Complaint about washing machine noise!

Obukit

Hi,

Sorry if this problem seems stupid but it's really stressing me and my girlfriend out!

We live in a flat where we're fortunate not to have anyone above of below us. The flats are very well built and we hardly ever hear noise - we both work very long hours anyway so basically only eat and sleep in the flat - we don't have a TV or play music.

Ever since we've moved in we've got on with all our neighbours except those next to us. It started with an argument about parking - we all have one allocated parking space per flat. Our neighbour kept parking in our space (he has two cars) and was very rude and abusive when we asked him to move - I eventually had to call the police when he shoved my girlfriend. The police apparently threatened him with being charged for assault and now keeps parking in our space, but moves in silence when we ask him to.

We kept having petty incidents, e.g. dirt and rubbish would be thrown on our steps, our washing was soiled so we now have to dry it inside, multiple complaints made to management company about our pushbikes (we have a private garage and push them through the garden), and they came out and shouted at us when we built a snowman in the corner of the (huge!) communal garden because they were "blocking" it, and smashed it up - we just walked inside.

He has now complained to environmental health saying that our washing machine is too noisy - he claims it is being run at 4am which is quite clearly false in a open plan flat! I spoke to the person at EHO who was very sympathetic (and quite rude about our neighbour!) but basically said that they have to investigate any allegations.

At the moment we're just looking forward to moving out in August but is there anything we can do in the meantime? He really is making our lives hell and I don't feel it's safe for my girlfriend at the moment given past history. We have tried to be as neighbourly as possible but this man seems to have it in for us!

RetroBob

What a !!!!!. I think you've done the right thing by approaching env. health proactively - they will be able to tell from talking to him and/or reading his complaint if this guy is being a dong.

If you can, keep a diary of the antisocial things he does which may come in useful someday.

Millburn_farm

I too would keep a diary; of your own actions and his

Sadly this world has "jobs worths" who know EVERYTHING and want life on their terms

I wish I could get my washer dryer to work at 4am; it would help my private water supply not freeze

Obukit

Thanks for the advice . My girlfriend has an elephant's memory (which is annoying, as she can cite precedent in arguments! ) but a written log will definitely be useful, thanks for the advice.

pinkshoes

Is your LL (property owner) aware of these issues? Does this other person rent or own the property? Your LL might want to get involved, as if you're good tenants, he'll be sorry to lose you due to a nasty neighbour.

This neighbour sounds like an idiot who has nothing better to do with his time than moan.

Are the parking spaces clearly labelled? Could the LL put a sign up stating that it's the parking space for Flat X, and all unauthorised parking will be clamped?

As for the washing machine, I'm quite sure EH will side with you that it's not being used at 4am!

You're doing the right thing by ignoring this neighbour and not getting involved, but do call the police if he becomes aggressive again.

rogerdodger007

Do you have a car?

Head-Out-Of-Sand

What a horrible man! Urgh I'm so sorry you have to put up with this!

Well done for speaking to EH about him. Surely his behaviour amounts to harrassment or intimidation?

Hope you can get this sorted soon, what a shame you have to move. It's for things like this that I REALLY hope karma exists!! This guy's coming back as pidgeon poop.

ipod_killed_the_musicshop

Not to worry - when you move out you'll know where he lives and he won't know where you live;)

telfordwhite

rogerdodger007 wrote: »

Do you have a car?

Well......

Obukit

telfordwhite wrote: »

Well......

We don't own a car, but I do sometimes have a car or small van from my work overnight - which is part of the problem, as we only use the space about 50% of the time.

Thanks for all the rest of the advice - our LL said the guy has always been a pain and he has spent money in the past putting up a bright yellow sign next to our parking space and moving stuff around in the kitchen to try and appease him but he can't afford to throw good money after bad (fair enough). I think he's a bit stuck as he only bought the flat in 2007 so things are probably tight for him.

At least if it ever was to escalate it's all logged through EHO and police .

pinkshoes

The ownership of a car is irrelevant.

One of my neighbours has a space and no car, but that doesn't give me the right to park in it! If they were to rent the space to me, then that would be a different matter!

Is there plenty of street parking? If this guy is so obsessed with parking in your space, then perhaps your LL can reduce your rent, and rent the space to him? You are, after all, paying for that space...