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The holiday season is upon us dear readers and with it the known associated problems and mainly that of noise and people being a nuisance.
It is a “care-free” period and usually (especially for locals) people make more mischief than what they usually do. Children and friends are always around and the popular souvla lunch/dinner is the crescendo of annoyance.
In addition, hotel night parties, including dancing (aerobics during lunchtime), add to the whole disturbance of trying to enjoy a relaxing holiday, as well as the never-ending motorbikes “racing” along the highways, noisy weddings car parades etc.
The other day we took a three-day holiday and we thought that it was a perfect period to relax and experience the sea breeze and the quietness of a beach environment.
Alas, we were proven wrong.
Out of the nine houses in the complex that we chose to stay, one of the villa owners decided to clean his private patio using some sort of a noisy machine, another decided to clean up his furniture with pressurized water and a third gathered fallen leaves using the dreaded blower and all this during Saturday between the hours 11.00 to 3.00 in the afternoon!!
We made various polite observations to the noise producers to which we were told that “this is the only free time that they have”.
No other working days we assume!! As if that was not all, another villa was let through Airbnb to a group of youngsters between the age of 18-24 years old. There was an all-night party, a lot of shouting and screaming, but worse, plenty of foul language.
Are we being particular, we asked ourselves – maybe but then what remedy does one have to protect oneself in the “quiet environment” of a holiday complex (to say the least)?
To call the police is an option but then you get the reply: “Sir what do you expect, there are 200,000 visitors and only 5 of us out the station”.
They have a point to an extent.
Have you ever tried to take legal action, even a plain advocate’s letter to the quiet intruders? Not worth it (unless it is serious and constant) since the legal cost and the animosity that you will create with your neighbours might worsen.
So that you do not think that this sort of thing only happen in Cyprus, if you search the internet (U.K.) you will see many more disputes, some of which turn into violence, but then, the various housing associations and the police respond almost immediately, whereas courts operate on a 24-hour basis and decisions are issued within a couple of months.
Bearing in mind the weakness of our legal system (delays) what does one do?
Option One: Live with it and suffer!!
Option Two: Complain to the letting agents especially for the short lets (with limited results).
Option Three: An advocate’s warning letter – see our reservation.
Option Four: Feel free to make a similar noise as the others (not really an option).
In Switzerland, there are strict rules on the subject and even the day and time of cutting one’s grass is fixed. A regimental way of living which cannot happen in Cyprus.
At the end of the day, one must accept that during the holiday season the noise/nuisance level are obligatory higher than the norm, so choose another period to relax may be in the off-season.
