Neighbour making noise to stop us using garden - what level is unacceptable?

silvercar

Really having a conversation is the way to go.

I thought that we had never done anything to upset our neighbours until they put a note through our door asking if we could switch off our solar lights one evening as it was a clear night and their daughter wanted to watch the stars. Had never even thought that we had done anything that could upset them, particularly as they also have solar lights.
A polite reply that they should tell us whenever they want them switched off and good relations re established. Apparently they thought that them switching their own lights off and internet buzz about viewing the sky on clear nights should have been enough to trigger us to do likewise. Had to explain that we don’t follow night sky news and were completely unaware.

Jeepers_Creepers

GDB2222 said:

The OP could bring a civil case under the act, in theory, but it’s a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Besides that, he may want to sell his home one day, and any dispute would have to be declared. Far better to try, at least, to sort this out in a friendly way.

Of course. And at the moment the OP doesn't even know what's going on - whether it's inconsiderate behaviour or deliberate.

For the latter, what would you suggest they do? Ignore it in case they need to declare it come sale time? Surely they are obliged to be honest in any event - "Any issues with your neighbours?".

WeAreGhosts

I have the exact same problem as the OP. My neighbours have their music on when they realise I'm in the garden (they can't see me, so it's a case of, I make a noise like moving a pot and the music goes straight on), and they know it irritates us. I tried fighting fire with fire (as being nice did not work), and they just turn theirs up to drown mine out. We have an ongoing dispute anyway, police involved, told the police they were harassing us with this music. Police just shrugged their shoulders and said everyone is allowed to enjoy their gardens. They just don't get that it's a deliberate act to stop me from being in the garden. Even though I have a diary spanning three years, they still won't do anything about the harassment.
So, OP, if you find anything that works, let me know!

casper_gutman

Trying to see things from the neighbours' point of view, is it possible that they aren't trying to drive you away but just knowing you're in earshot makes them feel self-conscious and awkward about talking in their own garden?

It seems just about possible that they could be putting music on for privacy, in the same way that background music in restaurants can help avoid feeling like the people on the next table are listening in on your every word. 

It's also possible that they are malicious and horrible people, but I think it's worth approaching at least a first conversation with them on the basis that they are being thoughtless and not malevolent.

lookstraightahead

Can I ask whether they maybe perceive you to be making the noise? 

We were horrified when my neighbour laughingly told me she could hear every conversation my husband had on his mobile when he took calls in the garden. Must have really irritated her as he does speak exceptionally loudly. My friends neighbour has kids bouncing on their trampolines all day squealing.

GDB2222

Oh, we like the sound of kids playing. Our kids are all grown up, and we only have one grandchild, who is a bit young for trampolining. So, if your friends neighbour could send over the kids, we’re happy to provide a trampoline. 

lookstraightahead

GDB2222 said:

Oh, we like the sound of kids playing. Our kids are all grown up, and we only have one grandchild, who is a bit young for trampolining. So, if your friends neighbour could send over the kids, we’re happy to provide a trampoline. 

Me too - but I think as neighbours we sometimes don't know how our neighbours are finding our noises.
we all have to live normally without tiptoeing around so maybe the op is unaware of what noises they might be presenting. 

I have fab neighbours and a garden full of their toys that they keep posting through holes in the fence 😂😂

silvercar

GDB2222 said:

Oh, we like the sound of kids playing. Our kids are all grown up, and we only have one grandchild, who is a bit young for trampolining. So, if your friends neighbour could send over the kids, we’re happy to provide a trampoline. 

Congratulations!

Supersonos

WeAreGhosts said:

I have the exact same problem as the OP. My neighbours have their music on when they realise I'm in the garden (they can't see me, so it's a case of, I make a noise like moving a pot and the music goes straight on), and they know it irritates us. I tried fighting fire with fire (as being nice did not work), and they just turn theirs up to drown mine out. We have an ongoing dispute anyway, police involved, told the police they were harassing us with this music. Police just shrugged their shoulders and said everyone is allowed to enjoy their gardens. They just don't get that it's a deliberate act to stop me from being in the garden. Even though I have a diary spanning three years, they still won't do anything about the harassment.
So, OP, if you find anything that works, let me know!

This is very interesting as it sounds exactly the same as my situation, except I haven't confronted them.  It's literally within seconds of me making a noise that the music goes on.  So they obviously don't really want the music on, they just do it to annoy.

The last week,  with this amazing weather, we've wanted to sit in the garden but it's either been music or,  even worse, football.  It sounds like they've literally dragged their TV into the garden.

Interesting the know about the diary.  We have some other neighbours who have built an "illegal" extension.  Council told, council have done nothing.  So I expect the same will be said for the noise.

Maybe it's time to start playing them at their own game.  Someone suggested a radio on a timer whilst I'm not home.  That might be the answer but I reckon they'll just turn up their music...

Maybe I'll start mowing the lawn at 7am.

WeAreGhosts

I'm beginning to find that I'm creeping around my own garden quite a lot, which is getting a bit tedious. 

Yes, they'll probably just turn theirs up if you put a radio on. However, their other neighbours (if there are any?) might get a bit annoyed with them, which could only help your case.

Have you tried being the first to put some music on? I've done that a few times and I can tell by the grumbling and whinging that it doesn't go down well. I'm hoping it'll make them realise that listening to other people's music gets annoying after a while and so they'll not put theirs on to stop me from interrupting their conversation with a bit of Tchaikovsky!