Neighbour changes use of garage and then complains about noise

tunnel

BobQ wrote: »

The real issue is whether the neighbour has taken proper steps to convert the space to a living room. This is not just about the sound transmitted through the wall, its about the floor and roof structure and all the other requirements of the building regulations. If the shared wall is a single wall he should have converted it to a cavity wall for other reasons (energy conservation). The OP's neighbour had (has) an obligation to address the consequences of the change.

If he has done this, he may have an argument about the regular use of noisy power tools in the adjacent garage.

But the regular use of power tools wasn't an issue before the neighbour decided to "upgrade" his property, why should there be any argument now. It's not the OP's problem the neighbour now takes issue with it.

moneyistooshorttomention

BobQ wrote: »

The definition of a garage is as you say, but I think you have to consider the way people use the term in practice. I suggest most people think a garage as being a place you can use for many purposes. The OP is not running a business, he is occasionally using power tools for DIY and hobbies.

The real issue is whether the neighbour has taken proper steps to convert the space to a living room. This is not just about the sound transmitted through the wall, its about the floor and roof structure and all the other requirements of the building regulations. If the shared wall is a single wall he should have converted it to a cavity wall for other reasons (energy conservation). The OP's neighbour had (has) an obligation to address the consequences of the change.

If he has done this, he may have an argument about the regular use of noisy power tools in the adjacent garage.

Whilst I follow the gist of your comment, that instantly had me thinking "Was the house wall shared between myself and my next door neighbour each side a cavity wall one back in my last house (ie a Victorian terrace house)?" and the answer is that it wasn't. Those walls functioned perfectly well without being cavity walls and I am guessing the neighbour realises that many terrace houses are like that and is thinking "Well, if they work okay, then why would I need to do a sort of cavity wall set-up in my garage?". If I were converting a garage into a living room, then I would tend to feel the party wall was quite thick enough anyway and, by the time I had taken into account that I would get marginally less space in my conversion if I did that..then I would be seriously weighing-up whether to do that myself.

Actually though, I would expect that the noise of power tools would come through cavity walls, as well as non-cavity walls. In which case, that would be another reason not to bother to do cavity walls, but just go ahead and convert without that and "wait it out" for OP to move on one way or another or stop using his garage as a workshop.

specialboy

I'd be more worried that the neighbour hasn't taken steps to ensure exhaust gases can't enter his living room through the shared wall or any roof void.

poppysarah

oo look a leaflet on it
http://www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/documents/garage_conversion_guidance/Garage%20Conversion%20Guidance.pdf

7.0 Sound Proofing
Where the garage being converted is next to a neighbouring habitable space addition sound detailing may be require, please ask for detail where this happens

Prothet_of_Doom

I've long been of the opinion that it should be a criminal offence to convert a garage to a room.

This might be because I'd really like a double garage, so I can get around both sides of a car and do a little grinding, welding and paint spraying.

I thus feel the OP's pain.

DRP

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

snip..."Well, if they work okay, then why would I need to do a sort of cavity wall set-up in my garage?"...snip

to prevent garage-noise disturbing them in their new living room conversion.

moneyistooshorttomention

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Actually though, I would expect that the noise of power tools would come through cavity walls, as well as non-cavity walls. In which case, that would be another reason not to bother to do cavity walls

See above........

clingingtothewreckage

Everything was rosey, you could make as much or as little noise as you wanted and nobody complained as there was 2 garages between the properties. The garage is a workshop so there's an assorted of tools in there including drills, saws, etc.

Now the neighbour has changed their attached garage to a sitting room. They are now complaining that I'm too loud and disturbing them whilst they are in their sitting room (which was a garage).

Can I do anything about this?

I hope the following is of some practical help.

1. The changing of the garage to living acommodation may or may not need Planning Permission because of restrictions in your deeds specifying that any such changes need PP.

Where it applies to garages it is to protect the number of parking spaces etc. with the property.


Therefore I suggest you check your own deeds for clarification. If these are not available telephone your local Council office because they will know.

If PP was necessary and obtained I am surprised that your Council did not write to you to see if you had any observations to make on the proposal.

2. Building Regulations - would have been needed. Therefore again contact your Council - do this as soon as possible because I believe they won't be interested if the work is over 6 months old.

3. If you were using power tools/repairing the car/making excessive noise in the middle of the night or for hours and hours you may be guilty of causing a noise nuisance to your neighbour but this has nothing to do with the conversion as the noise would be heard everywhere in their home.

If you find out the answers from your Council you will be better equiped to decide what you should do. For what it is worth I would not insulate my garage, based on the information provided I do not think that he has BR and/or PP which are actually in place to protect people.

Hope this helps

DRP

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

See above........

A proper conversion with insulation and cavity wall compared to a bodge would be the difference between a hell of a lot of noise and cold (and breaching building regs on fire safety?).

If the neighbour hasn't done it properly they have no cause for complaint about normal garage use at reasonable times of day.

edit see the post by clingingtothewreckage above.

TBagpuss

While I have a lot of sympathy for the O{P and agree that the neighbours are being unreasonable, I do not think that their lack of foresight in converting the room, or he issue as to whether or not they complied with proper planning ad building regs would actually make any difference if they were to make a complaint about noise nuisance - so I think he other issue to consider is whether the level of noise, and the times at which it happens, are such that t would be considered to be a nuisance.

I suspect the answer is probably not (I'm assuming that OP is not getting up at 3a.m. to use heavy power tools, or anything of that kind.)

I would start with a polite conversation with the neighbours, explain that you have not changed the way in which you use your garage. You could ask them what sound insulation they installed, and even express surprise that the planners did not insist on more effective insulation.

Depending on the size of your garage, and your willingness to do so, you could also tell them that you would have no objections to additional soundproofing being installed on your side, at their expense, and suggest that they consider adding additional soundproofing on their side.