Wonder Why?
 

I wonder why some people just seem to care about themselves, we have our bedrooms in back of the house, the lanai behind us is very close to our window, and the people behind have their TV on the lanai,and it is on from 5AM or so to 10 or 11 PM, and it is loud. We complained to the them, and they said oh, my husband is hard of hearing, and nothing changed. It is not possible to have our window open on cool nights, as we are awakened by the TV. They even leave it on for hours when no one is there. The house next to them is vacant and for sale, and i can see why. I am not moving, but it shows there is nothing you can do with people who think they live on a island. Some people just seem not to care about anything but themselves. I guess i have to vent, and try to calm myself.

This is what happens when you live in an area with postage stamp lots--we went from 5 acres to here--but 5 am in the morning is truly out of line--help him use closed captions

I think there are noise ordnances, try giving community standards a call, maybe they can help.

A friend of ours uses a wireless headset to watch TV on his lanai because of complaints from the neighbors.

That is the reason I refuse to put a TV on the Lanai.

Having managed RV resorts for many years, I used to get snowbirds insisting they be moved to another spot because of TV noise, smoke from cigars/pipes, loud talking, etc,etc. this was an easy solution...I just moved them. I think the only solution to a similar problem here in TV is ....move. I've often wondered why folks move so many times here in TV. I think it's due to neighbors. Even folks here on TOTV who talk about having moved multiple times....they would never admit it, but I believe it's due to neighbors.

I hadn't really thought about this, but I can see your point.

There are many homes available with private back yards. Some back on Villa walls.
Having come from a large property, privacy was our number one consideration.
We knew in advance a kissing lanai was not for us.
We couldn't afford a big expensive home home plus a view lot.
So we compromised by buying a smaller home backing on ponds. We treasure our privacy.
I agree with gerryann, sometimes the only solution is to move!

Here is the community standard about noise

External Noise - External noise refers to sounds being made outside of the home, for example,
lawn mowers or lawn equipment, radios, amplified music, etc. , and should be kept to a
moderate level. Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m . until one hour before daybreak.

Moderate is a pretty poor description. But Quiet hours is pretty clear. So there ought to be quiet from your neighbor from 10 PM until one hour before daybreak. Note that daybreak generally means when the sky begins to brighten, not when the sun rises. Used most liberally that might be understood to mean astronomical twilight which now occurs at 5:22 Am, so one hour before would be 4:22 AM. I don't really think they mean it is ok to mow your lawn beginning at 4:22 AM. Maybe the language needs to be tightened.

I don't think tightening up the language on an unenforceable ordinance will help. Now, the county ordinance...that's a different story.

What would it take to change a loud person if just asking doesn't work?

Could you offer to buy them headphones? I know it isn't fair. But if you explained that you cannot afford to move and this is a much less costly solution maybe they would have a change of heart.

Maybe thy want you to move.

Thanks for the input, the problem with moving is neighbors change. We moved in this house 2 and 1/2 years ago. The neighbor was great, we talked all the time. His wife died, after a short illness, and he sold the house and moved to a manufactured community next to the villages, due to lower income. These people who bought have been here about 9 mo. You can move to a quiet area, but it can change tomorrow, if the new people just do not care. Something to think about before buying, you never know.

Wonder Why?
 

Or something to think about before moving. Well said!

This week there was a thread about wind chimes. The OP of that thread started a thread a few months ago about frog noise. You have a neighbor with a loud TV on the lanai. The thing I see is how this bothers you and is taking over. Your neighbor isn't going to change so what can you do to make it work for you? Can you change your setup and sleep in another room? Are there trees or hedges that might block out the noise? No, it isn't fair, but the alternative is you allow this to grow in you like a cancer and the offending person doesn't care.

Sometimes it is just a matter of having a pleasant conversation with your neighbor about how people can live together in harmony. Seek first to understand and maybe you in turn will be understood, too.

The suggestion of using a wireless headset sounds nice, especially if you could convince them it would benefit them as well. Wireless headphones also eliminate background noise too.

Buy a universal remote that will control HIS T.V.

Frog noise? Seriously? What was the issue with frogs and what did they want done? Wow.....

So unfortunate. You didn;t sign up for this When we bought there was a sand pile behind us, and now we have a kissing lanai, too. We are snowbirds and soon to be Frogs. Will see what happens.

If you paid a premium for a privacy lot, then you probably have legal recourse.

This is of major concern with us too. We are snowbirds that are currently renting in Quail Ridge. The unit is at the end of the street and has the 4th hole of the Lopez in the back yard. Very quiet and peaceful. We'd never rent a unit that you could share a grill with the neighbor. IMHO lot sizes are often not big enough..

We too ran a busy resort. IMHO speak clearly with compassion for his sense of hearing loss, but also your needs for quiet. Come with solutions not merely complaints eg. Walmart has a headset for $ that would work or....
This way you could hear, we could have quiet and become good friends and neighbors...

If this fails which it probably won't on your second visit..contact the powers that be with your real problem.
Yes, the lots are small. I love hardly any lawn to care for but occasionally this kind of drawback shows up. We had the exact same thing in Fort Myers....lovely people..loud lanai TV and every time we went out to our pool, they thought it was time to socialize with them.

