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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think there should be noise restrictions of a Sunday

40 replies

MXVIT · 20/08/2023 13:33

NDN uses Saturday and Sunday for tinkering jobs week in week out which usually mean something outside (mowing, jet washing, car tinkering, hammering, all with loud talking) - today for instance theyve been at something or other involving hammering, revving and shouting since 9am out front and back and im a bit demented

Appreciate the weekend is the only time most of us have to do things but IABU to thijk there should be a limit on noise on Sundays?

I'm sure some European countries have this, I used to visit a friend frequently on the continent and remember his dad trying to get jobs like mowing done in the morning as from noon or something it was "quiet" time.

My AIBU is am I wrong to think we should have the same here

OP posts:

EhrlicheFrau · 20/08/2023 13:37

I am not against quiet times, but with modern life and all it's demands, I am not sure how you would determine when are the best quiet times.

ShanghaiDiva · 20/08/2023 13:37

You need to move to Germany. Lots of lovely rules re noise. I think one of the rules in our flat was that we could not drain the water from a bath after midnight.

Spirallingdownwards · 20/08/2023 13:40

If they took time off during the week to these things no doubt there would be someone complaining that they work nights and shouldn't do their chores during weekdays too.

WhateverMate · 20/08/2023 13:41

I think 9am whilst a bit annoying is acceptable.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 20/08/2023 14:26

I think there should be some rules about noise pollution. In countries like Germany and Switzerland they have laws about how much noise you can make on Sundays, although I am not sure Sundays should be a special case.

No Mow May is good for encouraging people to mow less often, but there isn't much you can do about work noise if eg someone is having an extension built or trees pruned. However, you could stop workmen playing loud music.

HorseyMel · 20/08/2023 14:31

The noises you describe are normal and reasonable sounds. Stop fixating on them and you will stop noticing them so much.

Re "quiet time", you just know that, 5 seconds after it becoming the law, there would be countless threads on here with half of you claiming an exemption for one (daft) reason or another, thus causing more neighbour issues rather than fewer.

NameNew · 20/08/2023 14:32

But why Sundays?

When I did shift work, it was just as important to me to be able to sleep on, say a Wednesday afternoon, as it is for you to have a relaxing time on a Sunday morning.

It would be impossible to implement something like this and meet everyone's needs.

TheAOEAztec · 20/08/2023 14:32

Yanbu. I was very close to being a Netflix documentary recently because of someone few houses down having a hobby involving a freaking electric saw. The big one. Every and all Sunday.
Thoughts and prayers wherever he moved.

I think some restrictions would be good. People are very not considerate lately. Lockdown drilling is a topic itself

TheAOEAztec · 20/08/2023 14:34

I grew up where it's not a law but noisy jobs were usually done on Saturdays and sunday was quieter family day usually. Not a rule but neigbours would tell you about their displeasment if you spent Sunday making lots of tool noise unless absolutely necessary

PinkiOcelot · 20/08/2023 14:35

You said it yourself, weekends are the only time most of us have to get jobs done xx

MolkosTeenageAngst · 20/08/2023 14:38

What’s so special about Sunday? Personally if we’re going to restrict the noise you can make in your own home or garden on a weekend I’d rather it be on a Saturday, if I have plans over the weekend they’re more likely to be on a Saturday so Sunday is a better day for getting jobs done around the house. What are you doing on a Sunday that means you specifically need quiet?

GCAcademic · 20/08/2023 14:39

We haven’t been able to use our garden all summer. Our neighbours work on their two storey extension all day both days of the weekend, and - apart from the noise - their scaffolding completely overlooks our garden. I appreciate they have to get it done, but just an odd day off would be nice.

cruffinsmuffin · 20/08/2023 14:41

I used to live in Germany, so many Sunday rules! Noise, no washing cars, no hanging out laundry etc etc.

I don't mind noise at the weekends, like most people I work with weekdays so it's my only chance to get chores done. The grass is cut midweek by the gardener but the jobs I need to do inside happen at the weekend.

Saturday would be a better day to do all of the DIY, I like my Sundays peaceful. However I know we all have different schedules and what works for me wouldn't work for everyone. It's just being considerate for your neighbours that should be more widespread, we're far detached from our neighbours but still give them a heads up for any loud or outdoor work.

Caspianberg · 20/08/2023 14:43

We have quite laws were we live.
All day Sunday, and 12-2 every day. No noisy stuff is supposed to take place. Including not using hoover or washing machine even in some blocks of flats if they have that rule.

Its a bit annoying. All shops are also closed every Sunday so it means we have to get all shopping, garden stuff like lawn or noises diy all done on Saturday. But I’m kind of used to it now, and it is nice to know sunday can be a relaxed day in garden with bed with no noise from others. Plus we are forced to have ‘ day of rest’ as can’t do much else

SequinsandStiIettos · 20/08/2023 14:45

Nope. We're not Germany.

ShutTheDoorBabe · 20/08/2023 14:47

Germany's noise rules sound like a nightmare! I'm not a noisy neighbour and I live in a loud estate across from an industrial estate and a farm and if you don't focus on it you don't notice it because it just becomes background noise.

Dolores87 · 20/08/2023 14:51

I think its unreasonable. We dont live in a society where Sunday is sacred anymore. We don't all have Sunday off. Moden life means that we have limited time and jobs need to be done.

continentallentil · 20/08/2023 14:53

I think you could politely ask them to hold off till 10. 9 is early for a Sunday

Express0 · 20/08/2023 14:56

Only if it applies to kids screaming in their gardens as well. My next door neighbour’s kids shriek louder than any lawnmower

Middleagedmeangirls · 20/08/2023 14:58

I understand your frustration but YABU. For lots of people Sunday is the only day they have free for things like this.

my dad worked shifts his whole life. He sometimes found it hard to sleep for normal daytime noises but he didn't expect the world to tiptoe around to suit his schedule.

mbosnz · 20/08/2023 15:02

Man, tell that to the bell ringers at the church across the way from where I live, lol!

HeatherMoores · 20/08/2023 15:04

It is in some countries like Germany. It’s underpinned by religion though so it comes with other stuff I think…

JudgeJ · 20/08/2023 15:06

ShutTheDoorBabe · 20/08/2023 14:47

Germany also has, or used to have, laws about clearing the snow from the pavement outside your property before 8am, tough if you're the corner house!

All those wanting quite times on Sunday, would you include shrieking children in the garden inthat?

JudgeJ · 20/08/2023 15:07

mbosnz · 20/08/2023 15:02

Man, tell that to the bell ringers at the church across the way from where I live, lol!

Was the church already there when you moved in? Sounds like people moving into country areas then complaining about farmyard smells!

TheAOEAztec · 20/08/2023 15:08

All those wanting quite times on Sunday, would you include shrieking children in the garden inthat?
All day shrieking and screaming , god yes. Same for drunk adults. Bit of fun, heck yeah. No need to acream so 10 houses far can hear you

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