Hoovering at 1am

[xDeadtiredx]

So I’ve spoken to my friends and one in particular has really thrown me with her response to the point where I need to know whether I’m overreacting to this now.

Long story short, my neighbour (in her late 40s, early 50s) had been an absolute nightmare since she moved in, she knows full well that our converted flats are separated by plasterboard walls with no insulation in between and I’ve always tried to be as considerate as possible by making as little noise as possible. She has a regular habit of watching football and other tv shows on weeknights loudly till at least 11.30pm. This weekend really took the biscuit. So Friday night, she got home at 11.30pm with a few friends and had a mini bash with the tv on so loud I could hear eastender characters blinking and breathing. Around 12-2am decided she would hoover and slam the hoover on any wall space available so I got only four hours sleep by the time she settled down. I then had to go to work Saturday and struggle through the day on not much sleep, but she very kindly did the same thing the next night as well so I had not much sleep over the weekend at all unwillingly.

My friend just said I’m not suited for living in a flat and should just upsticks and live in the middle of nowhere as I should expect the noise living in a town but everyone else is saying hoovering after 11pm isn’t on. Should I really be expecting this?

It’s unreasonable, but there’s so many ridiculously selfish people that sadly it’s not uncommon.

I’m 100% intolerant of noise, so moved to a detached house in a cheaper area - I was in a flat in a better area previously.

The change has been lovely, but I do have a longer commute now.

Yanbu.

I used to work in housing and that would be considered antisocial at that time. If she's approachable enough I'd go round and just say the walls are paper thin and you're really struggling to get to sleep so you'd really appreciate it if she'd be mindful of her noise after midnight and you'll do the same for her.

If she refuses or is unapproachable then you can contact your council and make a noise complaint. Or if you live in social housing then make a complaint to the housing officer.

Either way they'll ask you to keep a record for a while of all antisocial noise and if they feel there's enough of a pattern they'll take it further.

If you live in flats, aren't there rules of the block/development? These usually include no loud music or hoovering or whatever after 10.30 or 11.

I am a late hooverer but can’t tolerate an early hooveree. I done what pp suggested and moved to a cheaper area. When I lived in a flat the noise was constant which I didn’t mind at all when I was living alone.

supposedly! My managing agent has just come back and said she can’t do anything despite it being in the owner and renter rules for the flats

supposedly! My managing agent has just come back and said she can’t do anything despite it being in the owner and renter rules for the flats

So does she, or you, own or rent?

I'd ask other neighbours if they are impacted, and get some support there. If no one else is impacted, you can get noise back eat a time that will irritate her.

I would have thought that fire regs would not be met by plasterboard walls between flats.

Your Managing Agent’s views are irrelevant - it depends on what it says in your lease. If this behaviour is prohibited in your lease tell her it is the responsibility of the lessor to enforce this - otherwise you will sue. It seems to me the Agent is being lazy and doesn’t want hassle- tough shit.