - won’t deter burglars - and 11pm is late.

Why disturb her unnecessarily?

Goldieloxx · 20/05/2021 23:04

If I was your neighbour I'd break in and turn your bloody radio off

jdp1970 · 20/05/2021 23:09

She is being unreasonable.
What is she going to think when there are people actually living in the house? They will be watching TV, listening to music etc etc

Zzelda · 20/05/2021 23:20

It’s silly to have to on - won’t deter burglars - and 11pm is late.

OP has said she's re-set it to go off at 10.

Zzelda · 20/05/2021 23:21

@Goldieloxx

If I was your neighbour I'd break in and turn your bloody radio off
And you could get arrested for breaking and entering and criminal damage. Would it really be worth it for something that can hardly be heard outside?
Zzelda · 20/05/2021 23:22

There is no one here having the radio on all day whilst they are working from home?
Because that’s what happens in my house

Ours too. Our semi-detached neighbours seem to cope.

GiftedFish · 20/05/2021 23:27

She's going to love you during refurb then!
Turn it off and see if she still complains. Could actually be someone else's noise she's hearing.

MuddySocks · 20/05/2021 23:31

@llizzie

I am selling my house in Oxfordshire. I am dreading having to move to a semi or terrace, which I shall have to do. It is so quiet you could hear a pin drop outside. It is at the end of a cul de sac with an area enough for 6 cars to park, though that is rare. There is no traffic noise, no pollution. When I look out of my kitchen window I see a hedge around a field. My house is set right back from the others in the row, so there is nothing opposite to cast a shadow, so it gets the sun all day.

20 years ago we built a disabled living extension on the side and back. It gives me a bedroom that is surrounded by gardens. I never hear any noise, and no one hears my noise, because I have not had complaints and have my TV and music loud.

This sounds utterly perfect!

Why on earth are you moving?

Clearthinking · 20/05/2021 23:37

I'd turn it off. She can hear it. A radio won't put a burglar off. In fact the radio will probably drown out the noise made by a burglar or any other suspicious noise. If you annoy her she will be less likely to inform you if anything does go off

Rhiannon13 · 20/05/2021 23:45

If you live in an area where the sound of voices would put a burglar off, you probably don't need the security measures OP! And surely if this was going to deter them the radio would have to be on all the time anyway? It's annoying your neighbour and you're being very unreasonable here.

Carreterra · 20/05/2021 23:49

@Bahhhhhumbug
OP, this neighbour is a demanding princess. Is the house empty of furniture, with no carpets, as empty houses seem to echo noise, carpets absorb sound. I had a neighbour like this, claiming she liked quiet, when she bought a house between 2 busy pubs, with HGVs rattling past. The same neighbour claimed she could hear every sound, and complained about the noise of the spin on the washing machine, even saying she could hear the chairs scraping across the kitchen floor ! It seemed she was complaining about the sounds of life, I wasn't having parties until the small hours. If your happy with the reduced volume from the timed radio I would just ignore her.

Cherrysoup · 20/05/2021 23:55

'sod you l'll do what l want attitude' . I was just pointing out that the opposite also occurred.

Wow, entitled or what? This would drive me nuts. Turn the thing off.

llizzie · 20/05/2021 23:55

MuddySocks It is too big for one person. I laid my DH to rest in the churchyard where my daughter lives and want to move there and

I have an interest only mortgage taken out for the disability living extension and it is up next March and the only way I can repay the capital is to sell the house. I don't mind so much, except shall miss the quiet (despite the hum), and since the bank problems of 2008 it has only cost me £120 - £130 a month and it has not been a burden on my pension.
I will miss the sunshine every day and the quiet. The field opposite the kitchen window is the primary school playing field. The primary school has the top =- excellence - rating. It is five minutes level walk away and the secondary school 10. The town and shops are also a level walk away. I will miss the quiet and unpolluted area. I have been housebound for years, and that makes for a great life.

fargo123 · 21/05/2021 00:02

It's always fascinating seeing things from the CF's POV.

ellyeth · 21/05/2021 00:11

I think she is being unreasonable. If there were people in the house there would be a lot more noise - TV, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, radio, kitchen noises, children, etc. I think she is being unreasonable and I think any complaint she raised with environmental health would prove fruitless.

mellicauli · 21/05/2021 00:16

So your neighbour is not allowed even 5 minutes of peace in her own home in the whole day. If I was them, I'd be making a sign saying "there's no one in at no 27, you know"

FrameyMcFrame · 21/05/2021 00:21

What's the point of having a radio on for hours per day?

It's oppressive to hear constant talking.

A real neighbour would not talk constantly for 16 hours a day.