Music Teacher From Home - advice very much appreciated!!
Discussion
Hi all,
Had a somewhat unpleasant exchange with my next door neighbours this evening that I would genuinely appreciate your views/ advice on.
I teach guitar from home, have done for a few years with no problems. It's my only source of income and is a moderately comfortable way to earn a living which I enjoy very much.
In the last few months, after a few years of doing this, my next door neighbour decided to take issue with it and had a fairly unpleasant and very public rant at me outside my house. It seems to to have been triggereed by him and her having a fallout with our house sitters while we were away in holiday and their dog apparently barking a lot while they were here. The house sitters denied this but I apologised for it anyway.
They then decided that it was the time to take issue with my business. Apparently the noise was intolerable, which is fairy hard to believe as I teach electric guitar but don't plug the guitars into an amplifier. An electric guitar that isn't plugged in doesn't make much noise (hopefully someone will be here to confirm this!). It may be worth pointing out that I teach from a cabin in my back garden that doesn't breach any building/ planning regulations due to its small size and height.
After pointing this out they also decided that the flow of traffic into the cul de sac was an issue. I only teach one person at a time so I didnt think this would be an issue, but they were convinced that it was.
The last problem was that my cabin allowed a view into their bathroom. I apologised prifusely and said I would put up a blind which I have done. The lady of the house stated that the reason for this being such a problem was because she liked to shower with the window open. It wouldn't be a probem otherwise as they have frosted glass and a blind. I'm a little bit unsure as to the rights of people to shower in front of an open window and have no one see them but didn't think it worth pointing this out.
Anyway, tonight I learn from one of my students (who is 11) that the lady next door has approached him on the way to my house to demand that I come and speak to her after the lessons has finished. The boys father was watching from the car and was apparently not impressed with the way she spoke to his son.
I went over there after I finished to see what the problem was and they admit that the noise wasn't an issue anymore (not that it ever could have been as I haven't been doing anything differently), and that I had put up a blind to solve the other problem but they were now determined to put a stop to my business because of the volume of traffic coming into the cul de sac. I teach on average 4-5 people a day and only in ones so there isn't a group of cars coming in and parking at once.
They say they also have complaints from other neighbours with whom I am on very friendly terms. I find it hard to believe that they have been complaining about me without speaking to me as we are on good terms but I'm not sure I should go speak to them about it. I did speak to another neighbour about it in a casual way and he stated that it wasn't an issue.
Any advice as to what I should do or what my I'm entiteled to be doing? I did speak with a few people after the first incident and they confirmed that running this sort of business from home wasn't an issue.
It was a fairly unpleasant situation in which I was possibly a bit b
kless and just stood there and took it. My missus wasn't impressed but I am obviously worried about the business I have put years into and my income.
Advice and comments most welcome.
Had a somewhat unpleasant exchange with my next door neighbours this evening that I would genuinely appreciate your views/ advice on.
I teach guitar from home, have done for a few years with no problems. It's my only source of income and is a moderately comfortable way to earn a living which I enjoy very much.
In the last few months, after a few years of doing this, my next door neighbour decided to take issue with it and had a fairly unpleasant and very public rant at me outside my house. It seems to to have been triggereed by him and her having a fallout with our house sitters while we were away in holiday and their dog apparently barking a lot while they were here. The house sitters denied this but I apologised for it anyway.
They then decided that it was the time to take issue with my business. Apparently the noise was intolerable, which is fairy hard to believe as I teach electric guitar but don't plug the guitars into an amplifier. An electric guitar that isn't plugged in doesn't make much noise (hopefully someone will be here to confirm this!). It may be worth pointing out that I teach from a cabin in my back garden that doesn't breach any building/ planning regulations due to its small size and height.
After pointing this out they also decided that the flow of traffic into the cul de sac was an issue. I only teach one person at a time so I didnt think this would be an issue, but they were convinced that it was.
The last problem was that my cabin allowed a view into their bathroom. I apologised prifusely and said I would put up a blind which I have done. The lady of the house stated that the reason for this being such a problem was because she liked to shower with the window open. It wouldn't be a probem otherwise as they have frosted glass and a blind. I'm a little bit unsure as to the rights of people to shower in front of an open window and have no one see them but didn't think it worth pointing this out.
