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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Basketball hoop in the front garden next to my window

59 replies

julshk72 · 07/08/2023 20:28

my neighbours have installed hard surfaces covering both back and front gardens. The back is wood and used for skateboarding. The front now has a basketball hoop on concrete.

There is not one room in my home that isn't constantly banging or skateboarding. My old dog is terrified to go out. I feel like I'm going crazy.

AITA for thinking the hoop is step too far - they have a driveway at the side as well as another garden that's been turned to hard surface. Cannot understand why they would put it next to my living room and bedroom window instead.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 07/08/2023 21:30

You're going to have to report them for your family's sanity

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 07/08/2023 21:31

julshk72 · 07/08/2023 20:28

my neighbours have installed hard surfaces covering both back and front gardens. The back is wood and used for skateboarding. The front now has a basketball hoop on concrete.

There is not one room in my home that isn't constantly banging or skateboarding. My old dog is terrified to go out. I feel like I'm going crazy.

AITA for thinking the hoop is step too far - they have a driveway at the side as well as another garden that's been turned to hard surface. Cannot understand why they would put it next to my living room and bedroom window instead.

I had this (basketball hoop a few feet from bay window) for six years and nearly lost my mind. You have my utmost sympathy.

They moved out two weeks ago and life is so much better.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 07/08/2023 21:33

LadyVictoriaSponge · 07/08/2023 21:11

You poor thing having to put up with that front and back, so inconsiderate, selfish and anti social and your poor dog as well, no doubt loads will say it’s their garden they can do what they like, kids need to play blah blah blah but honestly the lack of consideration for other people these days is staggering.

Agree.

Noisy activity should be prohibited. That's what parks are for.

Original poster
julshk72 · 07/08/2023 21:33

i'm very happy for you - congrats on the peace!

OP posts:
SomewhereWithSomeone · 07/08/2023 21:36

Constant? Do they not go out?

We have basketball, skate ramps etc but the kids only use them for maybe 4 hours a day max. Odd for kids to be outside all day these days.

You could try reporting but I’m not sure there’s much that could be done.

SinnerBoy · 07/08/2023 21:41

julshk72 · Today 21:10

not good - i tried to politely ask them to do something about the skateboarding noise (sometimes after midnight even though their kids are under 10). got threats and worse noises

Oh dear. I think that your only option now is to rush up to it with a hammer and smash it to pieces, howling incoherently. Then sort of lean over with a fixed, unblinking stare and go, "Heeere's JULSHKEEE! " in as mad a way as possible.

Then they'll think you're more psycho than them and leave it.

  • Other, more sensible options from other, more sensible people are available.
Original poster
julshk72 · 07/08/2023 21:51

they rarely go out. there is a large park directly across from them and another park about 100 yards in the other direction. but no they only play in the garden. poor kids.

OP posts:
Original poster
julshk72 · 07/08/2023 21:54

i've been here since 1990, i have an elderly father a street away i care for as well as working FT (usually from home sadly!) so moving is not an option right now

OP posts:
Original poster
julshk72 · 07/08/2023 21:55

our council will only deal with amplified noise from stereos - that's what they said

OP posts:
Original poster
julshk72 · 07/08/2023 21:56

i have cameras, the council and police aren't interested, the lawyer is but of course so expensive!

OP posts:
Original poster
julshk72 · 07/08/2023 21:57

lol love the psycho comment sadly i'm too shy to be so brazen!

OP posts:
SinnerBoy · 07/08/2023 21:57

I'd say it's worth recording instances of their behaviour, especially late at night. Complain to the Police and the council. Are you able to afford a security camera? That would save you having to get your phone out. You can get wide angle lenses, which they wouldn't know were pointing towards their house.

Also, if you had to go and ask politely for them to pack it in, any nasty verbals from them would be on tape.

Original poster
julshk72 · 07/08/2023 21:59

i have installed cameras, even have them on film threatening me and tearing down a wall and my bushes - but cops and council aren't interested. claim it's a civil matter.

OP posts:
Busubaba · 07/08/2023 22:01

Is your father in a house?

Is he deaf?

Could you house swap if houses are of comparable value?

