Neighbours called cops on me.

[Happyjoe]

For reference, I live in a terraced house, been here 14 years with no problems, though currently put an offer in another house far away, then need to sell this somehow.. My next door neighbours have been hell since they moved in about 14 months ago and are council tenants (which I think the council should be responsible for). They have a small 4 year old child that runs up and down some badly fitted laminate and screams her head off all day long, result is a loud banging on my wall/floor. Every footstep, from child or two adults is like someone is hammering next door. Can actually feel the vibrations through the wall.

The kid is up til the parents are up, as all sleep in same room. That can be anything from 10pm to 1.30am. I cannot sleep til they sleep and am up when they are up, as no option. I cannot read a book, I cannot watch TV. I've tried noise cancelling earphones, ear buds. Thump thump thump all day long.

They don't clean up their rubbish, recently had to get the council involved for them to clean their general waste that was full in their garden and blocking a shared alleyway at the bottom of the garden. Rotting, liquified food, been there over 6 months.. They smoke dope, it comes through the shared space under the floor. This is the point I contacted the council. Horrific. Started well with the council, next door said they would put a rug down for the footsteps. Of course, never happened. The council then just walked away from it all leaving me with my home completely destroyed by neighbours.

Anyway, the only thing that blocks them out is music. I put the radio on most days, just loud enough to cover the screams and shouts, but not loud enough to block out the bang noises. Occasionally, like today, I lose it as I've just had my fill for the day. I then put on the stereo, which is a very very powerful stereo and put some old punk music on loud, shake the ground loud. It's just an albums worth, about 40 mins worth but enough for me to feel better.

So about 30 mins ago they called the cops on me. 3 policemen came indoors. I explained, played them a video of the noise they create. All 3 were totally understanding, one of the policemen couldn't believe the noise I had to endure daily, another had just been through the same with his own neighbours. So they are going to write to the council, complain on my behalf, explain that I am at my wits end and that they do not appreciate the tenants wasting police time.

So kinda backfired, I don't suppose the neighbours expect that outcome? Best thing, I said to the police that I was going to put the music back up when they leave and they said totally understood.

Why is it that people are so bloody entitled these days that they cannot see the issue they cause others? Or do they just not give a toss?

YABU to keep playing more music, more than I normally would just to piss them off back?

That means nothing really does it?

It doesn't mean she couldn't have been screaming at someone who'd left by the time they got there, and it doesn't mean she wasn't screaming to wind the neighbours up.

The police aren't usually gullible enough to assume someone is lying and it would be very unusual to tell a neighbour they were annoyed at being lied to - unless of course they actually admitted it, which is why I asked the question 🤷‍♂️

Yeah am sure them smoking weed in the house would help any autistic child

Of course they know what they are doing, they just don't give two fucks about anyone else. That's the way for a lot of people now.

Keep the music up and annoy the hell out of them.

The police wouldn’t be particularly bothered by OP having an argument with someone who has since left though would they?

They asked her if she’s ok, she said she was fine and just playing loud music.

the Police aren’t going to bother investigating who lied in a tit for tat minor neighbour dispute are they?

They only attended to make sure OP was safe as they were told screaming was coming from her house. She’s safe, they leave. They’re not going to stop by and tell off the liars

Op, you have my profound sympathy. I used to be a victim of disgusting vile neighbours. I still hate them both right to their very bones. No one can understand what it does to you until you've been through it. I wish you peace and a quick sale.

We have rugs and when my child wakes (he sleeps from around 10pm-3am) I take him downstairs so his running doesn't disturb the sleeping neighbours or his sleeping siblings (or at least I try to minimise the disturbance). All our walls are also padded with thick gym mats on the wall for his safety and to reduce noise.

I'm not saying this should be the neighbours burden, but there's not much else that can be done. Even occupational health have assessed the house and said there's really not much else we could possibly do in this property (private rented house). A lot of the time the parents are doing their best to reduce disturbance to the neighbours, even if it doesn't feel that way as a neighbour

the Police aren’t going to bother investigating who lied in a tit for tat minor neighbour dispute are they?

Exactly.

So they're not going to tell one neighbour that the other neighbour definitely lied.

Unless of course they admitted it, which again was my question to the OP.

Let's see if she wants to answer it as otherwise it's all speculation isn't it?

