32 replies to this topic

[Mito]

Had a letter from the council today regarding the noise from drilling and welding on the mini.

I'm doing it outside and presume they mean the noise from the grinding down the welds.

Has anyone else had this and how did it turn end? Never had any complaints to my face, everyone seems to be more interested in what I'm doing. Clearly someone isn't though.

Edited by Mito, 07 April 2016 - 07:37 PM.

[Broomer]

Providing your not doing it at silly o clock dont worry about it. Obviously nothing better to do.

[THE ANORAK]

yes, had this years ago. i had a little visit from a very nice man and he confirmed i was doing nothing wrong.

 

the main thing he was concerned about was if i was running a car repair business from my house... i was not, he was happy.

 

he also pointed out i was to keep the noise within certain times of the day... i said OK, he was happy.

 

one thing he did mention was any chance of oil and fluids leaking into the ground and just gave a friendly warning that if he received any complaints about that he may be forced to act !!!

[Mito]

That's pretty much what I thought. Generally only work on it between 10 & 6 on a sunny weekend so don't think it's going anywhere but just annoying.

[Mito]

No chance of fluids leaking at the moment

[mini93]

I've had this too.

 

I emailed the council and asked for times which are deemed suitable, (being in mind i'm too lazy to work early in the mornings)

They came back to me saying it was circumstantial. Which is a complete crock o' ******* as noise is a subjective issue!

 

In any case I kept a work log of when and times I was working.

 

the db meter I borrowed from work in the furthest point in the house measured the noise as less than a quiet conversation (bearing in mind it would then be even more quiet in the neighbours house)

[Ben_O]

I too have had this in the past but i knew who complained and just knocked the door, asked them when they would be ok with it and we came to an agreement.. Problem solved

 

Do you run the grinder for long periods of time?

 

Just wondered as even though it is a pain to be reported, some people just don't like the sound of a grinder on all day at the weekend when they are trying to relax.

[Mito]

Probably no longer than 10-20 minutes and that's when there's quite a number of welds to grind down.

I would prob have done the same if they'd spoken to me first but doubt I'll be very accommodating now. Provided I remain within the law of course.

[cookie4343]

If the neighbors are in the garden on a sunny day I just do the quiet stuff then leave the grinding for wet days, that's all well and good if you have a garage.

[Archived2]

With new ASB laws the time of noise is subjective. A loud and or repated noise that effects anyones right to the peaceful enjoyment of thier home is classed as serious Anti Social Behavior.

Ive had two threats of prosecution so no longer do anything other than quiet repairs at home. Some Tool kept a noise log that they sexed up to much more than was actually happening. The local authority came out and took noise readings without my knowing so.
I was issued a noise abatement order. This was apparently broken even though I did nothing that time but it was impossible to prove either way.

I was threatened with an anti social behavoir order prosecution etc.

Dont listen to the old 11pm nonsense... Thats an old outdated way of looking at things and only used with low level issues like a small radio in the garden late at night or parties etc

Be very careful indeed. I genuinely only did an hr or two here and there but did involve some periods of grinding. Longest was probably 30-40 mins ( was recorded at this time) when I dealt with some sill repairs and cutting of a floor.
People are less tolerant of each other now and very quick to report you to authorities because they are too coward to just ask you a question about times or agree a solution etc. I blame facebook mentality.

If you are a tenant, even if a private tenant then the first confirmed serious instance of ASB that effects the locality of your home is enough to see you evicted.
ASB through noise will often see them try to resolve it first and if that fails youre off to court. Court will see if they have exhausted a reasonable course of action with letters etc... find against your favour and you're out. Try finding another landlord after that?

If you own your own home then its still serious, the legal issues with Asbo's etc can cause mortgage issues, job/employment issues, insurance issues with higher premiums and any future complaints even if nonsense will be given instant credance.

Find some way of keeping the noise down or do the noisy stuff away from home.

Sorry to hear this, seems people cant enjoy this hobby from home any more.
By the way I was in a closed garage in the back garden and not in the open air....

Edited by minihobbymini, 07 April 2016 - 09:10 PM.

[Tamworthbay]

Probably no longer than 10-20 minutes and that's when there's quite a number of welds to grind down.
I would prob have done the same if they'd spoken to me first but doubt I'll be very accommodating now. Provided I remain within the law of course.

much as it sounds a good idea to assert your right to make noise at certain times, you have two options 1, work with your neighbours and have a good relationship with them, 2, pee them off so they are watching for any transgression they can get you for and being generally unfriendly. Is it worth going down the first route just to prove a point? You have to live there at the end of the day. I hate the noise of a grinder and use it as little as possible and inside the garage whenever I can but I also make a point of talking to my neighbours about my projects. Once you get talking to them you will find everyone has memories of minis and if you show them what you are doing they will understand better. A guy at the top of my street decided to annoy the neighbours with his work as he was 'entitled to', they took a picture of the rolling shell on the road with him sat in it and he was done for having an untaxed, uninsured and unroadworthy car on the highway. The guy I am 99.999% sure reported him makes a point of coming over for a chat whenever I am working on the Capri or mini and he walks past with his dog, we always spend a few minutes passing the time and he even brought me an old ford catalogue he found amongst his old stuff.

[Mito]

I usually do speak to them when they are walking by and there's never been a single grumble which is what I find so annoying. But I take your point there's not a lot I can do though without knowing who they are.

The person I spoke to at the council wouldn't commit until they've investigated which is fair enough but they didn't advise me that I needed to stop after I explained what I was up to and when I'm doing it.

I also hate using the grinder but no real choice in the matter apart from selling the mini on and giving up, which I don't want to do.

Edited by Mito, 07 April 2016 - 09:20 PM.

[dean]

i had a letter to ( years ago), wanted to know if i wad running a business from home, which was not, they did come round and see that it was my own car in the garage so were quite happy,

 

it all come about as i was on holiday for a week and worked on the car ever day, and some bugger, who should of been working, complained about the noise and said i was running a business, 

 

i just kept quite for a while then just go back to it on the weekends, it was in a housing estate with homes all around me, but now my garage is out in the sticks, i can make as much noise as i like at any time, day or night, and i don't bother anyone.

[sonikk4]

I'm lucky enough now to be out in the sticks with our workshop so noise is not an issue BUT we still have houses in close vicinity so i normally keep the door closed as much as possible.

 

My lads car i lived at the end of a cul d sac with houses to the side and in front. Two years of welding and grinding i thought i was pushing my luck but my neighbours were really good and took an interest in what i was doing. I normally started at 09:30 and finished by 15:30 and never at a weekend. Where i live now i dont think i would get away with it hence the workshop.

 

Talking to them and explaining what you are doing is the way fwd.

[pusb]

I would say keep a log of when and for how long you are working. You can guarantee they are doing that on you, so play them at their own game. If you ever get into trouble, you would have as much "proof" that you haven't been unreasonable in the times of day you have been working. If your log contradicted theirs, it would simply be a case of their word against yours. We still (just about) have a legal system that requires guilt to be proven without reasonable doubt, so their log against yours shouldn't stand up in court.

 

Also, if you know who it is that's reported you, I would start keeping a log of any noise they made! Lawnmowers, BBQ's, drills etc. Every household makes noises at some point.