Night time basketball

[LadyLa47]

My neighbour’s teenager likes to play basketball.

We live in a row of terraces with small back gardens. They have a basketball hoop there.

Their teenager’s friends come over and play basketball in the evenings. Proceedings usually kick off after 8pm.

They often play until late at night. We have had several discussions about it - most recently it was agreed they wouldn’t play late at night. They are out there now.

As it’s a group of them playing, you can hear the ball bouncing constantly. Often for hours.

You can hear it over the TV. If we have people over for dinner it’s a couple of metres away…

I am at my wits end. AIBU to complain (again)? I really don’t want to fall out with them - but every weekend evening (and often weekday evening) is to the soundtrack of a thudding ball.

It's not late at night. It's 9.40.

@PritiPatelsMaker I’d say 9.40 is pretty late to be playing loud outdoor games in a very densely populated residential area.

I can hear them shouting as they play. Just hoping it doesn’t wake my kids up (again).

They often play until midnight.

I'd have lost my shit over this by now the antisocial selfish bastards.

@AutisticLegoLover I have tried discussing it with the parents and they were quite sympathetic

But it hasn’t changed anything.

I have no idea what to do next. Move?

So you’d be fine with that noise if you had young DCs who were woken up?

People just love to be contrary on forums don’t they. 9:40pm is late when there’s the chance folk could be in bed.

YANBU @LadyLa47

Savoir I wouldn't be fine but yes, I've lived through similar and there is simply nothing you can do at this time of night.

I do have sympathy with the Op but as far as noise pollution goes, they won't do anything to help you at 9.40.

My DC learnt to live with it. Not ideal but that's what happened.

What is the local council noise rules because that is the reference you can apply.

Honestly I would prefer them playing basketball to blasting "music".

@Marblessolveeverything I think I would prefer music to be honest.

Its the repetitive thudding that drives you mad.

@PritiPatelsMaker the hoop is probably
two metres from one of my child’s bedroom windows…

They are very small terraces.

I find this really tricky. One of my children played basketball obsessively for the last 3 years although not after 8pm and although it's not offensive per say and I didn't want to discourage its a really loud and persistent sound and very irritating. Are they old enough to play on a local court? Tbh I'm not sure I'd want my teen playing in the dark on our local court but I'm not sure I would complain until 10pm.

Buy them a silent basketball from Amazon

the hoop is probably
two metres from one of my child’s bedroom windows…

They are very small terraces

I do feel for you. I can remember it snowing once and thinking at least the neighbours won't be out tonight. Nope, they'd been out in the day to but patio heaters and were out till 1 am 🤦‍♀️

I would lose my mind OP. That’s very bloody selfish.

I'd call the police, no hesitation

Absolutely terrible behaviour, the parents should be ashamed too

I hope this is sarcasm!!

😂

Ask the parents if they'll use a silent basketball - they're made of different material so don't thud against the ground.

What are the noise laws? Round here it is 10pm and then you have to be quiet so I would agree something like that with the parents and see if it works?

You can't go in and insist they stop altogether but you could meet them half way and suggest a time for them to stop. In all fairness they should still be allowed to play.

Yes the noise of a ball can be annoying but it is kids playing after all the parents are going to prefer that than them doing goodness knows what.

Also remember your kids will grow up one day and try and think about how you'd feel then

Who will say that noise issues are handled by the Local Authority, so contact their Env Health Department to make a complaint.

I feel your pain having lived through similar. The constant thudding. Just remember that it will pass eventually. It's not worth having a dispute over, although I agree your neighbours are very inconsiderate

This is very inconsiderate and it would drive me mad too. Unfortunately, I don't think the council or the police would be able to act at 9:40 (or any time really as I doubt the volume is sufficient for that). I think regular friendly appeals to the neighbours is all you can do. Don't you go out and ask them to wrap it up soon? If their parents are friendly and broadly supportive, as you say, surely they wouldn't mind you popping out to ask when they'll be finished because your kids are in bed.