My Neighbour is constantly banging on our walls?

Question

My neighbours moved in 18month ago, since then they constantley bang on the walls or windows when we have music or our tv on.

Last sunday my 5 yr old son was playing a music channel on tv in our conservraty the tv was on volume 10 (considering it can go to 50) and she started thudding at the windows.

I dont want a fall out but she has already insisted on us not opening the windows on the side of her garden.

But it getting to much when I cant even watch tv at 9 oclock at night without her banging on the walls.

Im a single mum an live on me own and sometimes it does frighten me is there anyting I can do except live in silence.

Answer 1

Mail her an envelope full of dead, squashed bugs.

Answer 2

Sounds like shes a right old battle axe! thank god i have no neighbours!

noone can be expected to live in silence especially with a 5 year old!

i woudl contact your landlord and mention it, or just bang back when she does it!

she sounds like shes really taking the p**s scuse my french! its just not possible for her to expect there to be silence all the time!

Is she an older woman??

i would definatly contact your landlord, maybe have a word with her?? it doesnt really sound like shes a very reasonable person anyway but tell her if she doesnt pack it in then you will be seeking legal advise!

it doesnt even sound to me like your doing anything wrong. bugger her, if she bangs just turn the tv up louder - she will get the message eventually.

people like her really annoy me!c

Answer 3

Bang back.

There is nothing worse than a neighbour that complains about noise when you are hardly making any.

When I used to live in my ground floor flat, the old battleaxe upstairs used to complain about every little noise I made, she even complained about the noise of the light pull in the bathroom!

Since moving out, I still own the flat but the people that live there now make a lot of noise and the old battleaxe actually told me that she wished I still lived there because really I didn't make that much noise!

Answer 4

Bring it to the attention of the landlord.

Answer 5

id go talk to her....explain that you have a child and that you take her feelings into account.

if she carries on ignore her -   provided your being sensible...of which im sure you are.

Answer 6

I sympathize with you.  Having turmoil with your neighbors is no fun.  Try talking to her and tell her what you've said here.  Let her know that you are really trying to be considerate of her.  If the banging continues, just ignore her and know that you're doing what you can to be a good neighbor.  Don't keep walking around on egg shells - you have to be able to LIVE in your own house.  Anyone who shares walls should realize that some noise is to be expected.  Also, is the TV against a shared wall?  If it is, I'd move it to another wall.

Answer 7

So long as your noise is within reasonable limits and at reasonable times of day, she is in the wrong not you - as she is harassing you and causing a nuisance.

I think you should have a calm word with her and see if you can persuade her to see that normal family noise during the day time and early evening is perfectly acceptable.  You can't live in silence.

Your local council should have some guidelines that explain what is acceptable - if you can get hold of a copy of their guidelines you could use that to help you in your chat with your neighbour.

Answer 8

Get carpeting.

Answer 9

i am sorry that you are having problems with your neighbor (i currently am having a feud with my neighbor and we dont' even share a wall! she is upset that i am not mowing my lawn regularly enough!) so i understand how much this can affect you!

if you truely think you are being reasonable and accommodating, i don't see why you should completely change your life-style because ur neighbors don't like it.  you don't want to start a war by banging back...if you want to maintain decent relationship then try talking to them to see what the problem really is.    is it possible to move your tv to the other side of the room so it's off of the wall that you both share?  also find out what the local noise ordinance is.  

if they are being unreasonable after you talked to them, then the problem is not about you or your tv.  there are people out there who enjoys having power trip over others.  you shouldn't have to back down if you feel you are being a responsible neighbor.  maybe you should talk to your landlord/parents since having a 3rd party do the talking may help with mediation.  you have to stand up for what you believe is right and not let others stomp on you!  good luck!

Answer 10

If you are absolutely sure you are not making excessive noise then call her bluff and suggest she gets in touch with the Department of the Environment at the local council.  They will soon settle matters one way or the other.

Answer 11

If none of your former neighbours have said anything then id say this one is out for trouble!!!  she might be a serial "wallbanger"., also she has no right at all to tell you to not open your windows either, cheeky mare, dont give in to any of this, it seems to me that she is the one causing all the trouble. Id report her for being anti social, as she is definitely being that!!! or just ignore her, but you will have to stand your ground and dont let her win!!!

Answer 12

If you were creating too much noise at unreasonable hours the noise abatement officer would have been at your door by now. This is obviously not the case and the "lady" next door is being hyper sensitive. Do you hear any of her noise? like washing machine spinning etc. She probably is not aware how much normal living sound passes through the properties.

I think the best way is to take a different tact with the lady - how much contact have you had with her other than this? I would pretend that nothing has been going on and be chatty and friendly towards her every time you see her, wave at when you walk past her house (she will be cowering behind the nets!), chat over the garden fence about the weather and invite her in for a coffee. Once she feels she is getting to know you, and what delightful children you have she will not mind any noise as much. Let her know how much noise passes through but not in an accusing way like she does, drop into conversation how the builders must have scrimped on the insulation between the houses etc and point out how fortunate she is that your house is all quiet after 10pm.

Do not let the children pick up on the tension between you, don't bang back.

If your noise levels are reasonable then don't turn down the TV because she has banged on the wall, because this means everytime she hears a noise she feel all she has to do is bang on the wall and you're now in a spiral down. Keep your noise level constant and reasonable even if she is banging at the wall, as she is getting no joy she will come to your door, be pleasant and invite her in and show her it is just normal noise level and point out that you are all in bed by 10. Be firm, polite. If she says anything that wants you to kick off just ignore what she said and make an excuse that you really need to bath the kids just now or something and show her the door.

If she keeps banging away you can go to the noise abatement officer yourself! And if she rents contact her landlord and lodge an official complaint. Keep a log of her banging at what time & date. If things get really bad go to citzens advice bureau and see if there is a way that you can get an injuction or ASBO against her.

Don't be afraid as she will prey on this, be strong you know she is in the wrong and there is plenty of legal backup for the victim of noise nuisance and in this instance you are the victim. You have a duty to your children to resolve this as they should not be forced to live in silence due to an unreasonable neighbour.

Answer 13

No you have to stand up to her. With people like that sometimes you have to fall out as they're being unreasonable. You could try just having a conversation with her and see if that does the trick. Make an appointment at the Citizens Advice Bureau, they will explain your rights and who you can talk to about this. You are being reasonable if your tv is that low and you shouldn't have to stop living a normal life because of your neighbours.

Answer 14

I think normal living noise there is nothing that she can do.  I would report this to your landlord.  Her behavior seems to be childish.  I live in an aparment and you have to deal with noise to an extent.  I have kids, and so do my neighbors so I don't let them get to me even when it's kinda late.  I hope their noise will get better when school starts back but I do not bang on there walls.  I hope that your landlord will help you.

Answer 15

Sounds as if the most constructive thing is to install some soundproofing on the party wall. Maybe you could go halves with your neighbour?  That way if they bang on the walls, you'll no longer be able to hear them!

Answer 16

report him to the landlord.