An Aussie mum has fired back after an anonymous letter from a neighbour blasted her young children for late-night backyard noise, sparking debate over what’s ‘unreasonable’ and how to handle disputes.
Kate, a Perth-based mother of two, was left “so mad” after discovering a typed-up note last week, detailing grievances about her four and five-year-old allegedly “screaming and squealing” in their own backyard as late as 11pm on Easter Sunday.
The anonymous letter, penned by a “long-suffering neighbour,” began with a plea for “a little bit of respect.”
“We are constantly having to put up with the sounds of young children screaming and squealing from your place, to which we have to endure, as does our dog, which I’m sure you also must hear from time to time,” the letter read.
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Perth mum Kate received an anonymous letter from a neighbour complaining about her kids. Source: TikTok/katielooshh
The neighbour claimed the late-night commotion on Easter Sunday was “the final straw,” questioning why the children were awake so late and accusing the parents of being “drunk” or “desensitised” to the noise.
The letter concluded with a plea to “please try to keep the noise down when you are out the back of your house” for the sake of their sanity and their pets.
In her defence, Kate explained the context of the evening, noting it was school holidays, followed by a public holiday, and her children’s best friend was visiting.
“We thought we’d let them have a special treat,” she stated.
Kate said she was fuming after receiving the letter. Source: TikTok/katielooshh
She firmly asserted that she is “not going to stop letting my children (be) children in their own backyard,” adding that they are rarely home and no other neighbour has ever raised an issue.
She also clarified that the children were not “screaming,” but rather simply having fun.
Alison Barrett, a principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn, highlighted that noise disputes are “one of the most common neighbourhood complaints in Australia.”
She clarified that legally, such complaints are assessed on whether the noise “unreasonably interferes with a neighbour’s use and enjoyment of their home.”
“What’s ‘unreasonable’ depends on factors like the type of noise, time of day, frequency and duration, rather than personal annoyance alone,” she told Yahoo News.
While anonymous letters are a frequent recourse, she advised against them, stating they “can escalate conflict and may even undermine future interactions.”
Those who viewed the mum’s side of the story were torn in their opinion. Source: TikTok/katielooshh
Ms Barrett also emphasised that “courts, councils and dispute-resolution bodies consistently encourage neighbours to raise concerns directly and respectfully first.”
The incident has ignited a robust discussion online, with Australians divided on the matter. Some empathised with Kate, arguing that children should be allowed to play, especially in their own yard.
Others sided with the neighbour, suggesting that late-night noise, regardless of its source, can be disruptive.
As one commenter observed, “I get it kids need space to play and just be kids, but late at night the noise can carry and disturb those around you who are trying to rest.”
Another added, “’Just because they’re kids doesn’t excuse this behaviour or your responsibility to deal with it.”
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