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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Inconsiderate neighbours renovating

58 replies

SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 06:50

Next door neighbour is doing renovation of their existing loft conversion. The work is primarily going on from 5pm to around 9/10pm. It's typical construction type noise, drilling, banging, sawing, etc.
We have a baby who goes to bed around 7pm. She is constantly woken by bangs and random thuds (so cries). We soothe her, only to have her woken again.
We've spoken to the neighbours so many times. Their attitude is very much that they want the work done, so that's that.
My mum reported them to the council for noise nuisance. Someone came out but neighbours told a pack of lies (by their own admission) so no help there.
The part that's got my biscuit this time is that after been woken for the millionth time I went to talk to them again. Apparently because the baby wakes them up, and they don't complain, I shouldn't either, as it's not neighbourly.....

AIBU to ask them to stop at 7pm?

I feel like I'm loosing the plot, work has been going on for months now! I can't move the baby to another room as both bedrooms are effected. Her white noise machine just adds to the chaos and makes things worse Confused

OP posts:
Bingbangbongbash · 08/07/2023 09:51

SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 09:48

No new building going up, just sounds like they ripped everything out of the old one and are replacing (interior wise).

Lots of mixed views here, I guess that's where the problem lies!

It could still require a party wall agreement - you should speak to a surveyor or the council. Also check in with the building regs team. New bathrooms and lots of ‘minor’ renovations need building regs. And check your council website for acceptable working hours for trades - usually anything after 6 or 7 is prohibited. Good luck.

Businessflake · 08/07/2023 10:01

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 08/07/2023 09:27

Sorry but you are being unreasonable. They DO need to get the work done, and 7PM is ridiculously early to stop. They’re not breaking any rules or laws by doing their work at this time. The world doesn’t stop to fit your baby’s bedtime routine! I’d suggest giving the baby a later bedtime! She’s a baby, it’s not like she needs to be up for school in the morning?

This is not true. General construction work is restricted to 8am-6pm.

RudsyFarmer · 08/07/2023 10:02

I think focus on the fact the work will finish at some point.

wombat1a · 08/07/2023 10:37

Check on the time-limits for doing such work, even 9pm is too late almost everywhere for non-DIY work.

EhrlicheFrau · 08/07/2023 10:39

I'm sorry this is so stressful for you. That said, while it might be annoying, I'm not sure the neighbours are doing anything that would be considered a nuisance.

Silvergreenblue · 08/07/2023 10:47

SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 09:42

@Maray1967 no it's been going on for years. They basically use my drive as an extra space for their cars (they don't have a drive). I've always just put up with it unless I've needed to go out.

Well I'd put a stop to that immediately. Stop them from being able to get on your drive. They're CFs

rwalker · 08/07/2023 10:51

You can go down the Route of perusing a complaint which is fine but it cuts both ways
noise is noise wether it’s building or a baby

oldoldieoldieold · 08/07/2023 10:54

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 08/07/2023 09:27

Sorry but you are being unreasonable. They DO need to get the work done, and 7PM is ridiculously early to stop. They’re not breaking any rules or laws by doing their work at this time. The world doesn’t stop to fit your baby’s bedtime routine! I’d suggest giving the baby a later bedtime! She’s a baby, it’s not like she needs to be up for school in the morning?

Rules stipulate that noisy construction work must stop at 6pm for a reason so how the hell is the OP unreasonable?!

OhmygodDont · 08/07/2023 11:06

Problem you’ve got is you’re mad at them and they just don’t like you. No matter what happens now the relationship between you and your neighbours is buggered.

So two options live with it and hope it over soon or report the shit out it. But either way they sound the types to make your life miserable anyway.

I’ve just checked my council website and it doesn’t give times just says unreasonable diy noise doesn’t mention anything about times for contractors. Does mention you can get extra permission for really loud works though.

thehonscupboard · 08/07/2023 11:09

I'm baffled by the number of people saying this is ok. Construction work is supposed to be over by 6pm where I live, and was the same in previous local authority I loved too. I'd imagine that's pretty standard. Those saying 'the work needs to be done,' well they can do it in the daytime.

Original poster
SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 13:18

The council website just says reasonable DIY such as putting up shelves, building flat pack furniture, etc. can be done until 10pm. Nothing about workmen.

I've sadly never had a positive relationship with them so I'm not too concerned about future relations. I just wanted to know if my tired brain was thinking logically or not!

I think for now I just need to put up with it, and possibly stand up for myself a bit more when it comes to access to my property in the future!

Thank you all for your input!

OP posts:
pikkumyy77 · 08/07/2023 13:23

Bring workmen in to soundproof your side but only during their wfh time.

Reugny · 08/07/2023 13:24

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 08/07/2023 09:27

Sorry but you are being unreasonable. They DO need to get the work done, and 7PM is ridiculously early to stop. They’re not breaking any rules or laws by doing their work at this time. The world doesn’t stop to fit your baby’s bedtime routine! I’d suggest giving the baby a later bedtime! She’s a baby, it’s not like she needs to be up for school in the morning?

