What time do you have to stop drilling?
Posted by stay_kind91@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 202 comments
I'm not a karen by a long shot BUT my neighbours keep drilling at 10pm. I have a toddler so go to bed at 9. But overnight I'm being woken at 10.15 with them drilling. They have moved there 3 months ago. And my old neighbours were so lovely. I wouldn't hoover past 7pm or let me toodler go in the garden till 8am to have respect for the neighbours but these people just don't care. I asked them 3 weeks ago " could they stop drilling for the night" as it was 10.45 and they woke my 2 year old up. I was kind about it and they said oh sorry we didn't realise it was so loud. I don't like falling out with people but how I do I go about it. Just sleep with headphones on and then put some subs on when my 2 year old wakes up at 5am š¤£š¤£
Fickle_Hope2574@reddit
Legally 10pm Monday to Friday, 8pm on a weekend. I only know as I was getting some work done and the neighbour complained at 6pm
real_Mini_geek@reddit
8PM
Your neighbours are aresholes youāre not a Karen
Ayyyyylmaos@reddit
You donāt have to stop drilling at 8pm. Itās just nice to do so.
real_Mini_geek@reddit
Youāre a Karen arenāt you!
BitterOtter@reddit
8 pm is not any kind of rule though, so stopping at 8 is being considerate and a good neighbour, but they could make noise until 11 pm and there's not a great deal you can do about it
ill_never_GET_REAL@reddit
11pm isn't a hard cut-off. You can still make nuisance noise before 11pm.
BitterOtter@reddit
11pm is considered the start of 'night' time by legislation on noise so it absolutely is a hard cutoff. Your comment makes no sense, as I stated the supposed cutoff forakong noise is 11pm. The point is you can make noise until that time without generally falling foul of any laws, but good luck getting any recourse when people make noise after that time as it is a civil matter so the police won't be interested and councils have made many cutback to services including noise teams and environmental health in general. At best you will have to keep a diary of the nuisance noise and present them with it before there is even a chance of them doing anything.
ill_never_GET_REAL@reddit
Right, getting it enforced might be one thing, but noise nuisance can be caused at any time. 11pm is only a "hard cut-off" for night time with regard to the Noise Act, but that just creates stricter conditions for noise after that time.
real_Mini_geek@reddit
Itās not like they asked in a legal sub
Ayyyyylmaos@reddit
No, Iām just answering the post lmao
setokaiba22@reddit
If I was going to be drilling on an evening more than a one off Iād probably nip around to the neighbours especially if I knew they had a young kid just to give a heads up.
I totally understand people work different jobs and hours. I do not work a basic 9-5 so sometimes do end up doing things late on but so do my neighbours so it works.
But I think itās the same as if you are having a party, just polite to say look Iām having hit of a party and it will go onto the early hours, will try to keep it down obviously but just a heads up really sorry if it causes any issues itās a one off
Spank86@reddit
My neighbour WhatsApps me. I'm normally telling him to drill until 1am Saturday night as I'll be hungover Sunday!
po2gdHaeKaYk@reddit
I do a lot of DIY work (with a toddler).
I end it at 9pm.
For what it's worth, if you have a toddler, you get home at 6pm. 6-7pm dinner. 7-8pm bath and bed. This gives me exactly one hour to do any work on the house.
real_Mini_geek@reddit
Your poor time management isnāt an excuse
po2gdHaeKaYk@reddit
What do you mean by poor time management?
badger906@reddit
While not trying to be an ahole to neighbours. I donāt get home from work till 7:45. I leave at 7. I also often work 6-7 days a week. If I go by your rule, my only options is to pay someone to do my work for me, that Iām perfectly capable of doing.. people do diy to save money.
hafilm66689@reddit
Bullshit. You can legally let off as many fireworks as you want till 10pm.
real_Mini_geek@reddit
Wasnāt as legal at no point did op as the legal time you have to stop
PapaKilo84@reddit
So this is just an arbitrary time that you made up then? OPās question is - What time do you HAVE TO stop drilling?
If you donāt think that question relates to legality, then Iām not sure what to say to you
woog123@reddit
When the toddler wakes up early and they've kept you up all night, it's time to return the favour. Set up a stereo by the boundary wall and put on some lovely morning DNB
denjin@reddit
Technically 11pm to 7am is considered nuisance noise times but it's a real dick move to be doing it to your new neighbours especially if you have a toddler.Ā
NotCrazySteve@reddit
Very technically. Itās ASB as much as nuisance, where the bar for initial intervention is lower. Speak with your Councilās Environmental Health team (Itās my day job) who should be able to nip this one in the bud.
You have to weigh up future relations with your neighbours though. If theyāre the type of person who is okay doing what theyāre doing, knowing you have a small child, they may become hellish neighbours if you get the Council involved.
Responsible-Duck-910@reddit
Can I do the same for a neighbour who sings as stupid hours of the night?
NotCrazySteve@reddit
Yes, all noise is treated the same. If it keeps you awake or prevents sleep on a regular basis, it may constitute a nuisance. Certainly ASB as itās pretty obvious that singing at night is going to keep your neighbours awake. My neighbour does it every now and then but he has MH problems and we get on really well. Itās all about āgive and takeā. If Iām sharing a wall with someone then I have to expect noise every now and then.
nolinearbanana@reddit
Noting it devalues the OP's property
Master-Quit-5469@reddit
Our neighbours of 4 years did it when we had a newborn. 10pm, hammering and drilling.
I went over one night and told them to kindly shut the f up. And their response was āwe work during the day so itās the only time we are going to get it doneā. Obviously weekends donāt exist for these 9-5ersā¦
Still annoys me nowā¦
platebandit@reddit
Having previously had it out with the council over noise, technically nuisance noise can come at any time. 11pm to 7am is the hard limit where itās much easier for them to prove it and outside of that is more subjective.
From a person who did not get on with their neighbour who used to call the council on me for listening to music in my garden in the day.
