Disputes between neighbours are not uncommon, but one homeowner has confessed to reaching their wits' end due to the 'rude' and unreasonable demands of their elderly neighbour. In search of advice, the exasperated resident took to the internet to share their predicament.

Posting on the r/neighborsfromhell Reddit forum, they explained: "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."

The American homeowner recalled an evening when they had friends over and briefly stepped into their garden at 8:30pm.

They continued: "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 frustrated homeowner expressed worry that constantly yielding to their neighbour's hostile tirades might have unintentionally 'set a precedent'. They elaborated: "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 respondent playfully recommended: "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," whilst another joked: "I would pay a lot of money to witness this."

Another commenter urged them to present the neighbour with the city's noise bylaws. "Hand it to him and tell him that any more of his outbursts you'll call the police and charge him with harassment," they counselled.

A third person took a different tack, advising: "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."

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.