Anyway, tonight I learn from one of my students (who is 11) that the lady next door has approached him on the way to my house to demand that I come and speak to her after the lessons has finished. The boys father was watching from the car and was apparently not impressed with the way she spoke to his son.
I went over there after I finished to see what the problem was and they admit that the noise wasn't an issue anymore (not that it ever could have been as I haven't been doing anything differently), and that I had put up a blind to solve the other problem but they were now determined to put a stop to my business because of the volume of traffic coming into the cul de sac. I teach on average 4-5 people a day and only in ones so there isn't a group of cars coming in and parking at once.
They say they also have complaints from other neighbours with whom I am on very friendly terms. I find it hard to believe that they have been complaining about me without speaking to me as we are on good terms but I'm not sure I should go speak to them about it. I did speak to another neighbour about it in a casual way and he stated that it wasn't an issue.
Any advice as to what I should do or what my I'm entiteled to be doing? I did speak with a few people after the first incident and they confirmed that running this sort of business from home wasn't an issue.
It was a fairly unpleasant situation in which I was possibly a bit b
kless and just stood there and took it. My missus wasn't impressed but I am obviously worried about the business I have put years into and my income. Advice and comments most welcome.
Efbe said:
plug in the amp 
seriously though do. It sounds as if she is just going to find anything to complain about. I doubt you will be able to placate her... so don't bother.
Haha cool, thanks for the advice. It's all a bit worrying because it's my business and my income but I've been assured by people who work for the oouncil and by my business advisor that what I'm doing will fly under their radar and they isn't an issue.seriously though do. It sounds as if she is just going to find anything to complain about. I doubt you will be able to placate her... so don't bother.
With respect, you need to be more assertive.
It's your business, you're doing nothing wrong (if you've told the whole story, which I'm sure you have)
If you're paying all your taxes and have any proper permits, tell them to get stuffed (diplomatically but firmly)
I would ask to speak to them and have an adult conversation. Listen to their complaints and in a grown up fashion, respond with your views on it only being 1 person at a time, little traffic, etc.
tbh, it sounds like you've unintentionally done something to rub them up the wrong way and now they're looking for ways to piss you off.
Don't let them
It's your business, you're doing nothing wrong (if you've told the whole story, which I'm sure you have)
If you're paying all your taxes and have any proper permits, tell them to get stuffed (diplomatically but firmly)
I would ask to speak to them and have an adult conversation. Listen to their complaints and in a grown up fashion, respond with your views on it only being 1 person at a time, little traffic, etc.
tbh, it sounds like you've unintentionally done something to rub them up the wrong way and now they're looking for ways to piss you off.
Don't let them
I/we were pushed around and bullied by our neighbours over some building work. So much so that we ended up moving house (still not sold the old one!). It also made me ill.
In hindsight, I wished I'd nipped it in the bud from the outset, but as it was us that was creating the noise, we were trying to be nice.
If you're able, be assertive, don't let them push you around because bullies see people being nice as a soft, easy touch who they think they can bend to their will.
In hindsight, I wished I'd nipped it in the bud from the outset, but as it was us that was creating the noise, we were trying to be nice.
If you're able, be assertive, don't let them push you around because bullies see people being nice as a soft, easy touch who they think they can bend to their will.
GadgeS3C said:
Where are you based?
I'm trying to learn guitar and it's always best transported in the TVR
Wales sorry, otherwise that could be fun! I do have a students father with a modded Scooby - you can hear it coming a mile off!I'm trying to learn guitar and it's always best transported in the TVR
Thanks for all the replies as well guys, you are all absolutely right I basically need to MTFU and tell them to do one. I am all above board so I shouldn't have any reason to worry. They are being incredibly unpleasant and talking to them is now unfortunately not on the cards.
When a letter comes from the council asking about the situation then I feel my defence is pretty strong. The flow of traffic seems to be the problem, though I'm sure they will complain about the non existent noise as well. I have also been advised that their behaviour is bordering on harassment and approaching an eleven year old boy in the dark is completely inappropriate, especially in the manner that she did. A few people have recommended a call to the police but I don't want to antagonise them.
If there is another incident of them approaching a client or being verbally aggressive outside in the street then I will have to do that.
I teach in schools and have a few pupils at home.
The noise thing is crazy and they are been completely unreasonable.
