Hello dear members,
I discovered your lovely forum thanks to Google. Unfortunately, as is often the case, a problem has brought me here.
We are building an extension onto an existing semi-detached house in Baden-Württemberg.
We are building on a slab foundation. The friendly neighbor built his half with a basement.
We live 70 kilometers (about 43 miles) away from the construction site.
Therefore, with both of us working and having two children, we cannot be at the site all the time.
Yesterday morning, the workers began setting the formwork for the slab foundation.
When I arrived at the site yesterday, my friendly neighbor was already there waiting for me.
He yelled at me quite loudly and was extremely angry.
He said that the slab foundation towards his side was insulated only with Styrodur (extruded polystyrene).
One of the workers tried to explain that in addition to the Styrodur, a 4 cm (1.6 inch) soundproofing wall would be installed along the house.
Still, he did not calm down.
He just kept yelling. He said he would take pictures and that he would refuse to pay.
We have no intention of demanding any money from him.
I was really shocked!!!
Actually, he should be worried, since he built 3 cm (1.2 inches) of his house’s total length over our property boundary.
What is the legal situation here?
I told my husband about it.
He wanted to see a lawyer right away.
For me, maintaining peace with the neighbor is more important.
Please excuse my spelling mistakes and my lack of knowledge. I have two children and need to keep them happy at the same time.
Thank you,
Sandra
I discovered your lovely forum thanks to Google. Unfortunately, as is often the case, a problem has brought me here.
We are building an extension onto an existing semi-detached house in Baden-Württemberg.
We are building on a slab foundation. The friendly neighbor built his half with a basement.
We live 70 kilometers (about 43 miles) away from the construction site.
Therefore, with both of us working and having two children, we cannot be at the site all the time.
Yesterday morning, the workers began setting the formwork for the slab foundation.
When I arrived at the site yesterday, my friendly neighbor was already there waiting for me.
He yelled at me quite loudly and was extremely angry.
He said that the slab foundation towards his side was insulated only with Styrodur (extruded polystyrene).
One of the workers tried to explain that in addition to the Styrodur, a 4 cm (1.6 inch) soundproofing wall would be installed along the house.
Still, he did not calm down.
He just kept yelling. He said he would take pictures and that he would refuse to pay.
We have no intention of demanding any money from him.
I was really shocked!!!
Actually, he should be worried, since he built 3 cm (1.2 inches) of his house’s total length over our property boundary.
What is the legal situation here?
I told my husband about it.
He wanted to see a lawyer right away.
For me, maintaining peace with the neighbor is more important.
Please excuse my spelling mistakes and my lack of knowledge. I have two children and need to keep them happy at the same time.
Thank you,
Sandra
S
Sandrasix17 Apr 2020 21:30There are many posts on the topic of children and noise with varying opinions.
I’ll put it this way:
If I had a Ferrari, I wouldn’t be bothered by MY loud car. But if someone drove along the street during my usual quiet hours, it could annoy me.
I think that’s human nature.
I also believe that loving children is not an obligation. You should simply respect every child and be understanding of their lack of experience.
I understand anyone who would sell their house or buy additional land to maintain their peace and personal comfort zone.
Fortunately, tastes are different.
By the way, we will most likely encounter the loud one.
I’ll put it this way:
If I had a Ferrari, I wouldn’t be bothered by MY loud car. But if someone drove along the street during my usual quiet hours, it could annoy me.
I think that’s human nature.
I also believe that loving children is not an obligation. You should simply respect every child and be understanding of their lack of experience.
I understand anyone who would sell their house or buy additional land to maintain their peace and personal comfort zone.
Fortunately, tastes are different.
By the way, we will most likely encounter the loud one.
If he continues to behave like this, there is only one option left – to shout back. That seems to be the only "language" he understands.
A few months ago, I also had problems with my neighbors in the other semi-detached house. He kept shouting at me, and his wife was yelling and swearing out of the window.
At that moment, I wasn’t given the chance to clarify the misunderstanding, so I stayed quiet the entire time.
For months, he would make snide remarks from behind his hedge, and I never responded. But over the weekend, I lost my patience when he decided to complain to child services about two kids (one of them mine) drawing with chalk in front of our driveway because they were being noisy.
I responded the same way he did, and suddenly he asked if we could talk. End of the story: he apologized.
A few months ago, I also had problems with my neighbors in the other semi-detached house. He kept shouting at me, and his wife was yelling and swearing out of the window.
At that moment, I wasn’t given the chance to clarify the misunderstanding, so I stayed quiet the entire time.
For months, he would make snide remarks from behind his hedge, and I never responded. But over the weekend, I lost my patience when he decided to complain to child services about two kids (one of them mine) drawing with chalk in front of our driveway because they were being noisy.
I responded the same way he did, and suddenly he asked if we could talk. End of the story: he apologized.
Vicky Pedia17 Apr 2020 22:33Sandrasix schrieb:
I also believe that there is no obligation to love children.
One should simply respect every child and be understanding of their lack of knowledge. Actually, it is the duty of parents/adults to love children, especially their own. I know a mother who finds her own children too much/a burden because she wants to be "free." I think it’s a shame when children suddenly stand in the way of house/family/car planning.
When children are noisy, isn’t that a call for attention?
S
Sandrasix17 Apr 2020 22:45Vicky Pedia schrieb:
Oh yes, it is the duty of parents/adults to love their children, especially their own. I know a mother who finds her own children too much/in the way because she wants to be "free." I think it’s terrible when children suddenly become an obstacle to house/family/car planning.
When children are loud, isn’t that a call for attention? Very nicely written by you!
S
Sandrasix17 Apr 2020 22:54But I have a question for you.
I also asked my site manager.
(he will explain and show me on site on Monday)
How do you insulate a ground slab next to a neighbor’s house?
Is there a standard (e.g. DIN)?
I also asked my site manager.
(he will explain and show me on site on Monday)
How do you insulate a ground slab next to a neighbor’s house?
Is there a standard (e.g. DIN)?
Vicky Pedia17 Apr 2020 22:54Sandrasix schrieb:
Very nicely written by you!Thank you! It’s something that affects me personally right now, so perhaps that’s why there are more emotions. It’s not the children, but the parents who define freedom as well as boundaries. Thank you for the emotions!