V65Pilot@reddit
Worth noting that while the nuisance times are correct, as long as it's not commercial work, they can do it any time, but it is kinda dickish to be doing it that late. Personally. I'd just have a friendly chat with them, sometimes it works wonders.
Pedantichrist@reddit
It depends.
Ignoring the law (2300), if you are doing a spot of DIY or post off an extensive renovation, anything after dark is shit.
If you are desperately trying to get the house dig proof for the puppy arriving tomorrow? Iāll tolerate you doing it all night to get it done.
Generally life can be better if everyone is reasonable.
But for this specific case? They are pricks but you cannot do anything about it.
angvickeen@reddit
My local council said that noisy DIY was limited to 6pm weekdays and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays. None at all Sundays. We had neighbours complain when we had our drive done. No one approached us to complain and we didnāt know about the Sunday rule. We were trying to be considerate on the Saturday by starting after 9am and never did any noisy work ever after 5pm on a weekday.
PKblaze@reddit
Depends on who my neighbours are. If they didn't have kids, I'd say up till like 9. If I liked them, maybe a little earlier or not in the mornings on the weekend. If I dislike my neighbours like I do now, any time is good considering they have the same approach.
Piss-Flaps220@reddit
I do lots of loud diy work at home involving drilling/grinding etc and I never do it after 9 and I try not to do it after 8
ItsDominare@reddit
You need to go back over there, explain that you have a small child and go to bed by 9pm and ask if they mind making sure they're not using power tools after that time.
You need to make sure you frame this conversation as above rather than you did last time which was just "can you stop for the night tonight?" which was very much a one-off request.
Siloca@reddit
When itās hammer time
ClimbsNFlysThings@reddit
Sudden drilling syndrome
GromitWallace@reddit
How'd you know he's using an SDS? š
ClimbsNFlysThings@reddit
Because it's hammer time!
GromitWallace@reddit
Bravo š
PapaKilo84@reddit
ššš
Head_Hacker@reddit
STOP!
neilmac1210@reddit
Collaborate and listen
grumpymcgrumpface@reddit
We are checking
Zestyclose-Wind-4827@reddit
https://youtube.com/shorts/QK1XpvLgHqQ?si=BZoOhlFdrlsXYdCb
Glittering-Sink9930@reddit
Letting a toddler roam around the garden at 8am is equally as inconsiderate as drilling at 10pm.
stay_kind91@reddit (OP)
Sorry? I live next to a school that starts at 8am, seeing as there is about 100 children outside mine at that time i think it's acceptable.
Glittering-Sink9930@reddit
It's very antisocial.
throwaway_t6788@reddit
wtf r they doing that cant be done during day or early evenings?? why must they do it at taht hour. would drive me nuts if i was sleeping
Mail-Malone@reddit
I wouldnāt worry too much, theyāve recently moved in and there is only so many shelves, units etc that need putting up. Itāll stop soon enough and not worth falling out over.
OpenBuddy2634@reddit
You say this, I used to have a neighbour that would do these things every single weekend and we had no idea how the fuck they still had DIY to do.
Responsible_Care4894@reddit
Yep, same with mine. Every few months, they seem to have a huge construction project with builders coming and going. Not sure how their house is still standing! Its only a small flat as well
durkbot@reddit
Convinced my neighbour's walls are just riddled with holes at this point, the amount they use the drill
MillsOnWheels7@reddit
Some people are mad about DIY and do their house on a rotation.
When one room finishes they'll move onto the next.
They'll probably have a week or 2 off then start all over again because they don't like something, or that grey farrow and ball and the glass shelves are out of fashion. So they NEED to change it, but now the other rooms don't go in with the front room and they all need redoing and then they get all those done over the course of 6 - 8 weeks.
They have a week off to live in it and admire it.
They realise they fucking hate greige and real wood shelves with a living edge so now they need to start all over again and paint it swans wing white and install some high gloss shelves...
Rinse and repeat for eternity.
Krags@reddit
Repainting everything from military grey, to ocean grey, then back to military grey
BL_ShockPuppet@reddit
That's the dowdy old military grey bit there.
Or is it the other way around?
chasimm3@reddit
You don't know that, they might be hobby drillers, just drilling holes into planks all the live long day.
PixxelGirly@reddit
That sounds so stressful, especially with a little one š£ honestly, 10pm drilling is way too late, most places expect noise to stop by like 7 or 8pm max. youāre being super reasonable asking nicely already. maybe try politely reminding them again, or if it keeps happening, check if your local council has noise rules for evenings? in the meantime, white noise or headphones might help but you totally deserve some proper peace at night! hang in there š
SingerFirm1090@reddit
There are probably local by-laws on the matter (aside from national 'nuisance' rules), contact your local council.
BemaJinn@reddit
Unfortunately up to 11pm, and from 7am.
Try having a gentle word with them.
Vikkio92@reddit
Based on..?
tscalbas@reddit
Downvoted for asking a legitimate question. Reddit moment
Vikkio92@reddit
Yeah this happens all the time, especially in UK subs. UK redditors are nasty.
V65Pilot@reddit
No,.....really?
Vikkio92@reddit
Not sure what you mean?
V65Pilot@reddit
I was being facetious. Depending on the sub, some UK Redditors can be cuttingly cruel. I find it cute, but, after 3 wives, my skin is rhino thick.
Vikkio92@reddit
Ah itās not like Iām offended or anything, I just feel a bit sad for them. Obviously they are very unhappy and bitter about life and need to vent their frustrations on random strangers on the internet.
Throwythrow360@reddit
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/noise-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints
SnooRegrets8068@reddit
Night hours - Noise Act 1996 11 PM to 7 AM. More of a these are the quiet times rather than when you can be loud.
Trades usually seem to start at 8am
InfaSyn@reddit
Thatās the noise cutoff in a lot of areas. No legal grounds for a noise complaint before that time really
cuppachuppa@reddit
We had noisy neighbours (dogs barking) and ended up in mediation with them. I made the comment about illegal to make excessive noise 11pm-7am and the mediator had a go at me asking if I was a lawyer and how that's not true.
