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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours sitting outside my window.

156 replies

MasuMara · 22/05/2017 17:45

There's a courtyard outside my bedroom window, it belongs to my neighbours.

They've placed their table and chairs right outside my window (practically have their heads resting on it!)

The courtyard isn't huge but they could easily place it elsewhere. I've come home today and it's been a long day and I just wanted to lie on my bed and chill ... and he's out there smoking.

I don't feel I should have to sit in the dark to avoid being stared at. Aibu?

OP posts:
blankface · 22/05/2017 19:36

Take vac to bedroom and stand it near the window, switch the vac on open your bedroom window, go for a leisurely bath Wink

But seriously, either they'll realise or they should move if you ask nicely.
You could always say you don't want to eavesdrop, but you can hear every word.

WrittenandGrown · 22/05/2017 19:35

Could we have a diagram please?

WimbledonMum1 · 22/05/2017 19:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

QuintessentialShadow · 22/05/2017 19:00

But whose wall is it?

Claim ownership on the wall, ask if you cant have access to the courtyard to paint a mural on the wall.

Walk naked, play beethoven, or brahms, or rap, or norwegian folk music, please play norwegian folk music.. Grin

They can enjoy your garden, and YOU can enjoy your bedroom.

PhuntSox · 22/05/2017 18:57

Laugh every time one of them says something. Open you window so you bang them on the head. Smile and be super nice to them. Offer opinions. New hobby for you OP!

Jaxhog · 22/05/2017 18:55

Pretty annoying, but then I would never buy a house with this arrangement. But the smoke would do my head in.

Talk to them nicely. If they won't move/stop smoking, then bring out the big guns. There have been several good suggestions here. Although no-one has mentioned installing a large, noisy air conditioning unit. They are wonderful, and blow warm air back outside. If they still won't stop smoking under your window, at least you'll have fresh air.

PuppyMonkey · 22/05/2017 18:47

Well if I owned the courtyard and was aware the next door neighbour's window was right next to it, I wouldn't smoke RIGHT THERE.

Dagnabit · 22/05/2017 18:46

Put a no smoking sticker in your window! How annoying - I get that it's their courtyard but they still should be considerate...

Original poster
MasuMara · 22/05/2017 18:45

Grin some of these replies have made me laugh out loud, so thank you

OP posts:
GwenStaceyRocks · 22/05/2017 18:44

My DSIS had a similar problem (except it was communal space outside her bedroom window). Anyway, there was legislation (similar to party wall legislation) that meant the neighbours actually weren't allowed to just sit wherever they wanted because of privacy and access to light.

You could try asking them to move because you need access to your window. Leave a ladder propped up for a few days and hopefully they won't bother to move their table back.

Goingtobeawesome · 22/05/2017 18:42

Common decency and sense not to sit right in to someone else window though.

anon1987 · 22/05/2017 18:41

NotAClever but what sort of person wants to sit outside their neighbours window? Hmm

NotACleverName · 22/05/2017 18:38

Nowt stranger than people OP

Yes, people wanting to sit outside in their courtyard. How unbelievably strange. Hmm

rightwhine · 22/05/2017 18:38

or poke your head out and start joining in with their conversations as if you were actually their invited guest. Do it each and every time!

BuckinghamLass · 22/05/2017 18:36

Lighthearted disclaimer

Pop your head out and ask if they know about Jesus Christ, their (potential) Lord and Saviour?

manueltowers · 22/05/2017 18:36

Instead of talking to them, you could build a long poking device (like Friends) and slowly prod them with it through the window? @MasuMara

rightwhine · 22/05/2017 18:35

Close your curtains and open the window when they are out there. They may be embarrassed enough to move because you can overhear everything they say and your privacy isn't compromised in the meantime.

Original poster
MasuMara · 22/05/2017 18:35

Also my window is quite big and there's less than a metre from it to the floor. So chances are they've seen through and know it's a bedroom.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 22/05/2017 18:34

I too need a diagram.
Can't picture why something would be built with one home's bedroom window opening right out onto another's courtyard.

However, I too find it odd you've never spoken to your neighbours.

AmberStClare · 22/05/2017 18:33

Waiting for your neighbours to start a thread about sitting in their lovely courtyard garden and the nudist who capers in the room overlooking it.

I am following this with interest as have recently seen a house with a view to buying with this exact layout, the courtyard would be mine though. The window overlooking has the blackout stuff on it.

Original poster
MasuMara · 22/05/2017 18:33

Why haven't you spoken to them?
It makes sense to be on pleasant terms with your neighbours.

What do you want me to do? Bang on my window and shout hello through it? open the window and ask to borrow a smoke?

OP posts:
BeyondThePage · 22/05/2017 18:30

At least they haven't got wind chimes outside your bedroom window.

We had a similar arrangement - our window opened onto their courtyard, they put up a screen (we got no light!!) and hung it with all sorts of twiggy, noisy crap.

iLoveCamelCase · 22/05/2017 18:28

Goodness me. We all have 'every right to do as we wish in/on our own properties but surely it is just usual practice amongst those of us with beyond basic social skills to show consideration to our neighbours where possible by not acting in a manner that infringes upon their ability to feel comfortable in THEIR own properties, where that is at all feasible?!

DJBaggySmalls · 22/05/2017 18:28

Why not be an obnoxious twat rather than considerate. It is every bodies right to do so. Yours included.

manueltowers · 22/05/2017 18:26

Get those things you can stick on your windows so you can see out, and they can't see in. Should give you a bit more privacy but won't ruin your view nosing abilities

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