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Original poster

What would you consider reasonable?

15 replies

magnum · 04/03/2004 17:29

The house next door to mine has just been sold. It is in a very bad state and we were aware that whoever bought it would have to do some serious work on it. The new owners have started renovation but have not moved in yet. They are doing all the work themselves as the husband is a joiner. He works during the day so does not start work on this house until 6pm. This involves drilling into walls, lots of banging and hammering. My dd is only 8mths and goes to bed at 7pm. the noise from next door carried on last night until 9.30pm. (they are aware there is baby asleep here). I understand this work needs doing but this will be going on for months. What do you think is a reasonable time to make this sort of noise until? I don't want to fall out with the new neighbours before they've moved in!!!

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Galaxy · 04/03/2004 17:34

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Freckle · 04/03/2004 17:36

Hmm. Difficult one. Have you met the couple yet? Do you know if they have children? Perhaps you could just mention in passing that your daughter goes to bed at 7pm. It might be that there is plenty they could be getting on with which doesn't involve too much noise and then they could do that work after 7pm and keep the noisy stuff for before then.

Original poster
magnum · 04/03/2004 17:40

She has been stirring a bit, but hasn't actually woken up yet, but I think its just a matter of time. The hammering isn't so much a problem, its the drilling. We've had a friendly chat with them and mentioned what time she goes to bed, but it didn't seem to make any difference. They've even mentioned they are taking down the chimney, which is attached to ours. Is there any guidlines as to what time building work can go on until? I can understand they have to work in the evenings but it was very, very noisy last night

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Original poster
magnum · 04/03/2004 17:41

They don't have any children Freckle. They might be a little bit more understanding if they did.

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Thomcat · 04/03/2004 17:45

God how annoying. Well tbh I'd hate it if it went on past 6pm but really, I might feel I had to grin and bear it no longer than 10pm. Anything later than 10 is just too much for any person to deal with. It's a diffucult one isn't it. So in answer to your question I'd say 10pm and that's being generous and very fair and understanding.

Freckle · 04/03/2004 17:47

Contact the environmental health people at your local council. They should be able to give you chapter and verse on what is and isn't reasonable/allowed and even might give you some strategies.

Galaxy · 04/03/2004 17:50

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Original poster
magnum · 04/03/2004 17:51

thanks for your replies. I was thinking of contacting environmental health just to see if they can give me any advice. Sometimes i think they're being very unfair but then I put myself in their position and obviously they just want to get their house straight. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just a few weeks but this is major works and will be going on a lot longer than that.

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Original poster
magnum · 04/03/2004 17:52

I might make a tape of dd crying and play it in stereo when they move in

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handlemecarefully · 04/03/2004 20:47

They should stop by 21.00 tops...and why can't they do most of it at the weekend!

Jimjams · 04/03/2004 21:37

If it hasn't actually woken her I wouldn't complain (unless it was so late it was disturbing my sleep). If it did wake her then I would ask them to stop earlier. Both mine can sleep through anything. It's a good skill!

suzywong · 04/03/2004 21:40

I tend to agree about babies sleeping through loud, even piercing, nosies that we are anxious about. But I cansympathise with you Magnum about the general din and disturbance. I think Freckle is very wise about getting chapter and verse from EH, also good to have a contact name there so you know you can get support if push comes to shove.

Our neighbour over the road's builders were making an unholy din at 8am one Good Friday and the neighbour next to them had EH out within 15 minutes.

kiwisbird · 04/03/2004 21:41

We had similar problem, the council got the work stopped between 8pm and 7.30am weekdays and 9am start weekends
SO ask nicely then go get em

SofiaAmes · 04/03/2004 22:11

Sorry, but if it isn't waking your dd, apart from being a little annoying is it worth complaining about? Wouldn't it be worse if they were working 8-10 hours a day making noise? If it is the drilling you are particularly concerned about, why not ask them directly to stick to drilling before 7pm. That would not be unreasonable and it seems that polite hints aren't enough so you have to ask them directly.

Original poster
magnum · 05/03/2004 10:46

They didn't work at all last night and it was so nice to have a peaceful evening. I think it is more the stress of the noise waking up dd that bothers us as she hasn't actually woken up yet. You know what its like when your baby is sleeping the last thing you want is for her to be woken. I think I will wait until she actually gets woken up before I say anything, but will definately contact EH. They are pulling down walls tomorrow, so am not looking forward to that

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