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Original poster

To mention to 80 year old neighbour his garden radio gets on our nerves?

31 replies

pinkieandpokie · 27/10/2025 16:31

Him and his wife have lived in the house next door since 2010, we moved in in 2021, they’re detached houses. Hes always had his radio on in the garden which has grated on me a little since he knows everyone around can hear it, and it’s pretty much on from March to November, and it’s not exactly quiet but in the last year it’s got really loud and I can hear the mumbling noise (it’s always a talking station) with all my windows shut.

We aren’t on the best terms with him anyway where he’s been difficult with us in the past, but it’s got to the point that I feel we need to do something, do I:

  • Mention it’s annoying, especially when I work from home
  • Get him back by doing the same in my garden
  • or ignore it because he’s 80 and deaf (but inconsiderate!
OP posts:
didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 27/10/2025 16:35

Is a phone in radio station? Could you call up and ask him to turn it down to put a fun spin on it?

Original poster
pinkieandpokie · 27/10/2025 16:41

haha that’s a 4th option!

OP posts:
NotMeNoNo · 27/10/2025 17:11

To be honest he would probably benefit from a modern radio which Bluetooth hearing aids could pick up. But its often a challenge for people to pick up new technology at that age, also you need a mobile phone app to control the hearing aids. Or just wireless headphones.

CurlewKate · 27/10/2025 17:17

What would you do if he was 40?

Original poster
pinkieandpokie · 27/10/2025 17:21

I’d speak to him about it if he was 40. Tbh it annoys me because I think it’s selfish to inflict it upon your neighbours whatever your age, but he has obviously gotten more deaf with age and I think he’s set in his ways having lived here for 15 years since the age of 65.

OP posts:
user4534 · 27/10/2025 17:32

I think listening to the radio in your own garden is something that is perfectly reasonable and I would learn to accept it. How often is he really out in his garden listening?

Original poster
pinkieandpokie · 27/10/2025 17:33

Every day unfortunately. When I rains I feel a wave of relief because it’s a break from the mumbling.

OP posts:
Amauve · 27/10/2025 17:34

user4534 · 27/10/2025 17:32

I think listening to the radio in your own garden is something that is perfectly reasonable and I would learn to accept it. How often is he really out in his garden listening?

Really? I don't think piped sound of any kind is okay if you're forcing others to listen too.

AgnesMcDoo · 27/10/2025 17:36

Ask him nicely if he would consider headphones.

verycloakanddaggers · 27/10/2025 17:40

I think ignore. He's not doing something that the council will enforce and you already have bad relations so seems unlikely he'll listen.

verycloakanddaggers · 27/10/2025 17:40

pinkieandpokie · 27/10/2025 17:33

Every day unfortunately. When I rains I feel a wave of relief because it’s a break from the mumbling.

All day every day? What hours?

Original poster
pinkieandpokie · 27/10/2025 17:44

He does it usually from 10am when they get up,up to when it’s dark so today it was gone 4pm. Some days it’s very loud, others quieter. I think sometimes his wife gets him to turn it down but if she goes out he cranks it up.

I think he’s got worse either because of deafness or because he’s annoyed he’s getting older and he’s angry at the world. He’s one of these people who’s in denial about his age and would rather be doing something whilst in pain, than staying in doors. His wife is sweet and quiet in comparison. I often dream of the day he stays indoors on his recliner sofa, but then feel like the world’s biggest cow for thinking that way.

OP posts:
smallsilvercloud · 27/10/2025 17:46

It’s annoying, my neighbour also pays music in garden during summer and throughout the year in the kitchen which we are adjacent to! Not loud enough to complain but it’s irritating, luckily I’m moving soon! How about putting your own music on? I guess he wouldn’t hear it which would be a shame 😂

waitamo · 27/10/2025 17:46

Ask again. Point out that it's not a problem at normal volume, but do they realise how loud it is to others, it's blasting John!

If he has a strop or ignores you, then I'm afraid fire with fire is the only way. Queen Bohemian Rhapsody or whatever the loudest music you can think of is, blasted at them every time they put the radio on. Then disco strobe lights pointed at their garden or back windows when dark. I am sorry, but I mean well, and I'd have great fun with this especially if they are dickheads.

You have to listen to their noise, so you might as well listen to your own.

