Annoyed with neighbour.

[PrettyLittIeThing]

I live in a gff neighbour has a 'device' outside their window (above my bedroom) which is basically like a clothes airer. Neighbour hangs washing out on this, and the washing hangs down into the view of my window! Currently neighbour has a bed sheet hanging down which is covering a large portion of my window. Aibu to not want to see neighbours washing hanging down into my window? I would take a picture but it would be identifying if they are on here. I've actually never seen one of these devices before and they are the only flat that has one. Anyway aibu to be annoyed and would this bother you. When it's windy like today it even bats against the window.

[scurryfunge]

Speak to your neighbour. They may not realise it affects you.

[jaseyraex]

That would really annoy me! Surely that's just making her clothes dirty again with them banging about against the windows/walls. Has she no garden or communal area to dry clothes? I think I'd have to have a word and ask of there's any way she could at least put it up higher so her stuff doesn't obstruct your windows.

I used to have a neighbour who dried his clothes out of his window. He'd literally hang his clothes out over the window frame and shut the window so they were jammed in the frame. Some very odd people!

[kaytee87]

Have you spoken to your neighbour about it?

[PrettyLittIeThing]

No I haven't yet as I'm assuming they are not going to stop and don't really wanna fall out (had some awful neighbours in my old place.) the device is drilled onto the wall outside their window so they can't move it higher. No communal garden (I have a garden but it's sole use.) but like I said they are the only neighbours who have one so the others obviously dry their indoors.

[GrannyGrissle]

Spray it with glitter every time they do it. Or use it to clean your window?

[knowwhereyourheadis]

Give the bed sheet a tug so it falls off.
Repeat until they get the message!

[PrettyLittIeThing]

If they fall off will be landing into my garden! I don't see how they don't get dirty as they do bat against the window/wall.

[MrsCrabbyTree]

If you don't smoke then take it up and only smoke with your head outside of the window , you don't want your home to smell do you.

Or do some spring cleaning and shake those dusty mats and rugs out of the window or perhaps empty the vacuum out of that window.

Must need chocolate as I am coming up with particularly nasty solutions, sorry everyone.

[crashbangwhallop]

It’s annoying but is it all the time? We aren’t supposed to dry clothes out on our balcony in case it “looks bad” but it’s our home!
Our flat is tiny and not very well heated or ventilated so mould builds up quickly. drying clothes inside obviously would make that problem worse. A dryer is not only expensive to buy but also costly to run.
I would allow it tbh as long as it wasn’t every single day. Or perhaps say can she just not hang the long things out there or offer to dry her big sheets in your garden when you can?

[Cheby]

We had a ban on these when we lived in a flat; check your lease terms, they might not be allowed them.

I might be tempted to take up smoking out of that particular window if they persist. Or making curries on the windowsill or something. 😉

[VladmirsPoutine]

If they don't get the hint just buy a flamethrower and use their laundry as target practice

[PrettyLittIeThing]

It's whenever the weather is nice enough so if it's not raining basically. I wouldn't mind if it didn't block my window but it does. Even I dry my clothes indoors as I don't like spiders (was getting some huge ones when I was hanging clothes on the line.) looks like I may have to take up smoking!

[kaytee87]

I really doubt they even know it's bothering you. You need to say something to them, just be polite about it.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

Just mention some of their washing is hitting/obscuring part of your window so can they please fold larger items.

[PrettyLittIeThing]

Even if they don't know I would be concious of blocking peoples windows if it was me. They must see how low it hangs down when doing it. I suppose I'm just surprised they feel I need to tell them.

[MrsCrabbyTree]

Pin messages to their washing. eg: My other half said you have nice nickers. Sorry, there could be a hole in this sheet from me throwing my cigarette butt out the window without looking. Love this dress - can I have it. And so on.

[ClaudiaNaughton]

Definitely mention it to them in a very polite way. Don’t offer to dry their sheets in your private garden - that would set a precedent for everyone.

[TomRavenscroft]

If you want to maintain decent relations, go and speak to them but keep it friendly. Just explain mildly that their washing blocks your light/view and ask if there might be a solution. They might just be able to fold larger items, for example.

[MyKingdomForBrie]

I’d be amazed if that was permitted in their lease. Every flat lease I read as a lawyer prohibited it.

If you don’t want to dry laundry inside then you absolutely need to consider that when choosing a home. Of course if it’s social then you might not get to choose but still need to find a way round it that doesn’t involve blocking your neighbour’s light/view! Flats can feel so claustrophobic without enough natural light.

I would go and speak to her/him nicely - ask if they are aware that their sheets cover your window and could they hang them so that they don’t. I don’t think they can take offence at a polite request like that!

[TheJoyOfSox]

Bravo @MrsCrabbyTree. That is an excellent suggestion.

[Viviennemary]

That is really cheeky. Get a pair of scissors and chop it where it's covering your window. And give them back the chopped off bit. Or get some smoke bombs and let them off at your open window.

[YoThePussy]

I would pull it off the line and let it fall in your garden. It is your garden sole access so might be days before they can get get hold of you so it can be retrieved. Suggest you do some digging just underneath or allow DC to make mud pies there too.

[PlumsGalore]

I would explain what a nuisance it is and ask if they need any help hanging their sheets so they don't hang over your window, it by pegging the corners together.

[InBlackwaterWoods]

Loving MrsCrabbyTree!

Why not catch the spiders on your washing line and release them out your window onto neighbours washing? Two problems solved then!
I can lend you the wolf spider that insists on living on my line?

[PrettyLittIeThing]

Some of these suggestions are really making me laugh. Well I wouldn't offer to let them dry it in my garden as they would have to enter my home which I'm not comfortable with (don't know them on a personal level.) they are renting so not social housing.