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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:
SeenYourArse · 01/08/2022 14:07

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?

Who the fuck says so???!

HPFA · 01/08/2022 14:31

My neighbours hired a hot tub for a weekend as part of their pre-wedding celebrations.

Must admit the noise did drive me up the wall - the constant shrieking and giggling was the worst bit. I didn't complain as they were good neighbours generally and clearly it was going to be a one-off. But I'm very glad they didn't get married every week!

dolphinsarentcommon · 01/08/2022 14:36

Why is it ok to make a load of irritating noise at whatever time you want because it your garden, but not alright to have peace and quiet in a neighbours garden. It's just as reasonable to want to enjoy quiet as it is to enjoy a hot tub.

Many a sensible reasonable conversation and some compromise would be the best way forward.

Googlersanonymous · 01/08/2022 14:44

I stayed in holiday accommodation recently and there was a hot tub on decking in the middle of the garden. The hum/ vibration of it surprised us all and it had to be kept switched on 24 hrs a day.
Perhaps your neighbour is not being unreasonable, is there way you could ask to check it out in her garden or house.

Googlersanonymous · 01/08/2022 14:50

Incidentally be very careful of wearing jewellery in a hot tub. I took my rings off but forgot about a platinum set necklace and it basically turned black. It's been cleared but it didn't make a lot of difference.

Piglet89 · 01/08/2022 15:02

Jesus.

vinnywoolf · 01/08/2022 15:02

Hot tubs in a typical residential garden where you are living right next to other people, being overlooked are a bit inappropriate however my neighbour has one and it doesn't really bother me but I'm very laid back. I know the other neighbours don't like it. Also ensure you have a proper plan to drain it as if the water ends up in your neighbours gardent that could cause a real issue.

EllisActon · 01/08/2022 15:31

SheWoreYellow · 01/08/2022 10:38

It’s not the using it that’s the main noise issue, IME, it’s the periodic humming as it heats up. This is really loud. We have loved a hot tub on holiday, but would not consider one at home as we have nowhere to put it that wouldn’t be audible from our neighbours’ garden.

I have sympathy for your neighbour I’m afraid.

This.....a thousand times this

drawacircleroundit · 01/08/2022 15:35

If your hot tub is consistently noisy, and I think they are, then your right to it doesn’t trump her right to a peaceful existence.
maybe ask to go round to hers when it’s in use or doing its noisy thing and see if it would be too loud for you to nap through it? That’s my touch-stone.

Lordofmyflies · 01/08/2022 15:48

Hi OP, you'll probably find the kids lose interest very quickly and besides, they'll be back at school soon. TBH, our hot tub isn't noisy and is very easy to monitor the chemistry. I think the newer models are far more manageable. I'd ignore the neighbour - you are not breaking any laws. Perhaps, remind the kids not to shout but surely you would anyway, even without a hot tub.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/08/2022 15:50

@Googlersanonymous I’ve only had that issue with white gold, my platinum jewellery has always been fine but I fixed the white gold ring by covering it in toothpaste overnight. I was dubious but worth a go as replating cost a lot. I was amazed it worked. Worth a go.

Derrymare · 01/08/2022 16:00

I must admit I've always wanted one until I heard a friends what a racket they make I wouldn't subject my neighbours to it.

Nodancingshoes · 01/08/2022 16:03

Nuisance noise is actually restricted to barking dogs, loud music and noisy industrial machinery as far as I know. I would compromise with her and agree on what times she feels is unacceptable but that would be it I'm afraid...kids are pretty noisy whether they are in a hot tub or not

Nodancingshoes · 01/08/2022 16:05

No one can expect built up residential areas to be silent however nice that would be

ThatsAllFolks · 01/08/2022 16:08

Horrendous. My neighbours got one. About 1.5m from my back door. There is the humming all the time but the bubbles are so loud. Have to just go in and shut all windows and doors when it starts, plus the shouting at each other over the noise. Tends to stop about 11 pm so can open bedroom windows after that

DelurkingLawyer · 01/08/2022 16:11

Nodancingshoes · 01/08/2022 16:03

Nuisance noise is actually restricted to barking dogs, loud music and noisy industrial machinery as far as I know. I would compromise with her and agree on what times she feels is unacceptable but that would be it I'm afraid...kids are pretty noisy whether they are in a hot tub or not

Speaking as a lawyer who has litigated hundreds of nuisance claim, I am afraid this is completely wrong. A nuisance can in principle be any activity, including any noise, which unreasonably
interferes with the neighbour’s use and enjoyment of their land.

