Domestic noise pollution

Bananaleaf

Hi there

Just wondering where we stand here before we call in to talk to the neighbours.

Have looked around online - citizens info just keep referring me to acts etc but the information I am looking for is impossible for me to find.

In short, there is a house 2 doors down from us. They moved in about 6 months ago and have been building a shed.

On Friday morning they had a guy start work on the shed at bang on 7am. Hammering nails into the roof. Woke me up.

This morning he had started again by 8am. He's not using power tools, just a hammer and nails. Roof doesn't appear to be finished so I'm guessing he'll either be back tomorrow or Monday morning.

What is the story with noise pollution and the regulations regarding the hours that you have to keep quiet? The OH thinks it's 11pm - 7am, which would mean they are not doing anything wrong and in that case I would obviously not want to complain.

Like I said, have been searching around a few articles for the past 20 mins and I can't find a time.

Any help would be great - probably not the right forum for this but that's where all the past noise pollution threads are (none of them similar to my query hence the new thread.)

Thank you
B

MarkAnthony

The problem with being (badly most likely) informed of the law is you're likely to start quoting it. This will make you come across in a less than optimal way. Why not try approaching the neighbour first then worry about researching the finer points of noise pollution law.

If you've quite a bit of time on your hands why not try a more interesting area of law. Equity is very interesting for example.

C.K Dexter Haven

8am would be a normal time for builders to start work on domestic builds- it sounds like it won't go on forever though- if that's the only issue you have with them, it will pass. Considering they're two doors down from you, it's not like you're getting the full blast of the noise- close your window or buy a pair of cheap ear plugs- there is noise pollution legislation, but really relates to ongoing noise, over a period of time- i really don't think this fits the bill- quoting law to a neighbour for doing some light building work, annoying and inconsiderate as it might be at 7am in the morning, won't gain you much.

If they were creating noise, every morning, over a longer period of time, that's when you'd have something more solid to go on to at least approach them.

Bananaleaf

MarkAnthony wrote: »

The problem with being (badly most likely) informed of the law is you're likely to start quoting it. This will make you come across in a less than optimal way. Why not try approaching the neighbour first then worry about researching the finer points of noise pollution law.

If you've quite a bit of time on your hands why not try a more interesting area of law. Equity is very interesting for example.

I'm not interested in learning about law in depth, especially not equity - I don't know how I gave you that impression but thank you for your considerate suggestiona all the same.

My OP (quite clearly) states that I would prefer not to approach my neighbour about making a racket at 7am, unless they are actually doing anything wrong.

If it is a case that the relevant act which deals with the hrs in which you are and are not allowed to make such disturbing noises states that noise as such is permitted from 7am onwards, then why would I approach them as they are obviously entitled to hammer at that time.

I am simply looking to know if someone here knows the hours in which quiet is meant to be maintained. I don't know them, and I presume you don't either as you would have told me otherwise, but thanks for your post anyway.

Bananaleaf

C.K Dexter Haven wrote: »

8am would be a normal time for builders to start work on domestic builds- it sounds like it won't go on forever though- if that's the only issue you have with them, it will pass. Considering they're two doors down from you, it's not like you're getting the full blast of the noise- close your window or buy a pair of cheap ear plugs- there is noise pollution legislation, but really relates to ongoing noise, over a period of time- i really don't think this fits the bill- quoting law to a neighbour for doing some light building work, annoying and inconsiderate as it might be at 7am in the morning, won't gain you much.

If they were creating noise, every morning, over a longer period of time, that's when you'd have something more solid to go on to at least approach them.

Oh no I wasn't going to go quoting law at them. I was going to call by and politely ask if they could start a bit earlier but only if I knew that they should be doing that in the first place. I wasn't going to call gardai or be aggressive about it either.

Yeah it doesn't seem like it should take too long, but progress is very slow at the same time. Could be another week at least and yeah they are only two doors down but the houses are small two bed townhouses and our bedroom is the back bedroom, which is pretty close to their back garden.

