How to approach neighbour about 6am screaming…

[Larrythecatforpm]

My neighbour opposite has young children, I sympathise and understand kids that age are going to make noise, it’s just what they do.

However every single weekend for the past 6 months since then moved in (and I imagine most of the summer hols) the neighbour has been letting them play out in the front garden from 6am or getting them in the car and they just scream full pelt non stop.
It’s right opposite my bedroom window, they wake me up and I can’t get back to sleep.
I am absolutely sick of it. They are council tenants can I put in a noise complaint? I have mentioned it to the mother before and she didn’t seem to see the issue using the excuse they’re little.

This morning it was from 5.45am.

And YANBU OP, 5.45 is absolutely fuck that territory.

It actually makes no difference whether they rent a council property or not. Councils are legally responsible for investigating noise nuisances regardless of the property's tenure. So their housing situation is irrelevant.

As for playing outside early hours that is unacceptable and should be reported. Screaming getting into the car before 0700hrs that’s another matter, annoying but some young kids are screamers getting in to cars etc that maybe unavoidable and won’t be seen as nuisance noise.

I agree. Hate the attitude that some feckless parents take that is “children will be children and make noise.”

Not consistently at 5:45/6am love!

That is what we call anti-social behaviour. Sadly, it’s not actually the children’s fault themselves, but poor boundaries being instilled by parents. This is actually SUCH a bug bear of mine, because I find parents like this to be quite manipulative emotionally as they try to guilt you or make you out to be the unreasonable one!

I don’t personally have children, but if I did, they would be my responsibility and they would be taught not to make a racket or disturb neighbours so early in the morning 😠

Realistically what can you do?
Getting in to the car.. you can't stop them making noise and it's their garden they can go and play when they like.
Granted I tell my two to be quiet and would probably say no garden until like 8am. But.. kids? You like living in your home and they have a right to live in theirs.

I'm a council tenant. We don't bite 🤣.
But seriously? You can't tell them when they can go outside and be quiet when they get in the car.

I live in a tower block ground floor and the noise is crazy. Right next to the local park.
I wouldn't dream of complaining. I can't control what people are doing.. my property is fine and we are safe. If anything, my children and I have learnt to sleep through all the noise!

I wonder what help social services gave two families that suddenly stopped screaming “within a week”

and would you call SS in this scenario? … crying and screaming whilst being strapped into car seat and when following mum out in the morning whilst she has a ciggy for 10-20 minutes?

High pressure hose. Put her fag out from a distance and soak the lot of them so they have to go inside.
Failing that, yes, complain to the council. My sister had a problem with screaming children next door at all hours (none of the household next door had to get up and go to work, so the time of day they made noise was irrelevant to them). They were warned by the council multiple times, changed nothing about their behaviour and were evicted.
Good luck - having neighbours who are arseholes is really tiring.

You’re doing the lords work! If my kids make a single sound before 9am outside I would go nuts, even the school run, getting in the car at 8:30, they know to be mindful of those who may have a day off and still asleep.

As a council tennent myself you absolutely can put a noise complaint in. Would be helpful if you first have 'evidence' of the noise complaint as the council dont like to move very fast without it. Any complaints I've put in have been asked to be supported by a noise diary. Can be written videos ect. Times noise starts, type of noises made, length of time ext. Usually over a 2 week period. Worst case outcome for your neighbour is being rehomed and potential social intervention. Worst case for op is they ignore your complaint.

We have a playing out rule of 7:45 on school days and 8:30 on weekends.

if my children are too loud they are straight inside.

boundaries and respect are essential, in my opinion.

Contact council. Regardless of who owns houses there is a noise policy

If you ever want to sell your house nobody will buy it as it will show up in the searches about noise complaints x

Explain what is reasonable about letting children scream at 5:45am?!?!

Wait! No one's asked to check if the OP isnt sure that the kids are ND or not🤣

Oh god

So youre opposite her and can hear it,what about other neighbours and the people either side of her,can they hear them?
Sounds horrific ,she needs telling

Or heavy metal music

Has anyone actually thought the child could be autistic. Maybe since 2am bouncing off the walls . It might actually be the mother's only escape to let them out,put them in the car. You don't live in their shoes. Go talk to them. And BTW im talking from first hand experience. 2 hours sleep for some non verbal is enough and then your awake as Im sure some of you know.

Lol, mine scream all the time... to the point I end up crying because it is to much. My youngest screams about 25 times a day for about 5- 30 mins. One time it was for over 2 hours because i wouldnt let him go on the oven that was on cooking dinner, not that i would atall lol. It can be over simple things such as getting in the car, not running around the shop, walking home, leaving the park, brushing their teeth, going to school... anything and everything!!!

If you don’t want a confrontation, maybe you could put a polite note through the door highlighting the times it’s happened and that she may not be aware how much the noise travels. Show some empathy about noisy kids, possible ND, etc and ask if there’s anything you or the neighbours (who have also been bothered by the noise) can do to help. You may not actually care or mean a word of it but it’s all in the spirit of keeping good relations. If it continues after that, absolutely make a complaint to the council.

Nighttime Hours (11 PM to 7 AM): Noise levels are strictly monitored. Councils can issue warning notices for noise that exceeds permitted base levels during this window, regardless of whether it qualifies as a full statutory nuisance. 1, 2, 3]

People who don’t think kids scream continuously while outside playing have never lived next to a primary school. I marvel at their collective lung power and persistence.

Hi op why not show the neighbour the footage then explain yes kids are noisy but at that time of the day there usually in bed asleep then if they are up early then it’s on the parents keep the noise down. If nothing changes after the video contact the council it’s not the rent side it’s another department who will offer you advice. Also start a diary of times etc. good luck been there it’s a living hell.

It's bloody selfish, that's what it is.

So its just a short period of kids screaming 10-20 mins. The thing that is getting on your nerves is that you cant get back to sleep!

Id have a nice word with her, explain your problem, take some cakes maybe always a winner, and ask her to go in the back garden for a fag. Or you could move to the back bedroom, that might be a solution.