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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Drying washing on our balcony

493 replies

Emmabryant123 · 03/08/2019 11:37

We private rent in a block of 16 flats
The flats vary from rented to owned .
We put our washing on two airers today on our balcony
No offensive clothing etc on show
We came down to this message on the main front door
Are we being unreasonable!? Or is this person who wrote this note being unreasonable?

Drying washing on our balcony
OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
Vibiano · 03/08/2019 11:40

Is there anything in your lease saying this is not allowed? Or is it in the rules on the documents that the owners get?
If not then carry on.

Rumplestrumpet · 03/08/2019 11:40

Well they're obviously being unreasonable in their judgemental reference to council estates.
But I know that in many appartment blocks you're not allowed to dry laundry on the balcony. Or store bikes or "unsightly" items. What are the rules on your building?

BinkyBaa · 03/08/2019 11:41

Yanbu. What else is a balcony for? Unless you have a communal garden with adequate space for everyone to dry clothes, then that balcony is your only outdoor space for normal outdoor usage.
Not sure I get the council estate comment either, I've never seen a council house with a balcony at all!

RogueV · 03/08/2019 11:41

No need for the council estate reference!

However in our previous home we were not allowed to dry clothes on the balcony. It was one of them estates, where for sale sign boards weren’t allowed etc.

Queenioqueenio · 03/08/2019 11:42

It depends what the rules/tenancy agreement/ lease says.
Tbh I’d be inclined to write ‘fuck off you snobs’ on that note’ as they are so unreasonable referring to council estates.

Sparklesocks · 03/08/2019 11:43

Unless its explicitly laid out in the lease that you can’t do it then carry on. It might be a genuine rule, but it might be someone taking personal offence. Check the lease rules.

But if it’s the latter, some nosey judgemental fuckhead doesn’t get to tell other people how to use their space.

Original poster
Emmabryant123 · 03/08/2019 11:44

Nothing in our contract we signed when we signed for the tenancy no .
I just think it seems a bit Petty but maybe I am being unreasonable

Agree council state reference is unnecessary
Anyway I've bought it inside now and left the balcony door wide open and its next to it indoors

OP posts:
Divebar · 03/08/2019 11:44

Shit that would make me double my efforts. Position a blow up doll and a load of fetish wear out there ...... I bet there’s no clause in the lease about that!!!!

Teachermaths · 03/08/2019 11:45

Check the rules. I know some places don't allow it.

If you're allowed then keep on doing it!

SinglePringle · 03/08/2019 11:45

Check your tenancy / deeds etc - we’re not allowed to dry laundry, or store ‘unsightly’ objects on our balconies / in the communal gardens and letters get sent if people do.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/08/2019 11:45

"It's far more environmentally friendly than a tumble dryer. Even people on council estates know that."

Sparklesocks · 03/08/2019 11:45

I reckon that person knows they are being unreasonable as they didn’t sign their name. If you are going to write arsey notes, don’t be a coward - say it with your chest!

stucknoue · 03/08/2019 11:45

Depends on any covenants for the building many stipulate no washing or storage (other than outside furniture). It's rude but it's a slippery slope to them being used as a dumping ground, check your tenancy/legal documents

GreenTulips · 03/08/2019 11:46

Anything about have sex in the balcony? Or being a nudist?

Bluntness100 · 03/08/2019 11:46

This depends. If there are rules, then you're being unreasonable. If there are not, they are.

It could be in the deeds or something, and not in the rental agreement. You find the oddest things in deeds.

The council estate thing is clearly unreasonable.

thisnamechanger · 03/08/2019 11:47

I would add my own sign:

"Is environmentally friendly way to dry clothes. PS. Remove stick from arse, you'll be more comfortable"

NigellaAwesome · 03/08/2019 11:48

Ask your landlord if there is anything in the deeds about what balconies can be used for. I could understand an objection if items are hung over the balcony railings, but to have an airer on it seems fine.

The tone of the note is awful.

If there is nothing in the deeds, then keep on doing it.

Original poster
Emmabryant123 · 03/08/2019 11:49

Usually I just dry indoors with the windows wide open tbh
Only use tumble dryer when necessary as we get mould if we dry indoors with Windows closed

OP posts:
TokenGinger · 03/08/2019 11:50

I'd write on the bottom, "Piss off". And leave my laundry out.

MiniMum97 · 03/08/2019 11:50

Don't bring it in. Put another sister out there! Fucking snobs. Don't give in to them! It's washing ffs. Not sure why the sight of washing is so upsetting to them!

Breathlessness · 03/08/2019 11:51

Lots of private flats have rules that you can’t put washing out on the balconies. The rules come through the management agent of the block so they won’t be in your rental agreement with the owner of the flat. I’ve never understood the no washing thing. I was totally in agreement with a no BBQ on the balconies rule that I’m still shocked they had to put into writing.

Original poster
Emmabryant123 · 03/08/2019 11:52

Most of the washing was at the bottom to so they couldnt see much .
Ok fair enough if it's not aloud that is fine and I will find out but the way the note is written is shitty

OP posts:
cottonwoolsnowmen · 03/08/2019 11:52

It might well be in the deeds. There are a few things like that in them on my street.

YesQueen · 03/08/2019 11:52

Double check the lease. Mine is owned, I have my own garden but am not allowed to dry washing in it. Yet next door which is a house can HmmConfused

SirJamesTalbot · 03/08/2019 11:53

I'd be tempted to write a note back congratulating them on their observational skills for noticing it wasn't a council estate and carry on. Unless it is prohibited in your contract or lease?