Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbours Built a Pool, We Got the Noise – Help!!

101 replies

Foxy200 · 11/06/2025 23:04

Looking for a bit of advice (or maybe just a place to vent, honestly). Our neighbours have recently put in a swimming pool—fair enough—but they've stuck the pool heater right up against the fence that borders our garden. Their garden is actually big enough that it could’ve been placed literally anywhere else, but they’ve chosen the one spot that causes us the most grief.

The thing gives off this constant low rumbling noise. It’s not really loud, probably not enough to be considered an official nuisance, but it's always there. We notice it every time we try to sit outside, and even when we have the windows open, it's just enough to be annoying. It's next to our patio, so we hear it most when we’re trying to relax outside.

The worst part is they’re just generally not the easiest people to deal with. A few neighbours have had run-ins with them too. They’re the sort that think the rules don’t apply to them, so having a polite chat doesn’t feel like a real option.

The whole thing has kind of ruined the vibe of our garden, which we've spent a lot of time (and money) making nice. Now we barely want to sit out there anymore, which is gutting. We’re also worried it could even affect the house value if it ever came to selling, having an annoying noise like that humming away in the background.

So, has anyone dealt with something similar? Any tips for blocking out that kind of low-level constant noise? Ideally looking for something subtle acoustic panels, clever planting, garden structures, whatever works. Appreciate any ideas!

OP posts:
AbzMoz · 11/06/2025 23:12

I’ll bet they have the heater on all summer, use the pool for an hour and half and then lament the astronomical bills. It won’t be a problem next year!

Could you propose a timer for the heater, or some sound proof insulation, or put some hedges on your side? you could consider a trickling water fountain if you’re into that sort of thing (they drive me a bit mad), or buy an outdoor speaker box and play the radio at a low / reasonable volume when you’re out there.

I don’t think moving it is an option unless it violates fence proximity or whatever, so maybe propose what’s reasonable or control what you can on your own side.

Motherhubbardscupboard · 11/06/2025 23:12

No sorry, we had to put up with it for 10 years until new neighbours changed the heater and the noise disappeared. It used to ruin the summers for me. New neighbours play music outside but I'm so grateful to them for changing the throbbing heater that the music doesn't even wind me up. Previous neighbours had tried to address the noise issue with insulation but the heater was old and nothing was effective.

ACynicalDad · 11/06/2025 23:13

Do they have planning permission?

Foxy200 · 11/06/2025 23:17

I've been
reading up on it, and I don't think they need planning permission for a pool heater, but I will call the council tomorrow.

OP posts:
Foxy200 · 30/06/2025 16:08

Thanks for all your replies.

I’d really appreciate any advice on the best way to handle this. I genuinely don’t want to fall out with my neighbours, but to be honest, they come across as quite arrogant and difficult. That said, I really want to avoid any kind of escalation.

I’ve contacted the council, and they’ve confirmed that the pool heater does constitute a nuisance. I can hear it from anywhere in my garden, and when the windows are open, whether during the day or at night, the noise carries into the house.

I’ve been hoping to bump into them casually. Knocking on their door feels a bit confrontational, but sending a text message feels a bit formal or official. I’m not quite sure what the best approach is. What would you do?

OP posts:
ouch321 · 30/06/2025 16:13

Translate... OP lives in a v fancy neighbourhood and wants us all to know.... 😉

Londonrach1 · 30/06/2025 16:14

What did the council suggest as a solution

outerspacepotato · 30/06/2025 16:16

Start a wind chime farm.

Michele09 · 30/06/2025 16:16

Is there an upper limit of decibels it has to confirm to for planning in the same way a heat pump has to comply?

Vaxtable · 30/06/2025 16:16

Either. Note through the door, or better yet I would report them to the planning enforcement team at your council to deal with. They will visit and they will tell them they need to put in planning permission. Once in you can object. They should not tell the neighbour who has reported them so it could be anyone in your neighbourhood

Redpeach · 30/06/2025 16:18

Open up the fence and use the pool, cfs

WibbleWob · 30/06/2025 16:19

Could you install some water features to try to block out the noise? I seem to remember them used on Grand Designs or similar to block out motorway noise. Or wind chimes might work and have the added bonus of annoying your neighbours!

SardinesOnGingerbread · 30/06/2025 16:21

ouch321 · 30/06/2025 16:13

Translate... OP lives in a v fancy neighbourhood and wants us all to know.... 😉

It wouldn't matter how fancy the neighborhood if you have this sort of nuisance. Watch out, your insecurity needs tucked back in.

