should i ask my neighbour to fix his guttering?

Question

my neighbouirs guttering has a split in it which when raining causes the rain water to pour heavily through the split and on to the ground below! my problem with this is my bedroom is directly opposite to the guttering and so i hear the constant sound of water dripping/pouring through the night which keeps me awake for most of the night. i have tried ear plugs but it doesnt stop the noise. the constant dripping is like chinese torture and causes me stress. should i go and see my neighbours about the leaking guttering and make them aware of the problem and the stress it is causes me or am i being unreasonable?

Answer 1

Hi there blue cow. No you are not being unreasonable. I cant believe you have left it this long; and got yourself all irate.
In this case, it is kind of not what you say but how you say it that matters, and makes all of the difference.
Go around to your neighbour, when they answer the door, smile and offer a handshake; say hello and ask them how theyare doing. Say to them: "You couldnt do me a favour could you? And then explain to them about the guttering and let them know that it is keeping you awake. Be polite to begin with. If you go in like a bull in a china shop, they will only get on the defensive. See how this goes first. They might surprise you and apologise and fix the guttering straight away.
Remember, you can be assertive without being offensive.
Good luck!
Let me know how it goes!!! :o)

Answer 2

they may be unaware of the noise, so I would try a different tack. Go to see them and say that they have a leak which, from your bedroom window, you can see is causing water to pour on to thier ground and splash up against their foundations. Invite them to view the broken guttering from your bedroom window so they can see exactly where the split is - make sure it is a rainy day! And then, during the conversation, you can say how noisy it is and how you can't sleep. They will see and hear the effect and will be far more reeptive to discussing repairs because they will hear the noise. You've also given them an opportunity to see the broken guttering from a different angle.
This is the best way to do it and broach the subject in a friendly neighbourly way. I don't think you are being unreasonable, they are probably just not aware of how bad it is. so give them an opportunity to see it.
Good luck

Answer 3

No, tell the neighbour to fix the guttering.

Undrained water (can... possibly... sometimes) cause subsidence issues and/or damp.

Especially in the nature you describe it...

try and be civil with the neighbour and ask them to fix it... if they dont you can get the council to MAKE them do it.

Failing that, I'm a roofer, ask me to do it!

Answer 4

if you get on with your neighbour, or happen meet your neighbour casually, then by all means mention it.. I wouldn't go up to his door and demand he fix it..

its surprising what little things can be sent in train by what you see as major problems, and thats the last thing you (or your neighbour) need

Answer 5

How does your neighbour know that the gutter water is troubling you if you don't mention it, it depends how they react by how friendly you are.

Answer 6

No its not unreasonable, I would even offer to help him repair the guttering.

Answer 7

i would have a word with you neighbour. Also point out that it may cause him problems with damp to the side of his building

Answer 8

Tell them, they may not be aware of it (unlikely).

One argument to use is that it is lowering the value of their house.

If you get no satisfaction, take it to the council, they have powers to enforce repairs.

Answer 9

no your not being unreasonable just explain to him politely light heartedly that its keeping you awake and i think he will be ok about it if hes an alright person

Answer 10

I would pay my neighbor a visit and be polite, But if they if they were unwilling to do anything about it i would take it further.