Quiet neighbours now making noise.

[OpalBird]

My neighbours talked to us about the noise coming from our property. OK, my son has a hobby that does make an annoying noise. Since then we have made sure he's doing it less but we obviously aren't going to stop him completely. They haven't said anything since and I think we've been considerate in reducing the number of hours our son does his thing.

It seems like they've now decided that they are allowed to make more noise. We've been neighbours for years and they've always been quiet. Now we get occasional music or radio in their backyard. When I asked them about it they said they have always worn headphones to be considerate but they don't really like listening that way, so they thought it was fair they got to have their hobbies the way they enjoy them best as well.

Would I be unreasonable to complain to them again? There is a difference between children playing and music when they have the option of headphones.

What's your sons hobby?

Basketball.

of course YABU

I suspect a reverse

Honestly I think it’s ok. They have made efforts to reduce their impact on you, which you probably didn’t appreciate. Now they are working at it less.

The basketball noise is much worse than their music. If this is not a reverse YABU

They're living their life. You can't complain about occasional music in the back garden if they have to deal with basketball all the time.

"Occasional music or radio in their backyard" is not an issue with noise. Neither is a child playing basketball unless it's unreasonable hours.

Is this a joke, or a reverse?

What's a reverse?

Sounds about right. After speaking to our neighbours repeatedly about the excessive noise coming from their flat during the night, we started doing it back to them when they were asleep. Funny enough, they were suddenly much quieter after that.

It seems like they've now decided that they are allowed to make more noise. We've been neighbours for years and they've always been quiet. Now we get occasional music or radio in their backyard. When I asked them about it they said they have always worn headphones to be considerate but they don't really like listening that way, so they thought it was fair they got to have their hobbies the way they enjoy them best as well.

They're completely right.

If this is within a normal day then you can't complain. We hear all sorts - music, children playing, arguing .. shouting .. that's just life ..

A neighbour a few doors down has teen DS’ who play basketball but she agreed with her neighbours on each side that they would be limited to 1 hour per day of playing. Other than that they go to a nearby park to play.

You cannot expect your neighbours to put up with noise from your house but then object if they make any noise.

Basketball noise is the absolute pits. Just let them make their noise as I can promise you a constant bouncing ball is torture.

Can’t your son play basketball with his friends at a basketball court rather than in the garden or is his hobby just bouncing a ball for hours?

The basketball is only about half an hour at a time, a few times a day. Their music yesterday was for two hours. We've got our son down to no more than three or four times a day now, so it's not excessive. It used to be twice that. So we've done something about it.

Sounds reasonable.
The noise of a basketball is far more annoying than the occasional sound of music.

Like fuck would I be listening to music from headphones in my own house! Since when can’t people listen to the radio in their own properties? Give over OP

A reverse = you’re the music neighbour. I don’t really understand the benefit of posting a reverse thread.

Personally I don't think basketball nets in a residential street should be allowed and only total picks would allow their DC to be outside bouncing a ball like that. That's not 'normal kid playing noise'. I'm team neighbour.

If your kid enjoys basketball then take him to a park or a sports centre.

Basketball noise is annoying. However if your ds is doing it during social hours then it's something that needs to be put up with.

Other people choice of music can also be annoying. But again as long as it's a reasonable volume and a social time of day you have to just get in with it.

What does seem odd to me is that they've suddenly decided to be tit for tat and use that expression. To me that's very childish. But I'm also surprised you asked them about it tbh. They are just listening to music!

So neither of you is BU really.

But both need to grow up and just do your thing!

Basketball is awful, it's a really annoying noise so, while it's not what I would do, I'm not entirely surprised your neighbours decided that they would not keep their own sound levels down.

Of course you are being unreasonable (and controlling). You can’t expect them to value your family’s noise and enjoyment over your own. I think the vast majority of people would rather listen to music than bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce. It’s be enough to drive you mad!

A few times a DAY??
Fuck that! I'd be playing my music too!