I'm going to give it a few days, but if it continues more than that I might see if they would mind even waiting until 8am to start. I'm kind of hoping the lady right next door might even say something first, but she's not there a lot so it might not even be affectingh her.

newacc2015

If its within DCC, its within in the law for hours of work

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-water-waste-and-environment-air-quality-monitoring-and-noise-control-noise/types

Even DCC make allowances to these rules for themselves. They resurface roads during the middle of the night now to limit disputation to traffic.

96YNWA96

Will ya ever let the man build his shed, days are getting shorter as I am sure u have noticed !!!

MarkAnthony

Bananaleaf wrote: »

I'm not interested in learning about law in depth, especially not equity - I don't know how I gave you that impression but thank you for your considerate suggestiona all the same.

My OP (quite clearly) states that I would prefer not to approach my neighbour about making a racket at 7am, unless they are actually doing anything wrong.

If it is a case that the relevant act which deals with the hrs in which you are and are not allowed to make such disturbing noises states that noise as such is permitted from 7am onwards, then why would I approach them as they are obviously entitled to hammer at that time.

I am simply looking to know if someone here knows the hours in which quiet is meant to be maintained. I don't know them, and I presume you don't either as you would have told me otherwise, but thanks for your post anyway.

Why would you approach them? The reason I get on so well with my neighbours I guess - we communicate with each other, it makes life very easy for all concerned. Minor issues stay minor, someone looks over the house when we're away and the favours are returned.

Regardless of the law of a particular situation the informal, good relations route is alway the best option.

That said you're more than entitled to go about things in your own way. I'd suggest if it's not that big a deal letting it lie but again you're call. The 11pm - 7am rule generally applies to sounds over a certain volume. There are IIRC different times for a weekend/Sunday. That said the only exposure I've had to it is dealing with a noisy industrial complex and you're asking about a domestic setting, so having pontificated to you about good neighbour relations I'll bow out wishing you the best of luck.

Only thing I will say is what he going to be doing in this shed?! :pac:

Bananaleaf

Well, the reason I might approach them about it is because I have to sleep. I have to work and for me to be able to work I need a good night's sleep. Do good neighbour relations not work both ways? There was hammering and drilling going on again today from 8am. Now I don't actually mind being woken at that time on a Sunday because I can go back to sleep. But what would have been nice would have been if he finished it, instead of stopping again at 10am.

Approaching your neighbours about an issue doesn't always have to be the confrontational, rage filled act you seem to be suggesting I'm going for. But, I mean, either the guy doesn't work or he's taken the week off to do his shed (a few hours at a time) so maybe he doesn't get that some of us need the full 8hrs.

As I said above, I'll leave it as long as I can but if this goes on all week I am going to have to have a word.

I'm actually a little shocked that I'm the one considered to be the bad mannered party in this, but there ya go.

MarkAnthony

Bananaleaf wrote: »

I'm actually a little shocked that I'm the one considered to be the bad mannered party in this, but there ya go.

I've made an assumption that could be incorrect. However that assumption is based on quite a few years lurking around this forum. That assumption is also based on the first thing not being simply knocking on the door, being invited in for a cuppa and saying Jimmy, what is going on with that bloody shed? Do you need a hand? Any chance you might start a bit later I'm trying to get some kip!

My assumption could be completely wrong. Assumptions aside an informal chat is my advice whether he's within the letter of the law or not.

Again NOT aimed at you but there are quite a few threads here on a regular basis where neighbours have made each other's lives difficult unnecessarily.

Notavirus.exe

A simple roar out the window should do the trick.

I suppose that you could call the Guards and they'd warn your neighbours about the noise.

angeline

Personally I would leave it as it will not be an ongoing situation. As disruptive as it may be it is clearly temporary until the shed is finished. It is not quite the same as continuous house parties or dogs barking all day, both of which would merit a knock on the door.