Neighbours complaining about my sons drumming

[sunshine05]

So my 9 year old son has been learning the drums for 1.5 years now. The neighbours (who made our lives hell during our extension) have complained to the council numerous times and now someone from the council is coming round to talk to us about this. We live in a detatched house, the bedroom where the drumming takes place is 3 rooms away from a brick wall then there's a gap then the neighbours house. So it's not like we're in a semi detatched house.

Does anyone know do they have a claim against us?? Does my son have to give up something he loves?? He's learning a musical instrument!! I am so stressed about this- I'm shaking as I type. I was so stressed when they were unreasonable during our extension. He plays during the day only 5-10 mins and between the times of 8am and 8pm so we're as considerate as we can be.

I'm not sure where we stand legally

[sunshine05]

Oh and just to add, the neighbour has never come round to discuss that he's upset about the noise, ever. He went straight to the council. letters from the council have said we should try and sort it out between ourselves but he's too cowardly to do this. The neighbours opposite can hear the drums but say it's not loud and they have absolutely no problem with it. To put into context he and his wife have complained to the council about pretty much everyone on the street at some point, even forcing a single mother with her downs syndrome child to move as his complaints got too much.

[serialreturner]

Human rights? Really?!

[AuntieMarys]

😀

[BigBadVoodooHat]

@serialreturner

Human rights? Really?!

I'm absolutely howling that the OP has posted this in Human Rights!

[myhobbyisouting]

[PaulinePetrovaPosey]

Fuck me I'm glad you're not my neighbour.

[JemimaTiggywinkle]

I would agree.
All your neighbours human rights are being breached

[Strawberrycreamsundae]

Neighbour from Hell material?
Jeremy Kyle next?

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

I know a lot of professional drummers. They all use electric sets and headphones at home, wouldn't that be an option? Drums really are loud. Human rights-breaching loud.

[Solasum]

Could you look into an electric drum kit? Your son could then play with headphones

[seayork2020]

Please tell me this is a joke thread, I will genuinely play along if it is but if it a real thread then I point you to researching about genuine human rights breaches

[MarkRuffaloCrumble]

My son used to play the drums. It was a nightmare. Even with pads on the drums, a pillow in the bass and a thick mat, the whole house would shake. You could hear him from the end of the road.

My neighbours were really understanding - one of them said it was nice to hear some music and life in the street, the other ones son started drumming himself shortly afterwards!!

It was never as early as 8am or as late as 8pm tbh, that window seems a little unfair - he usually played after school or during the day at weekends.

But I always said to the neighbours, if it’s ever a problem let me know and I’ll tell him to stop.

I was so glad the day he sold them!

YABU, drums is not an instrument like any other.

[TastelessBracelets]

Our neighbour's son used to play the drums. When I say neighbour, I mean the house over the road. Not even directly opposite - opposite and two houses along. Wide road - wide enough for a parking bay between their house and ours. Large front gardens, and his room was at the back of the house.

We could still hear EVERY single bash. He could play for HOURS.

Whose human rights got breached then?

[RunningFromInsanity]

Look up ‘statutory nuisance’ under the Environmental Protection Act.

Drumming could be classed as a stat nuisance depending timing, frequency, duration and volume.
The Council will let you know if it’s a problem.

[DPotter]

Drumming sound carries - for miles, so being in a detached house makes no difference. People practising a musical instrument can sound awful - it's not just the loudness, there's the lack of beat, the base and the apparent randomness of when the practise starts and for how long.

When the person from the council comes round, agree with him a window of time when your DS will practise, say after school. I think that would be reasonable. Alternatively could you get your DS electronic drums and headphones - no idea if these work and there will still be some noise.

[TPS2009]

Nope, wouldn’t wanna be your neighbour either.

[peachescariad]

The council will ask the complainant to complete a 4 week diary sheet and then submit. Noise complaints are then seriously if there is audible noise after 11pm or before 7pm (might have to double check the earlier time).
TBH there is nothing the council's can do...they might just ask you to be a bit more considerate, but sounds like you are already.
Also, if they fail to complete the diary sheets, the case will be closed against you. If they decide to complain again, at a later date, their case is unlikely to be taken very seriously by the EHO!

[peachescariad]

'taken seriously'' ...not then (sorry!)

[yellowmaoampinball]

I would chill out a bit until you hear from the council. Honestly, there's no need to be shaking about this. If it comes to it you could try some of those options mentioned up thread. My neighbour drums in his garage and I don't find it a bother at all, it's not that loud. Maybe the council will feel your sons drumming is OK too.

[BigBadVoodooHat]

@seayork2020

Please tell me this is a joke thread, I will genuinely play along if it is but if it a real thread then I point you to researching about genuine human rights breaches

Well, the OP is shaking as she types, and added the single mother with a Down's Syndrome child being 'forced' out of their home, just in case the true evilness of this man was not apparent, so ...

[Plussizejumpsuit]

Have you seriously put this in human rights? Get a grip.

Unless your house is massive how is it 3 rooms away from a brick wall. What about the outside wall of the house. In most house each room will have an outside wall?

[peboh]

You son shouldn't have to give it up, however you should make adjustments to be a considerate neighbour. I learn to play the drums in secondary school, so my mum bought my an electric drum kit so I could put headphone on and not disturb any neighbours.
Also why is this in human rights? Your neighbours also have a human right to peace and quiet in their own homes 🤦🏻‍♀️

[RaspberryHartleys]

If the people over the road can hear it, it's probably way way too loud ...

[gypsywater]

Human rights
Too funny

[Eng123]

Yep drums are pretty much the worst thing for neighbour relationships!