New Neighbours

We live in a "duplex" i.e. 2 places joined together. We've been spoilt as our previous neighbours were so quiet and the place has since been empty for about 8mths.

We now have new neighbours. It's a tiny 3 bedroom place and they have 4 people living there (one in the lounge). They've been renovating it for months...generally only at night...sawing etc at 10 or 11 at night.

Now they've moved in and I have some concerns. They are entitled to live their lives so I don't want to be a pest but here are the things I'm concerned about:

They have 2 carparks but are parking 4 cars so 2 of the cars are right over our front door. DH struggles to get his bike out in the morning. Can we ask them to park 1 of them on the road?

They smoke outside and if I leave the windows open the house, especially Elles room stinks of smoke and it gets all through our washing. Can I ask them to smoke on the other side of their house instead? I'm really anti-smoking and don't want it through Elles room.

One of the people sleeps through the wall from Elle and her alarm clock is so loud that Elle is now waking at 6...I'm guessing we are stuck with that as it seems rude to ask her to turn it down?!?!

One of them comes home at lunchtime. They've renovoated everything except the front door that sticks terribly. When they come home at lunchtime and late at night they have to make several attempts to slam the door. It is very loud and as a result Elle is woken 40mins into her nap and we are woken just before midnight each night. Would it be rude to ask them to use the other door at those times (it's right beside their front door)?

I know Elle should just get used to the noise and hopefully she will but ATM it is causing chaos in our house as she is so tired and grumpy.

We are planning to move this year anyway but perhaps a few little requests re: their cars etc would be ok?

Yep definitely speak to them about the car parks. As for the other stuff, not so sure about that.

I agree...sounds like it's time to move! In the meantime I would definetly talk to them about the car parking!

Yeah I'd tell them to move the cars. They shouldn't have a right to block your front door.

As for the other stuff, I'd just pop over one day and just mention the smoke and ask if it would be ok for them to do it away from Elles window. And just mention that the slamming of the door constantly wakes up her every day. They might just not be aware that their actions are effecting you guys.

I would make them some choc brownie and pop over and say "Hi new neighbours" and while you're there mention the issues that you have, that way you're not telling them how to live their lives so much as suggesting ways for you to cohabitate peacefully - and the brownie will soften them up

Yes we own this place and they own the one next door. We were soooooooooo lucky with our old neighbours. Elle is soooo tired and they are building next door again so I'm guessing her nap will be cut short again.

I arrived home this morning and had only left 1 window open and our whole house stinks of smoke. They have their whole back yard and deck to use so surely I can ask them not to smoke on our half of the property??

making brownies and taking them over then asking them not to do stuff...oh how Bree that would be!

He He! It would be SO Bree! I think it is a good idea though. Can you do one of those really nice 'smiles' that Bree does?
I would try and say the other issues but just say them really nicely.

Go Bree!