The issue in any given case is what amounts to “unreasonable”. That is determined by reference, among other things to “the character of the neighbourhood” (so smells from pig farming are more likely to be considered reasonable in the countryside than in a suburb), and things like frequency and severity of interference. However the suggestion that noise nuisance is limited to particular types of noise is wrong.

luckylavender · 01/08/2022 16:12

Holly60 · 01/08/2022 10:13

I have a sprinkler for my plants. Should my DGC not be allowed to play in the sprinkler?

Allow me to be the first to say that having a sprinkler when we're about to enter a drought is terrible.

Squishybean · 01/08/2022 16:13

I would hate to live next door to anyone with a hottub. The noise, the shouting, the drinking and the kids screaming and then it fills up with friends and the noise just keeps growing.

Your house l, your choice. Just glad I dont live next door

peepee123 · 01/08/2022 17:15

Your neighbours ABU.
We have a hot tub. I find the gentle hum quite soporific. Certainly doesn't offend my ears. Bubbles are not too loud and shouldn't be on for long anyway.
To put this into perspective; We have had a house being built next door for the last two years: bulldozers etc going from 7am on the dot weekdays and 8am weekends. We now have teens who can sleep until 3pm if allowed, ergo, we have been denied a sleep in for years.
A new house is now being built next door but one, so looking at another two/three years of bulldozer reversing beeps and pile driving noise from 7am weekdays and 8am at weekends. This is acceptable apparently and nothing we can do to stop it. 🤷🏼‍♀️
Look at your local council's bylaws OP, if ridiculously loud building noise is acceptable at 7/8am, kids playing in the garden should be ok.
BTW who made Mumsnet the Taste police? 🙄🙄🤷🏼‍♀️

TheCatterall · 01/08/2022 18:01

8.45am - I wouldn’t be your friendly neighbour either.

i get it’s summer holidays but some of us work from home and listening to screaming, squealing and shouting from 8.45am would top me over the edge.

ClocksGoingBackwards · 01/08/2022 18:36

People that have started working from home can’t reasonably complain about noise from neighbours if the neighbours are just doing normal home activities like playing in their garden. A home is primarily a home, not a workplace. If people have chosen to make their home their workplace, they have to adapt to working in home like conditions.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 01/08/2022 18:38

TheCatterall · 01/08/2022 18:01

8.45am - I wouldn’t be your friendly neighbour either.

i get it’s summer holidays but some of us work from home and listening to screaming, squealing and shouting from 8.45am would top me over the edge.

I work from home. That's not my neighbours problem.

Johnnysgirl · 01/08/2022 18:48

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 01/08/2022 18:38

I work from home. That's not my neighbours problem.

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How generous of you not to expect your near neighbours to act with any degree of thoughtfulness or civility.
Your acceptance of your not being anybody else's problem is fairly saint like.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 01/08/2022 19:23

Johnnysgirl · 01/08/2022 18:48

How generous of you not to expect your near neighbours to act with any degree of thoughtfulness or civility.
Your acceptance of your not being anybody else's problem is fairly saint like.

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My kids and my neighbours kids play out. Sometimes they're laughing and shouting to each other and it's lovely to hear. I am sorry but if someone who has a problem with that because they have to work from home.. it sounds like a them problem

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 01/08/2022 19:29

ClocksGoingBackwards · 01/08/2022 18:36

People that have started working from home can’t reasonably complain about noise from neighbours if the neighbours are just doing normal home activities like playing in their garden. A home is primarily a home, not a workplace. If people have chosen to make their home their workplace, they have to adapt to working in home like conditions.

This exactly. I get jumped on though 🙄