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AIBU?

Somebody is using my tumble dryer at night...

494 replies

RaisinBread · 22/02/2018 09:18

I’m convinced of it.

I have a new smart meter it’s been installed for about a month. My resting house uses 9p of electric between midnight and the time we wake up. Always.

So I’ve woken up today and the meter is on 48p.... I went to bed past midnight last night, which is very unusual for me but got hooked into 24 hours in AE and ended up making the kids packed lunches at 12.30. At this point from several lights being left on and the tv running the meter was already on 8p so I knew it would be around 20p at most by the morning.

So I wake up to find it double what I’m expecting and then hear the dryer going. It’s in a building attached to the main house, sort of a boot room. When I rented the house there was no lock to that room (old house with old doors and I think the key was lost at some point) but there was to the main house which has a heavy door, locks and bolts. It didn’t bother me as in a sleepy village. My landlord lives behind me with his family in a converted barn and someone is usually home as they are renovating it.

Even weirder than my tumble dryer being on when I hadn’t turned it on is that the tray that collects the water was bone dry! My washing load in there was bulky cottons that hold a lot of water so it should have been half full/full after my load drying.

I put my load in the day before and due to the pre mentioned tv binge, forgot to take it out before bed to fold.

This has really weirded me out as this is now the second time this week that the tumble dryer has been on in the morning and the meter has been above 9p. The last time was I think Tuesday morning but I live with three kids so just shrugged it off that one of them had put it on by accident when looking for clean uniform. Although thinking about it logically now they wouldn’t have been looking for clean uniform on a Tuesday morning as we have enough sets to last until Wednesday before they need washing and drying....

So do you agree with me is someone sneaking into my house unloading my washing. Drying theirs. Emptying the tray of water and then putting mine back in to fully dry? Confused

OP posts:
TheStoic · 22/02/2018 09:20

Could it be on some kind of timer?

Beamur · 22/02/2018 09:21

Curious! Do you think your landlord is using it?

Anymajordude · 22/02/2018 09:21

Get a lock or a motion sensitive camera.

Babymamamama · 22/02/2018 09:22

Ooh it's intriguing. I'd want to install a camera but probably wouldn't manage that so would lock the door instead?

SneakyGremlins · 22/02/2018 09:23

Get a little camera?

Pickleypickles · 22/02/2018 09:23

Creepy! Youll have to leave a trap! Like sand on the floor behind the door or something so you can see if someone has been in there.

ClemDanfango · 22/02/2018 09:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bluedoglead · 22/02/2018 09:24

Mytumble switches itself on and does a rumble thing for a few seconds to move the clothes around after they’ve finished drying. I think it’s to stop them getting creased. Might it be that?

OhNoGroken · 22/02/2018 09:24

My tumble drier knows if I’ve left laundry in and it gives it an occasional turn to stop it getting creased. Could yours have a similar function?

GrockleBocs · 22/02/2018 09:25

Put a shed lock on the outhouse.

hesterton · 22/02/2018 09:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnoiaUnstickMyDrawers · 22/02/2018 09:27

Agreed it's most likely to be an anti crease function. Also might explain the dry water tray if its been tumbling dry sheets.

For peace of mind get a lock. Bolt and padlock would be easiest to fit yourself.

Rememberallball · 22/02/2018 09:28

Can you isolate the electricity to the boot room at your fuse box? If so, perhaps switch it off at night to stop anyone using it

DragonsAndCakes · 22/02/2018 09:30

Leave a hair draped across the dryer door or something similar. Or leave the door not clicked shut so you know it’s not doing it itself.
You need to be a super sleuth. And report back.

Tinseltower · 22/02/2018 09:32

Sounds quite possible! Is it only your landlord that could do this? Maybe because of the renovations? I’d be tempted to put a lock on the door.

PositivelyPERF · 22/02/2018 09:33

It has happened to other people, before. I saw one man being arrested for sneaking into an outhouse and using a stranger’s washing machine and tumble dryer, on one of those police, camera, action programs. You could either put a lock on or put a camera up and catch the person. Then put the video on here for us to watch. 😁

RaisinBread · 22/02/2018 09:33

The dryer does have a timer setting but that wouldn’t explain the empty water tray?

Cameras aren’t really in my budget at the moment. But I think I’m going to have to look into getting a bolt for the door at the weekend. Although the camera would have been way more fun!

The unlocked door never really bothered me before and actually ended up being quite convenient for the post lady to leave parcels if I was out.

OP posts:
MrsCrabbyTree · 22/02/2018 09:34

I'd leave something in the dryer every night, 'artfully' loaded, so if it was taken out of the dryer and replaced, then I would know my things had been moved and then replaced.

YetAnotherUser · 22/02/2018 09:35

Scatter some sand on the floor and check for footprints?

PositivelyPERF · 22/02/2018 09:37

Hide your phone just before you go to bed, on camera. If they are sneaking in, they’re probably waiting until all your lights go out, then going straight in. THEN PUT IT ON HERE! slightly over invested 😬

Inertia · 22/02/2018 09:38

Mine does a short anti-crease tumble if left on, but it doesn't empty itself of water!

Can you attach a padlock to the boot room door?

MacaroniPenguin · 22/02/2018 09:38

Our tumble dryer keeps turning intermittently until you remove the clothes so it could be that, but very tempting to think it's the landlord in this case. Please investigate OP and report back. MNetters needs to know!!

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BrutusMcDogface · 22/02/2018 09:38

Mine also tumbles occasionally to keep the clothes crease free after a cycle, however, it's very odd that your tray has been emptied!! Sand on the floor is a good idea. See if someone is actually coming in.

PoisonousSmurf · 22/02/2018 09:40

Get a lock for the door. Landlord must be using it. Is the tumbler yours or his? Maybe it's in the paperwork that he/she must have access to it?

brizzledrizzle · 22/02/2018 09:43

You obviously have a sartorial ghost.

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