So I'm no longer sure how true it is!
cysecste@reddit
Terrible take from the mediator. Do they just ignore all laws on their daily life due to them not being a lawyer?!
cuppachuppa@reddit
I did say that I don't have to be a lawyer to have an understanding of the law and she had a go at me again. A few minutes after this we shut down the mediation and left!
To complete the story, thankfully our neighbour put their house on the market a few weeks later and has now moved away.
ScaryButt@reddit
Yes it was just because you're a man and the mean women all grouped up on you š
caffeine_lights@reddit
I don't think there is a specific law in the UK mentioning times, but it's probably a rule of thumb kind of thing.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/noise-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints
Sounds like it's subjective whether or not it's considered a "nuisance". I expect 11pm would be, though.
Comfortable-mouse05@reddit
Need more than a gentle word
FinalEdit@reddit
That 11pm rule is kind of a myth. A statutory noise nuisance can apply at any time of the day especially if it's non-essential works (for instance they're not repairing the gas lines in an emergency). Ongoing building works beyond the permitted noise level is most definitely a nuisance
N4t3ski@reddit
This is always a tricky dance of etiquette, especially as some people work the hours most would accept construction noise.
People are allowed to improve their homes, even if it's slightly disruptive to you. Your schedule doesn't dictate their schedule.
stay_kind91@reddit (OP)
What would you do. Just lay there at 11pm 12 1am? And think we'll my schedule shouldn't dilated their schedule? And you would be happy with it?
setokaiba22@reddit
1am is taking the piss. As is 11pm. Nip round and just say itās 11pm and you have a kid. Can they stop please
N4t3ski@reddit
I'd be up at that time, to be honest and it wouldnt bother me. I always have to put up with people drilling at time that are normal, but for me I'm trying to sleep still. So I feel your pain, but simply endure it.
I frequently switch to a quieter job at those times out of courtesy, usually painting, and leave the drills and hammers for the morning.
stay_kind91@reddit (OP)
I completely understand that. And i have never been a type to moan at people. My other neighbours smoke weed and it blows in my house but I wouldn't even think to knock and moan about it. But again normal people are more respectful then others. Like I always tell my toddler to not shout because he will wake people up. And if I start work early I make sure I shut my car door as quietly as I can to not wake people. But he is always in the garden during the day so I don't understand why it can't be done then. It is near enough every night recently. I understood the first month they moved in but it's is bugging me now. Sorry for the ramble š¤£
ClimbsNFlysThings@reddit
Go talk to them. It may be that they don't t have a great deal of time and they have to get stuff done.
At least ask, what more they have to get done so you know there is an end in sight. They may not appreciate how it carries.
setokaiba22@reddit
Itās side itās Reddit. People donāt talk to people in real life it seems
613663141@reddit
I moved into a new build, so needless to say there was a lot of noisy work to do. The adjoining property is existing so we're not talking new-build estate where disruption for several years is the norm.
I try to do the work during the day or early evening. I might drill or hammer up to 9pm for very brief periods. After 9pm, any DIY is in stealth mode.
It's just common courtesy, creating conflict with neighbours is only going to hurt yourself.
Mavericks7@reddit
If you're drilling past 6pm. I'm having a word.
Sparko_Marco@reddit
The noise act defines night between 11pm and 7am so they legally can drill until 11pm without issue though if you have asked them not to because you have kids sleeping and they still do it then they are being arseholes.
Naughty-Stepper@reddit
Antisocial behaviour preventing quiet enjoyment can be any time of day. Log cause and effect, 14 days of start stop times and the council will likely act if thereās a pattern. (its the first thing they ask you do) Try speaking to them politely first and donāt threaten any action. Log that too.
stay_kind91@reddit (OP)
Yes I did read this on the coucil website š¤Ø which is beyond me as you couldn't pay me to hammer or drill or cut the grass past every 8pm! I would be so worried about pissing people off. Especially when most of us have work. I have spoke to them a few times and I know they work from home. And they say oh sorry we didn't realise how loud it was (,3 weeks ago). And then last night and weds night it was after 10pm it started. I haven't knocked over since. Get abit anxious over it
rustynoodle3891@reddit
I've almost cut the grass at 7 am before when I've been awake for hours and don't realise how early it still is. Luckily I checked the time before I went out. Although I'd say that's more acceptable than at night.
My last neighbours were noisy fuckers, I knocked to have a word one morning but they didn't answer unsurprisingly as they had music blaring until 4am. Stuck a letter through and they were quiet for a few weeks then it started again. Some people are just inconsiderate arseholes.
Cub3h@reddit
I could tell the weather just by whether the neighbour's music was thumping through the house. For whatever reason in a terraced row they thought they needed an outdoor radio with a massive bass that shook the entire place.
robster9090@reddit
They likely being new to the house need to get work down and are doing it after they get home , quite common
MapOfIllHealth@reddit
Time to start playing some annoying AF kids shows/music at like 5:30am then I reckon
Sausagedogknows@reddit
Might I suggest a repeating rendition of the Tweenies, Music Man, circa 2004.
https://youtu.be/s1Vve9ocbUA?feature=shared
If this doesnāt drive the neighbours nuts I donāt know what will.
Rough_Reveal5640@reddit
Nah......................... If you want it to work play Slayer on full bore during drilling moments and I'm convinced they'll get the message
violetgothdolls@reddit
Oh my god I had managed to blank that from my memory..there was a Christmas holiday where that was the only DVD my kids would watch!
Sausagedogknows@reddit
Ha ha me too. My kids would have this in every morning at 7am and theyād listen to it all day. Every. Single. Day.
Drove me nuts. Even now, 20 something years later I can still hear them. Iām sure itās PTSD.
Cemaes-@reddit
Then OP will be the one in the wrong. Quiet times are 11pm - 7am.
Frosty_Exit374@reddit
Baaaaaaaabyyyyyy shark do do do do do
mousecatcher4@reddit
Love that song!! Bring it on.
