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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours buzzing hot tub

120 replies

Shibby585 · 11/04/2022 10:31

Next door have decided to get a permanent hot tub installed on their deck a couple of weeks ago and since then I can hear a none stop hum within my house 24/7.

The fence got taken down to put it in, it still hasn't been put back up so I've had no privacy, they've also been using the hot tub during this time with no fence which I've found really awkward when putting washing out.

The low frequency hum drives me mental, I tried to approach next door and got told it wasn't their hot tub making the noise and told they refused to do anything about this. Aibu to expect a resolution to this and not have to sit in my house listening to it humming all day.

Would the local authority do anything? I've read up and believe the deck is acting like a drum and resonating in my house. It's not actually loud outside but in my house it's a constant low drone that is awful. I can no longer sit in my house in peace, I have to turn the TV up to drown it out and take tablets on a night to sleep or try to mask it.

OP posts:
SummerHouse · 11/04/2022 10:37

This is awful. Truly. But I don't think you can do anything. I think you need to come to terms with it. Is moving an option? I know that's drastic! Or could you ask the neighbors to come and hear how loud it is?

Local authority would only act if it's above a certain decibel and I very much doubt it would be although very annoying.

Cultureclub · 11/04/2022 10:38

Contact environmental health re the noise.
You also need to insist they put the fence back up, give them a few weeks of a deadline then tell them you'll call out a contractor and bill them.

olympicsrock · 11/04/2022 10:39

Could you ask them to put a rubber mat under it to absorb the vibration ?

Harrriet · 11/04/2022 10:40

Give the council a call or maybe there is a section on their website. As for feeling awkward when they are in the hot tub, invite people around for coffee and stare at them while chatting about the cost of running the thing constantly.

edenhills · 11/04/2022 10:42

I can't believe people still have hot tubs that stay on 24/7! So bad for the planet and such a kick in the teeth for those of us struggling with high energy prices and make every tiny saving we can.

ItsSnowJokes · 11/04/2022 10:44

@Cultureclub

Contact environmental health re the noise. You also need to insist they put the fence back up, give them a few weeks of a deadline then tell them you'll call out a contractor and bill them.
She has no legal right to insist on the fence being put back up. There is no right to a fence only to mark the boundary. This could be a piece of string. She may find she gets stuck with the bill if she takes your advice!
Summersolargirl · 11/04/2022 10:46

@Cultureclub

Contact environmental health re the noise. You also need to insist they put the fence back up, give them a few weeks of a deadline then tell them you'll call out a contractor and bill them.
There is no legal requirement to have a fence, she can’t do that. She can put her own up, but at her cost.
Original poster
Shibby585 · 11/04/2022 10:48

@olympicsrock I invited the person round they were shouting and screaming and said there was no noise. I offered to pay for a matt, I was told they wouldn't even look at it for 6 months as it cost "£500" to drain their tub. Currently there is some fencing resting against the deck that is loose. I'm praying that when that goes and the fence goes up the noise stops but reading other places it's a common issue.

It's absolutely awful a none stop hum/drone akin to tinnitus. They don't seem willing to do anything about it.

OP posts:
BringBackCoffeeCreams · 11/04/2022 10:48

I feel for you OP. My fishtank filter is dying and the constant low level humming is driving me insane. But at least I can turn off to get some respite. I hope the council can help you but I fear they won't.

TheKeatingFive · 11/04/2022 10:50

Local authority would only act if it's above a certain decibel and I very much doubt it would be although very annoying.

This. While noise pollution is really annoying, LA wouldn't get involved unless it was at quite a serious level.

Aposterhasnoname · 11/04/2022 10:53

Wait till they get the bill for running it 24/7. They’ll soon switch it off.

Easterisoffeggstooexpensive · 11/04/2022 10:55

Throw some coloured bath bombs in. Or fake ddog poos.

AllOfUsAreDead · 11/04/2022 10:55

@edenhills

I can't believe people still have hot tubs that stay on 24/7! So bad for the planet and such a kick in the teeth for those of us struggling with high energy prices and make every tiny saving we can.
Bet they complain about their electric bill too.

Why would you leave it on 24/7 anyway? Surely it only needs to be on when you use it? Are they in it all day and night, or just determined to show people what they've bought?

Original poster
Shibby585 · 11/04/2022 11:02

@AllOfUsAreDead the hot tub needs to run constantly to keep temperature and heated to 37 to 40 degrees. The hot tub itself is not on I.e bubbles/jets but the filter and motor will be running 24/7 to keep it warm and to keep it bacteria free.

OP posts:
LadyCatStark · 11/04/2022 11:06

Don’t worry, they’ll switch it off once they receive their electricity bill!

Original poster
Shibby585 · 11/04/2022 11:08

@LadyCatStark I'm not so sure they paid ove 5k for it and took the fence down which is costing them over 2k to put back up. They also have solar panels. Anywhere I move will be a massive downgrade due to house prices.

OP posts:
OberthursGrizzledSkipper · 11/04/2022 11:14

Our neighbours did the same and the noise was awful. Like a thrumming right through the whole house.

Was it their fence they took down or yours?

I think pp are wrong about environmental health. I am pretty sure that a constant noise CAN be dealt with even if it is below the decibel level. I would contact them and see what they can do.

PermanentTemporary · 11/04/2022 11:17

What a nightmare. I think anyone who is selfish enough to install a hot tub at all should just be written off for reasonable interaction tbh. I have a friend who was driven nearly insane by her neighbours wind chimes and they were equally intransigent.

In the end you're just going to have to find a way. Noise cancelling headphones? Loud drum and bass?

Original poster
Shibby585 · 11/04/2022 11:20

@OberthursGrizzledSkipper it was their fence. At the moment there is propped fence against the deck I'm really hoping the noise is the loose fence against the deck and as soon as the new fence comes in it'll stop.

Did you get a resolution to yours and how? That is exactly how I would describe it a none stop thrumming/hum. It's so loud it's over my TV I have to turn it up to drown it out. I wfh and am looking to go back into the office it's so oppressive.

They reckon they can't hear it but I've really good hearing for low frequency noise.

OP posts:
OfstedOffred · 11/04/2022 11:28

Can you wear some ear plugs to get a break? It would be quite unusual for a hot tub to make enough noise to be heard indoors when windows & doors are shut. Family members of mine have them on decking fairly close to their homes and you can't hear a thing inside.

The fence however is unreasonable. They need to get that back up asap

tanstaafl · 11/04/2022 11:32

You can either be passive and suffer or active and suffer.
If it’s the former we all feel for your situation.

If it’s the latter, isn’t it about the time you were planning on buying a bbq?
And the only place for it is where the fence is missing?

cobblers123 · 11/04/2022 11:33

I couldn't have my window open at night during the summer because of next door's hot tub humming away.

If I wanted the window open if the heat was so bad, I had to wear ear plugs.

Fortunately they barely used it and it's been permanently switched off for about the past four years. HOORAY! Grin

Collaborate · 11/04/2022 11:35

It may amount to a private nuisance, which has a legal remedy. Dust off your house insurance and check that you have legal expenses cover. Take legal advice.

Northernsoullover · 11/04/2022 11:35

You've been given bad advice here. Ring your council. The decibel nonsense is not true. A Yorkshire Terrier could be deemed a statutory nuisance.

helpfulperson · 11/04/2022 11:36

Contact your local environmental health team. It's not a noise complaint as such but possibly a nuisance complaint.

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