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AIBU?

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Neighbour has complained about Portaloo

265 replies

Helenwalker2 · 10/11/2025 17:24

We are having some work done on our house which has required a portaloo to be placed at the front. This was a requirement of both parties who quoted if we weren’t to allow access to a toilet indoors for the various trades who will be on site (absolutely no chance with the horror stories I’ve read on here and from a couple of friends).

Our property is at the end of our street so we have only one direct neighbour. When it was first delivered the woman who lives next door made a comment about it being unsightly and hoping it won’t be there for too long - I confirmed the works are going to take up to 3-4 weeks but would keep her updated.

We are 2 weeks on, and this morning our neighbours husband knocked. He said they are unhappy with the smell and want us to move it to the back of our house in the garden. I confirmed we had previously asked and this wasn’t possible. Note we don’t believe there to be any smell albeit were away this weekend.

The woman then knocked this afternoon. Moaning about how bad it smelt at the weekend and how we are unreasonable to have placed it outside the front of our house and so close to their windows.

I said the work is still on plan and it will be gone in the next week or two. She then said she is going to complain to the council as they’ve had ‘advice’ that it isn’t permissible to place portaloos at the front of houses where there’s an attached house (as both ours is being semi detached).

AIBU to stand firm? We don’t believe there’s any truth in what she’s said and by the time the council get round to doing anything, it should be gone.

OP posts:
PollyBell · 11/11/2025 09:49

Galatine · 10/11/2025 21:19

Wouldn’t stink if it was used by Mumsnetters rather than men then, would it?

Yes women's public toilets are spotless and such a delight to go in to, I so look forward to the 'cleanliness'

LaughingCat · 11/11/2025 09:29

HedwigEliza · 10/11/2025 22:14

I always feel so sorry for the workmen who have to use them. These people are good enough to do the work on your home but you won’t do them the basic courtesy of allowing them access to a bathroom? It’s a disgraceful way to treat people.

Our builders didn't want to use our toilet and refused to allow us to say no to the portaloo. Are we disgraceful too? 😂

Helenwalker2 · 11/11/2025 08:47

Our main contact for the project is on site this morning and confirmed it will be emptied upon collection at the end of the job. He also verified there’s no smell issue and thinks our neighbours are trying it on.

OP posts:
SurprisedM · 11/11/2025 08:32

I personally couldn't abide having workmen using the toilet inside my home. The stress of it would drive me bonkers. A portaloo would be the sole feasible option.

lucylox · 10/11/2025 23:09

No5ChalksRoad · 10/11/2025 22:09

I would never deny anyone the use of the facilities, nor be anything but pleasant about it. I put out fresh soap, hand towels, hand lotion for them. (I also continually have snacks, tea, coffee, Coke, chilled water on offer for them)

But I’m allowed to cringe inwardly.

Of course and I wouldn’t be overjoyed about it either. But when you have people in doing the work it’s necessary and just a common courtesy. You’d just buy bleach or ask a cleaner to come in if you’re that precious about it.

It just seems like the op would rather piss off her neighbours than accept the inconvenience for a few weeks for something that will ultimately benefit her.

HedwigEliza · 10/11/2025 22:14

I always feel so sorry for the workmen who have to use them. These people are good enough to do the work on your home but you won’t do them the basic courtesy of allowing them access to a bathroom? It’s a disgraceful way to treat people.

No5ChalksRoad · 10/11/2025 22:09

lucylox · 10/11/2025 19:27

You do realise some people have conditions that mean they can’t just wait?

It’s equally grim to employ someone then deny them basic facilities like a toilet and running water to wash their hands.

Im sure the neighbours have put up with the noise, dust, mess, vehicles etc…perhaps the tin can filled with shit at the end of the drive was a step too far.

I would never deny anyone the use of the facilities, nor be anything but pleasant about it. I put out fresh soap, hand towels, hand lotion for them. (I also continually have snacks, tea, coffee, Coke, chilled water on offer for them)

But I’m allowed to cringe inwardly.

pumpkinscake · 10/11/2025 22:07

Helenwalker2 · 10/11/2025 17:35

It’s only £40 a week which I’m more than happy to pay given the alternative wouldn’t be worth thinking about with the stress etc.

Is the alternative the builders using your loo? I can't see the problem, that's what I did.

Andthatrightsoon · 10/11/2025 22:02

This was my neighbour's 🙄

Neighbour has complained about Portaloo
Redbushteaforme · 10/11/2025 21:56

YANBU to have the portaloo but YABU not to be more sympathetic and polite to your NDN. Go round with a nice box of chocs and flowers, apologise for the inconvenience of them having to put up with a plastic convenience near their window, explain rhat it cant't be moved elsewhere but is only for a couple more weeks, and thank them for their patience.