DottyBotty1@reddit
This
P2P-BSH@reddit
Reddit should really implement an upvote/downvote system for comments that are correct. Until then we can only write "this".
Volf_y@reddit
This
NapalmSword@reddit
I would avoid making noise like that much past 8pm. Thatās just my own arbitrary rule based on how annoyed I would be if it were the other way round.
CurvePuzzleheaded361@reddit
11pm is the cut off for louder noises
DougalR@reddit
I stop drilling when my girlfriend says sheās had enough.
OpenBuddy2634@reddit
so 5-10s?
callisstaa@reddit
Bro walked right into that one.
bowen7477@reddit
When the wife's fanny starts smoking, usually.
OpenBuddy2634@reddit
If its smoking it's either stressed or you've made her dry mate, not the flex you think it is.
bowen7477@reddit
Lol it's a joke. Wow lol.
lickmybrains@reddit
People saying that they have until 11pm are wrong. You can report a statutory nuisance from any time of the day. Report them to the noise abatement team at your council, they will tell them to stop. I was in the exact situation and after ignoring the first letter from the council they were threatened with prosecution.
The1non1y1@reddit
What if that's the only time they have to do it? Can't look at this just from your view.
stay_kind91@reddit (OP)
But I can because like 99% of comments agree it's inconsiderate. I start work at 4am sometimes, and I am soooo quiet. I Don't bang my front door i don't bang my car doors. Again If I had your thought process I would think " who gives a shit if I'm banging about at 4am as that's the time I have to start work" but i don't, i still think of others. I don't even dry my hair encase my hairdryer wakes the neighbours. (I do it at work) I had to put a staircase up, but by the time I finished work it was 7.30. I waited until the next day to do it. Didn't cross my mind to start drilling at 7.30pm!
terryjuicelawson@reddit
Drilling is bad as if you are adjacent to it, it sounds like it is drilling right into your own skull. Ignorant if they are "oh didn't realise" so just keep asking. I like to think they are new and have various jobs and this is the only time they can do it, but they need to work something out in normal daytime hours.
wknoxwalker@reddit
My personal rule is 7pm as that's my concept of bed/bath time for younger kids in most cultures. I do a lot of DIY in the garden and I try to stop power tools by 6 and tidied up by 7.
Aaronski75@reddit
10pm is taking the piss. I'm currently a year into doing a house renovation, anything loud needs to be done between 9-6 week days and Saturdays and 9.30-5.30 Sundays. These are my own imposed rules on what I think is acceptable, I'd be having a word if it was consistently later than that. One or two times is fine but its reoccurring we'd be having a chat
Saxon2060@reddit
I think it's a not on that you're doing loud stuff for 9 hours at the weekend at all, especially in the morning. But I live in a terraced house and don't have kids and really love lie ins. Those times in the morning on sat and sun would be waking me up. As a one off it would be fine but if it was for weeks and weeks or even months I'd be really upset and think you should be doing it in the week and weekend afternoons if you must. It's not even about wake up times and bed times it's just about the stress of loud noise every weekend in my own home when weekends are supposed to be relaxing.
It's good that you're being considerate with time and maybe I'm just a lazy bastard but I'd be kicking off after a couple of weekends.
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
Some people have naps, some people like lie ins, some people work nights... You cannot possibly accommodate absolutely everyone. Most people would have no issue with those times, your neighbour can't be expected to psychically know your specific sleep pattern and preferences (nor should they take twice as long to renovate because of your specific sleep pattern). "Kicking off" before even speaking to them is ridiculous. Even if you have spoken to them, you're not always the priority.
Saxon2060@reddit
To me "kicking off" is talking to them. I'm not an angry person. I e never shouted at anyone in my life. It's just a turn of phrase.
And fine, disregard the lie ins. 9 hours of noise at the weekend at any time of day is antisocial and inconsiderate.
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
"I'm not an angry person", proceeds to completely disprove that.
People are allowed to prioritise themselves in their own homes, during daytime, instead of their rude and entitled neighbour. Go outside.
Saxon2060@reddit
Asking you not to be noisy for 9 hours would be your neighbour prioritising themselves in their own home. The noise doesn't affect only you. Which you presumably understand since you said you tried to be reasonable by only doing noisy stuff all week and 9 hours each day at the weekend...
You seem really entitled (my renovation is more important than my neighbour's enjoyment of their own home at the weekend.) But presumably you think I'm entitled for thinking it's reasonable to want peace and quiet two days a week š¤·š¼
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
You've mixed up who you're responding to.
How's not being an angry person going for you?
You seem really entitled. My demand for perfect silence inside my house at day time is more important than my neighbour living in a safe and functional home.
You aren't the only person in the world. I can't be clearer. It's not that you want it two days a week. It's that you cannot comprehend that other people want it on the other five days - and you think your preference matters more than theirs.
If OP works Monday-Friday 9-5 (so is out 8-6) and you want silence all weekend and another neighbour has a toddler that sleeps 7pm-7am and naps 1pm-3pm, when should they renovate? Why do your demands take preference?
You're being unreasonable.
Saxon2060@reddit
Okay, makes no difference to my points
Fine, thanks.
Didn't say perfect silence. I had an issue with 9 hours of noise. If it's not constant for many hours that's fine.
The person doing the renovation isn't the only person in the world. It's on someone doing something disruptive to minimise their disruption, not the people being disrupted to tolerate too much of it. Yes, "too much", not "any at all." I think originals commenters hours are too many.
I stick by the fact that I would ask them not to do it weekend mornings if it was for more than a weekend or two. Maybe some think that's an unreasonable ask, I don't. Guess that's just a difference of opinion.
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
Honestly, you're making me feel lucky about my neighbours - and they're dicks.
You cannot honestly and truly believe that you get to go through life, living in society, in a terraced house no less, and everyone else has to make effort to not impose on you. If you find normal human behaviour at normal, sociable times too much to handle then you need to go away, not demand everyone else change. The person you kicked off at is doing something to minimise the disruption (only doing work at reasonable times) - they're not obliged to completely limit themselves to your personal preference. That's the difference.
