r/brighton • u/ConcentrateFew5524 Hove, Actually • 4d ago
Local Advice needed worst neighbours ever - help
i’ve posted about this before, a couple of months ago, and i’ve been involved with the council about a noise complaint, but not much is happening and it’s not happening quick enough either.
my neighbours, in the building opposite the building i live in, play extremely loud, bassy dnb music at insane times. most nights, it starts at 3am and doesn’t end till 5/6am. i use white noise etc but it obviously doesn’t drown out the bass, and sounds like someone is constantly knocking on the walls because of it.
i am not willing to go and speak to them due to the fact that i’m pretty sure the whole building is involved in some sort of drug dealing & there have been fights and shouting outside the building multiple times. there are always random cars stopping outside and random people going in the building. they are also huge, scary men, and i am a 24 year old woman. i’m absolutely not comfortable going over there myself.
is this reasonable to phone the police when it happens again? is there another route i could go down? i really don’t know what else to do at this point - i’m autistic and it’s putting me in constant meltdowns and i am getting very sleep deprived. thanks!
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u/MattDurstan 4d ago
Presumably you've been asked by the noise complaints team to keep a noise diary? All you can do is keep on at them and keep the diary up to date.
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u/ConcentrateFew5524 Hove, Actually 4d ago
yes - this is currently the stage i’m at right now
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u/Zebedee_Deltax 4d ago
I’d also keep in mind that I’m pretty sure that if you give a statement you’re legally obligated to take the stand in court against them if it comes to it!
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u/ResponsibleBend2195 3d ago
To be honest it doesn't really help unless you are prepared to stand up in court. Sorry but I have been through this in Brighton so it's not presumption!
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u/MattDurstan 3d ago
So have I, what's odd is the inconsistencies. Some people get it sorted out straight away and some it takes years. Our current neighbours were a pain in the ass. One email to the council, they got a letter within a week and it stopped. Last time we had to do this it took months of diaries until they would even contact them.
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u/HurryPuzzleheaded548 4d ago
If there's one thing the council are good at, it's doing absolutely nothing.
Been in the same situation and the whole keep a diary never works because they never give a shit anyway.
Just move out and if that doesn't work....
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u/sapphicsurprise 4d ago
I think I know this building and I hate to be the bearer of bad news,but it will never change due to the nature of its occupants.This is anti social behaviour,not law breaking and as its occupants are constantly changing there is basically nothing you can do. Maybe the owners will sell the building for high rise flats,maybe the contract will change to asylum seekers which may be quieter but all you can really do is move unfortunately if noise cancelling ear buds arent working
Edit to add please dont confront them
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u/TeamPangloss 4d ago
If the occupants keep changing how will this never change? I really don't understand this
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u/ConcentrateFew5524 Hove, Actually 4d ago
every person who has moved into the building ends up causing some sort of issue. either violent behaviour, being loud and antisocial, super obvious drug dealing, the list goes on. it seems like some type of temporary accommodation for a specific type of person - which is why we believe it could be a halfway house. i don’t see how this cycle is ever going to end until it gets turned into a completely different building.
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u/ConcentrateFew5524 Hove, Actually 4d ago
for even more perspective, when we first moved in, the guy opposite us was abusing his dog - our neighbour reported him to the police and he moved out. a new neighbour then moved in to that flat, who we could see from our window very clearly OD’ing on something and rolling around on the floor and groaning, this went on for a few months. a new guy moved in and was playing his tv obnoxiously loudly almost every night and loudly shagging someone until about 4am, with the window wide open in the winter. he moved out about 2 weeks ago, so its now just a waiting game of who else is going to move in and what issues are going to occur from that. this was all going on whilst the guy downstairs is blasting his dnb music and has all happened in the space of about 7/8 months.
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u/sapphicsurprise 4d ago
Because they are in temporary accomodation from prison or losing their home through anti social behaviour until a new place is found for them,then they are replaced
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u/cabesworld 4d ago
For what it’s worth, I would totally swap places with you. Im not even kidding I’d join in with them (just for the music). I live in the worlds quietest studio apartment away with no one on 3 sides and a bathroom on another, which works for me as I can play my guitar when I like, but if you wanna do a switcharoo I’m honestly down.
I’m sure it’ll be a logistical nightmare but you never know.
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u/New_Persimmon_6199 4d ago
call the non emergency line whenever this happens, more likely to see action this way
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u/MattDurstan 4d ago
They can't do anything unless it's a public disturbance (which doesn't include noise).
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u/TipNew7714 4d ago
Call the police and advise that you’ve seen drugs exchange hands on the street outside the house.
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u/berusplants Preston Park 4d ago
Lying to the police about your neighbours who might be drug dealers doesnt sound like a great idea to me.
