Neighbour problems - loud noise, parties, shouting - all day every day

Chopsie&Chelvis

[Apologies if this is in the wrong forum. I have also posted this message on the neighbours from hell website, but I would appreciate as much help as possible].

I'm really trying not to cry with exhaustion as I post this so I'm sorry if it's not very coherent.

My husband and I own a 2 bed mid terrace, victorian age (the house not us - we're late 20s) - and next door own too. The house next door was bought last May by a young 20s couple, but it needed a complete overhaul apparently, so we have had 9 months of weekend renovation noise, which has been annoying, but we put up with it because it was obviously necessary and had an end point.

The couple moved in last Sunday and we haven't been able to sleep through the night or relax during the day since. So far we have had:

Sunday - shouting conversations all day between the couple, door slamming, group of people shouting(chatting) loudly until 11.45pm - audible in our upstairs bedroom from their living room.

Mon - Fri - shouting conversations all day between the couple, door slamming, occasional daytime music, but could be drowned out reasonably by our TV. Noise continued until gone 10pm most nights.

Yesterday - shouting conversations all day between the couple, door slamming, music vibrating through our house from 2pm until gone 8pm, followed by shouted conversations between a group of people and 2-3 'songs' an hour blasted out, some with kareoke singing until gone 3am. They just ignore / can't hear door/wall knocking.

What's even worse is that I am almost 6 months pregnant and it is definitely affecting the baby - my pulse has been racing all night last night, I slept maybe 2 hours, and the baby has been twitching and kicking all night (which is not normal for her), presumably as a result of my racing heartbeat and stress hormones. I am terrified that I am going to have a miscarriage through the stress. I wore earplugs, but they didn't block out it all, plus I could just hear my pulse racing all night.

They are not the approachable type. My brother-in-law went to school with the neighbour and said they are at best idiots, at worst thugs, and we would probably get deliberate provocation if we complained. They argue continually using foul language and are highly agressive in their manner to each other and their guests. We both feel very intimidated by them, and I am fearful of what they might do to us/our home/our pets. I am worried about getting the authorities involved because a) anecdotaly, enviro health are ineffecive in our authority and b) the worry of escalation/retaliation.

Moving is probably not an option, the house is in negative equity (10k+) and my husband is working freelance and I have been given notice of redundancy, so I doubt we would be allowed to move/port[?] the mortgage (I really don't know how these things work though - it's our first house). My husband is dead set on staying - partly an attitude of 'we won't be forced out' plus it is a beautiful house and in a beautiful, convenient location. Our dream house, or at least it was once. I just want to flee before it gets worse or harms the baby/us, I couldn't care less where we live so long as it is quiet.

We called a builder on Friday, who surveyed the area for a quotation for soundproofing, which we will receive on Monday. He recommends building a new suspended wall, with the gap filled with rockwool, layers of soundboard on top, green glue etc (I'm not very technical, it sounded like the soundproofing people have recommended on here). That would be in our bedroom and the baby's room against their wall and he said it would get rid of 80% of the noise. That was when we explained about the slamming/shouting sort of noise, the music vibrating through the house is a new development. Doing it ourselves is not a possibility due to pregnancy/disabilitiy/complete lack of any DIY skills.
I'm not convinced about it though as, having read on here about flanking sounds etc, I don't think it would stop noise from their downstairs (our bedroom is front upstairs room, baby's is back upstairs, the noise is mainly coming from their open plan, full length of house downstairs room). Husband is very keen on going for it and is sure it will work, despite my fears that it won't solve the problem and will leave us without the small amount of savings we have, which we might regret using if/when we need to move.

I'm sorry for the long post - writing it down has helped, so thank you for reading. I was just wondering what people here would recommend and especially for any guidance on the soundproofing or moving the mortage [although I don't know if that's a non starter with hubby].

J_J_Carter

Can you move to parents/relatives until the baby is born?

evoke

OP: I really feel sorry for you. I know what you mean about the racing pulse. I have had this every single night for 5 months. Sadly, the law is an a$$ and protects the scumbags who are making your life a living hell. The scumbags probably just think they are living normally.

I can't offer you any useful advice that is within the law, so I can only sympathise and empathise with you.

Perhaps you could go to your doctor and explain the situation and he may decide that there is elevated risk to the baby and may then be able to recommend a possible solution? One way or another your scumbag neighbours need to be told of the affect that they are having on you and (potentially) your unborn child.

Your health and the health of your unborn child is the highest priority at the moment so you need to pursue all avenues to ensure that your scumbag neighbours don't affect your human right to the 'paceful enjoyment of your property'. Oh, the irony of human rights that we've discussed in another thread. And, yet, you are powerless to exercise them.

Chopsie&Chelvis

J_J_Carter wrote: »

Can you move to parents/relatives until the baby is born?