Saxon2060@reddit
Nobody's demanding anything. What this comes down to is that I think original commenter's hours are unreasonable. You don't. Realistically I would negotiate with the neighbour and request that they weren't noisy weekend mornings. You guys would presumably say "no, it's my house, leave me alone."
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
You don't get to "negotiate", you have no bargaining power. It's not a negotiation in that case, it's a demand. And it's a demand that you've repeatedly said you're entitled to when you aren't. You can keep stepping back from what you've said to pretend you're a reasonable person but you've proven otherwise.
Honestly, I've bent over backwards to accommodate my difficult neighbours and what I've learnt is that some people like to complain. I've only had one neighbour that I've ever had issues with and it's a shame they won't finish their damn renovation and move. You're clearly one of those who think that the whole world should bend to your will but wouldn't inconvenience yourself for anyone else.
Don't live in a terraced property if you can't cope with other people.
Saxon2060@reddit
Your representation of what I said and the assumptions you're making about my manners are insane. It seems your negative experiences with past neighbours have made you really jaded.
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
I haven't misrepresented you or assumed anything. I've pointed out that you keep changing what you're saying every time I explain why it's unreasonable behaviour ("I'd kick off" "well, I wouldn't kick off, I'd just ask", "I wouldn't demand, I'd negotiate", "they shouldn't do it in the mornings", "it's not about the mornings, it's about all the time", "well, it's not about whether it's all the time, it's about who's responsible for being considerate"...
You said it's not a demand, it's a negotiation. You did that. I simply pointed out that it cannot be a negotiation when you don't have anything to negotiate with. That isn't what it is. If you' were asking them to do something - that would be a request. You're telling them to do something - that's a demand. Words mean what they mean.
I probably would laugh if someone knocked on my door and asked to "negotiate" with me about what I do in my own home that's none of their business. It's not what the word means - you're asking your neighbour for a favour, act like it instead of acting like an entitled brat. I'd laugh if my neighbour asked if they could "negotiate" the use of my flour if they asked to borrow some, I'd also laugh if my neighbour asked if they could "negotiate" the use of my drive if they wanted a visitor to park there. It's not a negotiation, they want something from me and are offering nothing in return.
Saxon2060@reddit
The only thing I'd modify is "kick off." More realistic would be "if the neighbour was making noise for prolonged periods for multiple weekends I would find that unreasonable and ask them to keep it down. you seem to take things extremely literally, which is presumably why you're so het up about the word "negotiation". You would laugh is someone asked you to negotiate about using flour? Well nobody would would they, you're reducing it to the absurd for the sake of pedantry and using odd examples.
I would ask a neighbour doing a lot of noisy work on multiple weekends to make less noise at the weekends, if your response in this hypothetical situtation would be "I can do what I want in my own house" or simply "no" then you are the uncompromising and difficult neighbour.
The funny thing is I've never had a problem with my neigbours. I've had loads of building work done on my house and both sides have had loads done on theirs over the years, and both have had more than one owner. And I've never fallen out with any of them because we've all been considerate. And when I've made a request of a neighbour they've never made it a point of principle about "doing what you want in your own house" and neither have I.
Compromise isn't "I think you're being unreasonable", "no I'm not, I've decided what's reasonable and I am being, I can do what I want."
tscalbas@reddit
If you reread u/Aaronski75 's comment, you'll notice they didn't actually say their house renovation involves 9 hours of solid noise on a Saturday. They merely listed a 9 hour window for any noisy activities.
What exactly are you assuming a house renovation consists of?
Saxon2060@reddit
Knocking down walls, gutting rooms, ripping out floors etc. if it was redecorating that's different but renovating isn't redecorating.
reeblebeeble@reddit
It's not about accommodating everyone it's about talking to your neighbours and accommodating them knowing that everyone needs time to rest. If you have a renovation that is taking months on end then it's completely reasonable for neighbours to request quiet days and not have noise 7 days a week for months on end.
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
I never said that neighbours are unreasonable for requesting it. I said it's unreasonable to not say anything and then "kick off" that a neighbour doesn't psychically know your personal preference.
In the comment replied to, there was plenty of time to rest. From 6pm on Friday night through to 9.30 on Saturday morning. The plentiful time given to rest wasn't the exact time that they wanted to rest so they said they'd "kick off". Ignorantly, as ever, failing to recognise that other people prefer to rest at different times and that their demand to "be doing it in the week and weekend afternoons" would piss off a different neighbour.
Imagine you're in a terraced house. You have a neighbour on one side who works nights (Thursday-Monday) and wants to sleep from 10am to 6pm, they have a young child who goes to bed at 7pm. On the other side, you have PP who is "kicking off" about anything done in the mornings on weekends. If the homeowner works Monday-Friday 9-5 then they can't do renovation at any time that doesn't disrupt one of their neighbours. That's obviously ridiculous.
There's no issue with talking to your neighbours or making requests, it's absolutely unreasonable to not communicate and then "kick off" because they aren't accommodating your very niche personal preferences... and it's also unreasonable to think that their preference supersedes everyone else's.
reeblebeeble@reddit
Ok! Agreed, communication is key, though I don't think wanting a quiet Saturday morning is a niche thing at all.
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
I agree. In truth, I've never known anyone renovate and not take time/days off just for themselves.
Polythene_pams_bag@reddit
Thatās exactly what I just said to my husband and there are no tots living on my bit of the road! Itās called respect for others! If my teen starts shouting at the computer after 8 I go mad!
