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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:
LBFseBrom · 30/06/2025 17:39

ouch321 · 30/06/2025 16:13

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

Where did you get that idea? I didn't. Lots of people have pools. My cousin has one (Essex woman), the people opposite where i used to live had one, outskirts of S E London. I wouldn't want one, too much trouble and it would worry me but they are not unusual all over the place so don't be such a snob.

OneGiddyRubyViewer · 30/06/2025 17:40

If they aren’t easy to deal with, inform the council. I had to do this with one of neighbours and his power tools late at night. He had a visit and swiftly stopped.

Here4thechocs · 30/06/2025 17:40

ouch321 · 30/06/2025 16:13

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

That’s all you got from the post ? Wow.

Thingyfanding · 30/06/2025 17:41

This would really upset me.
sounds like they’re not particularly nice so unlikely to respond well.
I like the idea of conifers, water features and wind chimes as a distraction.

Figcherry · 30/06/2025 17:44

Is it the pool pump rather than the heater?
I assume it sits inside some sort of little pump house.
Pool pumps are noisy but there is no need for them to be on for more than 6 to 8 hours a day. The pool designer probably put the pump in the best place for easy electrical connection.

Our pool pump is at the far end of the pool away from ndn’s, we have fields behind.
I can’t hear it from the terrace, unless it’s on the blink and then you can hear it 100 metres away.
I suggest you hose that border regularly. Or leave something sweet to encourage ants in there.

mandarinduck110 · 30/06/2025 17:51

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.

this type of comment is why people move to the countryside and then get a big fat shock.

I cut the hay amd then dh and i took turns tedding it each morning at 5am for five consecutive days until the contractor brought his bailer. this included Saturday and Sunday.

that was noisy but I live in the countryside so farmers will farm whenever it suits them including right through the night with lights on.

ruffler45 · 30/06/2025 17:57

microphone amplifier and loud speakers up against the fence,

Give them some feedback....

whynotwhatknot · 30/06/2025 18:01

weird that theyve notified the neighbours of monitoring it they'll just turn it off

Bigoldmoneypit · 30/06/2025 18:03

Well, when you used chatgpt to write your first post - I’d have asked it what it would do!

I am gently teasing.

MrsBJones · 30/06/2025 18:03

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

You can download an app called The Noise App which will record and monitor the times for you, then you can send evidence to the council.

DrPrunesqualer · 30/06/2025 18:04

There was a recent ruling on pool heaters, heat pumps etc that they can now sit adjacent to a boundary without the need for planning. Is this a permanent pool ? as they’ll need planning for that.

ProudMaker · 30/06/2025 18:04

My, my, how bitchy.

Fanakerpan · 30/06/2025 18:07

ouch321 · 30/06/2025 16:13

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

Nasty remark.

PiggyPigalle · 30/06/2025 18:12

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.

Cracks me up, that you should think country living is quiet.

chocorabbit · 30/06/2025 18:15

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

That's strange. Our council sends officers to your property to see or hear first hand if your claims are valid. If they are they go round and tell them to stop it. If they start again you can keep calling them.

bignosebignose · 30/06/2025 18:17

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

If your council is anything like ours, they won't tell your neighbours when the two weeks of monitoring will take place, exactly to prevent that sort of shenanigans. Just that it will take place at some point.

ScribblingPixie · 30/06/2025 18:28

I would hate having to speak to neighbours about this too, but I think you'll have to. Or actually I think a letter is the best way because you can set down how badly it is affecting you and show them that you're expecting to get a solution. You probably won't be friends at the end of this, but they'll at least know they can't walk all over you.

Firealarm1414 · 30/06/2025 18:33

Do they really have the pool heater running day and night? When we are heating the pool, it only comes on when the pool filter is running, so between around 7am and 5pm, and only when the temperature drops below the set level and needs heating again. Ours is a gas heater and quite expensive to heat the pool initially, luckily it's hot enough in the summer here that we don't need it then. Seems like they're in store for a massive bill which will probably make them adjust the hours lol.

JudgeJ · 30/06/2025 18:34

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. 😉

Store open bags of manure near the fence and have a big fan going to direct the attracted flies their way.

CrotchetyQuaver · 30/06/2025 18:43

Did they apply for planning permission for the pool, did they need to?
theres some potentially interesting stuff on the planning portal about pools.
planning Enforcement as well as Environmental health at your local council might be interested

Judiezones · 30/06/2025 18:46

ouch321 · 30/06/2025 16:13

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

Is that enormous chip on your shoulder getting you down?

Redpeach · 30/06/2025 18:47

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 u also the type to not use headphones in public places?

Michele09 · 30/06/2025 18:48

DrPrunesqualer · 30/06/2025 18:04

There was a recent ruling on pool heaters, heat pumps etc that they can now sit adjacent to a boundary without the need for planning. Is this a permanent pool ? as they’ll need planning for that.

I think there's still a 42 decibel limit for heat pumps.

Stingofthelash · 30/06/2025 18:49

ouch321 · 30/06/2025 16:13

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

Envy is such an ugly emotion.

supersop60 · 30/06/2025 18:50

We installed a heat pump, and had to jump through hoops to get planning permission because it was 2 decibels over the 'allowed' noise. We've had to position it so that it is a certain distance away from our closest neighbours, and not where we actually wanted to put it.
Nb - you can barely hear it. It's quieter than a fan.
I hope you have some luck OP in getting them to put it somewhere else get rid of it