A lot of people find that they have problems with their neighboursfrom time to time, however one homeowner has admitted that they're at their wit's end due to their 'rude' elderly neighbour's demand. The resident, based in the US, took to Reddit to talk about the situation as they asked people if they had any advice on the situation.

Writing on the r/neighborsfromhell thread, they said: "We bought our first house this summer. My neighbours are all old for the most part. It’s no biggie most of the time. However my one neighbour literally goes to bed at like 7pm. If we use our hot tub after they go to bed they complain that they can hear us open and close our hot tub.

"They also complain they can hear us talking. We are not having a party! It’s just a couple speaking at a normal volume in our hot tub. He will open his window and yell at us."

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The person said they had friends over that evening too and went out briefly into the garden at 8:30 pm.

They added: "I showed them the backyard. Maybe outside for 3 minutes. Six adults just standing in the yard talking about how nice the landscaping is and that we can see the stars. Neighbour once again opens his window and starts screaming at us to be quiet. Sir. It is 8:30 pm on a Friday night.

"We have an outdoor firepit and last summer he would yells at us for using it while it was still daylight at 8 pm."

The homeowner said they had 'had it' with their neighbour and fear that by complying with his screaming they've 'set a precedent'.

They added: "City law says I can make reasonable noise before 10pm and I don’t think I’m being unreasonable. I’d like to enjoy my hot tub and have friends over at the home I own. There is no Homeowners Association (HOA)!

"How do I handle my rude elderly neighbour with unrealistic noise expectations?"

One person suggested: "Air horn? When he opens his window, as soon as he opens his mouth give a little honk, and again every time he tries to speak," while another person replied: "I would pay a lot of money to witness this."

While another said they should print out the city regulations for noise. "Hand it to him and tell him that any more of his outbursts you’ll call the police and charge him with harassment," they said.

A third also had an alternative suggestion, writing: "You need to learn to ignore him. I'm serious, just continue your conversation as if he's screaming at someone else. Literally pretend he's not there. He's doing it because he gets a reaction from you."

What are the laws regarding noise and properties in the UK?

In the UK, there isn’t a single set of absolute “property noise limits” that automatically apply everywhere, but there are clear legal frameworks that give councils and courts powers to regulate unreasonable or harmful noise from properties — especially where it amounts to a statutory nuisance or is covered by specific noise laws.

Environmental Protection Act 1990 – Statutory Nuisance

Noise can be classed as a statutory nuisance under Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 if it:

• Unreasonably and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises, or


• Injures health or is likely to injure health.

This applies to noise from dwellings, gardens, machinery, or premises — but not general traffic noise or aircraft.

Noise Act 1996 (Night-time Noise)

• Allows councils in England & Wales to address excessive noise from residences and gardens between 11 pm and 7 am.


• If measured noise at the complainant’s property exceeds the permitted level, the council may serve a warning notice; if ignored, fines may follow.

Anti-social Behaviour and Other Statutes

• Noise causing serious disturbance might also fall under anti-social behaviour laws (e.g., part of the Anti-social Behaviour Act or Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act), which can allow councils or the police to act where behaviour causes harassment, alarm, or distress.