Winter_Feedback3792@reddit
Once my boyfriend and I at the time got caught up in a project and started demoing walls in a house we were remodeling. We worked during the day so staring doing projects some nights. We honestly didnāt think it was that loud and didnāt consider anyone could hear it outside the house. The neighbor next door knocked on the door about midnight and said he had work at 6 AM. I didnāt know it was so late. I didnāt know we were that loud and I felt super bad. We stopped and tried to keep noise within reasonable hours moving forward. Later when we had the place remodeled and were moved in at a BBQ asked the neighbor on a scale of 1-10 how loud and bad was it. I meant that first time we met him. He told us of a few times we were way too loud way too late and that was with us thinking we were being sneaky and quiet. We didnāt realize we were such assholes. I know it isnāt fair but if he told us a few more times in real time that what we were doing was too loud we would have had a better idea of what wasnāt working and could have the opportunity to be more respectful. Not our poor neighbors fault and not fair to them but I wouldnāt have minded him telling us more. We were inconveniencing him. It wouldnāt hurt my feelings for him to tell us sooner then months later.
Wild-Individual6876@reddit
7-8pm max. Just massively inconsiderate otherwise
kona1160@reddit
11pm
x99kjg@reddit
Could be worse, I had to put earplugs in the other night to drown out the sound of the teenage daughter next door getting railedš
rocket-scientist94@reddit
Many commentors have suggested 11pm to 7am, but you have the right to ask them to stop earlier. I'd talk to them, explain the point about waking your toddler and most people would be understanding. Otherwise, record the exact times they are making loud noises in a diary and take it to the council as evidence. I believe it's a police matter after 11pm, and a council matter before. Hopefully it doesn't come to this!
Sudden_Star_5130@reddit
Not alot you can do until 11pm, you can get payback and play some annoying tunes?
Comfortable-Ear-1788@reddit
Normal - as a manager of a block of 200 flats - building work/noise is permitted between 8:00am and 5:00pm weekdays, 8:00am to midday Saturdays, no work on Sundays.
Local council will enforce those times.
GuybrushFunkwood@reddit
Put ābaby sharkā on full blast at 4am and then reply āoh sorry I didnāt realise it was so loudā
TheGreatBatsby@reddit
When she says she's feeling sore.
d3gu@reddit
11pm is the law, but I personally would not want to make too much noise past 10pm. The worst is that very occasionally I'll use the blender around that time, cause I've mistimed my cooking and still have to blend my soup for lunch the next day. But I'd say that's a bit different to using a drill.
No-Photograph3463@reddit
I'd say anything up to 10pm is fine, and then from 10pm onwards its only fine if your drilling once or twice and it's just to finish a job your doing.
To me 9pm is really early and means you basically can't do any significant DIY in the evenings at all, so instead it would be a tonne of drilling every weekend to get the job done instead.
I bought a flat that needed totally renovating and in the evenings I'd mainly do quiet jobs, but still needed to drill sometimes but generally stop at 10pm. The thing is though everything has to be done at some point, its not like they are drilling holes just for fun and some jobs do end up being more noisy than you expect!
Mystic_L@reddit
There's a lots of nonsense been quoted here, r/legaladviceuk might be a better option for actual regulation and advice
In response to your question, it's a somewhat grey area, and implementation varies from council to council. For example my local council states:
"Reasonable times to carry out DIY
Ideally people need a rest from noise at the weekend and in the evenings. It is especially important if young children are involved.
As a guide, one-off noisy DIY activities should normally be restricted to the following hours where possible:
Saturday 09.00 to 17.00; Sunday 10.00 to 14.00; Weekdays 09.00 to 19.00. However, each case is different and if the noise goes on over a number of weeks, then further restrictions may be necessary."
From what you describe I'd suggest it crosses the basic threshold for statutory noise nuisance; your next port of call should be your local council to make a noise complaint - a simple goole of your council name and "noise complaint" should tell you how to go about this
notouttolunch@reddit
Those hours are stupid. Iād never get anything done!
Mystic_L@reddit
The key point is "noisy" DIY, it doesn't mean you can't do DIY, it just means you should be considerate; and crucially it contextual, if you're breaking out a hammer drill in a 2 bed terrace at 9pm with a new born in the bedroom next to you it's somewhat different to doing it in a country Manor House where the next closest neighbour is in another postcode.
notouttolunch@reddit
Yep. DIY is noisy. Thanks for pointing that out.
Mystic_L@reddit
Yeah last time a replaced the silicon on the shower tray I had to wear ear defenders, it was almost as bad as the time I repainted the bedroom
Final_Flounder9849@reddit
Check your local council website for their rules on DIY noise. Most will suggest permissible noise M-F 08:30 to 18:00 or perhaps to 19:30 and Saturday from 10:00 - 13:00.
dinobug77@reddit
Legally nighttime hours are between 11pm and 7am. Any noise outside of those hours could be considered a nuisance.
Personally I wouldnāt be making loud diy noises before 8am and after 8 or 9 pm. Your hours are not accurate at all! Stop noise at 1pm on a Saturday? Thatās when most people finally start after getting back from B&Q with all the bits they need!!
Final_Flounder9849@reddit
Councils can investigate noise complaints arising anytime of day or night.
Yes there are restrictions laid down in law for noise levels between 11pm and 7am however those are not the be all and end all here.
A quick Google search shows that most London councils do in fact say that construction noise should be constrained to ānormalā hours and that those are 8-6 Monday to Friday and 8-1 or 2 on a Saturday and not at all on a Sunday.
However thereās a very small chance that anyone would bother investigating drilling noises on a Saturday afternoon or on a Sunday regardless of what the council says.
bowak@reddit
By construction though do they mean commercial construction and treat DIY differently?
hurtysquirts@reddit
10 to 1 on a Saturday is absolutely absurd, and complete rubbish
Final_Flounder9849@reddit
Check your council website. You might be in for a shock.
hurtysquirts@reddit
Yeah I've just checked, it doesn't specify any time constraints
JustAnotherFEDev@reddit
Yeah, that's nonsense. Weekends are where you get shit done, 2 full days of graft. Imagine only being allowed 3 hours, it'd be no different than after work, would it? I'm all for being respectful, but 7pm is party-wall-power tools-stop-time, every day of the week.