Your original post was titled "Wonder Why". The answer is that they have no reason to care. You have got to give them a reason to care. Friendship or helpfulness might be a way. Complaints likely raise the defenses. Any room for a nice thick hedge row?

I agree with suggesting they use closed captioning. I find I need to use it myself for some shows.

Or buy them the headset as a present.

I'd be willing to bet these older folks would not take to the headsets. Privacy is at a premium

Inconsiderate is to some like intolerant is to others.
I don't smoke, but both my back neighbors do.
One has a barking dog.

I knew coming in that all of the above comes with living in close contact to others.

If you don't like having people close by, try country living. It is unreasonable to ask your neighbors to adapt to your lifestyle. The Villages is known world wide as a drinking, partying, active community.

i am not saying i want to move for privacy, to land or otherwise, your stating the villages is a drinking and partying community is true, however common sense should be used. If you were partying at 2 or 3 in the morning, on your lanai, or left your barking dog on your lanai all day while you were gone, the excuse that we are a fun, partying place does not fly. My question was, why do some people just not seem to care about the feelings or rights of others. There are unwritten rules to live by, not everything should be in a rule book, as i say just common sense, think how you would react with the shoe on your foot. If you use that yardstick
and apply it to what you do, it would be easier on everyone.

I will answer your question this time. Last time I tried to give suggestions on how to live with the situation, but now I understand that isn't what you were asking. My answer: (1) rules don't apply to everyone because some people are special; (2) people generally think it is someone else that people are complaining about, not them; and (3) some people don't give a hoot.

And here is the Sumter Co noise ordinance with my addition of bold to highlight the operative phrase which may cover this situation. Not suggesting calling the sheriff but if you get to that point I would have the law printed out for their reference.


Sec. 16-107. - Specific prohibitions.
The following specified acts and circumstances are hereby declared to constitute prohibited noise disturbances in violation of this article; provided however, such enumeration is not and shall not be deemed to be exclusive; provided further that all other acts and circumstances meeting the definition of noise disturbance are likewise declared to be in violation of this article.

(1)

Radios, televisions, musical instruments and similar devices, and amplified human voice. Playing or permitting the playing of any radio, television, musical instrument or similar device, whether amplified or not amplified, or amplifying the human voice in such a manner or with such volume as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort and repose of a reasonable person in any type of residence or place of business; provided, however, this prohibition shall not apply to regularly scheduled outdoor entertainment activities in the downtown or urban areas within developments of regional impact, so long as such events terminate not later than 10:00 p.m.

That seems fair and reasonable but now that we know it's a law or something like a law what can you do with it?

Two thinks to think about..-it will soon be much too hot to sit outside and watch TV, summer and all

and two....desperate times call for despirate measures.....find some way to make it uncomfortable for him to sit outside.....drastic but dog poop smell comes to mind, or fertilize your yard with cow manure. subtle but effective.

last resort, rent it out and move away....

2 big directional speakers on your lanai that you turn on when the TV comes on, fire with fire....or use a bullhorn to ask them to turn it down.

:1rotfl: Sorry. The bullhorn idea just made me burst out laughing this morning.:1rotfl:

I feel for you. We had a similar situation. The people lived on the lanai all day long. Television going, drinking parties, etc. They were both very hard of hearing, and factor in the drinking, their voices were very loud. We spoke with them several times and explained the situation. They promised to be quieter, but they weren't quiet. He did volunteer to use the cordless headphones to listen to the tv which was a huge help. But the late night parties really got to us. Finally I blew may stack, and after listening to their drinking party after midnight one night, I called the cops. They quit speaking to us, and sold the house and moved. Best thing I ever did. New neighbors are like church mice.

I would get a set of headphones and ask them to use them. If that doesn't work, you can always enclose your lanai, or add soundproofing windows to your master bedroom so you can sleep in peace and quiet. Some people make a quiet relaxing type space out in the front of their house, so they don't have to interact with the noisy neighbors behind. It depends on the type of house you have whether you can do that. Even putting in a privacy hedge/thick trees or vegetation helps. You may still hear the noise, but somehow its not as bad if you can't see the people. If they play the television past 10:00 and won't use the headphones, call and report them. Sometimes you just have to get tough. Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

This is definitely a disadvantage of our homes being so close. We can actually sit on lanai and hear the neighbors through the walls if they are arguing. Most the time it is quiet though.

I live in a court yard villa I was told by one of my neighbors that every time she flushes the toilet our dog barks.And that statement might be true but the only problem is we DON`T have a dog HELLO!!!!!!!!!!

The problem is, you can buy a premier home on a golf course, and get noisy neighbors on the side. I was talking to a lady who was going to sell her house. The next door neighbor lived in the birdcage, on the phone all the time, loud voice, and she couldn't sit on her lanai and enjoy the golf course view without listening to him. There have been stories about noisy dogs barking, etc. No matter where you are, you can have rude, inconsiderate people. I personally think they are in the minority, and that if you nicely ask, MOST people will do the neighborly thing. If they don't you have to take extreme measures.

White noise. Either a white noise generator (there are many free apps in iTunes) or a loud water fountain. I used to travel a lot for business, stayed in many noisy hotel rooms, and my white noise apps were a lifesaver.