Playing music and neighbours

Guest2 · 10 Oct 2011 at 16:47

3 of us rent the ground floor of a 3 story house. Recently some new tennants moved in above us and have been down and complained about bass when music is on. The time they came down we only had the TV on watching a documentary at around 8pm

On saturday night at around 6.30pm - 7pm we were playing some dubstep before we went out and didnt return until 7am, so didnt play any more when we got in.

The landlord came around today to collect some keys and said they called them on saturday night and complained about loud music being played. Not sure why they didnt come down, maybe because there was 12 people here

It was 7pm on saturday night FFS. The landlord said they work funny hours which is probably why they complained. They are about 22 years old too, not in their 70s or have young kids, just a couple

What is the law regarding music levels and time? Is it true nothing can be done legally until a certain time or certain noise levels? We are NOT going stop playing music just because neighbours work strange hours and want to get some sleep when its 6pm

bledd · 10 Oct 2011 at 16:49

Guest2 said:
dubstep

I quoted the cause of your troubles

G|mp · 10 Oct 2011 at 16:50

Guest2 said:
3 of us rent the ground floor of a 3 story house. Recently some new tennants moved in above us and have been down and complained about bass when music is on. The time they came down we only had the TV on watching a documentary at around 8pm

On saturday night at around 6.30pm - 7pm we were playing some dubstep before we went out and didnt return until 7am, so didnt play any more when we got in.

The landlord came around today to collect some keys and said they called them on saturday night and complained about loud music being played. Not sure why they didnt come down, maybe because there was 12 people here

It was 7pm on saturday night FFS. The landlord said they work funny hours which is probably why they complained. They are about 22 years old too, not in their 70s or have young kids, just a couple

What is the law regarding music levels and time? Is it true nothing can be done legally until a certain time or certain noise levels? We are NOT going stop playing music just because neighbours work strange hours and want to get some sleep when its 6pm

neil3k · 10 Oct 2011 at 16:52

Guest2 said:
What is the law regarding music levels and time? Is it true nothing can be done legally until a certain time or certain noise levels? We are NOT going stop playing music just because neighbours work strange hours and want to get some sleep when its 6pm

I hope they play dubstep at 4am when you're asleep.

Bleek · 10 Oct 2011 at 16:52

How would you feel if they played music you didn't like (particularly droning bass) whilst you were trying to relax, sleep or do something relatively quiet that requires concentration or relaxation?

Would it be such an issue to turn your stereo down a little?

Not suggesting anyone is right or wrong, just imagine if the shoe were on the other foot.

Cosimo · 10 Oct 2011 at 16:54

bledd. said:
I quoted the cause of your troubles

I'd have shot him if he had played that next door.

peterattheboro · 10 Oct 2011 at 16:55

By the sounds of it, there is very little sound insulation between floors as it's a converted flat. I'd hate to be in your position.

I can hear the TV on downstairs easily and it's quite annoying.

nydryl · 10 Oct 2011 at 16:58

neil3k said:
I hope they play dubstep at 4am when you're asleep.

Playing music at 6pm is far different from playing it at 4am. Unless it's ridiculously loud I'm not sure the neighbours should be complaing about music at 6pm on a Saturday night.

If you want it sorted easily tell them you don't want to stop playing it completely but will turn it down a bit between certain agreed hours.

Dreaded_Cheese · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:01

Maybe you could try turning the bass down? I personally find it a bit selfish to impose my music upon others, especially in a flat. Under the same circumstances I would probably be ****** off at you too tbh.

Spook187 · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:05

I have been in the same postion as you and i kid you not,you can not win with the Environmental Health when it comes to loud music,if they complain to them,you will be monitored like i was and they will take the necessary measures to stop you being a nuisance.
Now having said that,i think the building regulations we have now are a joke when comes to soundproofing,how can they justify a bit of plasterboard to a joining house is acceptable.

neil3k · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:06

nydryl said:
Playing music at 6pm is far different from playing it at 4am. Unless it's ridiculously loud I'm not sure the neighbours should be complaing about music at 6pm on a Saturday night.

If you want it sorted easily tell them you don't want to stop playing it completely but will turn it down a bit between certain agreed hours.