Gcsunnyside23 · 07/08/2023 22:02

thebellagio · 07/08/2023 21:11

Omg I have full sympathy. My neighbours have a huge patio. They’ve also added in a skateboard ramp and a basketball net. The fucking dribbling of the ball is winding me up something chronic. At weekends, the lad will do it for 3hrs solid. We’ve had to shut all our doors and windows to try and block out the sound because it’s so relentless

Oh god that would send me crazy too. I'd have to blast music or something to block it out

sleepyscientist · 07/08/2023 23:07

Boomboom22 · 07/08/2023 21:29

Start with the council noise complaints. If someone comes put I'd think they'd say remove the hoop! It's so obviously unreasonable to be there.
If the under 10s are Outside at midnight maybe call 101 and report to social services as a concern unless it was a one off.
Ignore the racism angle, it would be racist not to follow the same processes you would with anyone else behaving in this way.
Once you have followed all routes including harassment reporting to police if they are rude then is the time to go to a solicitor. Cameras would very good front and back covering your property as they will show the shaking.

Our 9 year old is frequently in the garden post 10pm on a school holiday. We have taken time off so he doesn't have to be up in the morning until September.

If the weather stays nice it will be late night pizzas, BBQ, hot tub, maybe swimming (weather has stopped play on the build!) and the projector will be coming out of storage 🤞🏻 last summer DH camped in the garden with him and some friends.

What is it about the UK that doesn't want to use their garden as part of the home, we love ours oh and we have a fire pit which is another MN hate.

OP I'm sorry for your dog but it sounds like they are just using their property. Maybe discuss with the vet if the dog can have anything long term and explain to the neighbours the effect the basketball hoop is having. Could you offer to get them a free standing one? Our was more than a wall mounted one but it stops the ball hitting the side of the house which would drive me mad and I'm his mum!!

Marblessolveeverything · 07/08/2023 23:13

Just be careful reporting, isn't there a need to declare disputes in UK property sales? Sorry to hear how unreasonable your neighbours are.

maddening · 07/08/2023 23:18

I would try environmental health and ask them to determine if this warrants statutory nuisance.

maddening · 07/08/2023 23:20

Also how Old are the kids? Is there potential that there is a maximum lifespan of this unreasonable arrangement?

Original poster
julshk72 · 07/08/2023 23:22

You sound like a a very selfish neighbour. Worse still, due to those late nights your poor child's brain shan't develop properly and anti-social behaviour and cognitive and spatial deficits will likely follow them their entire life. I feel so sad for your children.

OP posts:
Original poster
julshk72 · 07/08/2023 23:24

maddening · 07/08/2023 23:20

Also how Old are the kids? Is there potential that there is a maximum lifespan of this unreasonable arrangement?

5 and 8 so a while to go and to be honest the whole family including adults is pretty shouty/screamy as their normal tone of conversation

OP posts:
Marblessolveeverything · 07/08/2023 23:26

Ah now OP you had my sympathy until you spouted nonsense about late bed times on holidays.

It's a rite of passage staying up late enjoying the family game of footie on the green. Having a bbq, star gazing, camping in the garden. It hasn't done any harm to generations of us and we are all fine functioning citizens.

And none of us are out causing our neighbours issues they are right there beside us with their kids.

maddening · 07/08/2023 23:27

sleepyscientist · 07/08/2023 23:07

Our 9 year old is frequently in the garden post 10pm on a school holiday. We have taken time off so he doesn't have to be up in the morning until September.

If the weather stays nice it will be late night pizzas, BBQ, hot tub, maybe swimming (weather has stopped play on the build!) and the projector will be coming out of storage 🤞🏻 last summer DH camped in the garden with him and some friends.

What is it about the UK that doesn't want to use their garden as part of the home, we love ours oh and we have a fire pit which is another MN hate.

OP I'm sorry for your dog but it sounds like they are just using their property. Maybe discuss with the vet if the dog can have anything long term and explain to the neighbours the effect the basketball hoop is having. Could you offer to get them a free standing one? Our was more than a wall mounted one but it stops the ball hitting the side of the house which would drive me mad and I'm his mum!!

Show quote history

Surely it all depends on the space, large rambling garden is different to installing a skate ramp immediately outside of your neighbours bedroom window.

I guess this is why people in the UK may differ to your approach as lots of people live close together. I am sure your neighbours would hate you if your hot tub, fire pit and outdoor cinema were immediately outside their window as it would be extremely intrusive.

SomewhereWithSomeone · 07/08/2023 23:34

You sound like a a very selfish neighbour. Worse still, due to those late nights your poor child's brain shan't develop properly and anti-social behaviour and cognitive and spatial deficits will likely follow them their entire life. I feel so sad for your children.

Yeah, I’m starting to think you’re the issue here. 🙄

Boomboom22 · 07/08/2023 23:39

Try your mp. Often when the council and police wash their hands the local mp can be very effective. Or Councillor, council ward or parish, the elected one .