Neurotic numpty neighbour (noise)
Discussion
Right, Moved into my idyllic corner of the countryside is some misled person who believes that out in the sticks, the background noise level is 0dB. He has chosen to live next to me and I own a throaty old mk1 mini (which would have not been one iota out of the norm in the '60s). I have a habit of driving this in and out of my garage, perhaps twice a day. Also, as the villagers are fed up with the village being used as a "Mulsainne Straight" by rush hour rats, they have got speedbumps installed. I am probably the only vehicle which has to crawl over them at 2mph before pulling away and going through the gears, etc......... The story starts like this, neighbour moves in, (I am doing an engine swap in my car-port with radio on at about 40dB) Neighbour comes out with small radio before switching through all the channels to "remind me I have a radio" I thought this was a child. Thinking nothing more, I carry on. I hear an adult singing the opera version of "Just one Cornetto". I realise that I am dealing with at least someone who has noise and communication problems. Next time friend comments on me putting car in the garage (at more speed than usual) voice from over the hedge says "W&^%er" last night, I drove down the village with a view to backing my car into the driveway/garage and numpty w/dog is standing there jumping around. Wanting to aviod confrontation, I drive straight past, up to the next village before coming back about 10 mins later, drive straight into garage, numpty comes onto my property, into my garage and shouts telling me "GET OUT OF THE CAR", I restart the engine, select reverse and beat a hasty retreat. (Fully expecting numpty to kick the car). Without a doubt there would have been a confrontation and I averted it. However, it will happen next time. (He is about 55 and can probably look after himself, BUT, I am younger, bigger and can get VERY ANGRY. Obviously it is in my interest to avoid confontation. I don't usually throw my weight around but yesterday, I got the red mist, fully) In a situation like that, what can you do.....? Apart from getting something with a full race V8? Can anyone point me in the line of legislation, previous experience? I imagine it will be impossible to have a violence free adult-adult transaction here.
What a strange person, it's not as if you're having all night parties or cutting your lawn at 6AM. Tell him to call the Police. It will be quite apparent who is out of order. Best get your story in before he gets his in. Hopefully your motor isn't TOO loud for the Police 
Otherwise pay the local farmer to spread slurry in the field behind your house and hope the neighbour then has something else to worry about.
Otherwise pay the local farmer to spread slurry in the field behind your house and hope the neighbour then has something else to worry about.
I presume you've never been arrested before?
If so, don't start now. If you are respectable, have a family, a good job, might need another job in the future etc etc, don't start now. If you have enough money not to have to worry too much about working and will likely be in the same job until retirement; let the bloke start something, defend yourself (using minimum force as is reasonable in the circumstances) and let justice take its course.
There is a bite lip sort of way. That is to go round with a bottle or red wine and say "welcome to the village, we appear to have got off on the wrong foot; I'm suchabody, if you need anything just come round and knock..."
It's worth thinking about, but I wouldn't do absolutely nothing and hope it'll go away, because it probably won't. Any fence you put up will be complained about, any parties, any building work etc etc, forever, unless it's nipped in the bud somehow straight away.
Keep us informed.
regards,
Street
If so, don't start now. If you are respectable, have a family, a good job, might need another job in the future etc etc, don't start now. If you have enough money not to have to worry too much about working and will likely be in the same job until retirement; let the bloke start something, defend yourself (using minimum force as is reasonable in the circumstances) and let justice take its course.
There is a bite lip sort of way. That is to go round with a bottle or red wine and say "welcome to the village, we appear to have got off on the wrong foot; I'm suchabody, if you need anything just come round and knock..."
It's worth thinking about, but I wouldn't do absolutely nothing and hope it'll go away, because it probably won't. Any fence you put up will be complained about, any parties, any building work etc etc, forever, unless it's nipped in the bud somehow straight away.
Keep us informed.
regards,
Street
Yep, I have no criminal record and no intention of getting one. Throwing him around isn't an option. (But thinking about it is nice!).
As they say, you either conduct yourself in an assertive manner and get what you want, or a combination of submissive/aggressive which is where the problems start. This makes communincation difficult and really the only solution is for the situation to bounce off something. I suppose I could defuse it by fitting an Audi TT exhaust but that would spoil my shockwave tuning!
The 'zorst consists of 2" ID stainless tube through a 24" glasspack absorbtion silencer. Whilst being throaty, it doesn't have the HF component which would offend everyone.
I had also considered dropping him around a set of "welcome to the village" ear defenders! However, he might start singing opera at me!
I will try and keep calm and feel the anger flowing from my fist..............
Thanks chaps
As they say, you either conduct yourself in an assertive manner and get what you want, or a combination of submissive/aggressive which is where the problems start. This makes communincation difficult and really the only solution is for the situation to bounce off something. I suppose I could defuse it by fitting an Audi TT exhaust but that would spoil my shockwave tuning!
