The neighbours are going to hate us

[Potentialneighboursfromhell]

I've just signed for the keys for a flat for me and my DC, it's on the first floor of a small block. There are 8 or 10 flats in total.

I wasn't in a position to hang about hoping something on a ground level came up.

I have 3 DC one of which has autism and adhd.

I came to the new property today to drop off a few bits ahead of the big move next week. The kids were excited, running around.

A downstairs neighbour came up to see if everything was OK and what all the noise was (it was the kids running around - this being the first time they had seen the place and they were excited)

I explained and apologised, the neighbour was fine but I got a sinking feeling as soon as I closed the door. My children are going to drive that poor man and his family mad. DS especially. He shouts, screams, bangs - due to his disability. It can't be controlled not for want of trying. Lord knows it drives me round the bend too.

I've been treading on egg shells the rest of the time we've been here. Telling the kids to "shh" and be quiet, take your shoes off so they don't hear you walking about, lower your voices, don't do this don't do that.

It's going to be hell for everybody. Kids included.

I've made a mistake haven't I? What the hell am I going to do now 😔

The little boy is shouting "it's not fair" and she's shouting back "OK DAVID" (not his real name ofc and just carrying on)

I think he just wants to go to sleep.

It's insane how poorly soundproofed this block is, I can hear it all as clear as day.

Do you think he's being badly treated? With all these stories about neglected and maltreated children and babies, it does make you more hyper-aware of things that really need reporting to social services. Smoking weed regularly is one red flag.

Call social services OP to do a welfare check. That poor poor boy.

It's taken me two days to read this thread but I've finally caught up!

The only people I feel bad for in all this is you op, your dc and the neighbors dc. What an absolute nightmare.

I lived above a lady once and she complained constantly about me. I was out of the flat from 8am to 7pm working. I would come home and have to tiptoe across my floor, scared to even open and close doors. She would even complain if I was in the shower too long for her liking as the sound of the water annoyed her. I watched tv from my phone with headphones on. I was too scared to even watch the tv.

She purposely slammed doors all night and I think she used a broom to bang the ceiling too.

She had a sound monitor thing fitted which I didn't know about. Turned out no sound was picked up from my flat at all.

Eventually, she moved. The new neighbors were much nicer.

Personally, I would contact the police. Especially for the little boy she has there getting distressed. You and your dc deserve to be able to live in your home.

Wishing you all the best op!

I've never heard her shout at the little boy before last night. He usually goes to his grandparents / with his dad at the weekend when the bulk of the noise and mayhem happens. I don't tend to hear him at all during the week either as he's really quiet.

He seems like a well looked after, last night aside, it doesn't tally with the noise I usually hear iyswim as he's always out the way.

@Potentialneighboursfromhell did you call the police? Sounds like there's a child at risk there.

Your neighbour sounds awful, OP, and really pretty irrational.

I'm noise sensitive, but I like to think I'd have more empathy with someone who has an autistic child who occasionally has meltdowns in the daytime.

I think when it comes to children involved for their own safety it should be reported. Thank you, and I’m genuinely sorry I gave you such a hard time I see now it was me projecting from my own previous neighbour issues and you do care like you said so it’s not even a similar situation, I do wish you all the best OP it’s sounds tough