Excessive out of hours building noise

MrsKD

We have new neighbours next door, (in a semi) who told us they were building an extension but didn’t then tell us they were completely gutting the rest of the house and refurbishing it. They’ve worked way over the 8am - 6pm guidelines and the noise has been horrendous, we have politely complained out of hours a couple
of times which hasn’t gone down well! We think that they’re within the size limits for not needing full planning permission but we’re not sure if they would have needed it for the reconfiguration that they’ve done inside? They’re also now building a tall structure in the back garden which we weren’t informed about and is likely to take some of our light. I’m going to seek advice from our local Council, but they haven’t been very helpful so far! I’m also wary of making anything formal if they are within what they are allowed to do. Is anyone able to advise what they should have done? Many thanks in advance. 

twopenny

Are they using builders or doing it themselves? The times are different.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/noise-nuisance-and-neighbours

If they are doing it themselves I believe, though can't find the details, that it's 8am-7pm and they stuck to that like glue. One family member took over from another like a tag team so no respite. Noise nusiance seems to be 7am - 11pm and the same at weekends.

I had this for 7mts in a semi every day and it affected my health because during winter there is not going out to get away from it and you can't keep being out of your home even in summer.

I sold my house and moved and the people who bought it have been building for 2.5yrs so Karma.

MrsKD

Thank you! The owner is doing it but also bringing in others, who he’s definitely paying,  so it’s a bit of a mixture. 

twopenny

That's much the same as I had. The professionals worked standard hours then family took over.
The problem with a semi is that the noise comes through both the walls and chimney breast.
I tried recording the noise at its worst but although it registered way over the limit on the phone screen the recording didn't reflect the sound in any way so if you do this you need to get someone with professional recording.
I was slightly helped by a friend who had someone digging out a basement beside her house after a loft conversion and could not reason with them.
I'll be interested to see what others say.

J_B

Have you considered whether you and they need a 'party wall agreement'?

MrsKD

Thanks for your replies. I think the extent of the work they have ended up doing may well require a Party Wall Agreement so I will get on to that tomorrow. I think we’ve been most frustrated by the lack of information about what they were doing and then total lack of consideration about the fact that we’re living here. It’s been 4 months now and still ongoing, so we’ve been considering selling up too! 

MrsKD

@twopenny I’m sorry to hear about your bad experience, I hope you’re much happier in your new home

twopenny

Yes, the complete opposite thanks, quiet and peaceful but I made sure it was a linked property via garage

I don't regret a thing about moving.

I agree it was the total lack of communication even though initially I'd been nice to them. Culminated with waking at 7.30 with the sound of someone on the roof. If they had told me there would have had to be agreement on the state of my roof etc.

Hope you can come to some agreement with them even if you have to be the bad guy to start with.