Noisy and nasty neighbour - is this a good plan?

K,A+P_2

Evening all,

Since I've lived in this flat, I've had a few issues with the lady next door. I've never actually spoken to her since moving in 2 years ago which is a shame. She's not the most friendly of characters, despite me smiling at her when we pass each other outside or on the stairs - she refuses to make eye contact. Judging by the way she speaks to her kids, she seems a bit, well, horrible.

Anyway, the issue is noise related. Her music at night is SO loud, it makes the walls and my furniture vibrate. Not ideal when I have a 20 month old child trying to sleep. I have complained to the housing association twice now and they have informed me that she denies causing any kind of noise disturbance and tells them that it's me playing my music loud. The housing association have given me an incident report book to note everything down in, which I have been using everytime there has been a problem.

After a few weeks of much appreciated peace and quiet, she seems to have started up again, only this time it's worse. Much worse. Almost every night for the past week, I've had to sit up listening to her crap drum and bass vibrating the walls and drowning out the sound of my tv.

On saturday night, it all got a bit much and I banged on the wall, thinking that would be a sure hint that she was causing my son and I a disturbance. Rather than act like a civilised, respectable adult with kids of her own, she chose to act like a bratty teenager and banged back and then turned the music up even louder!

The obvious solution would be to knock on her door and speak to her, but to be quite blunt, she's a gobby, intimidating chav and I'm a shy, reserved and don't have a lot of confidence. People like her scare the bejeebus out of me. And for all I know, she could have been off her head on drink or drugs.

Anyway, I've been pondering over whether to complain again or not - either to environmental health or the housing association. Clearly the last time, it didn't get through to her and it doesn't seem to get me anywhere. It just !!!!es me off, frustrates me and stresses me out.

Instead, I'm going to try and appeal to her softer side. I'm not expecting her to have one, of course, but maybe kicking off and reporting her isn't the right way to go about things. So I've written her a note that I intend to pop in her letterbox in the morning.

Could you let me know what you think of the way I've worded it, and if you think it's a good idea?

"Hiya, you're probably not aware but your music is really loud at night and I've got a baby in here trying to sleep! I'm sure you know how hard it is trying to get kids to sleep as it sounds like you've got kids yourself. Anyway, it might be a case of your speakers being up against the wall or something. I don't want to spoil your fun, but I'm sure you understand it can get stressful when kids are involved. Hope you're wel Kate (next door)"

God, now I've got visions of her posting a note back saying "GET !!!!ED IN HELL !!!!!! I'LL SHANK YOU UP INNIT BRUV :mad:" or something along those lines. Surely she can't be that mean?

Werdnal

If you have reported her already and she has refuted your claims, then I don't really think a note, however polite, will make any difference.

Have you a video camera or something else you can record the music on? Use this as evidence and report to enviro health.

She will probably go ape-!!!!!! anyway, so best do it officially, rather than try the direct approach yourself.

ruggedtoast

I think you can actually call the police about noise cant you?

Otherwise I beleive environmental health will give you a noise detector.

I would probably have a word with her as if that doesnt work at least you have tried. Unfortunately she will always be a rubbish neighbour, so it might be easier if you move. Are you renting?

K,A+P_2

ruggedtoast wrote: »

I think you can actually call the police about noise cant you?

Otherwise I beleive environmental health will give you a noise detector.

I would probably have a word with her as if that doesnt work at least you have tried. Unfortunately she will always be a rubbish neighbour, so it might be easier if you move. Are you renting?

I did call the police but they just told me to report her to environmental health.

Yeah, I can't see her suddenly turning into a nice person...but maybe sucking up to her a bit might cause her to think twice next time she puts her music on!

I'm renting yeah, it's housing association. There's a big chance of an exchange for me in November, so HOPEFULLY I'll only have to deal with it for another few months!

ruggedtoast

You may as well ask her politely to keep the noise down. Chavs arent very bright, presume everyone hates them, and usually expect people to behave as antagonistically as they do, so asking politely can sometimes make them think again.

The HA probably didnt tell her it was you that complained.

Giving noisy neighbours a blast of your own music at a time inconvenient to them has been known to work as well, but as you have already complained you probably shouldnt go down that road in case you need to take it further with the HA.

Yorkie1

You've already kept a noise diary, the HA have been no ongoing use, so I'd just go to Env Health. That's what they are there for. Don't let it get to a point where your health is being affected too much by lack of sleep and stress.

diable

Do you own your home or are you council or HA assisted?

mazy_m

You've nothing to lose by being a bit nice to her and if she's impossibly rude and just ignores you or does it more to be malicious then go to environmental health. If she has a few kids you might be catching her during moments when she's stressed etc so by trying to be nice she may appreciate it. Ya never know some people are nice if you appeal to their niceness...works with teenagers sometimes lol!! Even some of the most stubborn ones i've encountered!! Not always though but you've nothing to lose by trying and think you'll feel proud of yourself if you do. Good luck I hope it goes well!! Maz x

SUESMITH_2

i wouldnt bother with a note, i would contact environmental health, carry on keeping our log though in the meantime. sorry you've got such a rubbish neighbour, i thank god mine are all lovely and considerate

paye

Kate you need to get on her level, go round to her house knock on the door and say '' yo wagwan cuz, lower the f*****ing choooons down man it's bare f*****ing loud u waking up the kidz em tingz ' if that fails get some 700w speakers put some jungle music on turn it up full blast and go out for the evening.

In all honesty if the chav knows your not liking the music she not going to take your note seriously. These people don't know what being nice is. keep alog or make a video and present it to the HA.

thegirlintheattic

In my experience notes often wind people up more.

Either you or your OH pop round during the day/afternoon and politely explain your position.