Egluntyne Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Write to the council to say that the chickens have been there for 2 years and he is only just lodging a complaint. I would keep a diary yourself and ask them to come and assess the noise on your behalf as you dispute his unreasonable claims. Perhaps your other neighbours will support your claims. Bad luck.....but I'm sure he won't win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 (edited) he's now going to have to keep a diary of when the noise disturbs him, dates and times etc. I think he has todo this for a cple of weeks (maybe a bit more). Then he'll send them to the council who will review them and then contact you again. They may want to come out and check the noise levels for themselves at which point the girls will be vindicated because we all know he doesn't have a leg to stand on! Wait it out and don't worry because we all know that the noise level of chickens isn't anything to worry about. Does his dog bark much by the way? If it does I'd be tempted to counter complain, give him a taste of his own medicine. Edited March 22, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Write to the council to say that the chickens have been there for 2 years and he is only just lodging a complaint. I would keep a diary yourself and ask them to come and assess the noise on your behalf as you dispute his unreasonable claims. Perhaps your other neighbours will support your claims. Bad luck.....but I'm sure he won't win. brilliant advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Weeeeelll, I'm not a nice person so here's what I'd do. In you first post you mentioned 'his dog barking, kids making a noise', make a complaint against him and ask for the same forms, monitor his disturbances and make him wish he'd never started this. Then ask for a site inspection, explain that your neighbour has no cause for complaint is just a troublemaker who is harrassing you unfairly (you might want to turn the waterworks on at this point) tell them this is all making you depressed and unhappy and you arent sleeping propery cos of this nasty nasty man. Should do it. Then get a cockerel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 What an awful neighbour. I totally agree with Egluntine's very sensible (as usual ) advice. I'm so lucky I have neighbours who like chickens. I've even persuaded my next-door-neighbour's landlord into letting his wife have some, after meeting ours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Your neighbour sounds like a very unpleasant character. My neighbour told me they couldn't even hear the chickens in my garden.I think your neighbour is just going to look pretty silly , its not as if they're much noisier than the dawn chorus! He'd hate to live round here - theres the noise from Foxhall stadium, the police helicopter flying over, builders trucks.................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Why are people so small minded? We have had all of the stupid comments from people who assume that chickens are the spawn of the devil, and you need express permission from the Authorities, the Pope and God himself in order to keep them. The funny thing is all these comments have come from people who don't actually live nextdoor to us and therefore are in no way affected! A guy whose mother lives ten doors down told me that he works for the council and that chickens are 'livestock' and we are not allowed them, which is complete tosh. He also said that he wouldn't like them nextdoor to him and neither would his mother! I said 'well thankfully we aren't next to you or your mother so go away in a jerky fashion' or words to that effect. A guy over the road was worried about the impending plague of rats we were about to unleash on the street. Thankfully he has calmed down a bit now and is even offering me his spare veggie seedlings, a fair swap for some eggs I think! People can be noisy, I get mildly annoyed sometimes with yapping dogs from the puppy production facility two doors down and people having building work done at stupid o'clock but that's life. Live and let live, life is too short to be a whingeing prat telling tales to the council, especially when there are no grounds for complaint anyway. All he will achieve is an uncomfortable atmosphere which will probably remain after his complaint comes to nothing. Unfortunately some people get off on that, to help fill their poxy little lives. I know it is hard but try not worry and don't rise to the bait. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 I am sitting at my desk almosy crying as I read this, my neighbour complained to me yesterday and I couldn't sleep last night due to worry. I only picked up my girls last Sunday, he say it has been his worsk week ever, they have stressed him so much ! he says they are noisy and the Eglu looks a mess ! - I think he is particlarly bothered as he says he wants to put his house on the market - hooray ! We normally get on Ok, we don't see each other much, but he has made sarcy comments when I mow the lawn (which I don't do very often - but so what ?it is not that bad). I am trying to see his point of view, but just come back to 'he should get a life' - if this is his biggest stress, then he has a pretty charmed existence ! I was so pleased to see that others on here feel, like me, that screaming kids and barking dogs are a much bigger pain, but I am just worried about what he can do and I don't like bad feeling. the girls are pretty quiet, I have never heard them before 7.10 am, adn even then it is cute 'chuckling', they only get a bit noisier when there is a cat around, it lasts about 5 m ins and happened 3 times yesterday (yes, I was keeping a tally). Thinking of you Chooks Aloud xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 So sorry you're having this stress so early into keeping chooks, Cathy. Just be thankful he is planning on moving and try to rise above it. I'm sure you will get nicer neighbours move in, and you can always get on good terms with them by offering lovely fresh free range eggs as a "welcome to the neighbourhood" gift. Good luck. Legally he doesn't have a leg to stand on and he just sounds like a nasty piece of work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Oh dear....neighbours eh? he says they are noisy and the Eglu looks a mess Cheeky beggar....what business is it of his? Take no notice....he will need you onside if he is trying to sell his house. He has to declare if their have been any neighbour disputes so it is not in his best interests to cause one is it? Maybe if you point this out to him he will clear off. I would keep a diary...of any chicken related events, and of any episodes of harassment from him. Stand firm and don't be bullied. He is probably just grandstanding. All the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Cathy It might help you feel better (and more in control) if you play the game a bit. His main complaints seem to be about noise and the state of the Eglu? So, ask him if you can come round to his house, and see what the Eglu looks like from there, as maybe there is something you aren't seeing from where you are. Go round, have a look, see whether (a) there is a real problemm (unlikely) or (b) whether there is anything you can do to help make it look "better" - make suggestions and see what he says, ask him (pleasantly) for suggestions. If he says "get rid of them" you can just say "wel, that isn't an option, what apart from that"Maybe you could plant some annual flowers in tubs and put it around the Eglu area DON'T SHOW THAT YOU ARE UPSET. Bullies prey on weakness, and if he thinks he's got you on the run, he'll get even worse. Don't, however, be arrogant, as that'll just get his back up. Try and get yourself in the mindset that you are a third party in this, and that two of your friends are having a bit of a problem and have asked you to help. The reason this may work is that it stops you feeling personally attacked, and it's much easier to be objective and see both sides. It also means that you will be coming up with well balanced options. (I;m not sure if I've explained that ve Whilst there, listen to see ifyou can hear the chickens. Tell him that obviously you're concerned that he finds the chickens noisy, but explain that you genuinely haven't heard them making a racket. Ask him, is there a particular time of day? If he says "all the time", then stand there and listen for a sec and then say "I can't hear them now, can you??" Suggest that for the next few days he lest you know when they are being noisy. Finally, keep notes. keep a pad handy, and jot down the date and time that he complains to you, everything you have done. You probably think you don't need it and that you'll remember, but you won't. Just make a jotting every time. Then, if he does try to push it, you will be able to show how reasonable you've been, what you've suggested and when, and what he did as a result. It is a surprisingly powerful tool. Try not to let it worry you, It's likel;y his main concern is that it will put buyers off, so make sure you keep your Eglu area tidy, smell free etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 thank you for your support and constructive ideas, I felt so alone yesterday (no internet access at home!) It is just so hard not to get upset, I love my girls. My other pets have given me so much comfort recently (car in an accident in Dec and written off, dad dying in Jan) - I know I didn't have the chooks then but I live on my own and they are lovely company, they come out to see me whenever I go in the garden and now all 3 will take food from my fingers. They are ex-batts and I just think it is so amazing how they are being after all they have been through. I will try WitchHazel's suggestions, to try and get a proper idea of what his problem is and see if I can plant around it or something. Thanks again for your ideas and good luck to all in a similiar position Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Sorry to hear you are having problems Cathy ( how dare he say my purple eglu is a mess - oopps I mean yours ) Keep your spirit up and here's hoping he moves really soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Excellent advice above ... I would guess that he is panicking about selling the house, and thinks it will put people off. However, the worst thing he could do is get into a neighbour dispute! The fact that he says 'the Eglu looks a mess' is quite significant, I think. I mean, you may not like the Eglu, some people think it looks inappropriate in a garden setting ... but a mess? It couldn't be cleaner and neater! It sounds to me more like 'The purple eglu really stands out, I don't like chickens and I'm scared it's going to put people off buying my house'. There's nothing he can do, and he has a lot more to lose than you do. I think WitchHazel's plan is a good one - but face him out, he can't stop you keeping chickens! You have had a bad year from the sound of things, sorry this has happened now but don't let him put you off. He'll move, and you may get some lovely new neighbours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy's mum Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Our old nieghbour complained about our high washing line, he could see it from his window My husband rang the council just to be sure there were no rules against having a high line and they just laughed If I were you I would ring the council too and just tell them that he has threatened to call