PermanentTemporary · 27/10/2025 17:48

I wouldn’t suggest anything like headphones straight off, but I would try to say something about the radio and ask if he could come up with any way that you don’t have to hear it - if he says ‘like what’, then I might say headphones. I mean, to me it’s appallingly rude. There’s noise that’s inevitable and noise that it’s reasonable to put up with, but any broadcast noise for the entire day is completely unreasonable. Try and go over when his wife is in.

CurlewKate · 27/10/2025 19:16

pinkieandpokie · 27/10/2025 17:21

I’d speak to him about it if he was 40. Tbh it annoys me because I think it’s selfish to inflict it upon your neighbours whatever your age, but he has obviously gotten more deaf with age and I think he’s set in his ways having lived here for 15 years since the age of 65.

So speak to him about it.

JDM625 · 27/10/2025 19:36

I think listening to the radio in your own garden is something that is perfectly reasonable and I would learn to accept it. What absolute shite!

If its loud enough for the detached neighbour to hear it inside their house, it could be considered noise pollution! OP, I've been in a similar position although not radio noise.

  1. I checked our council website regarding noise pollution, what times it was considered un-sociable and any specific exemptions etc
  2. We spoke to the neighbour to ask them to politely keep the noise down
  3. Installed a noise monitor on my phone, so I could record the actual dB from inside the house, in the garden etc
  4. Spoke to other neighbours to see if they had the same issue and would they be willing to make a complaint also
  5. Completed the online form to lodge a noise complaint
  6. Council person called me back to get more details
  7. Council planned to send someone out to measure the dB on their monitoring equipment, but the noise mysteriously stopped! I have no idea if the neighbour was advised of a complaint by the council or just happened to stop the noise they were making at the same time?

The above was over a time period of months and months- not a few days!

If you sell your home, you need to disclose any neighbour disputes, so its something to consider.

NotMeNoNo · 27/10/2025 19:50

He's likely got it loud due to being hard of hearing. He might not even know if there's such a thing as wireless headphones. Would he try some if you lent them? He'd probably hear his radio better. If you confront he'll dig his heels in.

Tiebiter · 27/10/2025 19:52

I would probably base my decision on how frail he looked. If it's a 12-18 month timescale then I'd let it go. If he's likely to get a telegram from the king then I'd say something.

socialdilemmawhattodo · 27/10/2025 20:07

Music is so different to talking. That's more similar to traffic. Music has change of emphasis and tone. Quite frankly I think you sound intolerant. Next time you move buy a house with a bigger garden away from neighbours, traffic, planes, and dont forget if you live in the country livestock - they're surprisingly noisy too.

Greenwitchart · 27/10/2025 20:30

''@user4534

I think listening to the radio in your own garden is something that is perfectly reasonable and I would learn to accept it. ''

Really?

The volume of the radio is causing a nuisance so the OP is perfectly right to object.

The reality is that if you own a house and garden it does not mean you can do whatever you want in term of noise and anti social behaviour. Other people have rights too...

I have an elderly neighbour (terrace) and her TV got extremely loud in the past couple of months so I spoke to her son about it and the fact that this was now creating a nuisance. The fact that someone is elderly does not mean that their neighbour should put up with inconsiderate noise.

windintheoak · 28/10/2025 06:10

Depends if you make your own annoying noises, or your kids do excessively. Sometimes we just have to deal with normal neighbourhood noises. All day is inconsiderate though.

ThistleTits · 28/10/2025 23:38

user4534 · 27/10/2025 17:32

I think listening to the radio in your own garden is something that is perfectly reasonable and I would learn to accept it. How often is he really out in his garden listening?

Not at the detriment of everyone else's peace. People need to understand, noise does not stop at the garden fence.

CoralPombear · 28/10/2025 23:42

I think I’d let him get on with it to be honest. Small pleasures are more important to you when you’re 80 than when you’re 40.

windintheoak · 29/10/2025 00:27

ThistleTits · 28/10/2025 23:38

Not at the detriment of everyone else's peace. People need to understand, noise does not stop at the garden fence.

Show quote history

It's liberating though, when your neighbour doesn't 'get' that and refuses to solve the problem. All those loud hobbies I've been suppressing or not doing because of being considerate? I broke them all out. I'm much happier for it, they are not, I don't care. I'm all for consideration but it has to work both ways. Wonder if the OP has any noises the old guy doesn't like?