I.cant't believe how many inconsiderate PPs there are. Do as you would be done by!

Fedupoftheshits · 10/11/2025 21:44

Thinking about it OP, I wonder if it got emptied this weekend when you were away and that’s why the neighbours could smell it?

Yarniac · 10/11/2025 21:38

Fedupoftheshits · 10/11/2025 17:51

We had a portaloo in our front garden when we had our extension, we live in a semi and our front gardens are separated by a wall and a hedge.

It was in our front garden for about 2 months as having a constant stream of workmen in my house when I had a newborn was a non negotiable.

It was emptied regularly and didn’t smell, I remember the truck that would come to empty it would connect a hose up to it when it was emptied which is why I’m guessing having it at the back where access is a problem is the issue as it can’t be emptied.

What’s your neighbour like normally?

Exactly this - we had one during the summer, it was emptied weekly, it didn’t smell, and it couldn’t have gone round the back because the hose wouldn’t reach.

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 10/11/2025 21:37

I think for a few weeks it’s ok. Maybe check when it’s emptied like someone unthread suggested so that you can pass that info on.

I would also not want tradespeople in and out of the toilet 🚽

CloudedBlue · 10/11/2025 21:32

Wait until it gets emptied…..that’s much much worse.

Our neighbours had one for months in their front garden, and I worked from home.

IridiumSky · 10/11/2025 21:27

Highly unreasonable. Send it back immediately.

Save money by replacing with an open bucket.

That will be fine so long as you empty it every two weeks, ideally by pouring the contents directly onto the ground.

Galatine · 10/11/2025 21:19

NovemberMorn · 10/11/2025 17:29

If it stinks, and presumably if it's being used continuously by several workmen it will...I wouldn't like it either.

Wouldn’t stink if it was used by Mumsnetters rather than men then, would it?

BillieWiper · 10/11/2025 21:11

Can't you have it emptied just to shut them up? It probably does whiff when the wind is blowing towards their windows.

Sgreenpy · 10/11/2025 21:08

Your neighbours are totally unreasonable. Its 4 weeks!! Not 4 months or 4 years.
Just ignore her.
I guess you could check with the builders if it needs emptying.
Like PP the council won't do anything and if they do it'll be gone soon.

scalt · 10/11/2025 21:07

This is a new variation of the usual "AIBU not to let workmen shit in my toilet?" thread. I bet the complainer is on Mumsnet as well. Grin Yes, portaloos don't look very nice, but they can be great for an emergency dash in the street. (Misses the point of the thread)

And yes @kittensinthekitchen , there are a lot of toilet threads on Mumsnet. It's a weird obsession.

Frenzi · 10/11/2025 21:00

Let her complain. By the time the council get around to doing anything your work will have finished and it will be gone.

nannyl · 10/11/2025 20:58

they need to be greatful that the country hasnt gone into lockdown, with a full portaloo not allowed to be emptied (as not essential) for many weeks, mean while you are stuck in a house without any form of kitchen for many months..... with no restaurants / cafes open and not able to visit friends for tea..... and no builders are allowed to enter the house either....

Which is exactly what happened to my sister when she was having massive buidling works in 2020

Helenwalker2 · 10/11/2025 20:57

Nearly50omg · 10/11/2025 20:55

Tell the neighbour if the are upset with the portaloo are they offering for the builders to use their toilet?

DH did suggest I point this out to them but felt like it would be a bit cheeky.

OP posts:
Nearly50omg · 10/11/2025 20:55

Tell the neighbour if the are upset with the portaloo are they offering for the builders to use their toilet?

OnTheBoardwalk · 10/11/2025 20:54

Jellybean85 · 10/11/2025 19:13

That’s interesting. When we had work done we said we were happy for them to use the indoor loo and would put down floor covers. Builders declined and said it was a faff to have to worry about not getting the mud and dirt from their boots and work clothes everywhere and would prefer we hired them one

This! They refused to walk on my cream carpet even with covers and taking boots off outside in pouring rain was a faff for them

get it emptied as often as you can however the real smell comes from when the empty it

kittensinthekitchen · 10/11/2025 20:50

Yet another first-time poster turns up to talk about toileting and the weirdos on Mumsnet can't help but spend the next few hours talking about shit and piss.

As inevitable as death and taxes.

Some of you need to have fewer of the 'be careful on the internet' talks with teenagers, and more with yourselves.

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