Neighbour complained about dryer

[alisonelli]

I have just had a text from my next door neighbour saying my tumble dryer is too loud and its "having a significant adverse impact on their quality of life".
For context, we live in detached houses, its on carpet in the utility room, I'd say there is at least 6ft gap between the houses, with cavity wall and a fence. I don't run it early in the morning or late at night. I'd say it runs between 10 and 3 if that. Its an eco one, so it does go on for about 3 hours, but uses little electricity. I have 2 kids, who play lots of sports and I have clothes I need to get dry.
What do I do?

I think you should say sorry....

.......and point out that because of many constraints within your home and especially your children's active life it would "have a significant adverse impact on our quality of life" to live with dirty clothes but, if she has any constructive suggestions you would be pleased to hear them.

I don't think you can beat being polite with a smile when pointing out selfishness, foolishness arrogance and oh...you get my drift..

With luck it will dawn upon her that she might need a good neighbour one day and then grow up a little bit.

The best of luck.

In future if you have to deal with him again send your DH or make figure round if you can. Open the window when the dryers finished if you are nervous about him moaning, or those little dehumidifier pots are handy

In a detached house?

Get a new dryer that makes no sound. I have a Bosch washer/dryer and the only bit that makes noise is when the washing machine is doing the spin cycle.

I would also ask them to produce a recording of the noise in their home or better still, record it yourself at their home.

Seriously OP, is this your neighbour!?

Don’t do anything. It’s a home appliance running in your detached home. If that’s enough to affect their life they need to get some ear plugs because it’s none of their business. You don’t have to do anything legally. Maybe check it doesn’t have an extra loud clanging part on it for some reason. But otherwise… their problem.

Not everyone can afford to replace household appliances that are still perfectly functional. And why should they?

You can ask your Council to investigate albeit they will probably be surprised the request is coming from you rather than the neighbour. There may be underlying health issues starting with your neighbour but speak with the Council first. That way you have control of the situation.

Dont do anything. If they have a problem let them complain to the noise people at the council.

Why should they? It is obviously the neighbour being bloody awkward.

I'd be saying to him... well you chose to build right up to the fence, shut your windows - problem solved.

Or say they’re welcome to pay for a new quieter dryer if they want to.

It is entirely possible that it is NOT your dryer. The best way to resolve the matter, is to go round theirs when your dryer is not on, have a listen, then ask a friend to turn it on and see if you can hear the difference. If it is noisy, there are several solutions: Explain that you have children etc and they need their clothes. Ask when the neighbours are likely to not hear it, eg when they go out shopping or are watching TV. You can download a free app to measure the Hz level of sounds. Measure, round theirs, when dryer is off and on. The sound of electricity is 50Hz. Your neighbours may be "hummers" and can hear low frequency sound which may not be heard by anyone else. This can be debilitating for the hearer. Being a good neighbour is a wonderful thing, we all have to live together and cannot easily up sticks and move. I understand your dryer is on a carpet, which is great, but is it banging up against the washer or a wall? Easily solved by sticking a cushion or piece of foam padding down the side. Do your best. If it is NOT your dryer, they will have to keep a diary of times dates and duration of the noise and investigate further. It may be a shop, factory, business nearby that is the problem. Be kind. You might also want to have a look at your machine and see if it is bunged up with lint, as that will make your drying times longer. Do you tumble childrens trainers? That may make a thumping sound which could be heard.

Imo if you pander to gbso batshittery next month it will be the hairdryer /washing machine /toilet flushing.
Open that window and go about your business.. Let him make a complaint.. He will look a total douche...

Just leave the window open, carry on as you were. He’s being an absolute tool.

Not everyone can run out and immediately replace something like a dryer. Especially if it's working just fine.

My dryer is always on and I don't live in a detached house and the neighbours have never complained. He's just being awkward.

Wow, my dh and I are in late 60s (me) and early 70s (dh). We have plenty to "think about" in our lives and even more to do! Many 60+ Yr old are still working so no idea where you get your idea that we are not "fully functioning adults"!!! As for the tumble drier, we live in a flat and can't hear our neighbours next door or above let alone any electrical appliance 🤔

Insane if true, from a detached house with carpet and no unsociable hours, she shouldn’t be able to hear it. Let alone, it impact her life.

She would just have to turn the TV up or move to another room. It shouldn’t bother you, apologise, tell her it’s a normal hour and go about your life.

3 hours is a long time. Go over and listen to see if they are being reasonable. They may be working from home and sensitive to noise.

All of this for three hours? Why?

My house is semi detached on one wall, I WFH so in the day when it’s silent if I’m sat in the kitchen whilst working I can hear her washing machine, I just… Move?

Being kind is absolutely the right thing to do, but living your life is normal too!

Wish that was my biggest problem in life 😂🙄

Yes. I've lived in a detached house and you can still hear noise from neighbours.

So long as you're not using it late at night I'd open the window and he can shut his window and he won't hear it.
Some people have nothing better to do.

As I've already said, ask them to produce a recording of the noise, or go round there yourself when the dryer is on and record it yourself.