To report neighbours? Or am I being petty?

[Stastint]

They really are shit neighbours. Extensive renovation for years, never apologised or told me it was happening. Their builders used my outdoor tap without asking. Different builders blocked my driveway multiple times. Splattered concrete onto my outdoor furniture.

They are still having work done (fuck knows what) and they have those huge building bags on their driveway. Except now the bags are slowly creeping onto my side, only by 20%, there is a hedge that separates our drives but there’s a gap.

Now usually I wouldn’t be this petty but they’ve made me reach the point of hating where I live and they are so unapologetic that I’m sick of letting them do what they want without considering anyone else.

Not even sure if I can report it but if I did would that be beyond petty?

Can you tell them how you feel? Go around with a bottle of wine and just say it’s the little things now but it’s made your private home a bit of a misery

I take it speaking directly to them is out if the question for some reason?

It would probably be better to talk to them in the first instance, and ask how long it's likely to go on, pointing out the nuisance to you. A lot of the time people don't realise how their noise impacts on other people, and they might be mortified to find out. If they are rude in response to that, though, I think you'd be reasonable to report them to Environmental Health if the work is happening outside of the 'allowed' time for annoying noise.

Yes. They are aware I dislike them. I’ve reported them to the council for doing loud DIY at 10pm (I was really at boiling point after they woke me up at 5am that morning with the same noise).

They also heard me tell their builder not to go on my property and use my water for their work. And they said nothing.

They don’t care. There’s no friendly relationship between us at all.

It’s been 3 years. It never ever ends. They seem to finish one project and go onto the next. It’s always huge projects too.

Honestly i don't think they are doing much wrong. They are having building work done. Its always a bloody pain
Its the builders that have uaed your tap ans made the mess.

Just have a conversation with them ams ask them to keep everything on their side

I’m not sure what you would report or to whom given what you have outlined. But it’s definitely an untenable situation if work seems never to end - is there really no way back to trying to carve out if not an amicable then at least a workable relationship? Something whereby you could have a conversation without any of the tension and heat from what has gone on before and just agree some basic ‘rules’ (for want of a better term). E.g. where builders supplies/rubble gets stored, times of day for DIY etc?

Well you live next door to it for 3 years straight and see how accommodating you are - especially when they are breaching the hours allowed for such work. I’m sure you wouldn’t be that blasé if your neighbour was drilling and hammering at 10pm. Or when your new £2K furniture set got ruined.

They can put what they like on their drive. But they are entitled to use space on my drive.

Report to who?

Why not tell the builders to move the bags from your property?

What would you expect to achieve by reporting them? A letter telling them to shift the building bags over a few inches? Nobody is going to tell them "right, you've had enough building work done now, knock it off". If their builders are trespassing or damaging property you need to complain to the building firm.

Who would you report it to?

I might start by checking to see if they have planning and/or building regs approval.

If the answer is 'no' then go to the Council.

If they apply for any subsequent consents you could ask for conditions around hours of work, NOT going onto your property etc

Did they replace your furniture?
Block off the area being encroached upon with the bags.

I have had this. Disruption is unvoidable though.

I agree they shouldn't be doing it at unsociable hours so speak to them? Same as the furniture?

You're getting so worked up about somethung that you can change!

You are one of thousand of people having troubles with neighbours.

There is no easy answer.

Unless they are breaking a law or breaching a bylaw there is no one you have report them to.

You are more likely to achieve a result by trying to speak to them. Be pleasant and reasonable and ask if you can reach an agreement on the things that are bothering you.

I have nightmare neighbours who have been horribly disrespectful and it took a year or so to get the noise sorted. The only thing that had an impact was me and other neighbours collaborating with the letting agent after a police incident at the house.

So, I understand where you're coming from although the source of the disruption is different. And it sounds as if your neighbours own their home.

Do you keep a log of every disturbance after 'peaceful' hours (think that's 11pm to 7pm)? I only think that's all can do for noise, unless you live in an area where the council actually has enforcement officers on duty overnight. Have you spoken to other neighbours - can they report the noise too?

As another poster mentioned, look at building regs, safety laws and use of property without permission. The builders using your tap is out of order - you're paying for the water...

None of this is petty as you've been so tolerant. There's always a limit.

If you're not already doing it, keep a detailed log of anything you think is wrong, then seek out legal advice online or from Citizen's Advice and other free advice services.

Or are you in a position to sell up and move? If so, it might be less hassle and give you something to look forward to.

You probably already know that any council complaints will go on your property's records, so future buyers will see it. If the complaints don't continue for a few months I think the case will be closed on the assumption the problem's been resolved. That will also be on your records. So it's not so bad.

I feel for you, it's tiring having nuisance neighbours. But I think you should attempt to talk to them and just say it's bothering you and ask if they can find a solution to not waking you up early/keeping you awake or using some of your driveway. If they don't then consider noise nuisance report (whatever it's called). Legally the times noisy work is acceptable is between 8am-6pm mon to Fri and 8am-1pm sat (no noisy works on Sundays or bank holidays). I found this info on google, you could direct them to this if they argue. Good luck

We recently had this in our road. Endless building work and lack of consideration by the owners and contractors - the final straw was them removing some of the fencing on both sides without talking to their neighbours first. Neighbour on one side was very softly softly, would you mind…etc. The other side went around and told them they had an hour to reinstate the “fucking” fence. Her fence went back up straight away. The other neighbour is still waiting for the fence to be replaced.
If there’s no relationship to lose, don’t mince your words, is what I’m trying to say.

What exactly is there to report and who to? Buildings work isn't illegal and what makes you think they need YOUR permission?!?!
You sound like neighbour from hell :/

Thats Criminal Damage if they remove/damage your stuff

That means Plod and all manner of ;potential nasty implications for the perps, Criminal Behaviour Orders etc