It’s common these days for people to play music in their gardens on smart speakers or smartphones. But is it fair on the neighbours? Should gardens be quiet spaces without these kinds of sounds? Graham French, Sutton Coldfield
Send new questions to nq@theguardian.com.
Readers reply
Only do it twice per year. Any more and there will be retribution! KrisFernie
I would rather hear music than the neighbours having another nasty argument. GrandMoo2018
One of our neighbours uses a leaf blower whatever the season and it wavers around a B flat. On the opposite side is a biker with a mate who when revving can create duets ranging from a deep low G to a high F#. At the bottom of the garden, we have children who can reach Philip Glass-like operatic heights with a touch of Stockhausen. I’d kill for some music on speakers! Alec1961
Unless you are fortunate/wealthy enough to own a back garden large enough to get lost in, the answer must surely be “no”. With the possible – and occasional – exception of a child’s birthday party. Name supplied, by email
It is insensitive. Another instance of the “It’s my right to do as I wish” philosophy which holds individual “freedom” over and above consideration of others. Noise pollution is at best an unthinking intrusion and invasion of privacy. Rob Eyres, by email
Why not smash through the hedge and set up your deck chairs on nextdoor’s lawn while you are at it? Headphones were invented so that we could listen to music and not disturb other people. Gillian Parker, by email
It’s not for others to decide how quiet or otherwise others have their gardens unless it’s reaching the levels that you could get the council involved for. The outside isn’t silent! natfantastic
Absolutely not OK to bother one’s neighbours with your music and other noise. It creates a lot of unnecessary upset and distress and disputes. Listen to birdsong instead. Caroline Laffertu, by email
Playing music in the garden would be fine if people did it on cold wet evenings when I’m sat inside. But my neighbours insist on playing music in the garden on warm sunny evenings when I want to enjoy being outside to enjoy the peace and quiet. Chris, by email
I don’t have a garden, but I regularly walk leisurely to a local park along a street blessed with trees and older houses. If I ever heard any noise from phones or speakers, I would assume that some normally quiet but Bacchanalian neighbours were warming up for a rock concert. RPOrlando, by email
I bought a house because the garden seemed so lovely. We moved in to find the most disrespectful and hostile neighbours. Music so loud in the garden it sounds like they’re having a party. We barely use the garden we bought the house for. Name supplied, by email
I’ve created an illustration in response to the question: “Should back gardens be sacrosanct, or are loud phones and speakers OK?” Rob Ling, illustrator, by email
This is a question of how loud and how long. That is why we have laws about times of day and decibel levels. If you want silence, move to the country or join a monastery. If you live in a city, there will always be a certain amount of noise. As another writer commented, just don’t be a jerk about it. ChitownLiberal
Yes! A person’s back yard should be a haven. Some people have hypersensitivity to sound and they should be able to relax in peace. Miranda Johnson, by email
We used to have a festival evening garden party in the grounds of the old manor house. They consulted and warned neighbours, and ensured the sound level was reduced as the late hours approached. All OK. Neighbours playing loud music which is drowning out mine such that I have to resort to headphones is not. Name supplied, by email
Do as you would be done by. If you don’t wish to hear your neighbour playing the final act of Götterdämmerung at full volume in his garden, then you shouldn’t be playing Ibiza dance music. Peter Neville, Brecon, by email
Mostly my neighbours are great, bar one. Unfortunately she has a penetrating loud voice. For many years she has spent hours on her mobile in her garden. She now has the mobile on speakerphone. It drives me potty. Name supplied, by email
Loud music or loud parties (more than once every few months) are taboo, but a bored dog left outside which barks for hours on end is considered acceptable. I’m not sure why. Socialismnow
If you have a job lot of headphones of dubious provenance, sell them door-to-door in your locality at competitive prices. Good fences make good neighbours. EddieChorepost
Our neighbours have a sound system in the shed running at ear-splitting volume several times a week and especially on warm days when you might want to spend time in the garden. Never mind phone speakers – we regularly have to shut doors and windows.
And yes, I also count people on trains, etc, with their intrusive music or even audio from social media posts. I do think there’s a whole tranche of people entirely unbothered about others, and that alarms me more than the specific question of how quiet a garden ought to be. Choco
I wouldn’t play music in the garden, except for a (very rare) party. I do however listen to Radio 4 if I’m doing DIY on the house or car. It’s very boring working alone. stevew2466
I want to extend this to hiking trails. What is it with playing music out loud while you are hiking? Don’t you want to hear the sounds of nature? DrMomPA
Definitely a NO. I wouldn’t dream of imposing my taste of music/podcasts/sports – well you name it on the person next to me. Be it in backyards, parks, coffee shops, pubs, public transport or any other place on Earth! anemag
Please – no music or phones or football commentary in gardens!!! The country is the noisiest place I’ve ever lived!
On the rare summer day when I put my head out the door and hear only birds, it’s a real treat. Ecomouse1
There unfortunately will always be the odd flash point with noise but I find that plugging into several hundred watts of amp and practising scales quickly gets the point across. TyPing
I lived in the countryside a few years ago, in search of peace but I didn’t find it, due to loud music, dogs barking, strimmers, drag racing, tractors, and drones. I moved back to the city and now find the noise less intrusive. Elephantmoth
People should definitely play their music outdoors at a moderate volume level. I do not enjoy listening to other people’s music while sitting in my backyard. Tom Garvey, by email
Yesterday afternoon someone a few doors down was playing music. It was music I didn’t mind, which helped. Then someone else started playing music, at which point it became a cacophony. Though I suspect the second person was making a point, because then both were turned off. Just be aware I guess, and considerate. LorLala