It's not though. They work odd hours so it's entirely plausible they're asleep then.

nydryl · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:08

neil3k said:
It's not though. They work odd hours so it's entirely plausible they're asleep then.

There is a difference. It's far easier to punish people for night noise offences.

Night Time Noise Offence

The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 amended the Noise Act 1996 and enables local authorities in England and Wales to tackle night time noise emitted from dwellings and gardens between the hours of 11.00 pm and 7.00 am. To enforce these powers local authorities must ensure that an environmental health officer takes reasonable steps to investigate complaints about noise emitted from dwellings. If the officer is satisfied that noise exceeds the permitted level, a warning notice may be served on the person responsible. If the warning is ignored, the offender becomes liable for prosecution (which if successful carries a fine of up to £1000. However the local authority officer may issue a fixed penalty notice (which must be paid within 14 days and in which case no further action will be taken). Where the noise being complained about continues after a warning notice has been issued, the local authority officer may enter the dwelling and confiscate the noise making equipment (obstructing confiscation carries a fine of up to £1000). (In Scotland similar action can be taken under the Anti-Social Behaviour (Noise Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.)

dowie · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:15

Guest2 said:
On saturday night at around 6.30pm - 7pm we were playing some dubstep before we went out and didnt return until 7am, so didnt play any more when we got in.

That is going to be part of the problem - Bass travels

Also if you had 12 people round then there probably was a bit of noise.

Then again its hardly late at night - I'd get annoyed perhaps if my neighbours were inviting a bunch of people round every weekend for pre-drinks and all I could hear for a few hours on a Friday or Saturday evening is some distorted bass coming through the floor.... Then again if its just occasional then there shouldn't be a problem - maybe give them a heads up/drop a note in advance next time you're going to have some people round.

Vince · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:17

Havent had my speakers or sub plugged in since moving into my flat 6 years ago after a lot of complaints in the first few months. These are also purpose built flats with thick concererte floors and decent sound insulation. I found that the best way to deal with these kind of things, and this concept may sound alien, is to invite them down for a cuppa and have a chat about it, understand their position and let them understand yours. You would be supprised how easy it can be to come to an agreement.

shoes · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:19

Guest2 said:
We are NOT going stop playing music just because neighbours work strange hours and want to get some sleep when its 6pm

IN which case you're a bunch of selfish little ***** and I look forward to your next thread 'Angry neighbour laid me out cold because of my **** taste in music and antisocial behaviour.'

reflux · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:22

Some neighbours are crazy, annoying and a pain in the rear - like my friend's, who complain about the noise and send him nasty notes even when he isn't in.

But in this case, sounds like you just gotta compromise a bit. Maybe find out when they're at work, so you have a better idea of when noise is acceptable?

Zatoichi.uK · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:22

Put yourself in their situation and show some consideration you little oik...

KaHn · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:25

shoes said:
IN which case you're a bunch of selfish little ***** and I look forward to your next thread 'Angry neighbour laid me out cold because of my **** taste in music and antisocial behaviour.'

They have just as much right to play noise as the others have to complain. I think its a bit of a joke you'd call him selfish because of this.

My flat is pretty sound proof so sub is on all the time

KaHn

Rroff · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:28

I don't think it unreasonable aslong as normally its at reasonable levels and your not playing music past 11pm other than at quiet levels. Personally I don't think it unreasonable to have the odd one off party, etc. if its just 1-2 times a month where it might be a bit louder/go on longer.

If they are working/sleeping odd hours maybe they should have choosen their accomodation a bit better.

deadite · 10 Oct 2011 at 17:30

Our neighbors (through the wall) played some pretty loud music, not just at decent times either, sometimes going onto 5am every weekend for few weeks in a row. Was really annoying and could hear it in the living room and the bedroom so it was hard to get away from it.

Tried the usual, banging on the wall to get them to shut up, would work for a while then they would just turn it back up.

In the end I went round one night and knocked his door, had a chat and invited him round to ours while asking him to put his music on so he could hear what we heard. Thankfully he was a pretty decent bloke and did admit it was too loud and said he would keep an eye on it from now on.

My point is, maybe you should think about it from their point of view, you might not think its too loud or annoying but i can tell you that it gets very very frustrating. Maybe stick your tunes on then go up and hear for yourself what it sounds like in his living room. Just a suggestion..