Should somebody working nights (and sleeping in the day) expect neighbors to allow for this?

Question

A man who works nights has filed a complaint against his neighbor because of noise disturbing his sleep during the day. Noise like the lady of the house using a vacuum cleaner or busy in the kitchen or a man mowing his lawn. These are ordinary routine day to day noises. Why should a person choosing to work nights expect his neighbor to spend the day being as quiet as a mouse simply because he sleeps during the day? It seems unfair that the neighbor has to go to court to answer this selfish ridiculous complaint - or face eviction for "anti-social" behavior if he ignores the complaint

Answer 1

Neighbours should consider one another, but not to the extent of stopping their normal and reasonable daily routine.

I work nights sometimes; I don't expect my neighbours to be completely silent, or to stop going about their daily lives for my benefit; I do let them know when I'm going to be sleeping during the day, and most of them make the effort not to be excessively noisy on those days, simply out of good manners. I don't consider I have the right to expect this, though, and I wouldn't dream of taking any of them to court if they didn't.

Answer 2

It's an unfortunate situation to be working nights and have to deal with trying to sleep while these nosy everyday activities are going on, however that's where it stops "Unfortunate". The gentleman working nights can try speaking with his neighbors to see if they can come to a conclusion, though when it's said and done he can't expect people to cease what they need to be doing during normal hours. What does he expect the neighbor to mow there lawn at midnight, or start vacuuming at ten pm. that is a completely preposterous thought. He needs to suck it up, buy some earplugs whatever it is that he needs to do to accommodate the routine that comes with the job / hrs. he accepted to work.

Answer 3

I think that anyone working nights needs to understand and accept that it has its disadvantages. Noise is by law supposed to be limited at night, because that's when most people sleep, so naturally noisy chores need to be done during the day. People who sleep during the day simply need to accept that and get used to the noise or else get a day job or move to a rural area.

If his neighbours are supposed to be quiet during the day so that this man can get his sleep and also quiet in the night so the rest of the neighbourhood can get some sleep too, when the heck are those necessary but noisy things supposed to get done??

It's ok to expect a little consideration from one's neighbours, but this man is going overboard and being ridiculous.

Answer 4

I think it is unfair for him to expect people to be quiet all the time in the middle of the day. When are they supposed to vaccuum or mow the lawn? At night - then everyone else would complain. I think they guy needs to realize that he has an unusual schedule and that everyone can not work around him. He needs to get a white noise machine and get over it. Ireally hope a judge just reems him for this.

Answer 5

The day sleeper is the one with the problem. You can't expect that the neighborhood is going to be quite so you can sleep. When I worked nights, I had my windows covered with aluminum foil to block as much light as I could. Sounds and noise you either learn to tune out or finds ways to cover them Earplugs, the sound of an air conditioner/fan or even a noise machine that could make the sound of anything you find restful. No judge in the court system is going to tell neighbors they can't cut their grass in the middle of the day.

Answer 6

i think they have got a nerve to expect the neighbours to be quiet. My cousin had a similar problem with her neighbour. My cousin had the police at her door one day last summer. It was 2 o'clock in the afternoon and her 2 daughters were in the pool with their 5 year old niece and her 2 friends (ages 6 & 4 ) and the neighbour complained of the noise as he was on night shift and they were disturbing him. They weren't aware he worked night shift and he made no effort to come to the door himself and let them know. As I live in the UK it is actually a novelty to get a sunny day during the summer so we brits need to make the most of any days we get.
There are ways round these things. i.e earplugs and a little tolerance.

Answer 7

With the changing times and business that span the globe, I think it's time that communities agree on preset times for noisy disturbances. I don't know if this fellow tried to talk with his neighbors to restrict hours and they refused or if he is just a jerk.

Ear plugs and noise machines only go so far; usually when people get into these situations, they feel they have been dismissed.

Ideally, our homes are so well-constructed and insulated againt noise that this isn't an issue. But most of them aren't.

Answer 8

It sounds like this person is a light sleeper and/or hasn't adjusted to working nights yet. When people lose sleep or are sleep deprived, they tend to freak out. I'd cut the person some slack. It's too bad he felt the need to file a complaint. Maybe you could speak with the landlord and ask for some kind of mediation.

Answer 9

I once worked nights and went through this same sort of thing. You have to remember, though, that MOST people work during the day and there are lots of daytime noises and activities to deal with. My best advice is learn to wear earplugs and keep your sleeping room as dark and cool as possible. Also, try to maintain a set schedule for sleeping. Good luck!

Answer 10

Those you mention would come within the bounds of reasonable behaviour. The guy will probably wind up paying court costs.
If I knew my next door neighbour was on a night shift,then I wouldn't,for example,blast my music out,people have to show a little consideration,after all,NOT everyone chooses to work nights,it often comes with the job..Nurse,Police,Fire brigade and others