Ilovemyshed · 30/06/2025 16:21

We had this … temporary pool up next door from May to October on one side and a hot tub behind us. Plus a faulty greenhouse alarm thing that used to alarm everytime it got above 25 degrees in there (basically every sunny day) going bibbity beep all f’ing day. Plus a lawn sprinkler that watered our windows.

We moved house.

I am sane again.

Foxy200 · 30/06/2025 16:22

I’ve spoken to the council, and their procedure is to notify the neighbour in writing that a complaint has been made. They will then monitor the noise over a two-week period.

It will be obvious that the complaint has come from us, as the noise is coming from directly along our shared boundary. Second, I’m worried that the neighbour will simply stop the noise during the monitoring period to avoid detection, and then return to their usual behaviour afterwards — they have a habit of being quite sneaky and manipulative.

To make matters worse, this person has a history of being aggressive and unreasonable. My other neighbour had a very unpleasant experience with him, and I’m genuinely worried about the possibility of retaliation or further conflict if he finds out we’ve made a complain

OP posts:
McCartneyOnTheHeath · 30/06/2025 16:26

I might plant something against that fence that needed an awful lot of watering. I'm pretty sure electric things short circuit in damp conditions. 😉

Hatty65 · 30/06/2025 16:26

Second, I’m worried that the neighbour will simply stop the noise during the monitoring period to avoid detection, and then return to their usual behaviour afterwards — they have a habit of being quite sneaky and manipulative.

Can you record it yourselves for the week before the monitoring period - or the week after? I'd try and see if there was an independent firm you could employ.

Foxy200 · 30/06/2025 16:27

ouch321 · 30/06/2025 16:13

Translate... OP lives in a v fancy neighbourhood and wants us all to know.... 😉

haha! Would be fancy if I had a pool! 😀 Instead, I'm sweating in my house with the windows shut because their pool heater sounds like it’s trying to launch into orbit!

OP posts:
hayfeverforever · 30/06/2025 16:29

Cracks me up that that people moan like this and think they are entitled to a quiet world. If you are poor and can’t afford to live in the countryside, just say so.

Emilysmum90 · 30/06/2025 16:33

I'm pretty sure anything like that needs to be a minimum of 1 metre from your boundary. That's certainly the case for heat pumps and air conditioning units unless they've obtained planning permission stating they're exempt. I don't see why this thing would be any different.

Have you measured the noise in decibels from your side? You can download an app on your phone that will do this. Then include those readings when you write to complain to the council.

Garbera · 30/06/2025 16:38

I don't think there are many ways forward that don't include at least mentioning the problem to the neighbours, as a first step.

If the first they hear of it is an official complaint you made to the council,, that will feel like an aggressive move to them and not help your cause.

I know you are nervous about talking to them about it, but I think it is a necessary first step before calling on reinforcements.

Naddd · 30/06/2025 16:39

I would speak to them prior to going ahead with the noise complaint via the council.
I'd be quite annoyed you hadn't come to me first
Won't you still be able to hear it wherever it's placed

BlueyNeedsToFuckOff · 30/06/2025 16:42

hayfeverforever · 30/06/2025 16:29

Cracks me up that that people moan like this and think they are entitled to a quiet world. If you are poor and can’t afford to live in the countryside, just say so.

What are you on about? Noise is annoying regardless of your income.

And a swimming pool is hardly standard expected countryside noise anyway.

Though OP could get a cockerel and install him near the neighbours? Or geese?

Tabitha005 · 30/06/2025 16:43

hayfeverforever · 30/06/2025 16:29

Cracks me up that that people moan like this and think they are entitled to a quiet world. If you are poor and can’t afford to live in the countryside, just say so.

Are you the neighbour?

'Entitled' is a very dangerous word if you're the one causing your neighbours aggravation with your racket. Why SHOULDN'T anyone be 'entitled' to a bit of peace and quiet? There's enough noisy shit going on everywhere that being able to relax at home without the constant drone from a piece of unnecessary machinery from a neighbour's garden might, reasonably, be considered a 'right' for anyone.

I'm constantly amazed at the volume of noise practically everywhere - booming bloody music in restaurants and pubs, noisy c*nts with their poxy phones on speaker in public - there was a teenage kid having lunch with his Dad in a pub last weekend, phone volume up to the max, watching frigging You Tube, the irritating bastard.

3awesomestars · 30/06/2025 16:45

I would check the planning guidelines to see if they have breached and regs, then the actual noise level - you can buy a measure. If neither of these things are breached the it is not worth a dispute as you won’t be able to do anything and it will just lead to a long running unpleasant situation.
we have lived next to a motorway and a main road - we have found after a few weeks you just tune it out so it could get better for you.

Swipe left for the next trending thread