It's not ideal, but it's not like you're drilling or chasing the same wall for days on end, there'd be no wall left š
jake_burger@reddit
Laws on noise say 0700-2300 is permissible regardless of the day of the week.
The problem in this thread/conversarion is the large disconnect between the law and what people feel is polite.
You can have a chat with a neighbour and ask nicely for an earlier stop time but the law wonāt help you before 11pm
Final_Flounder9849@reddit
The council will have local bylaws. But they will also allow reasonable DIY noise.
tscalbas@reddit
Can you give a single example of this?
Councils can only enact bylaws for which Parliament has given them power to do so. I've never heard of councils having permission to enact bylaws relating to household noise, and can't find any evidence that this is a thing.
Fenpunx@reddit
How much are you getting done in three hours?
outline01@reddit
If they weren't shirty about it and were being honest, they might be clueless.
Could you have another conversation, reiterating that it's really loud and wakes your kid up (even if it doesn't). Because yes, that is very antisocial behaviour.
Colleen987@reddit
Legally 11pm. Did they stop by 11? If not report the incident to the council.
danbcooper@reddit
The council will do absolutely nothing, been there done that
Colleen987@reddit
Never had an issue with the council enforcing nuisance laws personally.
spamjavelin@reddit
As others have mentioned, the national limit is 11pm. That being said, most councils "strongly recommend" that noisy works cease by 6:30pm at the latest. You do have a justification for a noise complaint, depending on what standards your local council has.
Obviously have a further chat with the neighbours first, but emphasise that you can't keep dealing with this, and you will take it further if it doesn't get resolved amicably. I've got a three year old myself and I can't imagine how tough this is getting for you.
MrPloppyHead@reddit
Does nobody bother talking to people anymore?
durkbot@reddit
My neighbour started a full house renovation the week our 2nd baby was born and I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Nothing we could do about it, my toddler would get really upset as he'd be hammering and drilling around the toddler's bed time. Our toddler was tired and cranky all the time. I couldn't get any rest in the day to catch up on the disturbed nights with the baby. It went on for about 8 weeks. If it went on past 10pm we'd pop round and politely ask him to stop and each time he'd genuinely be like "oh sorry didn't realise the time!" And he'd stop. And then do the same the next night. It was terrible, but eventually he finished and well, on the plus side, both my kids can sleep through any noise now.
Some people really are just that oblivious, and I can kind of get it - you work full time so you need to get the work done at some point. But I totally sympathise with your situation because it's also inconsiderate of them to keep doing it after you've said something.
My advice is to maybe get the toddler some sort of audio device that they can listen to some stories on with headphones (we have a yoto player and it's amazing) so if the sound is bothering them they can shut it out a bit. Keep reminding yourself it's not forever. Curse your neighbours. It will pass.
discustedkiller@reddit
Half eight or nine at the very latest,if they know you have a small human then Really should be seven.
notouttolunch@reddit
I donāt really care if the neighbours have children. If the old person who didnāt do any work on this house for 30 years (they only lived in it for 50!) had been more conscientious, it wouldnāt have been in the appalling state itās in now and would need much less work. Thatās where the real problem lays.
spikeboy4@reddit
I've been on both sides of this one. When the baby was due any day and I had to get her room sorted, there was some late nights making quite a bit of noise.
But, I went to the neighbours and explained and offered to stop at whatever time they wanted, gave them my number in case they wanted to bob me a message to stop instead and promised not to get annoyed by it.
When I was done I took them a card and some chocolates by way of apology.
When it was their turn, I was more than understanding!
I guess you never know why they are doing work that late, and I suspect it isn't for fun, but they should probably try and be considerate too.
Of course, some people are just dickheads so YMMV
Adventurous-Shoe4035@reddit
I feel this one. We had new neighbours move in maybe 4/5 weeks after we did and they repeatedly drill, bang, do works but theyād start at 8/9pm and go through the night! The earliest they stopped was 2am!! It woke up my 2 kids repeatedly, the first time we knocked and asked if theyād stop soon. The second time we recorded it over the course of a week and flagged it to the council for noise disturbances. The third time they actually managed to trip our electrics so we had to contact their landlord and get it sorted - we had no lights, fridge, cooker, oven anything for 10 days. The fourth time we knocked again and they threatened us - so we contacted the police, who came back and said that one of them had a mental disability so theyād be louder than most neighbours but told them not to disturb us or interact with us.
At least once or twice a month theyāll still drill, hammer and bang through the night but Iāve given my kids a white noise machine to try and drown it out! But about 3 times a week we can hear them screaming at each other - weāre at a complete loss now !! But continue to record and report it to the local authorities
stay_kind91@reddit (OP)
Omg I couldn't cope! I wouldn't care as much if I didn't have a 2 year old. But you know once they get woken up its hell for them to go back to sleep. And then it's worse when you have to get up early to get them ready for nursery then you have to get yourself to work. We have been replacing our old doors doing a couple a week. And we start on a staurday about 11am until 3pm. I wouldn't dream of banging about past 7pm let alone 10pm! I won't say anything for another month but if it Carrys on a will knock again and ask them again could they not drill past 9. It literally vibrates my whole house. Will get my 2 year old to get his tool kit out and put some shelves up for mummy at 5am š¤£š¤£ you can use your hammer as much as you want š¤£š¤£ only joking but that's what i feel like doing.
Adventurous-Shoe4035@reddit
Sometimes I do feel bad because I know kids can be loud and my youngest is up at the crack of dawn - also very aware when our baby is due in August theyāll probably get woken up through the night with a newborn baby. Then I remember the days Iāve had to drag my eldest out of bed because heās been woken up the night before from them screaming or drilling and I feel less badš my favourite is when the kids were playing in the garden they leant over the fence and told us 10am was too early for our kids to be screaming and shouting outside?! I donāt let my kids out before 10 as they are loud and we have one neighbour who gets home from late shift at 1am and Iād hate for my kids to be the reason they donāt get enough sleep! Theyāve also stopped me and my partner if they hear my 1 year old crying at night ?! Like wow okay. He was probably 12 weeks at the time and teething š I canāt with them I wanna bash my head against the wall! Itās so hostile, theyāve gone to other neighbours on our street to complain about us and the kids multiple times!