The 'zorst consists of 2" ID stainless tube through a 24" glasspack absorbtion silencer. Whilst being throaty, it doesn't have the HF component which would offend everyone.
I had also considered dropping him around a set of "welcome to the village" ear defenders! However, he might start singing opera at me!
I will try and keep calm and feel the anger flowing from my fist..............
Thanks chaps
Ok, I had problems very similar to this with a neighbour. First of all, providing your car is not too noisy for the BIB, ie. disturbing the peace (& what was OK in the 60's, may no longer be acceptable nowaday's!)then you have every right to carry out 'normal' day to day manovers with it, so long as they are classed as reasonable, and not done with the intention of annoying your neighbour.
If he's complaining about your noise in general, then I had a complaint made through the council by a neighbour, and this is just what the enviromental official told me. You are entitled to make a noise on your own property between 'reasonable' hours, this can include repairing cars, drilling, grinding, knocking,& banging etc. providing that you're not running a business. Each council may differ slightly, but the times that he said would be Ok are. 9-00am to 7-00pm Monday to Saturday, and 10-00am to 6-00pm on Sunday.(you need to check with your council on these)
If a complaint is made about you, they send you a letter telling you that one has been made, and they send a 'calender' to the complainant for them to fill in, dates, times duration of noise, and also type of noise (ie engine reving). If the complaint is upheld, then they will do something about it, if it's found to be your neighbour being awkward, they get told that you're within your rights. (and it certainly wipes the grin off their face!!)
I would say that your first step is see just how noisy your mini is, (under 100 dba @2/3 revs)if it's too noisy, fix it! then give him the phone number of your local Enviroment officer (after chatting with said officer first) also threaten him with trespass, the BIB (behaviour likey to cause a breach of the peace, springs to mind)
If he's complaining about your noise in general, then I had a complaint made through the council by a neighbour, and this is just what the enviromental official told me. You are entitled to make a noise on your own property between 'reasonable' hours, this can include repairing cars, drilling, grinding, knocking,& banging etc. providing that you're not running a business. Each council may differ slightly, but the times that he said would be Ok are. 9-00am to 7-00pm Monday to Saturday, and 10-00am to 6-00pm on Sunday.(you need to check with your council on these)
If a complaint is made about you, they send you a letter telling you that one has been made, and they send a 'calender' to the complainant for them to fill in, dates, times duration of noise, and also type of noise (ie engine reving). If the complaint is upheld, then they will do something about it, if it's found to be your neighbour being awkward, they get told that you're within your rights. (and it certainly wipes the grin off their face!!)
I would say that your first step is see just how noisy your mini is, (under 100 dba @2/3 revs)if it's too noisy, fix it! then give him the phone number of your local Enviroment officer (after chatting with said officer first) also threaten him with trespass, the BIB (behaviour likey to cause a breach of the peace, springs to mind)
Ahhhh, councils. (Allegedly) Caradon District requires for any action to be taken that you are
a, A Mason
b, Include a bribe in your letter.
The planning department do this in epic proportions. As they say "The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton"....
Caradons new development began on the golf course.
Better become a mason then
a, A Mason
b, Include a bribe in your letter.
The planning department do this in epic proportions. As they say "The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton"....
Caradons new development began on the golf course.
Better become a mason then
Getting another silencer installed might be the easiest option. The village is full of people who forgot what it was like to be young. Numpties usually win an argument and thinking a bit more in depth. If pushed there are some "important" people who could be made to take the wrong side.
If I didn't have a loud car, it would be something else. Basically, it boils down to this. Envy. Someone my age should not be living next door with a loud car to someone of his status/power/importance.
He should realise his position, smile. Sell the Honda or Volvo or whatever and buy a multi cylindered popping crackling machine of tyre destruction.
Well, its off to buy a new exhaust then.
(and send him the bill)
If I didn't have a loud car, it would be something else. Basically, it boils down to this. Envy. Someone my age should not be living next door with a loud car to someone of his status/power/importance.
He should realise his position, smile. Sell the Honda or Volvo or whatever and buy a multi cylindered popping crackling machine of tyre destruction.
Well, its off to buy a new exhaust then.
(and send him the bill)
Christ. Just tell the stupid old bastard to 
off and mind his own buisiness. As long as you know your car is legal ie not too loud.
As soon as he steps on your land warn him of trespass and that if he does not leave immediatley you will inform the police.
If he starts waving his arms about tell him calmly in no uncertain terms that you will defend yourself........
And if that sad old does not relish the thought of drinking through a straw for the rest of his short miserable life he needs to retreat now .....
Well perhaps you should not say the that bit
Just warn him then walk off, go inside. If the thinks that you are intimidated by him then it will only get worse. Do / say everything in the arsonal to make him realise you mean business ..... But without actually doing anything 'cause that would ( although satisfying ) be more throuble than it's worth ...
off and mind his own buisiness. As long as you know your car is legal ie not too loud. As soon as he steps on your land warn him of trespass and that if he does not leave immediatley you will inform the police.
