Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

AIBU?

to use the communal washing line?

18 replies

DaleyBum · 04/04/2014 01:25

I live in a flat. Every flat (4) has their own segment of garden and there is a communal section at the back with a washing line strung across it. This is where the sun hits, it doesn't get to our bit of garden at all. We have a clothes spinner thing on ours but the washing doesn't dry on it. If there is washing on the communal line we use our anyway but I've never actually been able to get anything dry on it.

The other day it was relatively sunny so DH put our washing on the communal line which was empty. A couple of hours later he went back to get it and as he was collecting the washing our upstairs neighbour came out and told him that we're not allowed to use that washing line because we have one of our own. This neighbour is quite odd (rummages through our bin, watching us out the window, keeping notes of the times we leave and come back home etc) and has taken a dislike to us although I'm not sure why. We're quiet, we don't make a mess and I help her out as much as I can (she is elderly and disabled and lives alone) by bringing her shopping upstairs for her and offering to help her with anything she seems to struggle with like walking her dog and hanging out her own washing. I always offer politely and do my best not to offend her but I'm thinking she might have taken it to mean I see her as a charity case which isn't the case at all. He explained to her that the line was empty and that we really needed to dry our washing (reflux baby), that it was a communal line and she was welcome to use ours but she is very persistent to the point that she'll take our washing off it and put her own on which is never very much and there is always space on the line left over. So AIBU to use the line?

OP posts:

Report

DaleyBum · 04/04/2014 01:26

That

OP posts:

DaleyBum · 04/04/2014 01:26

Oops. *that was long, sorry

OP posts:

ThePearShapedToad · 04/04/2014 02:44

Of course you're not being U, but I'm not sure how you could solve this- is there a handling / estate management agent who looks after the flats/gardens who could put something in writing about communal facilities?
If you start playing petty move the washing games with each other it'll descend into tears

But good luck

Hate idiotic people with silly vendettas, especially when you have to live near them!

Spermysextowel · 04/04/2014 03:01

I suspect you may go to get your washing in one day & find it on the floor...

Toad's suggestion is good, or could you get a folding thingy & put it where the sun shines? If the line is often empty the sun will still hit it & you won't risk a dirty protest by the neighbour (tho only a quick fix & not an ideal solution).

Poughle · 04/04/2014 03:22

I can't believe she actually removes your washing! In that case I don't think she will see reason, she obviously feels strongly about the line.

Like the idea of putting up your own folding thing... I wonder if she'll tell you you're not allowed that either?!

(Sorry, not much help, me)

withextradinosaurs · 04/04/2014 07:49

What do the other 2 neighbours think?

DaleyBum · 04/04/2014 17:29

I considered putting up our own but there's not enough space. The other neighbours pretty much keep to themselves, I've never seen them with washing out the back.

OP posts:

withextradinosaurs · 05/04/2014 19:19

Take your spinner down? Then you'll be eligible to use the line in the sun :)

DaleyBum · 05/04/2014 19:26

Cant

OP posts:

DaleyBum · 05/04/2014 19:26

Oops. *can't, it's cemented in.

OP posts:

olympicsrock · 05/04/2014 19:38

Are you sure it's communal? Is it in her area of the garden?

GiraffesAndButterflies · 05/04/2014 19:39

Is it definitely communal or is it hers?
And if you asked her that question what would she say?!

GiraffesAndButterflies · 05/04/2014 19:40

X-post olympics

DaleyBum · 05/04/2014 21:11

It's definitely communal, when my DH mentioned that it was communal she said "I know but...". It's not on her area of the garden.

OP posts:

NurseyWursey · 05/04/2014 21:38

I'd use it just to be stubborn after that

SomewhereBeyondTheSea · 05/04/2014 21:42

Keep using it.
Contact the landlord and report the conversation in an innocent 'just wanted to clarify' way.
Stop helping her with her shopping etc, she thinks you are s doormat.

KirstyJC · 05/04/2014 21:45

Hang really dodgy things on it to stop her touching them. Gimp outfit, crotchless knickers, handcuffs etc.

Or get loads of cheap white pants and a fabric pen and spell out a nice little message for her on the washing line.

Or just do the sensible thing and check with the landlord. Although that won't be as funny.

Maybe next time you have some washing, take hers off the line and put yours up? When she complains, tell her you assumed that was how things were done here......

withextradinosaurs · 06/04/2014 16:18

at pegging out rude panties :)

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.