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.

I would hate to live next door to you! That noise would drive me insane. Some people have no idea/don’t give a shit how their noise impacts on others

If I make a comment about my careful landscaping, I guess I'll get jumped on for that? I'll talk to the neighbours. If they're still not happy I'll consider it. It can always be pulled up in future and new grass put down if no longer needed.

I’d hate that much prefer music to a basket ball thumbing for half an hour multiple times a day. They have lived in basic silence for your whole existence there to be perfect neighbours while putting up with whatever noise form you and now a year of basket ball for 2/3 hours a day.

Their music is pretty much normal background noise here and there unless they are max volume constant party style. Basket ball is intrusive even for frankly 10 minutes.

Until you've lived with antisocial neighbours you cannot really understand the impact. It's not just irritation while something is actually happening, the feeling of tension or worry never really goes away, even when it's quiet you're just waiting for them to start up again.

If the basketball pounding has been multiple times a day for a year I expect your neighbours feel constantly fed up or frazzled.

Hang on so the basketball isn't even a team sport that he NEEDS to practice for, this is just for fun?

Nope I'm calling wind up.

No one can be this selfish and unaware

Could you maybe get one of those sponge/ silent basketballs? Not sure how quiet they are though. x

I think if you want to get back to a good relationship with your neighbours you should start by asking them what they think would be reasonable. They may say no basketball at all, then you'll have to consider a mobile hoop stand with rubber matting. Or another sport for your son. Or live with upset neighbours.

Nothing compares to the thump, thump, thump of a cunting ball. Pure torture. I’d be turning my music up to drown it out

Plan: Apologise to neighbours for noise over a long time. Apologise for complaining about their music at all. Tell them I didn't realise just how grating it can be. See if we can work out times it would work for everyone. I am going to ask not tell, whether half an hour a day would be within what they can accept. If not, I will look into a rubber lawn area, as suggested.

This ^ It’s being constantly on high alert for more antisocial disturbance

I think having a plan and routine with it would be great. At least then they know 10.30am Adam plays basket ball for half an hour.

Rather than waiting for the dreaded thumbing to start.

I saw a vid was a group of lads in the US playing basketball. Neighbour called police on them they didn't see them as causing a nuisance. They returned with a basketball net for them and had a game of basketball with them. At least their not hanging around the streets causing trouble.

Your really not getting it at all. Playing basketball daily is unreasonable and needs to stop! They should have atleast 3 or 4 days per week without being tortured by your son.
If the complain to the council you will get a noise abatement order that will ban him from ever playing basketball in the garden.

The way I would burst that bloody basketball….

I'm glad you've decided to apologise. Our garden is an odd layout so has borders with a few houses, we've got noisy young children in one, student let who has parties in another but without a doubt the only house who's noise bothers me is the lovely family whose kids play basketball. We haven't said anything because they are fantastic neighbours in every other way and I know they'd be mortified amd stop the kids playing, but the incessant thud thud thud is horrific. I've been known to "forget" to throw the balls back for a few days for a break at times. I'm resigned to having to keep my windows shut wfh every time they are out in the garden, I think like you they also limit the amount of time playing but it's so fucking annoying. We've joked about wishing they'd take up something less antisocial - like bagpipes or saxophone.

Grass and flowers can be regrown.
They aren't as important as consideration for your neighbours.

I'm sorry but I can't believe this, no-one can be this far up their own arse that they think this is acceptable right next to someone else's home. Basketball hoops and trampolines are the two things that should never be anywhere near other people's houses.

That sounds like a positive start.

It's actually credit to you that you have taken what's been said on board.

That doesn't happen a lot on here.

The thing is, while you have kids, the garden should really be designed around family needs not what looks pretty. You get your garden back when they're grown up.

And I say that as someone who loves to garden, with a 2 year old who just loves to pull the heads off all my flowers to make potions.

You accept that you make the space work for the family at whatever stage you're at.

Could you put the basket above the garage and your son bounce the ball on your drive?

I reckon the genie is out and the neighbours have established a new norm. I don’t think you’ll be able to coerce/convince the neighbours to change their liberating practice.

Im sorry but the fact you are still wanting him to do this every single day when its not even a training thing but just for fun, you still seem completely unaware of how annoying this is for most people.

I would have had a little bit of understanding if this was his team sport but this is just for fun, a couple times a week is more than enough, any more and you need to find a park. There are areas that basketball in gardens is banned for good reason, the thudding is relentless and such antisocial in terms of noise.

How can you not see that after all these posts?

https://inthelab.tv/products/silent-basketball

this might help

Oh god the sound of basketball bouncing is so annoying , I wouldn't put up with it a few times a day. Sounds like your neighbour has reached the end of their tether.

Too much on an angle on the driveway.

Three or four half hour sessions per DAY is horrific.
I would tolerate three or four per weekend.

Two hours of basketball noise is a terrible thing to inflict on your neighbour.
Hearing music a few times per week is nothing unless it is extremely loud or played too late or early in the day.

An idea. Bargain with neighbour about times to play basketball matching their music playing times. Can you all agree on a session per day when music and basketball is played at same time? And no other playing apart from that.