them, they should be sympathetic and you will have got your "oar in first" as it were. After all a noise has to be a certain amount of decibels to be a problem, hens just ain't load enough!!! Don't worry, he hasn't for the last 2 years.... Julie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 It is all a bit like the old joke about the elderly spinster complaining to the council that she could see two men playing tennis in the nude. When an official came round to investigate he could see nothing at all to offend in the back garden. Oh no...you won't said the elderly spinster........you have to lie on top of the wardrobe in the attic and use these high magnification binoculars. Sorry....the old ones are the best. I hope that is not too rude. Being serious for a mo....a good tip is to ask any complainers to put it in writing. Ninety nine times out of a hundred that will stop them in their tracks. Keep a diary, and take any photo's you think necessary, to refer back to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 (edited) Some people are best ignored We had odd catty comments from relatives at the weekend about the bright purple eglu and the even brighter multi-coloured kiddie climbing frame. I don't think they approved but I don't really care.. gardens are for living in when you've got kids. Pretty ornamental gardens can wait until I retire. I also got sarcastic comments about the state of the patio door glass being smeary and mucky (I'd cleaned it an hour before they arrived). Obviously their kids didn't have sticky fingers or like drawing on the glass as soon as it's cleaned. I simply said that the smears help to offset the glare from the garden equipment... as they kept refering to the offending items The cheek of some people... Maybe your neighbour needs to do something with his own garden so that he spends time admiring his handy work and less time looking over your fence. Maybe you can put some pots or plants around the eglu to disguise it until he's sold up Edited April 7, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Sorry to hear about this. The above advice sounds perfect - keep your cool, keep a diary and keep your fingers crossed he moves soon . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Sorry to hear about this. The above advice sounds perfect - keep your cool, keep a diary and keep your fingers crossed he moves soon . I like that. The 3Ks. Keep your cool, keep a diary, eep you fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druids57 Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 One of my favourite thoughts when someone is so totally out of order as your neighbour has been is to think to youself "Pity the poor sad man, he knows no better" Druid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Try and get yourself in the mindset that you are a third party in this, and that two of your friends are having a bit of a problem and have asked you to help. The reason this may work is that it stops you feeling personally attacked, and it's much easier to be objective and see both sides. It also means that you will be coming up with well balanced options. That's really good advice for any confrontational situation, I'm going to try that one. Tell old miseryguts that you wouldn't do anything to jeopardise him selling his house, because then you might get some nice neighbours. (Sorry, not very helpful but I couldn't resist! WitchHazel's advice is much more constructive.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Him Indoors suggests that if this chap finds the sight of your Eglu so offensive.....that you immediately offer to plant a nice row of Leylandii. If he has any sense he will back off......if he wants to sell his house, he really can't afford a neighbour dispute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanchick Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Oh dear, what a plonker. You should point out to him that a seller is obliged to declare any neighbour disputes on the Sellers Property Information Form (SPIF). That's much more likely to put off potential buyers than your lovely eglu. If he complains to the council, then he's got to declare it to the buyers' solicitors. Ha ha, tell him that, sit back and enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 I am sitting at my desk almosy crying as I read this, my neighbour complained to me yesterday and I couldn't sleep last night due to worry. I only picked up my girls last Sunday, he say it has been his worsk week ever, they have stressed him so much ! he says they are noisy and the Eglu looks a mess ! - I think he is particlarly bothered as he says he wants to put his house on the market If he wants to sell his house the last thing he should do is upset his neighbours! If you get anymore bother from him, go and buy an old Cortina from a s"Ooops, word censored!"yard (you should be able to get a burnt out one for a few quid) park it on the front lawn, remove the doors and tell him you intend to restore it..... eventually........., these things take time you know! Or you could just have a Wayne & Waynetta style row in the garden everytime anyone comes to view his house. Only joking, I would never dream of doing such things No really I wouldn't:wink: Honest! Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckmomma Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 WHATS HE DOING PEERING INTO YOUR GARDEN ANYWAY? I would ask him, and say "Oh dear it makes me feel rather uncomfortable to think I might be being watched when I am in my garden" Make him feel like you think he is a perv spying on you. To be honest it's none of his bussiness what you have in your garden or what it looks like. Control freak if you ask me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
