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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour hates our hot tub

276 replies

Sleepregressionqueen · 01/08/2022 10:08

We only bought our hot tub yesterday and set it up, kids been in it this morning from 8:45. Neighbour was round within 30 minutes she thinks it’s an absolute joke it’s too noisy she can barely hear herself think apparently. She is so much younger than us but miserable as hell!

she is quite nosey and is always on the street when any drama is going on with any of the neighbours so I kind of expected it.

of course I wouldn’t put the bubbles on at night (as much as I’d like to) so have told the kids only in the day.

we will probably only use it a few times a week.

Aibu what do I do?

OP posts:
Dotjones · 01/08/2022 12:16

Our scumbag neighbours have just had a hot tub installed. It's not the noise of the hot tub that's the issue, it's the loud music and shouting late into the night. The cunts have also had an "outdoor cinema" installed to go with it, hence the other night that was blaring out too.

("Scumbag" in terms of their behaviour - they're affluent but have no class or consideration for their neighbours. We get lots of information about them because they're so indiscreet, people on coke tend to get like that.)

WudYouSayItInRealLife · 01/08/2022 12:17

I'm with the neighbour. I don't think it's just MN that hates hot tubs it's real people that do too. They are noisy and it's a really irritating noisy hum. Having the bubble on is even worse.

Felixsmama · 01/08/2022 12:17

They are so noisy and annoying the only benefit of the energy crisis is hopefully in a few months people won't be using them .

pd339 · 01/08/2022 12:18

bubblescoop · 01/08/2022 10:10

The hot tub isn’t for your kids and they shouldn’t be playing in it.

Is it as far away from your neighbours as possible?

OP bought it and presumably she knows what she bought it for - you certainly don't!!

Ariela · 01/08/2022 12:18

You say she has kids the same age...why not invite them round to enjoy the hot tub?
NDN can then hardly complain!

Yabado · 01/08/2022 12:20

I’m a bit confused
I have a hot tub ( proper one not an inflatable one )
what do people mean they don’t use the bubbles - do you mean jets as if your not using the jets your just sitting in tub of warm water or are lazy spas / inflatable ones different

we use ours mainly from around 7pm -9 pm most evenings and we have the jets on no point otherwise

I only have one neighbour as I’m a end house and I know them well enough that if they didn’t like anything they would tell me
. My neighbours kids have been in it a few times with my nieces aw well

plus we have a pub at the bottom of the gardens and they have bands from Thurs - Sun night - they make more noise than my hottub 😂

TheHighStreetsAreDying · 01/08/2022 12:22

Haven't RTFT, so may already have been covered, but maybe tge type of hot tub makes a difference to tge noise of running it? Eg a lazy spa type one v a permanent rigid one?

Our neighbours (we're in a small terrace of 4 houses, they're one of the end houses, we're one of the two middle houses) bought a lazy spa miami a few weeks ago. We have small gardens and it's literally against our fence! But really, other than when the bubbles are on (as others have said, only in short bursts) it's not really intrusive, even when I'm wfh with the back door wide open. I run the filter most days for a bit, but only heat it when I know it'll be needed that day - but neither of those make much noise really.

In fact, we went the other way to OP's neighbours and bought one too (but in the sale, so only 2/3 of what they paid for theirs 😀I use it at weekends, and sometimes to cool off on the really hot weekdays. Neighbours are all more keen to come and use it, rather than complain about it!

TLDR: does type of spa make a difference to noise/annoyance levels?

woodhill · 01/08/2022 12:22

I think they don't work well in suburban areas and are intrusive if you live next door to one

Original poster
Sleepregressionqueen · 01/08/2022 12:23

Can I ask why people think their tacky? I absolutely love it think it’s so relaxing especially on an evening even without the bubbles. Kind of expecting the electricity bill ours is very low though we pay £105 a month gas and electric so ok if it goes up.

OP posts:
KettrickenSmiled · 01/08/2022 12:24

bubblescoop · 01/08/2022 10:10

The hot tub isn’t for your kids and they shouldn’t be playing in it.

Is it as far away from your neighbours as possible?

You are hilarious @bubblescoop - who do you think you are, to dictate to OP what she is "allowed" to do with her own children & her own property?

Although I'm with the neighbour here, as hot tubs are an ecological & social abomination. Also - isn't there a hosepipe ban at the moment? How on earth did you manage to fill it yesterday OP?

fakename13778 · 01/08/2022 12:25

Another one here that thinks hot tubs are an antisocial nuisance and shouldn't be allowed in gardens.

Even when no-one is in them they are noisy, add in bubbles which people shout over, the inevitable music which makes people shout louder, and for adults alcohol which adds even more shouting and cackling into the mix.

