Noisy neighbour

ndi149

Need advice as I am literally at my wits end.

I moved in mid terrace house four months ago an was in the spare room for a couple of month while the main was being decorated.

Since moving into the main room, I've been woken up numerous times between 2am and 5am by the lady to the left shouting at her young daughter, I think she's about two. Funnily the most repeated sentences are "shut up Freya" or "stop moaning Freya" followed by some expletive. I hasten to add you can barely hear Freya until her mum is screaming at her.

I have left two letters, the first one, was along the lines of, you're probably not aware of how thin are walls are, but I can hear everything you are saying. The second was saying for the adult female to please be respectful and if this noise did continue I would have no choice but report it.

I called Bromley council noise pollution just to see if I could get some guidance on what action I should take, but was told by the receptionist that noise like that isn't something they usually deal with and is actually more the along the lines of child wealth fare and perhaps I should report it as that.

I don't know what to do as I don't want to get someone into trouble for stuff which would lead to issues with her child, but my life is being made a misery!

I did ask about the neighbours when I was buying the house, and vendor couldn't speak highly enough about neighbours on the right, but said they didn't know much about the other neighbour and that she'd only recently moved in!

ognum

Have you considered just going round and having a chat about it, talking usually works.

DCFC79

Have a chat with them first and if that doesn't work then maybe have a word with the local pcso.

Davesnave

Be aware that if you take this to a level where it is logged by the council, you will have to declare the problem if you decide to move, which might put potential buyers off.

Unfortunately, many parents do shout oaths at their young children. Mostly, the authorities are unable/unwilling to involve themselves in matters like that. However, if you suspect higher level mental or physical abuse, then the welfare of the child is paramount and social services should be alerted, anonymously if you wish, but a letter creating a paper trail is better.

Speaking to the parent,as suggested above ought to have been your first response, but it's not too late. Just point out that their actions wake you. Don't threaten.

In the final analysis, if there is no cruelty issue and no other noise, you are unlikely to get effective help from elsewhere. You might then need to consider sleeping in the room you first occupied, and/or make long term plans to move.

m0bov

Start keeping a diary, use a smartphone for digicam to video and record the sound. Then hit them with 101, chilcare and envirohealth. You can also go round and bang on the window each time.

ndi149

Thanks for the replies, if I'm honest she sounds extremely agreesive, and in speaking to the neighbour on the right, during summer it was especially bad in that others could hear because the windows were open. I think she mentioned someone tried to have word then, but their head was bitten off. Neighbour said she wondered if that was why the previous people had moved.

I understand about parents shouting at children, but is it really normal behaviour to be doing that between the hours of 2am and 5am?

I will start keeping a log of it now and I need to get a better recorder as the phone recordings aren't great.

My issue isn't about the declaring on selling later, but the property is rented, surely the council/private landlord has guidelines on how a tenant should conduct themselves between certain hours of the day?

MacMickster

If you really don't have the nerve to even speak to your neighbour, then surely the easiest answer is to sleep in the other bedroom again.

ndi149

it's not about having a nerve, it's about not trying to make a situation which is bad, volatile. Clearly you are not appreciating the situation, but thanks for your advice.

catoutthebag

Invite her and Freya round for a cuppa. Quick visual check to see I'd she's bruised. Sounds like mum has parenting issues.

m0bov

Each time it happens dial 101.

catoutthebag

Hate when you have to put up with feral - types, as mum sounds.