They live 2 hours away and we wouldn't be able to get to work. And it will be even worse with a baby here, having their sleep disturbed - and we won't be able to wear earplugs then.

Chopsie&Chelvis

evoke wrote: »

Perhaps you could go to your doctor and explain the situation and he may decide that there is elevated risk to the baby and may then be able to recommend a possible solution? One way or another your scumbag neighbours need to be told of the affect that they are having on you and (potentially) your unborn child.

Your health and the health of your unborn child is the highest priority at the moment so you need to pursue all avenues to ensure that your scumbag neighbours don't affect your human right to the 'paceful enjoyment of your property'. Oh, the irony of human rights that we've discussed in another thread. And, yet, you are powerless to exercise them.

I think I will see the doctor, although I'm not sure what he can do really. And I don't think that they would really care about my child, they are horrible, horrible people

Incyder

well, at this stage have you introduced yourself to them at all/properly ??

If they have just moved in full time and they are unaware of how you feel then its time to do the unthinkable. Knock on their door when you know they have no mates around, take a bottle of cheapo wine and hopefully get invited in. Yes, I know it sounds unthinkable, but at the moment you have not had a fallout with them. They at present are unaware of your feelings/situation.

Once inside, and chatting about their 'wonderful' renovations you will be able to gently move onto the subject of thin walls and how much the sound travels and vibrates etc etc.

It has to be worth a try at this early stage of 'neighbour relations'

Have you visited the neighbour on the other side of them?
They may have some opinions as surely they are hearing exactly the same noise levels as you are ?

BitterAndTwisted

Maybe the novelty of moving into their new renovated home will wear off soon. I do hope for your sakes that it will.

I completely understand your reluctance to risk getting into a disagreement with your neighbours. I'd be wearing some decent earplugs in bed and cross my fingers for a bit and hope it settles down.

ankspon

You have my utmost sympathy,my flats soundproofing is terrible,the people upstairs are complete !!!###es.We looked into soundproofing and was quoted £2,500 per wall,with the average wall classed as 9ft x 8ft.That wouldn't cover one wall never mind a whole flat.The owner of the flat upstairs(she has tenants in)began to give them warnings,it came to a final warning and then she said she would take no further action and i had to get the authorities involved.If i/you did this then when you come to sell in future you have to declare it to any potential buyers,therefore it probably won't sell.The management company are totally useless and say if the owner of the flat won't take action then they won't do anything either.Make sure you do not get a cowboy to do the soundproofing,if it's not done properly then the slightest defect will render it useless.There will be a lot of mess,stripping of old boards and plaster,removal of electrics and radiators if they are in the way etc.Good luck,i would be grateful if you would let me know if you have the work done and how good the soundproofing is.

Chopsie&Chelvis

Incyder wrote: »

well, at this stage have you introduced yourself to them at all/properly ??

If they have just moved in full time and they are unaware of how you feel then its time to do the unthinkable. Knock on their door when you know they have no mates around, take a bottle of cheapo wine and hopefully get invited in. Yes, I know it sounds unthinkable, but at the moment you have not had a fallout with them. They at present are unaware of your feelings/situation.

Once inside, and chatting about their 'wonderful' renovations you will be able to gently move onto the subject of thin walls and how much the sound travels and vibrates etc etc.

It has to be worth a try at this early stage of 'neighbour relations'

Have you visited the neighbour on the other side of them?
They may have some opinions as surely they are hearing exactly the same noise levels as you are ?

Sorry, should have mentioned this earlier. We have spoken to them a few times since they bought the house, mostly started by me and my husband making friendly, smalltalk comments (the weather etc), and when we have had conversations, it was mainly my husband chatting to them about how the work is going etc. They seem disinterested, are monosyllabic and swear every few words, so it is not easy and we both feel quite stressed and uncomfotable with it ... I don't think I would dare mention anything they don't want to hear. Other neighbours have said that they don't like them, think that they have a difficult attitude etc. Due to the house layout/entrances, we don't see them go in and out often, so it is hard to have a 'bump into each other' chat.

We have tried knocking on when it has been quiet (not often!) to speak to them, but they just don't answer the door. We have mentioned the thin walls in a 'relaxed way' before - my husband brought it up a few months back after asking how the renovations were going. He mentioned them, apologised if they could hear us, also saying that we'd appreciate it too if they could keep the renovation noise down in the evening as I am up early for work, so often in bed early. He seemed disinterested and didn't say anything, just said 'right' and disappeared back into the house. Nothing changed (drilling/hammering etc until 10pm)

Chopsie&Chelvis

Incyder wrote: »

Have you visited the neighbour on the other side of them?
They may have some opinions as surely they are hearing exactly the same noise levels as you are ?

We're popping round later to have a chat

Coeus

There are certain people you could call to make such problems 'disappear'.

Probably work out cheaper than soundproofing...