Neighbours DIY

[Happychristmas2021]

Live in a mid-terrance house.
Next door was sold recently so new owner has been doing DIY for a few weeks now.
He isn’t going to live there but rent it out, rooms I believe.
House was previously an HMO, and we had countless issues with tenants over the last 10 years (so not sure if I’m being sensitive because of this) - our fence was burnt down, loud parties all night, drugs, domestic violence, police being called regularly….
New owner seems to be doing a lot of work on the house, great, but it’s all the time…

Week days he works so had had tradespeople in during the day. He then comes to the house in the evenings after work, and will do work until 8-9pm.
Then at weekends he will get there at 7:30am and work all day…..Saturday and Sunday.
Drilling, banging, loud music…..
I also work from home so there is no respite for me, no break from it.
So I guess I’m asking if there’s anything I can do?
I did pop a note through his door asking if he could please not start until 8am on a weekend, we have a young child so on the odd occasion he will sleep until 8am, which has happened.
But today it’s been all day, banging, and he’s basically said tough.
Is there any rule where you’re allowed peaceful enjoyment in your own home?!

You can look on your council website about permitted hours but it might be better if you can come to a compromise with him if he plans to get the work done quicker, it sounds a nightmare. Did you speak to him or your partner.

Yes, local authority environmental health department if you want to deal with it formally, which is the only way if his response to informal arrangements is "tough"!

The usual rule is no building work before 8am. They can serve an abatement notice. It depends how diligent they are though. There's very little money available any more, and this sort of thing is not high priority. If you can get other neighbours to complain it may help.

When do you expect people who work Monday to Friday (like you presumably) to get work done?

@Asdf12345

When do you expect people who work Monday to Friday (like you presumably) to get work done?

They could get someone in to do the work at a reasonable time.

OP, DIY hours Mon-Fri 8-6
Sat 8-12
Sun not at all unless it’s an emergency

Sorry that should be 8-1 on Saturday.

Same rule on bank holz as Sunday.

@Asdf12345

When do you expect people who work Monday to Friday (like you presumably) to get work done?

True but that doesn't stop them from being considerate.

OP there's nothing wrong with asking. I think 8pm during the week is fine personally but no later with young children and starting at 8am on weekends is fair too. I also don't think it's unfair of you to ask him to turn the music down at weekends too as that's not a necessity to get the work done. He might be a complete twat and say no but I'd still ask. I wouldn't do a note I'd go and see him

When do you expect people who work Monday to Friday (like you presumably) to get work done?

This chap's desire to set up a new business for himself does not over-ride OP's right to some peace and quiet in the evening and at weekends. He needs to employ tradesmen to get the work done at reasonable times, or else realise that his business model isn't realistic.

OP, I advise getting some ground rules agreed now, because otherwise he is not only walking over you now but also likely to do it once the property is rented out.

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do. The person who bought the house attached to us said he was going to live there and we had 11 weeks of DIY all day every day, including from 7am every Saturday and every Sunday. Contacted council, would only get involved if it was a building site. Domestic couldn't care less.

I got to the point where I was going to go round and stave his head in with an iron. Luckily DS decided to intervene first and went round to have a word. Bloke denied it had been so long and also denied having builders in - the group of men who parked their shitty van outside at 7am every day just your mates then? It did then finally stop.

I think people who don't have to live with it have no clue just how badly it can affect your mental health.

Check also with the council that it has a licence to be an HMO and if there is planning permission for it. If not, raise a planning complaint that he's done an illegal conversion.

When do you expect people who work Monday to Friday (like you presumably) to get work done?

If it's an HMO he's running a business renting out rooms (and probably making a tidy profit). So he should do the building work in business hours too.

I feel you’re pain, New next door neighbour in semi detached property, she’s retired and seems to have forgotten that people may want a lie in at weekends. She has tradesman here in week banging and drilling (I work part time so have to listen to it) weekends she ha had tradesman doing garden or grandkids screaming out there at 9am right by our bedroom window. I’m trying to be polite and patient but am getting close to losing my shit with her. I have a chronic illness and am desparate for some sleep

www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/documents/noise_from_diy_work_fact_sheet/Noise%20from%20DIY%20Work%20-%20Advice%20Factsheet.pdf

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do. The person who bought the house attached to us said he was going to live there and we had 11 weeks of DIY all day every day, including from 7am every Saturday and every Sunday. Contacted council, would only get involved if it was a building site. Domestic couldn't care less.

It does depend on the council. They have the power to act. Whether they want to use it (or can afford to) is a different matter!