Realistically what can our lawyer WFH neighbours do to stop our (noisy) building work

[SpotOnMyBot]

We are undergoing a massive renovation project on the house. This was 100% necessary - there were 2 extensions at the back of the house that were falling down (attached to their side) that were always going to need to be rebuilt.

We have been going for only 4 weeks and we've already had 2 letters from the one set of neighbours complaining about absolutely everything from mess to noise based on the reasoning that they WFH permanently and find it 'unfair' that we have noisy works going on.

They've now escalated their letter and told us that they will 'take action' if we don't take action immediately (not sure what action we can take - what it seems they would like is for us to stop work every day so they can have some peace and quiet).

We've made sure the builders only operate in the considerate constructor hours, the builders have said they will clean their roof (this is one of their issues about the mess) but that their roof is covered in moss so they are only willing to clean the dust off it. The neighbours are claiming they are working outside hours and making more 'mess than is necessary' and not cleaning it up. They may arrive before 8am but they don't start work till after 8am - they claim this is not good enough as they sleep till after 8am and workmen arriving before 8am is too early for them.

They want to take legal action but I'm not sure what they can do - does anyone know? Given they are both lawyers, they will have the means and the ability to do this so we want to be careful! It is noisy now as they are having to demolish things but it will get less noisy as time goes on - we have told them this but they are not interested.

we are there in the morning at the moment and there is no more noise at 8am than there was when we were fully living in the house and all going to work, the dog being picked up by the walker etc.

Have you actually tried to communicate with your neighbours?

Have you bothered to tell them how long the renovation would take?

Have you spoken to your builders and told them clearly that you expect them to stick to specific hours, clear their mess, avoid playing loud music and try to be as considerate as possible/

Have you tried to compromise by not starting work until 9am?

Of course your neighbours are going to be seriously annoyed if you are creating a noise nuisance with no end in sight, are not communicating with them and not trying to find any compromises.

As for those who say ''there is nothing they can do'', you are going to be living next to these people, potentially for years. I would say trying not to mess up your relationship with them from the start might be a good idea...

If you've informed them about the work, done party walls etc and your builders are being considerate there isn't much you can do, and nothing legally they can do about it.

I think you haven't thought this through. For you, this is necessary work, for them, it is noise. You think lucky them for staying in bed until 8, but for all you know they work until later than you do. You have to live with them next door after, and you THINK you are pleasant and friendly, but you aren't, because you are disturbing them on a daily basis. Again, you think this is necessary. But that's not their problem. Just consider yourself lucky you aren't next door to somebody who works nights. Why shouldn't you clean their roof everyday? It's not practical or you don't want to? Again, not pleasant or friendly.

I would go and speak to them, and keep them fully informed as to what noisy work you're doing and when. Our neighbours are halfway through a year long extension and renovation project whilst not living there and don't tend to tell us anything unless we ask or they want something ie to put scaffolding on our land. I would really appreciate being kept informed so for example I don't invite a friend and her toddler round to play on the same day the roofers are blasting out Dance music and talking loudly about their penis size. If you aren't living there you don't really know whats going on. Personally my heart sinks every time I see a van pull up next door now wondering what work is taking place next and how disruptive it will be/how foul and loud are this set of tradesmen. Not knowing if you're getting peace and quiet from day to day can really affect some people.

When I have contractors working in my property, on day one they arrive to find I've got the site cleared and ready for action. That's a standard I set and expect them to keep up as they go along; at the end of each day they tidy up, the trash is bagged or goes in the skip, site left tidy ready for the next day.

I think NDN are fair to expect the builders to clean up all mess they make (on NDN's side) as they go along. Don't expect NDN to live in mounting layers of old building rubble and dust until the contract is finished . Be firm with your builders.

As for the (pre-existing) roof moss; I'd instruct the builders to properly clean everything off the whole roof (and out of the gutters) as an act of good will in compensation for the noise, dust and mess.

only 8 weeks
Are you joking?

I don't think it's at all unreasonable to expect builders to sweep up their mess daily and if that includes mess on a conservatory roof, so be it.

And I guarantee builders arriving before 8am are not at all quiet.

Well they probably think: Lucky you, only living there part of the time.

It's a very difficult situation from their point of view. I would try to empathise with them and do whatever you reasonably can to keep them calm.

Not sure they can use their position as lawyers to threaten you - check out the SRA website - if they are you may be able to report them

We've lived next to an absolutely horrendous, seemingly endless renovation and then later did a large one of our own. I think there are things you can do to try to smooth the waters- i.e. If they're going to be jackhammering through concrete, have someone go over and give a bit of warning with an estimate of how long it will go on for, but overall, they're just going to have to deal with it.

One of our neighbours we could tell from the start was going to be tricky, so we went out of our way to be accommodating. We had our builders do some little jobs for them that weren't strictly necessary (above and beyond fixing little dings to their gatepost, etc.) but seemed worth it to keep relations decent. We also paid to have windows cleaned and dropped off wine/chocolates etc. for Christmas and a few times when something really noisy or messy was going on, and it was surprising how helpful that was. I think sometimes people just want their frustrations acknowledged.

