Pissed off with my “kind” neighbour

[Peony1985]

More of a rant
I live on a nice estate with the front doors and a token bit of grass facing the road and small fenced back gardens to the rear. There’s high fencing with tall gates ( can’t see over) leading onto private parking at the back.

We all take in parcels for each other and usually just wait until people knock for them. Amazon leave mine in my porch at the front, so aside from that it’s just the odd thing from Royal Mail.
My neighbour on one side has taken to opening my back gate, walking through my garden and leaving my parcel by the back door.
I felt a bit uncomfortable as we have little privacy so respect what we have. The houses have the only living space directly leading into the garden. She is clearly able to see into my house and have a nosey.
She’s quite gossipy and judgemental.

I the thanked her the first time and said she could leave any parcels under my bin store by the back gate ( thinking she didn’t want me disturbing her by knocking).
This is the third time she’s gone right up to the back door and left it there. There was loads of stuff left out in the garden so it’s clearly not inviting for visitors at the moment. Myself I just wouldn’t go into someone’s back garden uninvited.

I know some of you live in areas parcels get nicked and the neighbours are shit. I still feel she’s being intrusive.
I put “ don’t leave with neighbours” but stuff still seems to go to them.

Amazon: porch package delivery box.

It’s perfectly safe by my back gate (or in fact my front porch) if she doesn’t want me knocking on her door.
I think all my neighbours can see in my garden from their windows. My point was that I’m obviously not expecting people to be entering it.
Or coming and having a squint into the house.

Also I can’t close the curtains once I’ve left ( they cover French doors ).

What?

No one can close window coverings "once they've left" what kind of idiocy is this?

You close them BEFORE you go out, obviously.

If people stamp on boundaries then it's one of few things you can do unfortunately.

Amazon: French door coverings

This makes no sense. Close the curtains. Go out by the front door.

Did you do that bonkers British thing where you said "oh you don't need to..." where what you really meant was "please don't do..."?

Maybe she just wants to get shot of them and thinks the back garden is the safest place? I know I hate having my neighbours parcels hanging around in my hall. I’d much rather just pass them on and get rid. If it’s annoying you that much you should just specify to the courier not to leave them with that particular neighbour.

If the house is too messy for you to feel comfortable with people seeing it then it's not a nice environment for you to be living in. Can you spend the weekend focusing on getting it tidied up?

We have a parcel box at the front door, a plastic garden storage type box, with a metal sign saying please leave parcels here. Works well.

I always hate this ridiculous response. You do realise we don't have crystal balls to tell us when a delivery is going to arrive, don't you?

@Peony1985 get a bolt for your back gate, not up high, or else she'll reach over and unlock it.

Put a note in your porch "DO NOT LEAVE WITH NEIGHBOURS, please leave in porch"

I realise that it might feel awkward but have you actually asked her not to do it?

I never said the house was messy.
I said I didn’t want her looking in.

If you aren't in going to be in, why not get your parcels sent to lockers/pick up locations to pick up on your way home? I find it so much so much easier.

I think you're being really uptight about the whole thing. Just don't get parcels delivered on days you are out or get them redirected. Or buy patio blinds, or padlock the gate!

You said that this isn't even happening on a regular basis!

You can have a proper lock with keys or get deliveries made to the post office.

Not sure what you want anyone to do, as you've rejected every suggestion made.

Some companies allow you to select a preferred neighbour(s) to leave parcels with, if your other neighbours are ok to take them in I'd do this, leaving her out of the equation. Might not be able to do it with all deliveries though.

You got to be joking

Peony1985 · Today 19:29
* actually that’s not a bad idea! I’d still be concerned about the a signature thing ( that was one of the three occasions- it was a gift not my order)*
A simple lock and key might work too.
I’m not a lock person at all hence surprised when people don’t get boundaries.

Well there’s two I liked the sound of. 🙄

Also for those suggesting alternative deliveries, I know. Sometimes the postage option doesn’t say they won’t leave it. Sometimes it doesn’t specify who will deliver it. If it’s redirected to the post office I’m at work all week and every other Saturday so that’s useless.

Thanks for the opinions. I’m over it now. I did say it was a rant.

Padlock

She’s not being kind. Come on. She’s being intrusive and obnoxious.

Christ almighty. Obnoxious to take in a parcel and leave it safely in the owners back garden? I think people who are bothered should take in their own stuff when available.

This! Only on MN do people complain when others do them a favour.

What's so terrible about her walking up to your back door anyway? I can't see the problem - but then by MN standards I am extremely laid back. I have a back door which is the usual entry to my flat, but sometimes people come to the front entrance, which is a ranch slider so they have a clear view right into my living room. I couldn't care less.