Noisey neighbour hell...

Fishy003

Hi,
I've lived in the same house for 30 years broke my back getting it nice but my neighbours are council who have turned into drug taking vampires who fight and argue constantly. Last year it turned into party time on Thursdays usually at midnight till 7 am so I got the council involved as I hoped they would resolve it sharply. To be fair it stopped the music instantly but now although they are not as bad the walls are insanely thin so listening to people talk about their next fix or who they are gonna fight next is not something I enjoy listening to after work or from midnight till 7 am again.

So I hate my own home I can't enjoy it as I'm scared of the conflict and I'm on edge constantly when inside it. They are pretty violent characters and I've been the can you please keep the noise down route before I involved the council. I'm basically stuck if I push things further it will probably end with violence towards me or my family.

How do I sell it now? I had no intention of giving up but I can't live like this anymore. I drive for a living and some nights I'm lucky if I get 3 hours sleep as they slam doors, shout, argue, slam cupboards etc. They also let their dog out at 3 am which barks constantly all night just to add that on top.

The council aren't really interested any more as they've said a judge wouldn't evict them based on the evidence I've provided but it's very hard to record a sudden burst of drug fueled screaming 4am in the morning. I'm the only connecting neighbour so it is just me Vs them.

I've heard you've got to declare disputes with neighbours when you sell. How do I sell? I've thought of just putting everything in storage or even renting a second home at massive cost just to get out. What I'm scared of is I'll probably lose 20k on the house because of them then the cost of having to prepare to move in a hurry.

Please help don't know what to do.

Fishy003

I might try and soundproof the connecting wall but is that worth doing if I'm going to sell?

lillypoo

fishy i have no good advice but must say how i really feel for you
have been living the same hell for 20 years and i know how it affects your mental health and wellbeing. 

im really sorry youre suffering

comeandgo

Would you be able to change your house around,  make the room furthest from the noise a bedroom?  Are you able to use ear plugs or head phones to help sleep? 

Lespaul1960

How about marketing the house as a buy to let opportunity ?  The new owner wont care about next door because he or she would not be living there.  Sorry thats about all I can think of right now, but you have my deepest sympathy. Good Luck for the future..

tacpot12

You could look at installing soundproofing between the house, this will stop much of the noise, and wearing earplugs at night will solve the rest. You should get one of these Ei174 Vibrating Pillow Pad - Aico so that you will not sleep through a smoke alarm going off. 

You could buy some noise activated recording equipment to record the dog barking, and other noises. This would be cheaper than moving out and should give you better evidence for the courts.

You might also ask whether the council wants to buy your house from you. You can offer them a discount because you won't need to use an estate agent, but definitely don't offer them a discount for the noisy neighbours!

Snuggles

tacpot12 said:

You could look at installing soundproofing between the house, this will stop much of the noise, and wearing earplugs at night will solve the rest. You should get one of these Ei174 Vibrating Pillow Pad - Aico so that you will not sleep through a smoke alarm going off. 

I always wear earplugs to sleep. There is absolutely no way, even with earplugs, that I would sleep through the smoke alarm going off, and I'd be amazed if anyone would!! 

RelievedSheff

You have my sympathy. We put up with noisy neighbours for 12 years in our last house before we moved. Moving was the best thing we ever did.

Sound proofing will be expensive and unlikely to work to any great level. You will still get noise from next door.

There are forms to fill out when you sell the house that you must answer honestly,  so you will have to declare the noise dispute. 

Market the property at a sensible price to account for the dispute and you will sell it.

NameUnavailable

If you want to consider renting your house out speak to the council - they may rent (or might even want to buy) it from you.

Tippytoes

Really, really feel for you.  I had neighbours from hell living the other side of the wall for too long.  I look back at how many years of my life were effectively "lost" because of these cretins.  Police/Council will buck pass one to the other resulting in little, if anything, being done to help you.  Sell as fast as you can, by whatever method you can.  

knightstyle

I am sorry to say you will never be happy in the house.  We had a similar situation and last week completed on the sale of our house at a loss after buying in 2006. 
So see how much you can sell for and move, even if it is to a smaller, cheaper house where you will be happy.  Don't be fooled by estate agents saying they can get a high price, be realistic and sell soon.