If he starts waving his arms about tell him calmly in no uncertain terms that you will defend yourself........
And if that sad old
does not relish the thought of drinking through a straw for the rest of his short miserable life he needs to retreat now ..... Well perhaps you should not say the that bit
Just warn him then walk off, go inside. If the thinks that you are intimidated by him then it will only get worse. Do / say everything in the arsonal to make him realise you mean business ..... But without actually doing anything 'cause that would ( although satisfying ) be more throuble than it's worth ...
annsxman said:
Tell hin to get off your land. If he refuses you are entitled to use reasonable force to remove him.
I agree...but what you don't want is the old guy croaking it with a heart attack on your lawn and then the headlines "Neighbour from Hell with noisy car, kills D-Day veteran" You know the sort of thing I mean..
Street
>> Edited by Streetcop on Saturday 10th July 14:39
>> Edited by Streetcop on Saturday 10th July 15:06
kneegrow said:For me, this would have been the point at which a "frank and direct discussion" would have ensued, probably with me telling him to 'git orrfff moy laaaand before I call the Police'
numpty comes onto my property, into my garage and shouts telling me "GET OUT OF THE CAR"
Seriously, this does seem like very strange behaviour for someone who has only recently moved in. You really should grasp the nettle and enquire as to what his grievances are before it descends into a full-scale neighbourly feud. They can get extremely ugly and make you want to move house.
I think I would ask him politely what it is that is making him behave in this unreasonable manner. 
I would go along with Streetcop on this one regarding popping over with a bottle to be neighbourly.
If he is just a miserable old twat, then you at least know what you are dealing with, however you may be able to make the situation better.
Maybe he has supersensitive ears?
If he enters your property in an aggitated manner again then I would call the Police.
Do not retaliate either verbally or physically, let the idiot hang himself.
It is regrettable that people move in to an area and behave like this.
If all that fails, open a Dyno shop, advertise widely in racing and performance magazines, and invite the TVR and Ducatti owners clubs to pop in for coffee regularily.
>> Edited by ftasb on Saturday 10th July 22:26
I would go along with Streetcop on this one regarding popping over with a bottle to be neighbourly.
If he is just a miserable old twat, then you at least know what you are dealing with, however you may be able to make the situation better.
Maybe he has supersensitive ears?
If he enters your property in an aggitated manner again then I would call the Police.
Do not retaliate either verbally or physically, let the idiot hang himself.
It is regrettable that people move in to an area and behave like this.
If all that fails, open a Dyno shop, advertise widely in racing and performance magazines, and invite the TVR and Ducatti owners clubs to pop in for coffee regularily.
>> Edited by ftasb on Saturday 10th July 22:26
OK here's my advice.
Start to keep a diary of every incident you have involving this miserable git. Time, date, what happened, any witnesses etc.
We need to establish a pattern of behaviour, OK?
When you have a few juicy entries in this diary (and with what you've said you're almost there) go and see your local Police.
If the guy will not leave you alone he is committing an offence under the Protection from Harrassment Act. He will be served a letter by the Police warning him that his conduct amounts to harrassment AND continued conduct of this type could lead to his arrest. In my experience that stops this sort of stuff in 99% of cases. The letter is a proforma (at least it is here) and takes like 30 seconds to type out.
Don't feel you are wasting their time...people have been murdered in this country over garden rubbish
As far as the noise goes - it's an EHA issue. You will NEVER make enough noise for them to be interested, trust me (Unless you hold a PH BBQ, natch)
Start to keep a diary of every incident you have involving this miserable git. Time, date, what happened, any witnesses etc.
We need to establish a pattern of behaviour, OK?
When you have a few juicy entries in this diary (and with what you've said you're almost there) go and see your local Police.
If the guy will not leave you alone he is committing an offence under the Protection from Harrassment Act. He will be served a letter by the Police warning him that his conduct amounts to harrassment AND continued conduct of this type could lead to his arrest. In my experience that stops this sort of stuff in 99% of cases. The letter is a proforma (at least it is here) and takes like 30 seconds to type out.
Don't feel you are wasting their time...people have been murdered in this country over garden rubbish
As far as the noise goes - it's an EHA issue. You will NEVER make enough noise for them to be interested, trust me
(Unless you hold a PH BBQ, natch) I agree with in in priciple Madant69; regarding the protection from harrassment act.
However, I don't think CPS will entertain it for various reasons;
The age of the guy next door, the fact that he's complaining about noise created by 'our guy', etc etc
I know what's happened might fit the criterea for section 4 of Harrassment Act, but I doubt it would go further than a statement from our guy.
Just my thoughts.
Street
However, I don't think CPS will entertain it for various reasons;
The age of the guy next door, the fact that he's complaining about noise created by 'our guy', etc etc
I know what's happened might fit the criterea for section 4 of Harrassment Act, but I doubt it would go further than a statement from our guy.
Just my thoughts.
Street
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