They actually are.

You cannot do construction work at 7pm as tradesmen.

Reugny · 08/07/2023 13:29

rwalker · 08/07/2023 10:51

You can go down the Route of perusing a complaint which is fine but it cuts both ways
noise is noise wether it’s building or a baby

It doesn't cut both ways.

The noise of babies and children is not a statutory nuisance. This is whether they are crying, throwing a tantrum or playing in the garden at 7am in the morning.

Tradesmen working after 6pm is.

Doing noisy DIY late a night is. The time limit depends on the council.

3BSHKATS · 08/07/2023 13:32

I would develop a taste for Guns N’ Roses during the day, full blast, even when you’re out.

In fact, especially when you’re out. Theyre in the jungle baby

Catusrusty · 08/07/2023 13:37

Record the noise, log the time and complain again and again. If they're only doing it in the evening it could go on forever. When a job is being done piecemeal it can really stretch out.

A baby crying is not the same as construction noise in law.

rwalker · 08/07/2023 13:51

Reugny · 08/07/2023 13:29

It doesn't cut both ways.

The noise of babies and children is not a statutory nuisance. This is whether they are crying, throwing a tantrum or playing in the garden at 7am in the morning.

Tradesmen working after 6pm is.

Doing noisy DIY late a night is. The time limit depends on the council.

Show quote history

Legality aside if you stop them making noise why should they put up with noise from OP household was my point

OhmygodDont · 08/07/2023 16:51

rwalker · 08/07/2023 13:51

Legality aside if you stop them making noise why should they put up with noise from OP household was my point

Show quote history

Well indeed. Maybe no diy till their cut off but instead maybe a child will
take up drums or drum and bass blasting. Any other ways to annoy the op.

sadly with neighbours who don’t care anyway there really is no winning as everytime you win, they will move in to the next thing.

Gettingbysomehow · 08/07/2023 16:54

This is why I want to live on remote moors in a detached house somewhere. People suck.

ladyvivienne · 09/07/2023 17:26

Ok. So I'm really confused.

Let's say they were actually having the work done between 9 and 5.

They would wake your baby every nap she takes during that time too.

My babies used to go for a nap every 2 hours or so.

That's if she's actually a baby? Or is she more of a toddler? 1 year old plus?

I would hazard a guess that she is waking your neighbours every night. I'm sick to death of the crying baby next door. I can't say I'd have too much sympathy if the mum came round to tell me to stop my building work. I've had no fucking sleep either since it was born!

I'm going for precious first born. You need to get a grip. Not like the baby is actually going to school in the morning. Also why on earth is your mum getting involved?! How old are you?

I'm also hazarding a guess they're converting their loft to get away from the noise of your baby!!! Because if I had the cash, I'd be right on building one myself.

fortheloveofflowers · 09/07/2023 17:39

I’m pretty sure that if it’s actual trades etc then they are not supposed to work past 6pm.
that was written into my planning approval application.
id record the noise for several nights and report again, uploading the noise videos.

Nanny0gg · 09/07/2023 17:39

SareBear87 · 08/07/2023 09:48

No new building going up, just sounds like they ripped everything out of the old one and are replacing (interior wise).

Lots of mixed views here, I guess that's where the problem lies!

No. YOU need to speak to your council and find out what is and isn't allowed.

And if they're going to be abrupt and rude to you I suggest they no longer use your drive!

They clearly think you're a walkover

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 09/07/2023 17:52

Are they doing the work themselves OP?

if they are they don’t fall under business construction noise nuisance guidelines, there is so much misinformation on this thread.

There is NO UK time constraints to advise when home improvement DIY end.

https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/documents/noise_from_diy_work_fact_sheet/Noise%20from%20DIY%20Work%20-%20Advice%20Factsheet.pdf

That being said, you cannot dictate their home improvements timetable on your child’s sleeping schedule however they should be reasonable and finish around 8pm on week days however there DIY is likely arranged around their own working hours.

https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/documents/noise_from_diy_work_fact_sheet/Noise%20from%20DIY%20Work%20-%20Advice%20Factsheet.pdf

Exhaustedcog · 09/07/2023 20:04

This chain is crazy- of course it isn’t ok they are doing work for four months at that time of night. I would say if you don’t stop making noise and waking my baby you can dream on you’re using my drive to park your car. And if that doesn’t prompt some compromise then I would report them

BETSI · 07/12/2023 21:12

I know how you feel, got same neighbour, they been at it nearly 2 years, they can be home all day and start banging, drilling sawing, grinding at 4pm up to 21.50 is the latest so far, we lived in terrace house, they also had a dog that was very vocal, whether they were home or not,plus 3 other dogs left there, from family members, so that's 4 dogs, it's like doggy day care..then after 11pm then its all night party night,with neighbour on other side of us...

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