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?

Do you really think people escalate to retaliation without discussions. I've had 10 years of it. I'm normally only here 4 months of the year, but this year I'd had enough and asked them to deal with it. Their response - renovations at 8.30 pm. Happy New Year.

@AntitheticalDreamgirl you could soundproof your house, put down floor coverings to absorb noise, and take your child out more.

A lot of people just care about themselves and have zero interest/care in how they effect others. Or they are just immune to their own noise.
We have some very noisy neighbours nearby. They shout non stop, the kids don’t talk they scream at each other (they are teenagers now) bang doors, play music. Life for their immediate neighbour is hard.
They complained one day about another neighbour having a radio outside, it wasn’t even loud. Surprised they could hear over their own screeching.

Can they not be evicted if you keep a consistent record of all the issues?

First thing I did. Over a year ago.

Tried, sent evidence, talked to council housing, talked to MP. They just couldn't be bothered.

Well maybe. But OP can’t influence that can she? If they’re evicted where will they go? Homeless bnb? Council probably doesn’t want a child in that environment either.

eviction for ASB takes a long time and does have a pretty high threshold when the family will only continue to be the councils responsibility anyway

The landlord has refused to allow soundproofing or changing of flooring so we have a lot of rugs to help. We take him out for 5 hours per day, when he's not in school. I can't, however, take him out 3am-10pm every day.

Fight fire with fire. Play your music louder and for longer.

I'm sure you are doing your best. Your best still can impact your neighbours significantly though.

My neighbours have a noisy child. I don't mind as it means I can do some things I normally wouldn't do out of consideration. The need for consideration is lowered at my end as a result. Before they became inconsiderate, I was as quiet as a mouse. I've discovered I quite enjoy the freedom to not be though.

If they knocked on the door and told me their child was having issues due to my noise (which would be considered reasonable), too bad.

perhaps you do but the op's story doesnt mention this

ok, so the op talked to the neighbours but playing your music so loud is particularly unfriendly.
you should be ashamed

Seriously?
My mental health needs it on occasion. It blows the cobwebs away, I get about 40 mins where I actually cannot hear my neighbours noise, it makes me feel better. Works out to be once a month and only when I know my neighbours on the other side are out. But, I do not have to justify anything to you.

I remember your posts, always trying to play devils advocate on many a topic, but missing the mark of understanding.

Cool story, bro.

Our council are taking on twenty year leases on properties. Paying up to 25k for new kitchens, bathrooms and other improvements. The property is then their responsibility. You receive the rent directly from them. Any repairs are their responsibility.

I would investigate whether the council or a housing association in the area are doing this.

I offered my house to the council to buy a year ago. There is a row of 5 lovely old terraced houses in a conservation area, 2 are private, the rest council. I actually thought be a good idea for them to buy it and be able to look after another when all together. They don't buy private houses here apparently, only new builds.

I mean ‘minus the mess and the drug use’ is pretty integral to the situation.

That's original

Are you not disturbing the neighbours on the other side (not the troublesome ones) when you blast your music though? Don't make a new problem for yourself. :)

Noise is awful. I had a dog barking next door once, and it was constant. Here, in a new house, I am in a terrace too but it is fully soundproofed! We cannot hear anything from the houses either side, so a poor house build also creates a problem, with poor sound insulation.

Never play loud music if other side are in. And even the radio daily they cannot hear as I checked months ago if volume ok. Today I knew they were off to the panto as been chatting over Xmas. I get on very well with them, they are nice and considerate people.

I looked into soundproofing, but the main issue is we have shared floor joists. No amount of sound proofing will help with the thumping, which is my main issue (children screaming is normally short lived and normal).

A year is a long time in politics. I'd try again. Also housing association people. Central government are throwing money at the housing problem.

Also have a chat with a couple of estate agents, they should be in the know

Thanks, that's a good idea. Appreciated :-)

Ugh I sympathise. Going through similar with my NDN. She's awful and vile, yet used to be lovely if a little kooky. She doesn't work, but tells everyone she does. She has a dog she never walks and hasn't trained, yet tells others that she takes it to the beach every day. I don't know if any MH issues at play.

She goes through phases, and we are currently in one, which consist of her absolutely blasting her music at such a high level I can't hear my TV. Our dogs stare at the shared wall. She sometimes plays loud music ALONGSIDE the loud TV. We are 5 terraced houses, and her NDNs on her other side installed surround sound for her a few years ago, which, despite otherwise getting on with them, I absolutely hate them for doing. (they're now selling up!)

My partner gets on very well with her (or, did) and recently sent her a lovely message saying he understands she likes her music etc loud, and that we can tolerate that at times but that lately it's exceeding 12 hours a day. She gets up 11am and that's it until 1am. Pounding music and TV. Also her untrained dog yapping. Despite she and my partner getting on, she responded to his message by saying "fuck off, call the police then, you do not want to try me!" All the poor man has ever done is help her out as it's just her and her teenage daughter at home, fixes her car for her, does her weeding as she finds it "hard" (she's just lazy) etc. He doesn't do that since the messages, of course.

Spoke informally to the council but decided against opening the case SOLELY because we will likely sell up in the next 3 years or so, and don't want to have to declare it.

Anyway I totally get it! Just know it's not just you suffering. It helps me to read other stories of people going through the same thing (of course NO ONE should go through this. The laws in the UK regarding this are SO SHIT). I find it helps, even though it's not a solution. My heart goes out to you. Whereas I've never responded by playing equally loud music, I understand why you would.

Am sorry that you have a hell NDN too, though yours sounds much worse. Am so sorry, truly. Can you sell up quicker?
And you're right, the laws dealing with this is inadequate. It really takes its toll living next to people like this.

I would report the neighbours to social services letting the child stay up all hours of the night and smoking drugs.