AveragelyBrilliant@reddit
We had a year of this while the house next door was effectively gutted and refurbished.
Vans blocking our driveway, starting drilling at 8am on Sundays etc. the problem was the people who were going to live there were staying with family elsewhere while all this was going on. The contractors and friends who were builders would just turn up and start working.
Several times we had to ask to persuade their contractors to show a bit more consideration. They were fairly good about it but percussion drilling on a party wall is no picnic at any time of day.
ConsistentCatch2104@reddit
Iāve always personally lived by no noise outside of 10:00am to 18:00. Any day of the week.
The only exception is a BBQ in an evening, maybe with some friends over for a few drinks. We wouldnāt tend to have music so just conversational level noise.
_1489555458biguy@reddit
You have to drill them back by knocking loudly on their door early in the morning.
ColdFix@reddit
For me, 7PM without discussing with the neighbours beforehand.
CodeineFratelli@reddit
Someone who works 9-5, maybe not getting home until 6 and has to eat. When are they meant to do DIY? Only doing it at weekends drags the noise out and surely creates a worse situation. I'm not asking permission from neighbours to do work in my own home.
Ok-Train5382@reddit
On a day off, before dinner.
No one said itās convenient, being polite is often not convenientĀ
JustAnotherFEDev@reddit
This. 7pm ish is time to put power tools and hammers down. Just out of respect.
Start noise time is usually about 8am, depending on the task and which side of the house. Lovely older couple one side, 9am if it's on their side. Young family the other, if they've let their dog out and left it whining and barking in the back garden, it's hammer time.
Independent-Tip-8728@reddit
Two word tale of revenge:
BABY SHARK
stay_kind91@reddit (OP)
Oh yes š¤£ and crazy frog š¤£š¤£š¤£
Jin-shei@reddit
You are just out in the world doing evil.. Daaamn
AnotherYadaYada@reddit
No. They are being incredibly inconsiderate.
I mean itās up to you but keep going round if they still. They are in the wrong.
Explain again you have a little one and they keep waking her/him up.
Not sure what you can do, letās hope they get it, but people can just be C***s
P2P-BSH@reddit
Cunts?
potentiallyasandwich@reddit
You mentioned "old neighbours" so assuming these folk are not long moved in. Could it possibly be that they're trying to decorate/renovate around their working day? However annoying, it won't be forever, deep breathe and ignore it for a few days and if it continues, a then have a word. Jmo of course..
aurora_ethereallight@reddit
If it's really loud work creating constant noise, sociable hours are between 8am and 6pm. I'd say residual, more occasional noise might go on until 8pm. But after that nothing.
If it's short term, I'd bite my tongue and put on relaxing background music. Neighbour disputes are horrendous once they start, there is no going back.
MisterZilla@reddit
Out of respect for a neighbour I would stop by 8pm, have a polite word, hopefully they are reasonable people.
Hmmark1984@reddit
I feel like this is one of those case by case things, if it were a one off, maybe even just two or three times when they first move in and are trying to get things done, sure it's still anoying, but maybe they have no other time to get work done, and as they said, maybe they genuinely didn't realise how much the noise travelled.
After all, while it's obviously nice to have neighbours who never make any noise/disturb us, we have to accept everyone has their own lives and things to do, and it's almost impossible that we won't ever be the one annoying someone else, so a little give and take is brilliant.
However, if it's been going on for weeks or even months and happens frequently, even after you had a polite word explaining how loud it was and your baby sleeping, then i feel like you should do something. I think the only thing you could really do though is contact the council and i'm not sure much would happen as, i think, legally you're allowed to make noise/work up till 11pm, but maybe they'll give you a meter to record the noise levels etc...
JamesRandell@reddit
Persistent noise over a period of time between 10pm and 7am can be considered anti social behaviour and treated as such by the police. I briefly looked into it a number of years ago when facing similar.
I think you need to record/log the times and what, over a number of days, maybe weeks and then report it should speaking with them first does t work (which it sounds like it didnāt).
This doesnāt really help however, and Iām sure others will say similar, but be careful going down that route as youāve always got instances of creating an āatmosphereā should the police come knocking and they figure it was you who reported it.
Sucky situation, feel for you man :/
Kamoebas@reddit
I'd recommend a chat. Explain about the early nights, disturbed little one etc and ask them to refrain if possible between a set time.
Ayyyyylmaos@reddit
You have to stop at 11pm.
Sounds like theyāre putting stuff together so this wonāt be a permanent thing, and when you asked it sounds like they genuinely didnāt realise, but I canāt tell from what youāve said whether theyāre still doing it or not. Assuming they are. Maybe just ask if they could drill earlier? As I say thereās nothing you can do in terms of forcing them but yeah.
UnusualLyric@reddit
This reminds me of the new years day that my downstairs neighbour in a flat decided to do some drilling at 6am. I thought the world was ending! I was 20. My hangover was huge!
Drilling is office hours only. Unless they've talked to you about it.
cr1spy28@reddit
Reasonable hours is 8am-8pm. Thatās what itās always been working in any type of trade
I_SHAG_REDHEADS@reddit
Dunno bout u fam, me and my dawgs always drillin
MidnightRambler87@reddit
Username checks out.
International-Ask-33@reddit
I have a deaf neighbour. She has her TV on all night and it's louder than mine. I wrote her a letter and asked her to buy some headphones, i would pay for them if she wants.
The TV sound has now gone so i think she took my advice.
There are legal noise limits, at least here in the U.K, and also time restrictions.
SmegB@reddit
Try speaking to them again, be nice as you were the first time and ask if they can stop drilling by 8-9pm each night, and explain why. If they're decent people, the problem is solved. If the drilling and/or other noises continue, make a noise complaint with the local council.
With a bit of luck, they'll listen to your polite request and stop the noise without the need for you to escalate
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