It maybe worth looking into getting one of those isolation booths? It would mean you could practise at full volume and teach at volume too (which is important for pupils to do when going into exams etc)
The price of the booth would be tax claimable so not all bad.
I would also look into signing up to ISM or Musicians Union, you'll get public liability insurance and legal advice if they continue to be a pain.
The union fee would also be claimable.
It sounds as if the neighbours have a bee in their bonnet and you're flavour of the month. I think your best bet is to keep being as nice and accommodating as possible, having a running battle when you're at home makes the whole thing stressful when you're trying to run a serviced based business from home.
I should also add that the reason I teach in schools is to avoid hassle from lessons at home (late cancellations etc), maybe worth looking into if it continues to be an issue.
The noise thing is crazy and they are been completely unreasonable.
It maybe worth looking into getting one of those isolation booths? It would mean you could practise at full volume and teach at volume too (which is important for pupils to do when going into exams etc)
The price of the booth would be tax claimable so not all bad.
I would also look into signing up to ISM or Musicians Union, you'll get public liability insurance and legal advice if they continue to be a pain.
The union fee would also be claimable.
It sounds as if the neighbours have a bee in their bonnet and you're flavour of the month. I think your best bet is to keep being as nice and accommodating as possible, having a running battle when you're at home makes the whole thing stressful when you're trying to run a serviced based business from home.
I should also add that the reason I teach in schools is to avoid hassle from lessons at home (late cancellations etc), maybe worth looking into if it continues to be an issue.
Edited by dojo on Sunday 10th February 00:24
I agree with signing up to the MU or ISM - although my personal experience of the MU's legal department is that they're about as much use add a chocolate fireguard.
I think that whatever you do they will have a problem. Next time they complain I would tell them you have done nothing wrong, have taken all suitable precautions, and they can get bent. Some people are aholes.
I think that whatever you do they will have a problem. Next time they complain I would tell them you have done nothing wrong, have taken all suitable precautions, and they can get bent. Some people are a
holes.That's interesting cuppa - I've never used MU but my (limited) dealings with the ISM legal department have always been efficient and as pain free as one could expect!
V8 - I'd complain about a Clarinet not as bad as an oboe though ha (No one should be allowed to play the Oboe until they reach Grade 5)
V8 - I'd complain about a Clarinet
not as bad as an oboe though ha (No one should be allowed to play the Oboe until they reach Grade 5)Unfortuantely they have made it clear that the answer to that is that they want to me to stop teaching at home.
Talking is indeed over, and tomorrow I regretably (and I mean that when I say it) will be getting in touch with a solicitor about getting in touch to try and stop them approaching either myself, my family but especially my students and their parents. I haven't described every detail of their behaviour in this thread but it's enough for a justified call to the police.
Does anyone have any idea what view the council might take to their complaints? A noise complaint I would like to think would be a non issue, and my schedule shows that this so called "constant stream of traffic" is at best a wild exaggeration. It is still worrying that the council would take their side though, I have put a lot of time and effort into making this business workable!
Once again, thanks to everyone for all the replies, opinion and advice. All of it is being considered.
Talking is indeed over, and tomorrow I regretably (and I mean that when I say it) will be getting in touch with a solicitor about getting in touch to try and stop them approaching either myself, my family but especially my students and their parents. I haven't described every detail of their behaviour in this thread but it's enough for a justified call to the police.
Does anyone have any idea what view the council might take to their complaints? A noise complaint I would like to think would be a non issue, and my schedule shows that this so called "constant stream of traffic" is at best a wild exaggeration. It is still worrying that the council would take their side though, I have put a lot of time and effort into making this business workable!
Once again, thanks to everyone for all the replies, opinion and advice. All of it is being considered.
Isn't access via the way of a road, a road that like any road you expect to have cars upon at certain times when someone wants to drive up said road?
Sounds like they're bored, maybe put a few leaflets for adult activities through their letter box, sign them up for a few holiday brochures.
Though more seriously I don't think you need to get a solicitor involved, just write them a letter yourself explaining that if they don't stop their blatant harassment of you and your pupils you'll take issues with the police.
Sounds like they're bored, maybe put a few leaflets for adult activities through their letter box, sign them up for a few holiday brochures.
Though more seriously I don't think you need to get a solicitor involved, just write them a letter yourself explaining that if they don't stop their blatant harassment of you and your pupils you'll take issues with the police.
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