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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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OP posts:
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Am I being unreasonable?

2377 votes. Final results.

POLL
You are being unreasonable
54%
You are NOT being unreasonable
46%
RedHelenB · 19/05/2021 07:17

YABU , hope this helps. You're not in the property so switch it off!

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TheQueef · 19/05/2021 07:20

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

Yeah good shout. Grin
The old neighbour totally slipped your number on purpose.
How many years did they have to listen to ghost house radio?

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TomRipley · 19/05/2021 07:20

No I wouldn't turn it off. She's not entitled to silence from your property wether you're there or not. Not her business if you have the radio on for whatever reason.
If she's that sensitive to noise she shouldn't live in a terraced.
I'd tell her to bugger off!

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tenredthings · 19/05/2021 07:22

If the kitchen cupboards are empty and the house is empty of furniture the sound will travel a long way. I've been trying to soundproof DH office and it's amazing how sound can travel. Leave a tv on visible from the window with the sound off if you're really worried about burglary but pity the poor neighbour and turn the radio off !

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AntiHop · 19/05/2021 07:22

Turn it off!

I live in a terrace and 8 hours of a radio would drive me mental! I can hear voices and tv through the wall in my house. It is not a bloody deterrent.

@Winkywonkydonkey Grin

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category12 · 19/05/2021 07:23

Any burglar/potential squatter watching the house or a with a little local knowledge will know your house is empty already.

A radio on all day does nothing but irritate your neighbour.

It would be more sense to have your neighbour on side so they might even keep an eye on the house for you, than a pissed off neighbour who'd actually be quite happy if your house got vandalised and would piss on your floors herself.

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Morgan12 · 19/05/2021 07:23

No point in saying turn it off is there? Because you won't.

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GreenWasabi · 19/05/2021 07:24

This is weird,

OP posted about an issue she was being arrogant and insensitive about...

resounding 'turn it off'

OP disappears ...hmmm it's almost as if the OP is too arrogant to take advice...
Oh wait..

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LoudestCat14 · 19/05/2021 07:25

You're coming across as really arrogant, OP. Level 3 volume on Alexa is actually quite loud! It would create enough of a muffled hum to be irritating, especially if it's on all day until late. Switch it off and get a burglar alarm instead like normal people would.

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Schoolchoicesucks · 19/05/2021 07:28

Turn it off! A new neighbour has told you that something is irritating them. This something is not you making normal family noise. It is absolutely of no consequence to you to stop doing it. The lights and alarm are set to prevent burglaries.

Turn it off for a few days, be a good neighbour.

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Arrowheart · 19/05/2021 07:30

Turn it off. A burglar isn't going to think oh shit, stand down everyone, they have Radio 2 on.

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Lanique · 19/05/2021 07:30

The radio will be particularly noisy in an empty house op. Fgs op turn it off. I sometimes find neighbouring tradesmen's radios annoying when working from home, it's very different when sat there in silence trying to concentrate once the sound is in your head.

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Newkitchen123 · 19/05/2021 07:30

If it can't be heard from outside it's not a deterrent. If it can be heard from outside it can be heard next door!
Why is it on a timer? What's the point? Do you know when they're going to break in? Does it reduce the premium you pay to insure an unoccupied property? I can't see it making any difference.

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Singlebutmarried · 19/05/2021 07:32

The constant sound of a talking radio station is enough to drive anyone mad. It’s like a buzzing drone and once you’ve hooked on to the sound it’s impossible not to hear.

YABVU

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Singlebutmarried · 19/05/2021 07:33

Also our Alexa occasionally has a bit of a moment and turns the volume up.

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daisypond · 19/05/2021 07:35

Well, if the radio is as quiet as you say, I think the neighbour is being unreasonable. If you’re in a terraced house, some noise is to be expected. A radio on to a talk channel, not music, is fine, even if it’s on all day. If there were people in, there would be talking, doors shutting, a TV on - against a wall- all much louder. I’m taken aback by the comments on this thread. I’m in a terraced house, and work from home, and this wouldn’t bother me -obviously depending on how loud it is.

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MaeveDidIt · 19/05/2021 07:35

Your house is empty - of course having a radio on will be causing an irritating din of a noise all day long.
Try not to be so ignorant and try seeing it from a 360 view not just your own.

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Bluesheep8 · 19/05/2021 07:35

I'd say turn it off too. If you want the property to appear occupied, get some of those battery operated faux candles with flickering flames on a timer and put them in the window. That's what I did because who would go out and leave lit candles?
Also, if the property is completely empty, what are burglars going to steal?

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notapizzaeater · 19/05/2021 07:36

Quite frankly if a burglar wants to break in a radio isn't going to stop them, however a noisy neighbour who hears things is more of a deterrent.

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MaeveDidIt · 19/05/2021 07:37

....To be clear because it's empty the noise is not being absorbed by anything - hence the irritating din.

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Cannes12 · 19/05/2021 07:38

Turn it off
You're just being mean

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Nothingyet · 19/05/2021 07:40

@Ostara212

If the radio can't be heard outside, how is it helping to give the impression the property is occupied?

You need to hear it from her house but ideally, switch it off.

She might be confusing noise from other properties and if yours is silent, that will confirm it.

You have put a radio on in an empty house? Crazy!
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Bluesheep8 · 19/05/2021 07:40

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.

Yes but this noise wouldn't be constant, it would come and go. Plus it wouldn't seem completely pointless.

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SoapboxFox · 19/05/2021 07:41

YABVU

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Poorlykitten · 19/05/2021 07:41

I think the OP doesn’t like the answers she is getting and has disappeared. That kind of timed noise is really annoying, you are just waiting for it to be switched on again and it’s like water torture! Turn it off. 8 hours a day is really anti-social.

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