Off topic: Noise

Am I being unreasonable?? My next door neighbours are having their roof done. Lots of loud banging, which can be heard through earplugs. It went on all of yesterday, and this morning there was no sign of them, so I breathed a big sigh of relief. About 10am they started up again.

After having chatted to my niece yesterday about it, I took to google. It is ILLEGAL for a contractor to do ‘noisy work’ on Sundays and Bank Holidays, and after 1pm on Saturdays. They can be fined 20K for breaking this (each time).

I put a link to this on our streets ‘whatsapp’ group [I can’t be the only one who is affected]. And texted my neighbour. She replied that they are ‘working to a deadline’. I responded “IT IS ILLEGAL”.

*She is an Environmental Lawyer, her partner works in construction*

AITA (am I the a*******)?

Surely the law is there for good reason….

I received no courtesy text informing me about the work or any timetable; it was only when the scaffolding went up last weekend (also noisy and illegal) that I knew it was to commence.

[Blackwitch]

Hi, I have no idea about the legal situation but I can really empathise with what you’re going through. A couple of weeks ago I saw large ‘tent’ going up in a garden diagonally backing onto ours and feared the worst. I’ve no idea what the event was but mid-afternoon the band started to warm up. Earplugs with headphones did nothing to drown out the noise and you can’t explain to anyone what it feels like. In the end I took a Diazepam and went to bed with my head under a pillow with all the windows closed. Luckily, it didn’t go on too late but people just don’t understand. I would think that roof work must be horrendous so I do feel your pain. Is there anywhere you can escape to during the day? I hope for your sake it will soon be done. Nic xx 💐

[Hidden in reply to Blackwitch]

Thank you. Fortunately I am going away early on Monday for 2 weeks.

Hopefully it will be done by the time I come back. To her credit, when I looked out of the window at 1pm, their vans had gone 🎉. Still had earplugs in til then but thought after noonish it seemed a lot quieter! But saying that, I was really upset, and stress makes me really poorly. It wasn’t until after 3pm that I felt relatively ok.

I still had to convince myself that I had done the right thing though. When I looked out the back, the neighbours (on the street behind) were sitting out enjoying the sun. I made the right call I think.

My street, the street behind, and everyone in the park opposite will have been disturbed. I am continually shocked by how disrespectful people are. I always ensure my washing machine isn’t on at all after 7pm as they have 2 little ones. Same again in the morning, nothing til after 10, even though I get up early. I think I live in a different world to a lot of people…

[Lovetodanceto]

Hello well really think you're not being unreasonable really hope you can find some peace coz they obviously don't care take care x

[Hidden in reply to Lovetodanceto]

Thanks x

[AgedCrone]

She obviously knows how things work….you will be pushed to find anyone with the authority to stop this work over this holiday weekend…..so I’d just close your windows & turn up your music….don’t stress yourself out.I don’t know if that law is retrospective…but it works very swiftly…I got work stopped by complaining - thru my solicitor - over night.

[Hidden in reply to AgedCrone]

(see above). It won’t come to that, but there really is no excuse. I don’t work, but the street behind and the street I am on, are supposed to be enjoying a long bank holiday weekend 🙄.

[MadBunny in reply to Hidden]

It's really not fair to spoil the weekend like that. Very selfish.

[Hidden in reply to MadBunny]

Agree

[MadBunny]

No you're not being unreasonable at all. Ok - they have a right to get their roof done, and noise is inevitable . But that doesn't excuse the fact that what they're doing is illegal( although I don't know anything about the legality of it ) or the fact that they did not afford you the courtesy of letting you know what was going to happen. What is it about neighbours these days 🙄.

I really feel for you and I hope something can be sorted out.

[Hidden in reply to MadBunny]

Thank you. I have always got on really well with my neighbours, and courtesy texts have always sent; by me and ‘other’ neighbours anyway. I find the disrespect really upsetting.

[achyknitter]

I totally understand where you are coming from. At the moment my neighbours are having an extension built on the side of their house closest to us. The noise and dust, to say nothing about the radio, is very intrusive. However what makes it bearable is that our neighbours said a year ago that they were thinking of extending their house and asked whether we had a problem with that. They have since kept us up to date with what is happening and have repeatedly apologised for the noise. We spent a week away during the worst of the noise and are looking forward to next week when they finish the outside work and move inside. Building work is never going to be fun for the neighbours but it is only common courtesy to talk to them in advance and keep them updated, especially if they are home all day. I hope you have a lovely holiday and the work is done by the time you get back.

[Hidden in reply to achyknitter]

Thank you. I agree, a courtesy text would have changed things entirely. I also hope it’s done when I get back!!

[Flinda]

Getting yourself worked up and stressed about it isn't good for your health. Try to just accept these thing happen when you have neighbours. Enjoy your break away - no stress, even if/when things don't go to plan!!

[Hidden in reply to Flinda]

Two streets of people ‘lost’ a day and a half of their bank holiday. They broke the law. Considering others should not be an alien concept to people.

[Flinda in reply to Hidden]

My point is....this may well be the case, people can be annoying, some neighbours are thoughtless - I agree with you, it's not "right". BUT your reaction of defaulting to being stressed, agitated and annoyed is damaging your health and achieves nothing to improve the situation, so try to react in a calmer way - for your own sake, not theirs. It's not easy but it's definitely worth considering and practicing in future. Take care of yourself.

[Hidden in reply to Flinda]

I dealt with it. It's done.

[Leics]

Yesterday (Friday) someone a street away from us decided to have a live band and karaoke until 1.15 am this morning. We had all the windows closed and I can’t imagine what it was like for their neighbours. Why do people think that they need microphones for karaoke and think they’re able to sing for that matter. Because it was so loud everyone that was there was shouting at the top of their voice and there must have been lots of people there by the din. You’re right neighbours are so selfish that they don’t have the courtesy to let people know or at least knock off the excessively loud music at a reasonable hour. Anyway hope you enjoy your couple of weeks away sounds like you’ll be glad of the peace and quiet.

[Flinda]

Hi - that's great news, just one less thing to stress over. x