Problem neighbour

DFlights

Hi all, I need some advice on how to move forwards with this issue.

I work from home and live with my partner, who has a regular job. My studio is the smallest bedroom at the back of the terraced house, which we rent privately.

For months now, my neighbour has been sitting in her garden during the day for hours at a time, playing pop music on her phone. As this drifts into my work room, it disturbs me and can even be heard through the window if I close it (double glazed window). This isn't just the odd day she does this, it's every single day unless the weather's bad.
I've also been unable to sit out in my garden because of the music, as it's really unpleasant. I get that occasionally, people will have parties and bbqs and I accept that I will have some noise from a terraced house, but this is every day, from around 10am - 11am onwards, until she feels like going indoors. Sometimes she's out there for hours, sometimes I'm lucky and it's minutes.

I tried to talk to her today about it but I think she just doesn't care; I asked if she had headphones/earbuds for her phone; she said no. I offered her my unused, new ones (which came with my phone but which I've never used, because I don't listen to music on my phone).
I also explained that I work in the back bedroom and that the music is disturbing me and interrupting my work. All I got was a shrug from her, which was a bit rude. I ended up just walking back inside.
I don't want to have to keep my windows closed in hot weather, and I don't want to always have to wear either earplugs or my own headphones to block out the music, and the polite approach hasn't worked.
I don't know of the local Environmental Health will consider it enough of a nuisance, as it isn't very loud (though I can hear it through my double glazed, shut window) and isn't on at an unsociable hour.
But I haven't been able to sit in my garden for months, or have an uninterrupted day of work, either. And I can't move all my work items elsewhere in the house as there isn't room to set up a studio at the front of the house (lots of sculpting materials, oil paints, thinners - hence why I should really be leaving the window open).
From today, I've started a noise diary, but what else can I do? We rent privately too, so contacting their landlord might mean some form of retaliation in kind.

glasgowdan

Move is your only option

Davesnave

Unless it is at antisocial hours or at a volume considerably higher than that of a phone, I can't see you getting anywhere with this.

Many people listen to music on mobile devices, and have done since the 1960s, so its an established pastime, like mowing the lawn, cutting hedges and using other power tools, all of which can be very noisy. It's just stuff people do in their gardens. Put a few gardens together in a town situation and there's a good chance someone will be doing one of those activities on any given dry and warm afternoon. At weekends and in the evenings, add a few rowdy barbecues to the mix.

It rather sounds as if the the type music offends your sensibilities, in which case why not provide some of your own, or one of those relaxation soundtracks, to mask it?

One of the perils of working from home is that an uncontrolled environment exists beyond your four walls. If you need stllness, then you may have to move, but even in the countryside there can be noise. In a few moments I'm going out to brush-cut the orchard in this very rural spot, which means a couple of hours of very loud rasping noises for my immediate neighbour, who'd probably welcome even One Direction as an alternative!

KiKi

I agree that there's little you can do about it (although really, you may as well contact the landlord just in case they're prepared to do anything).

However, I just wanted to say that I completely sympathise. Some people don't seem to appreciate that playing music outside means that everyone can hear it - not just them. I almost always have my French doors open in my lounge, so I'm really careful to make sure that my TV isn't loud enough that it can be heard outside. And I wouldn't dream of playing music outside unless it was a one-off BBQ or something.

So sorry you have to put up with it - you may as well complain to the landlord, as it seems you may have to move if it doesn't stop anyway!

moneyistooshorttomention

I'm just surprised the neighbour finds the time to spend so long "just sitting" in their garden. Are they young enough that, hopefully, they will get a job/social life or both soon?

melanzana

I really can't understand the selfishness of people who play loud music outside.

OK for a one or two off on Summer weekend, but all day every day?

Anyway, sorry in advance, sorry again, sorry, but if I had tried every avenue to resolve the situation, I would be VERY tempted to get a boombox (would have to borrow one from somewhere!) and place it strategically at its loudest volume for a while.

Then shut it off. Then start it again, and on and on.

The reason I would do this is I think OP is working during the day from home. Appears everyone else is out working too apart from the music lover next door so who, apart from the selfish music lover would be affected?

Fire with fire sometimes!

And you can be sure that music lover will complain about the noise.

Then just shrug yer shoulders and go indoors.

I'm in a mood today. I know this kind of thing doesn't really help, but sometimes the satisfaction is good.

Other than that I would move as others have said, and god help the next tenant.

Marvel1

Plug in sme ear buds to drown out the music?

Rosemary7391

I can appreciate not wanting to wear headphones all the time, but if it isn't too noisy maybe you can just use your own speakers. I find that a quiet radio near me doesn't fully mask the sound of my neighbour's TV, but it gives me something else to focus on so it doesn't bother me. As it's daytime you could have it louder than I do at night. If that works you should be able to open the windows and co exist reasonably well.

fishpond

Get in touch with the local council, who will send a letter to the offender.
If that doesn't have the desired effect, then either take it further, or get some earplugs.
I feel your pain.

DRP

You can't expect quiet in a residential environment.


Maybe you could hire an office or some other workspace?

Would probably be cheaper to buy some headphones though.

martinthebandit

DFlights wrote: »

........ and I don't want to always have to wear either earplugs or my own headphones.

Yet you wanted your neighbour to?