Am I being too fussy about the neighbours?

PhilDS

We recently moved into a semi-detached house built in the 60’s and we can hear next door’s TV through the wall. It’s not too loud, it’s usually off by 10:30 and it doesn’t really disturb us apart from the fact that it’s there, and we know it’s there. I know in the grand scheme of things this is a small problem, but after moving from a newer build terraced house, where we couldn’t hear anything from the neighbours, it’s just a bit annoying.

I’ve mentioned it to the neighbours casually and we both agree the walls are thin (I guess they can hear us too when we have guests) and we have agreed that not much can be done and we have to live with it.

After all that, my question is: is this normal semi-detached living? Are you always going to hear something from next door? Or, can we do something physical to improve the situation (I don’t want to complain to anyone because I’m sure we can be a bit loud on occasions and I’d hope that the neighbours would be understanding). So, any suggestions thankfully received.

tawnyowls

Unfortunately, yes, it often is. We've lived in two semi's, one from the 30s and the other from the 60s - no problem with the first, but could hear a lot from next door in the second.

Soundproofing is very difficult, and will lose you some space in the room as well. I think you may just have to live with it - could you have a radio or something playing so it competes with the TV?

PhilDS

We can have the TV on so it competes and when it is on you can't really hear next door. Like I say, it's not a loud noise, it's just there. I guess we'll just have to get used to living in an older place that has thinner party walls if that is the norm.

alanobrien

We used to live in a 1940's terrace well built with thick walls but could still hear next door talking and TV. Not much you can do about it really apart from maybe putting up a sound proofing false wall if its really bad.

Happily, we got on well with the neighbours so it was never a problem. On the other hand i do prefer detached living

coolagarry

Count your blessings if they turn it off at 10.30pm.
Consider what type of people you could have next door playing loud music until the early hours of the morning - and you couldn't do a thing about it.

kingshir

Our newish semi-detached neighbours have just spent the last 2 days hacking down every tree and hedge in their large garden! Was a wild life haven before, now it is just a wilderness! I want my old neighbours back!

morganlefay

We used to live in a huge Victorian semi, and I assumed that the walls were wonderfully thick because you could never hear a thing from next door. I have to confess I used to yell at my (now 30 yr old) twins quite a lot when they were little and driving me mad (they sem to have grown up without psychological scarring thank goodness). Imagine my horror when the elderly couple next door had a young rellie to stay who rushed up and down stairs yelling a lot, and I realised I only hadn't heard the neighbours because they never made any noise . I quietened down a lot after that an only yelled on the other side of the house. So even the bloomin Victorians didn't get it right. Our neighbours now have three uncontrolled alsatians which yelp and woof in the garden a lot. They too have cut down a hedge (we used to have a double hedge between the gardens and now there's only one and it's deciduous.) And they have a small girl who seems not to understand the word 'No' and winges, yells and grizzles for much of the day in the garden, unstopped. I want my old neighbours back too ! And have you noticed how on trains, shops, all sorts of public places, a lot of people persist in having their conversations at top volume ? Is it because they have to shout over their i pods / They don't seem to think that we don't all want to hear about their love life at top volume, and I , for one, think it's darn rude - but never say anything incase I get hit !:mad:
PS yes I do seem to be a Grumpy Old Lady.

PhilDS

Glad it's not only me then. I guess it's the price you pay for not living in a new build show box. And I do count my blessings that they aren't a lot worse (although i did check who the neighbours were before we moved in, but I didn't ask if they were deaf and had to have the TV at full volume :rolleyes: ).

Thanks for the replys, they've made me feel better.

Rikki

We have new neighbour in the bungalow near mine. They have been there a total of six months.

They've had new windows fitted - loads of vans, people and noise.
Completely redecorated the whole bungalow. Little man with a van.
Conservatory build - builders, skip, noise, then window fitters etc.
Furniture lorries delivering new furniture.
Radiators replaced, more vans, men and noise.
They've butchered the garden
Now this past week. Block paving drive, new drain system? Up to four vans, two skips bobcat digger, which broke down for two days., Noise and rude men. Blocked my drive, parked on my grass, unloaded equipment on my grass.
Two days ago gas board turned up three vans - new gas boiler being fitted.
Final straw yeaterday came when the snaped a branch off my Red Birch.:mad:
To say I flipped at the workmen is an understatement.

handyman.

cant understand flipping at these things, at the first problem, it could have been sorted..........and i'd rather have some noise for a while, with people adding value to their house.

ajbaker

I completely sympathise with you. I'm of the belief that I should not alter my behavior (ie turn on a radio, move the bed) as a result of a disturbance caused by my neighbour. However I also firmly believe he has the right to listen to his TV at a normal volume at any time. Sadly this often means I am awake at 1 in the morning listening to his TV!

I have just installed sound insulation as suggested here: http://www.soundstop.co.uk/
(Sound Stop refused to sell to me because the order was below £200 so I purchased all the bits from Travis Perkins for less than I would have paid Sound Stop).

I have yet to move back into the room so cannot testify to how affective it is... Having said that it has doubled the thickness of the dividing wall, and is really dense so it should make a big difference.

Can you identify how the noise frustrates you, and what type of noise it is. For me I could get to sleep if the TV was on but if I could make out just one word then I had no chance - I naturally try to listen.

Do you know where your neighbours TV is? Is it against the dividing wall between their house and yours? If so, this is most likely the problem. Could you perhaps see if they would be willing to move the TV?

And as to your question about being fussy - if it annoys you, then no, you are not being fussy!