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AIBU?

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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Am I being unreasonable?

2377 votes. Final results.

POLL
You are being unreasonable
54%
You are NOT being unreasonable
46%
UCOinSteveArnottsPants · 19/05/2021 06:54

@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

GrinGrinGrin
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nancywhitehead · 19/05/2021 06:54

There is literally no reason to leave a radio on in an empty house.

It's not going to deter anyone from breaking in, and even to achieve what you think it's achieving it would have to be bloody loud to be heard outside the house.

It must be driving your neighbour absolutely mad. Turn it off.

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MotorwayDiva · 19/05/2021 06:56

You may want to give her some notice on your renovations, if the sound of radio annoys her then drilling will do to.
Whilst I'm all for blacking their number maybe in this instance pick your battles.
Lots of people around me have their radios on most of the day, with wfh it's "company" in the house.

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AlmostSummer21 · 19/05/2021 06:56

@Bahhhhhumbug

You're also being utterly ridiculous about your ex neighbour giving her your phone number. It's the sensible thing to do when the house is empty. You wouldn't be objecting if she was ringing you to tell you about a leak, a break in or a delivery etc.

You're just annoyed because she's asking you to stop doing something that's bloody annoying.

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IdblowJonSnow · 19/05/2021 06:57

I agree! Turn it off! She might have supersonic hearing.!

She can obviously hear it or she wouldnt have told you she can hear it!!

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Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep · 19/05/2021 06:57

@Bahhhhhumbug

Previous neighbours were lying in bed next door though every night and weren't backward in coming forwards if there was a problem as lve said

She. Can. Hear. It.
Turn it off. Stop being so churlish about it.
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Gymsmile21 · 19/05/2021 06:58

We can’t hear the neighbours normal sound leave tv. However when everyone in my house is out and everything switched off and sitting in total silence you can hear their tv.

It’s not realistic for her to want silence. She is purposly listening out for it to make a complaint, unless she does normally live in total silence?

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opalescent · 19/05/2021 06:58

@Winkywonkydonkey 😂😂

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trollopolis · 19/05/2021 06:59

Having your stuff on so loudly that the noise goes through the wall is antisocial.

Turn it down or get headphones.

And get a hearing test. Yes really. What you think is normal may well not be so.

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Gymsmile21 · 19/05/2021 06:59

Also, I have no idea why people think living in a terrace should come with no noise, that’s just stupid.

Silence is a luxury and if you can’t afford the detached house in the middle of a field then that’s tough.

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nancywhitehead · 19/05/2021 06:59

I don't know why you're questioning whether or not she can actually hear it.

If she can't hear it then how does on earth would she know it's on? Hmm Obviously she can hear it and obviously it's annoying her.

You are being inconsiderate for no reason at all.

Turn it off.

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isthismylifenow · 19/05/2021 07:00

Leaving a radio on in an empty house is not really a very good deterrent.

Most burglars scope the scene beforehand, and if they want to break in, they will know the house is empty, by watching the comings and goings.

And having to hear a constant drone of talking radio would drive me batshit as well.

I think she has addressed you quite well. She would not have gone to that trouble if it was not an issue. You never know when you need your neighbours, so going all out to piss them off is not a good idea.

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AlmostSummer21 · 19/05/2021 07:01

@MotorwayDiva

You may want to give her some notice on your renovations, if the sound of radio annoys her then drilling will do to.
Whilst I'm all for blacking their number maybe in this instance pick your battles.
Lots of people around me have their radios on most of the day, with wfh it's "company" in the house.

It's irrelevant what someone living in the house might do, the empty house doesn't need company, & burglars aren't deterred by LBC 🙇🏻‍♀️
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roguetomato · 19/05/2021 07:02

It needs to to be loud enough to take effect as a deterrent. You say it's quiet enough, it means it's pointless. Just turn it off.

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AlmostSummer21 · 19/05/2021 07:03

Your neighbour does seem like a pain in the arse

@TableFlowerss

Really

For not wanting to listen to the OP's bloody radio for hours every day? When she's not even living in the house?

She's asked nicely - she shouldn't have had to!

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Notonthestairs · 19/05/2021 07:06

MMucker is right - your old neighbours knew what they were doing moving and passing your details on.

The radio won't deter a burglary. It's pointless and you are undermining your relationship with your neighbours who might actually keep an eye on your home. Ridiculous.

What was with the cut n paste in your Op?

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Huhn · 19/05/2021 07:07

Whilst the radio makes little sense to me, I don’t think YABU OP. If a family lived there the tv would be on, people going upstairs etc. If and when that happens she will not cope.

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MysteriousMonkey · 19/05/2021 07:08

Turn it off. Clearly she has better hearing than you or previous owner. You're being ridiculous. How she has your number etc is not really the point.

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HannaHat · 19/05/2021 07:09

“She will not cope”

Pretty sure an adult knows what it’s like to have neighbours. She probably hasn’t encouraged such a selfish one before 🤷🏼‍♀️

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HannaHat · 19/05/2021 07:10

Encountered, not encouraged 🙄

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lcenii · 19/05/2021 07:10

God, I hope she goes down the council route. Stop being and self absorbed.

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funnylittlefloozie · 19/05/2021 07:11

Burglars won't be deterred by a radio playing. Sorry, but they won't. The only thing that really stops burglars is a dog.

I've taken anti-burglary advice from actual burglars , and its always the same. Window locks and a dog.

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drspouse · 19/05/2021 07:12

@NowtSoQueerAsFolk

Nobody mentioning the fact that op has clearly copied an email for this post?

It's not an email. It's an accidental repetition of the OP.
I think the neighbour is BU and you should just leave it. The OP has explained the purpose. A TV might be better though.
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feelinggeriatric · 19/05/2021 07:13

It's also probably annoying her that she can hear it and it doesn't need to be on. She would probably accept noise eg from a family .

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Cally23 · 19/05/2021 07:15

Turn it off.

Maybe she's sensitive to noise but now she's tuned into it it will be torture.

You are totally UR. 11pm is too late and not sure I'd be taking home security inspiration from Home Alone.

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