We had lowlife causing trouble, my husband and a couple of large mates had a quiet word with them, it all went very quiet after that. I have no idea what was said but they got the message, toerags only respect those they fear, not the council not the cops.

Keep complaining about rubbish and noise to the council. I really feel for you. We had a similar situation. She did eventually get served notice and was forced to leave. I actually enjoy where I live again now.

Yanbu.
Id be really concerned that the issues mean your house is unsellable.
Anyone coming to view will hear the noise, plus there will be a declared dispute.
I'd contact the council constantly about their behaviour. Surely drug use is a breach of their tenancy agreement as well?

I don’t even understand what you mean.

police told the OP they attended because the neighbours reported screaming.

OP said she’s fine.

police didn’t call anyone a liar?! That’s nothing to do with them and neither are they interested

I don’t understand the mentality of people today, why do a lot of people, not all, live in such a mess when it’s rented, the council should not allow it
and I know it’s not all, so don’t start moaning

The fact that you mention they’re council tenants many times shows you have a vendetta against people who rent from the council.

No, it's relevant because it gives an additional complaint layer.

For goodness sake.

If you're going to keep picking on my question to the OP and acting like her gatekeeper, at least read what she said.

I asked them that as knew noise a council issue. They said they heard screams. A lie from my neighbours, which annoyed the police..

She doesn't need a spokesperson, she'll be perfectly capable of answering my question should she choose to, without you getting involved.

I feel for you OP. It can destroy your mental health and wellbeing. I'm very thankful for my current house and neighbours as we never hear them and we have a very quiet house. The flat before this house was soul destroying. The worst thing is that it wasn't deliberate or thoughtless - it's just that the flats were so poorly built and every noise was magnified. I had permanent nausea from the constant background noise of the downstairs flat.

Private tenants, so it's not a purely council tenant issue, as some people seem to be picking up on that specifically. I was a council tenant in another life and only had a brief issue with a neighbour who was there longer than I was.

Not really a vendetta. Unless you've lived it, it's really difficult to understand. I lived in a downstairs flat, there was 4 flats, upstairs had laminate flooring and dogs and cats playing ball all day and night, next door down had 4 alsatians barking night and day. The flat above the tenant used to come home at 2am open all the windows and blare music.

I lasted 18 months was suicidal but lucky for me I rented so I walked away. The council begged me to stay and help sort it out. No thanks, I moved 200 miles away and have had peaceful neighbours ever since.

Old people should never have to.live among younger people.
Older people should live alongside other elderly people.

Sheltered housing/retirement housing. Care home.

Also OP, do you have neighbours on the other side of you?

If so, I'd spare a thought for them if you decide to blast music again.

I am so sorry that you're living through this hell.
I suggest that you keep a 'diary': note the times and dates of noise (apart from footsteps).
Get legal advice, start with Citizens Advice. Keep sending emails and raising complaints with the Council. Perhaps write to your local MP?
I know how anger-inducing it is when you have to be the better person and put up with bull all the time, but it seems to me that (just by what I see daily and going by a lot of the posts here), that those objectionable creatures who officially belong to the human species are empowered to continue acting in an antisocial and depraved way and are untouchable.
Good luck, I sincerely hope this is sorted out for you and quickly.

I really sympathise. We once rented a house next door to a couple who had jack russels who relentlessly barked every time the owner went out. It was so infuriating, day and night. I hope you get to
move house soon.

You live in a terrace. Your loud music impacts all your neighbours, not just the annoying ones.

YABU.

I would have ignored for the sake of not having to declare neighbour issues but too late for that now...

So was it the neighbours you fell out with who called the police or your neighbours on the other side who are presumably sick of you blasting loud music?

Noisy neighbours are soul destroying. Years ago we had shocking neighbours my dh actually had a nervous breakdown thanks to their behaviour. We were both council tenants if that matters. We ended up buying a property (we were lucky to be able to do that 25 years ago). I dread to think what would have happened if that hadn't been an option.
But the effects on his mental health were awful as he couldn't bear any noise after that.
I also struggled somewhat as many people don't realise the effect that kind of thing can have on the supportive person. Dh has no idea how hard it was for me as he was so deep in his own mind. Luckily i am very strong mentally, good job i am.
No advice op but i applaud you for fighting back.