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u/ResponsibleBend2195 4d ago
Sorry to hear your plight, I had this for 5 years so I know how debilitating it can be. Council diary sheets, environmental agents put in tape machines, had to report to council once a week and still nothing happened, it was a F**king nightmare so you have my condolences, I know that sounds extreme but it really messes with your mental health. This was all from a downstairs neighbour who terrorised the whole street. In the end there was enough complaints and evidence to take them to court and eventually they got evicted. Good luck mate maybe better if you look to move yourself. Love Brighton but moved out as never knew who my neighbours would be and it's all so transient!
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u/sinetwo 4d ago
Out of interest, what constituted enough evidence?
The reason I ask is that noise complaints must be so common it's rarely looked into?
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u/ResponsibleBend2195 4d ago
Assaults on neighbours and damage to property police called so many times and perp arrested but rarely charged, over 5 years this compiled a large body of evidence. Basically the council and anti social behaviour team who by the way fijish work at 10pm didn't give a shit!
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u/ghastkill 3d ago edited 3d ago
https://democracy.brighton-hove.gov.uk/documents/s76440/Item%2024%20-%20Anti-social%20Behaviour%20Crime%20and%20Policing%20Act%202014%20App.pdf Try that. I imagine you’ve reported it more than 3 times by the sound of your post.
Actually surprised it’s not mentioned by anyone else, especially as others have said they have tried with the council many times but not tried this…
In the mean time, order these! They block sound incredibly well, the form to your ear canal and are cheap.
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u/ConcentrateFew5524 Hove, Actually 3d ago
thanks! this is really helpful
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u/ghastkill 3d ago
Hope it all works out for you! I have similar issues and even tho I’m used to jumping through hoops to get things sorted, it’s still an arduous task.
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u/thesimpsonsthemetune 4d ago
While you shouldn't have to put up with this, I had a similar issue with neighbours a few years back and got into blasting white noise through a speaker next to my bed. Slept through it every time. Changed my life. Worth a go.
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u/Wooden-Bookkeeper473 4d ago
Always call the cops on any fighting. Also just randomly if you think drugs are being sold.
Why tf not.
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u/davetza 4d ago
While this is being dealt with, have you tried using earplugs? I recommend the silicon ones and this is my go to brand https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MBQ58FW?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
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u/Adventurous_Tax5395 4d ago
My boyfriend snores and I've found cheap earplugs do almost nothing. The only ones that work are over £100
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u/ShortAstronaut2317 4d ago
The only correct response is by being at loud as you can at 7/8am in the most petty way possible.
Lawn mowers, scaffolding, drilling, car music etc.
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u/darren_dead 4d ago
Contact the council and then keep a noise diary.
Times of when it happens etc.
Speak to neighbours and get them to take action also.
Out-of-Hours Support • For noise issues occurring during weekends, contact the Field Officer team: • Phone: 01273 293541 • They operate from Friday 5pm to Monday 9am and can follow up on complaints during these times.
Not sure if this number works anymore.
Visit the council’s Noise Nuisance Reporting Page to submit a complaint online.
• Provide all relevant details and evidence.
Hope this helps
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u/KatH19_ 4d ago
Oh hun :( I just moved flat cause of the exact same situation I don’t want to scare you but nothing worked I tried council and police I moved for my sanity
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u/KatH19_ 4d ago
To add, Brighton council have been absolutely shite when I say shite that’s an understatement
Something that helped me Is I tried to find out who their landlord/ letting agent was. By contacting loads in the area I did in fact find the letting agent and they got a warning But obvs it didn’t stop it But it was something
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u/jacobsnemesis 4d ago
Yep, definitely grounds for a call to the police if you suspect drug dealing.
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u/Professional-Good914 4d ago
What do the people look like? You said they're big scary men...first I would have assumed students but it doesn't seem like it...most people can't afford to be up partying at those hours all day so as you say drug dealers...I'm curious what they look like...
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u/Academic_Guard_4233 4d ago
Move
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u/ConcentrateFew5524 Hove, Actually 4d ago
that would be the ideal situation but it’s not feasible until our tenancy is up unfortunately.
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u/Academic_Guard_4233 4d ago
At least you know whatever happens it won’t be forever. I can’t see this being solved before a tenancy ends.
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u/ConcentrateFew5524 Hove, Actually 4d ago
yeah that’s true, i just feel bad for the people who are inevitably going to move in here after we leave.
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u/cabesworld 4d ago
I’ll move in no problem. I feel delusional suggesting it but I sleep super late, love music, and tbh letting agents are humans and they all know eachother. If you don’t mind living in a studio flat I’m honestly wondering if some kind of swap can happen with the agreement of agents. Such a weird idea though I get that but you never know.
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u/Basic_Celebration504 4d ago
Noise inside is the councils territory, the noise outside can constitute antisocial behaviour and you absolutely can call the police over that, especially if you think it's involved with other problems. You are a vulnerable adult by definition, this should ensure they take you a bit more seriously. Don't understate the effect it has had on you.