CatsAreCrackers · 01/08/2022 12:26

I love a hot tub, always look for accommodation with one when we go away. However, I think it depends on the placement of it and how big your garden is. I think you mentioned it's not next to the neighbour's fence, but if you live in a regular sized terrace with a normal small garden then you are being unreasonable. They are irritatingly noisy, even when the bubbles aren't running. We stayed in one place where the hot tub was under the bedroom window and it nearly drove me insane during the night as it's not a steady hum, it goes on and off. So basically, if your neighbour can hear it quite clearly, even when the bubbles aren't on, it's unreasonable, just like any other constant noise would be.

JorisBonson · 01/08/2022 12:27

Sleepregressionqueen · 01/08/2022 12:23

Can I ask why people think their tacky? I absolutely love it think it’s so relaxing especially on an evening even without the bubbles. Kind of expecting the electricity bill ours is very low though we pay £105 a month gas and electric so ok if it goes up.

How close is it to your neighbours door / windows?

Hillary17 · 01/08/2022 12:27

I feel her pain honestly because the noise is annoying and constant. No doubt an unpopular opinion but I think they’re quite chavvy these days and I’d be gutted if my neighbours got one.

cockandball · 01/08/2022 12:28

Well, they are irritating as hell. Sounds like you enjoy poking the hornets nest.

saraclara · 01/08/2022 12:29

Sleepregressionqueen · 01/08/2022 10:51

@ScreamingInfidelities maybe a bit shitty but it’s the truth. I could understand if she just got home from a night shift. But she’s at home all day.

...which means she has to put up with it all day.

Are you switching it off before you go out, so she doesn't have to listen to it humming?

Rosscameasdoody · 01/08/2022 12:29

If she’s complaining about the hot tub she’d probably complain about a paddling pool too - all that noisy splashing about !! I think the only way yabu is the time of day - 8.45am is a bit early so maybe push it towards 11am or so. It sounds like it’s no more than normal noise to be expected from neighbours with children and what’s the garden for if not for them to play in ?

Rosscameasdoody · 01/08/2022 12:31

CatsAreCrackers · 01/08/2022 12:26

I love a hot tub, always look for accommodation with one when we go away. However, I think it depends on the placement of it and how big your garden is. I think you mentioned it's not next to the neighbour's fence, but if you live in a regular sized terrace with a normal small garden then you are being unreasonable. They are irritatingly noisy, even when the bubbles aren't running. We stayed in one place where the hot tub was under the bedroom window and it nearly drove me insane during the night as it's not a steady hum, it goes on and off. So basically, if your neighbour can hear it quite clearly, even when the bubbles aren't on, it's unreasonable, just like any other constant noise would be.

OP says it’s on the other side of the garden from the neighbour who’s complaining.

Rosscameasdoody · 01/08/2022 12:32

KettrickenSmiled · 01/08/2022 12:24

You are hilarious @bubblescoop - who do you think you are, to dictate to OP what she is "allowed" to do with her own children & her own property?

Although I'm with the neighbour here, as hot tubs are an ecological & social abomination. Also - isn't there a hosepipe ban at the moment? How on earth did you manage to fill it yesterday OP?

Show quote history

Hosepipe ban is only in certain areas.

OberthursGrizzledSkipper · 01/08/2022 12:32

Our NDN installed a rigid hot tub on their patio against the party wall (staggered terrace). The humming could be heard in every room in our house like a helicopter. It was awful.

Yabado · 01/08/2022 12:34

@TheHighStreetsAreDying
I think the lazy Spa type vibrate more so the noise is amplified They aren’t insulated properly so can cost a lot more to run depending on your electric tarrif
most important thing with a hot tub is excellent insulation as it retains the heat as heating it is what cost the money

I have a new hard shell one and it’s pretty quiet and eco friendly
i mainly use it evenings

woodhill · 01/08/2022 12:35

I think they are bad for your skin if you are in them too much and are high maintenance

BellePeppa · 01/08/2022 12:35

I think on hot summer days children should be allowed to make as much happy noise as they want. Personally I hate noise and I hate noisy neighbours but I have a big tolerance for the sound of children laughing and being happy.

MontanaMountains · 01/08/2022 12:37

CornishGem1975 · 01/08/2022 10:10

Your garden, your choice.

They are pretty noisy though. The constant hum, the bubbles...the loud talking because you can't hear over the bubbles, the children squealing. Music....all goes hand in hand.

I don't have one, but have hired one a few times - just get on with it, but be considerate with regards timings. Ie not early morning or late at night. Outside of that, she has no right to tell you what to do in your own garden.

Close neighbours have every right to complain about noise disturbance. I've complained about barking dogs before (and I have a dog) and a motorbike being revved for hours on end. Hot tub noise is no different.

mam0918 · 01/08/2022 12:40

I dont see the difference between a hot tub and a swimming pool or a slip and slide (or water pistols etc...) kids make the same amount of noise with any of them.

The only one I would be uncomfortable with my neighbors having is the slip and slide as they are death traps that always cause injury and I wouldnt want my kids seeing and asking for one lol.