To be fair, it is awful to live next to major building works, so I'd try to find it in you to be conciliatory even if they're being aggressive- clean the moss off their roof (hopefully you have good party wall agreement and the condition has already been logged?), offer to pay for cleaning every other week, etc. You'll feel better in the long run by taking the high than engaging on their level.

*high road

You may feel better for taking the high, but that won't solve much 😁

They are trying to intimidate you with legal sounding jargon. So long as the builders work inside permitted hours they can’t demand the builders start later so that they can have a lie in! 8.00 am is a reasonable start time.
Don’t let them pressure you into cleaning their roof outside of what your builder deems necessary or agree to paying for cleaners.

Im living near a new build estate, we can hear drills , pile drivers, cement mixers going, hammering, lorries reversing beeps all day. I get brick dust on my windows and ledges, our electric supply was interrupted for hours while the supply to the new builds was connected. The road was closed during this.
A road sweeper comes round every day to clean the mud off the road and that’s it. Nothing we can do about it.
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Whether they are lawyers or not, there is only something they can "do" about it if you or your builders are operating outside the law, or local regulations. Building work is really noisy, and messy. To expect anything else is naive of them, especially if the work involves demolition. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it's going to stop any sooner, or go away. It's horrible to live with, but to threaten you with action is fairly fruitless and will only sever any neighbourly relationship going forward.

It would remain polite, don't be threatened, just work with the builders to make sure they're inside the law, and as considerate as possible, while getting on with the job as quickly as possible. Asking them to start later will just prolong the job. Hopefully when the dust has literally settled your neighbours won't hold a grudge and realise they were being unreasonable, and if not, then that's what high fences are for.

100% do not remove the moss, ever.

on an older, even seemingly good roof, the moss can be part of its strength and you only find out when it’s too late. The bottom of the moss in contact with the tile may have damaged the tiles, but it’s protected by the outer layer of moss. Remove it and you expose a potentially weakened/damaged tile. Remove moss when it’s very new, or not at all

This exactly. I don’t expect their employers will be very impressed that they are using their positions to threaten and intimidate their neighbours. I expect they aren’t insured to do that either. Take what they say with a pinch of salt and instead meet on mutual ground to hear them out and find a way forward.

Unfortunately for your neighbours, there is nothing they can do, as long as your builders really are working within the allowable hours and work in accordance with the details in your planning application. I've got to say though, your posts don't make you sound like the accommodating, friendly neighbours you seem to think you are. It may be worth reconsidering your attitude and approach.

This.

When people are already being tricky do not risk adding to it. Clean the mess you make and only that.

Check they are not playing a radio that your neighbours can here.
That's what drives me up the wall when people are doing work around my home.

They can't do anything to stop the works as long as they are in permitted hours. They need to move to the middle of nowhere if they want silence WFH.

They can't do anything unless your builders are really creating a nuisance eg arriving too early or playing loud music. If it's that bad they'll have to go to their office or a co-working space.

While they've not complained about loud music, it is worth mentioning to the builders. Last year a neighbour behind me knocked down a garage and rebuilt it. The radio noise was really annoying and really got me down as I have a garden office (though I did use headphones). I can't remember hearing actual construction work. So it's definitely worth considering especially once the demolition works have finished and it's all they can hear.

Just because they are lawyers doesn't mean they know what you can and can't do. Most lawyers are not specialists in all areas. They are just trying it on.

Our neighbour did a massive demo, build and renovation project in 2020. So we were in lockdown. The noise was understandable, he was doing building work and it wasn't going to go on forever.

The dust from all the stone cutting though... that was too much. I complained a few times as our garden was covered in stone dust and we couldn't open the windows. So I asked them to make sure they used a water dampner to stop the dust from blowing everywhere. 3 times. They did in the end.

So I understand how frustrating and noisy it can be living next to a building site.

But honestly, if your builders are starting after 8am and generally considerate, your neighbours have to just suck it up. It's temporary construction noise. It won't go on forever.

I would have a word with the neighbours, tell them when construction or demolition is due to finish so they know when the worst of the noise is over. Otherwise, they can't actually stop you.

Neighbour is just going to have to suck it up. If the builders are working within the legal hours then no action can be taken. Not your problem they WFH. Its a residential home in a residential area you are renovating.

Our neighbours had building works going on for 3 months. I was at home during this. It wasn't the best but nothing I could do. We start building work in two weeks, I hope neighbours remember how patient I was when they had their work done.

I hope you have taken loads of photos of their property and roof before you started the work.

I'd check the builders aren't using a radio. They are annoying.

Your neighbours could complain to the health and safety executive if there is excessive dust going onto their side and proper dust protection isn’t being used as it impacts health. That’s for the builders to deal with though.