My fucking neighbours

[CindersCatsSister]

We have just finished a kitchen extension. 6 month build with all the attendant stresses. Older neighbours (late 60s) next door have for the hump because we raised the floor meaning that now they can see into our kitchen. We can’t see into their house at all. They’ve been on at us throughout the build to have the window frosted over, I’ve said no, I’m putting in plain glass and if needs be I’ll put some film over it.
Build finished 5 mins ago, I’ve been up to my ears in fucking homeschooling and working and life and all the bullshit and she sends her husband over to shout at us because there’s no film on the window and ‘I don’t want to see you in your kitchen, it’s like a shop window’. Said window is 135 x 50cm. Also, it’s facing onto their garden which is about 20 metres from the window. So it’s not in their face. I don’t necessarily think they’re wrong, if it’s pissing them off it’s pissing them off and ITS ON MY FUCKING LIST but just FUCK OFF YOU CUNTS WHY DOES IT MATTER??
Many thanks, I feel better now.

@wheretonow123 it's surprisingly common. Many many stories out there of neighbour disputes that have ended like this.

How bizarre. I think you’re doing more than you need to here with the stickers for the window but I think that’s probably a good thing for a quiet life! Or quieter anyway.
They sound very unpleasant.

Hmmm 1.35m is a big window and you are directly overlooking their garden. I'd expect you to frost it as well, it's not unreasonable.

@CindersCatsSister what height does your window start? How high off the driveway is it?

@potatopot

Hmmm 1.35m is a big window and you are directly overlooking their garden. I'd expect you to frost it as well, it's not unreasonable.

I think it's 50cm high so quite wide but not tall.

[quote DinnaeFashSassenach]@CindersCatsSister what height does your window start? How high off the driveway is it?[/quote]
About 51/2ft from the ground, on their side? 6ft from our side. 135/50cm

So if they put a fence up it can only be 6ft/2m high if going by regulations. At least they can't cover your window. The fact that you can't really look out into their garden without a stretch but their whole issue is that they can go look inside yours from their upstairs would make me dig my heels in a bit.
I can understand not wanting people looking in at their house, but the other way round? They should look then! Silly sods.

Most street houses have windows directly opposite, looking directly into each others houses. We all don't need to cover every bit of glass!

They shouldn't look then, that should say.

They sound bonkers and apparently have form for bonkers-ness. Your film is the best solution for now.

But...please don’t underestimate the misery of living through a neighbour’s building work. Yes it’s part of living in close proximity but sometimes those having the work down forget how hideous it is for the people next door. It causes just as much stress for them with nothing shines and new at the end of it.

But yes, they are indeed a bit crackers.

2 metres is 6’6”

[quote CountessDracula]As their issue is being able to see in to your kitchen, why not get a magic screen roller blind. You can see out but they can't see in

www.blinds-2go.co.uk/roller-blinds/19436/oculus-bright-white.html[/quote]
Just to warn anyone who may be considering these blinds- they work brilliantly during the day (although nowhere near the same as being able to look out a clear glass window) but at night, when the lights are on inside, they do the opposite. So you can’t see out but the neighbours can see right in, nearly as well as if there were no blind at all.

We had them for a year and I hated them.

Oh bugger @Mamette I thought they seemed too good to be true!

Can't you just hang a curtain rather than frost the glass? Or buy them a shade for their window.

They really are bonkers.

oh, & if they still complain after you have put up the stickers, I would invite them over one evening (after Covid) when their lights are on, & show them that you cannot see into their house, & in fact if they can see you it is voyeurism, & they should stop snooping. You won't be doing more.

You're a better person than me. I would not have brought stickers for the window nor put plant pots unless it was for my benefit.

I'd say the onus is on them to cover their windows if they dont like it and you cant see into their house at all.

I guess they have got worked up as.they have nothing else.to think about but really, the gap between the houses is enough and the kitchen obviously passed planning permission.

Forgot to add I wouldn't have wanted to be the film up, why should.you just because they're having a tantrum!

I would imagine that the neighbour is looking along the lines of fencing it, but is giving the op an opportunity to sort it first, before drawing that line in the sand. Because really that won't be good for op or the neighbour in terms of lost light, damaged relationships.

I’d hate to think anyone could look into my house and would choose to put a blind up, which lets in light but obscures someone’s view.

I doubt your extension would have got planning permission where I live.

And I’ll wait for the update but pretty sure what you’ve ordered won’t be what they’re asking for. They seem to be asking for a completely frosted window so they can’t see in, they’re still going to be able to see in.

Yes, it’s annoying as it’s your privacy and not theirs affected and you are quite within your rights to not put anything up, you are being neighbourly by doing something about it rather than falling out, but I have a feeling they still won’t be happy.

I see a 6 foot fence coming.

GET YOUR TITS OUT.

TELL YOUR DH TO GET HIS D**K OUT.

Please the pair of you walk around in the kitchen naked going about your business as normal.
I'm begging you. We have no performance parenting/hen night/wedding/bad date threads any more. These threads are carrying Mumsnet at the moment, we need some entertainment!

They sound that bat shit they would phone the police and I'm already giggling at the incredulous sympathetic look on the police officers faces when they have to tell them that you can in fact walk around as you please in your own home and they don't have to look in if they should choose not to!

My neighbour asked me to take down a tree as it was dropping leaves on their side (in the autumn).
Some people don't have enough to worry about .

I thought I’d update, for completeness!
They haven’t spoken to us since, communicating instead via hard stares and - somewhat bizarrely - by talking to ddog ‘hello ddog!’ whilst blanking me.
High drama this morning, however, as banging, digging and clattering was heard from the other side of the wall. We gathered nervously in the kitchen, anticipating the erection of a wall topped with barbed wire at the very least.
What actually appeared was a bamboo type plant, which covers the window. Whilst it blocks out the light I think, all things considered, it’s a fairly generous choice as at least it’s not a hedge (or indeed a brick wall). Will we ever take in each other’s parcels and pass a cheery hello? I doubt it. Christmas drinks may henceforth be a little strained but hopefully that is the last that will be said on the matter.

They’re still cunts, though.