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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I ask my neighbours if we can have designated times to sit in the garden?

614 replies

Guarddogdaschunds · 26/06/2026 07:19

I will preface by saying that it is possible this heatwave has affected my rational thinking. So I will bite- I am so sick of listening to my neighbours having their dinner in the garden and having to listen to their booming voices for hours on end. It has reached the stage where we feel relegated indoors, especially in the evenings.

We live in a new build in close proximity to our neighbours so can hear everything as you can imagine. They are a couple in their early 30's (I think), no kids. The man with the booming voice works from home and has taken to working from his garden throughout the day, often vaping. My kids are off school, trying to make the best of the time off and I really don't think they should have to hear the details of his teams meetings. Surely he should work inside and allow people peaceful enjoyment of their gardens? I have never worked from home, but wouldn't it be considered a GDPR breach if others can hear?

They have had friends over for BBQs the previous 2 nights and have been sitting outside chatting until around 9pm. The BBQ smell lingered for so long and of course they were all vaping and drinking alcohol. One of their friends was regaling them with tales of her dating escapades-hardly an appropriate topic for my 9 year old to have in earshot. I also don't want my kids damaging their lungs inhaling all of those disgusting vape particles. The women have also been prancing around in very skimpy bikinis. I know women are entitled to wear what they want, but come on-all the neighbours can see if they look outside their upstairs windows! I'm also concerned as yesterday, the visiting friends were there for several hours and appeared to drive themselves home- were they over the limit?

On both occasions, I have brought my kids inside, as I don't want them to hear the sordid details of their conversations. I also feel awkward that they are only a few metres away from me, so I don't want to have my dinner outside in case they listen to our conversation. Would I be unreasonable to pop over or post a note through their door requesting that we have an outdoor mealtime rota so we can all enjoy our gardens in peace-as we are entitled to?

OP posts:
Wadsworthy · Yesterday 23:01

So pleased I live in a very tall townhouse where I don't see or hear my neighbours.

YABU.

somanychristmaslights · Yesterday 23:02

My god Op, you sound even more insane with each post!!

Swimbea · Yesterday 23:04

This is why my nearest neighbours are 1/4 of a mile away 😅 i'd sooner top myself than have neighbours that close, DH feels the same.

GinaandGin · Yesterday 23:05

I would be DELIGHTED if they stayed there ALL NIGHT and the game went to extra time and penalties
I think it would be HILARIOUS if you complained to the neighbours work place only to be cut to the quick when the boss announces that they also attended said party as a bikini prancer...

Guarddogdaschunds · Yesterday 23:08

Empress13 · Yesterday 22:57

Hooligans !!! Sorry I just can’t 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 heh England we are all Hooooooooligans 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Well if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck...They sound like hooligans and are behaving like hooligans with their beers when everyone has to be up for work and school tomorrow! I have no idea why this behaviour is being normalised at the moment, how do they expect my children to sleep tonight?

OP posts:
popias · Yesterday 23:12
the office what GIF
purpleme12 · Yesterday 23:14

This is so a joke thread

Ladyzfactor · Yesterday 23:24

purpleme12 · Yesterday 23:14

This is so a joke thread

I'm starting to think committed troll.

Pineapplewhip · Today 06:03

I love that the first few comments of this were kind of half empathetic - but the more OP dug herself into a hole everyone started to rip her one 😂

I hope the football hooligans kept you up all night Mrs Bucket!

Winefride · Today 06:06

There are limitations to living on an island with as many people as there are populating this island.

Sitting outside, talking at normal decibel levels, having a BBQ and enjoying the sun in a bikini (which can only be seen from your windows upstairs) sounds very tolerable.

I think this is one of the strangest posts I've seen on MN but, then again, highlights for me that the British are some of the most miserable people in the world in great need of hobbies that don't involve trying to judge and control others lives due to lack of fulfilment in their own.

themiddleofourstreet · Today 06:18

Hope they woke you up and kept you up all night

daughterfromhell · Today 06:20

Guarddogdaschunds · 26/06/2026 16:05

There is nothing wrong with my DH proposing some ground rules that we can collectively agree on-we are all living within a few metres of each other after all! We have lived here a few years longer than the couple; they moved in last year and this is primarily a family area, almost everyone on our road has kids!

I'm sure that most people would rather hear my children in the garden as opposed to listening to dating escapades, loud bitching about their work colleagues and drunken conversations. I have purposely avoided buying a trampoline as I believe they are antisocial in estates.

No thank you. Give me the fun and the gossip over your little darlings. 😄

Cloudconfusion · Today 08:22

Guarddogdaschunds · Yesterday 23:08

Well if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck...They sound like hooligans and are behaving like hooligans with their beers when everyone has to be up for work and school tomorrow! I have no idea why this behaviour is being normalised at the moment, how do they expect my children to sleep tonight?

How old are you? You sound like some elderly Mrs bucket.

BIossomtoes · Today 08:24

Cloudconfusion · Today 08:22

How old are you? You sound like some elderly Mrs bucket.

I am an elderly Mrs Bucket and I think she’s hilariously ridiculous.

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