Music being played in neighbour's garden - what's reasonable?

Better_Days

I do feel for you OP.

Until earlier this year we lived in a very quiet cul de sac populated mainly by retirees. Then we had new neigbours who were a younger couple (late 30's ). Every weekend the chap was out in his garden doing DIY blaring out Radio One. When he cleaned his car every weekend in the drive (next to our kitchen) he had the music up loud enough that he could hear it over the vacum.

It drove me mad, but I think where they used to live, this was much more common. So in the end my DH went round and asked them to turn down the music as I have a chronic illness and am unable to rest while listening to Radio One (you could hear every word, it wasn't just background). They were fine about it, and as time went by I think they began to appreciate the quiet and by the time we sold they hardly ever had any music/radio on in the garden at all.

DH did take a bottle of wine round to say thank you, and things were never awkward afterwards. Something that has to be handled tactfully though, and we had spoken to them 'over the fence' before and they seemed like reasonable people.

dodger1

OP, when the music is playing go and knock on their door and ask them to pop round but leave their music playing. That way they may realize that it actually is a nuisance regardless of the time of day. Sometimes we just don't notice that something we do has an effect on someone else.

aileth

Better_Days wrote: »

I do feel for you OP.

Until earlier this year we lived in a very quiet cul de sac populated mainly by retirees. Then we had new neigbours who were a younger couple (late 30's ). Every weekend the chap was out in his garden doing DIY blaring out Radio One. When he cleaned his car every weekend in the drive (next to our kitchen) he had the music up loud enough that he could hear it over the vacum.

It drove me mad, but I think where they used to live, this was much more common. So in the end my DH went round and asked them to turn down the music as I have a chronic illness and am unable to rest while listening to Radio One (you could hear every word, it wasn't just background). They were fine about it, and as time went by I think they began to appreciate the quiet and by the time we sold they hardly ever had any music/radio on in the garden at all.

DH did take a bottle of wine round to say thank you, and things were never awkward afterwards. Something that has to be handled tactfully though, and we had spoken to them 'over the fence' before and they seemed like reasonable people.

I wish my experience had been like that. They blasted music indoors all day every day, sometimes starting at 7.30 a.m. on a Saturday when one of them got up for work. When we went round, we got the door slammed in our face and told to 'get lost' and then suffered a tirade of even louder music. They would hear our front door go and then turn the music off so when we knocked on the door they could say 'what music?' While grinning like a Cheshire cat.

I hope talking to them will help, but some people are so ignorant and so horrible that sometimes it doesn't work.

Wellieboot

dodger1 wrote: »

OP, when the music is playing go and knock on their door and ask them to pop round but leave their music playing. That way they may realize that it actually is a nuisance regardless of the time of day. Sometimes we just don't notice that something we do has an effect on someone else.

If they are reasonable people, and it sounds as though they probably are, then this approach gets my vote. It's non-confrontational and invites them to literally see (hear) things from your side.

What you obviously don't want is them either getting arsey with you or, on the other end of the scale, them trying not to make any noise at all in case it "sets you off" and resenting you for it. So I would make it clear that you're fine with everyday noise, but have just been finding the music played from x time to x time quite intrusive, especially as you can hear it in the house with the windows closed. I agree with others that they probably simply have no idea that they are causing a problem.

Be specific about what you're asking them to do - turn volume down, agree quiet times during the day or whatever you need. Clear boundaries will make it easier for both of you.

Definitely tell them you're moving on too (make it clear that it's not because of them!) and it'd be hugely helpful if it was relatively peaceful during viewings.

R_P_W

So you are really looking to sell your house because of this, but you are nit willing to knock on their front door and kindly ask them to turn it down? Sounds a bit extreme!

Some people are just oblivious to other people, but most of them turn out to be considerate.

Davesnave

If reason and reasonableness don't deliver, there is always the option of creating a nuisance your neighbour won't like when being noisy in their garden.

Obviously, counter-noise is out, as that would just be pot meet kettle, but there are other senses that may be assailed, and quite legally too.

I'm talking about smell! :eek::cool:

All you need is one comfrey plant , the patience to divide it regularly and a corner of the garden to grow it. It virtually grows from any bit of root you detach, so one plant can become 20 in a matter of months. Very MSE!

Once your comfrey is growing well, it will reach a few feet in months, whereupon you hack it down to the ground, throw all the leaves into a dustbin, and then fill that up with water. Put the lid on and wait.....

Comfrey may be harvested like this 3 times a year, but it won't be too long before your first batch is ready. Just lift the lid and give it a stir and you'll soon know when it's ripe!

Now, in non-combative mode, comfrey water is just a free alternative to Tomorite, but unlike the latter, it really honks! I spilled a little on myself last night and I had to shower before my wife would let me in the kitchen. Just imagine how much smell would be generated by a ten litres sprayed over the border next to your neighbour!

The great thing is that it's eco friendly and perfectly good for all your plants, but from your barbecuing, music-playing neighbour's POV it will be like there has been a major sewerage malfunction. In fact that's probably what they'll assume. Hot weather like this just adds to the effect.

So, I guarantee that using comfrey water, it won't be long before your neighbour pops around to see you. When they do, you can have a nice discussion about the right to quiet and smell-free enjoyment of one's garden. Who knows, you may well end up agreeing that both are very important.

kaya

Mine had a party from6 on Saturday evening till 2 am on Sunday , I don't want to be a prude and realise that people have parties and let their hair down once in a while so just put up with it, then on a weekday it began at 10am and was full blast all day , same as the op I could hear it with my windows shut so i called the council who were extremley helpful. Offered to send an immediate response officer round and sent a first class letter out that day , been quiet ever since

kittykatkat

deleted...

marathonic

I'm always paranoid about neighbours hearing music during the rare party I have. It's my nature and a big part of the reason I bought a detached house.

I'd have a party maybe one weekend night a month and don't think the neighbours hear the music. That being said, there's a slight possibility they do (not from inside their house but when outside) and, if the mentioned it to me, it'd be going straight down.

geoffky

Our house is stinking of smoke because some idiot lit a fire nearby and it filled our house before we could close the patio doors and windows...
Why can not people wait until later in the day to light fires?