Am I unreasonable for finding a neighbour using the lawn outside my flat odd?

[GardenFlatTheif]

Not posted in AIBU as I know I technically am, but would you do this?

I live in a ground-floor flat in a small block of 11 surrounded by lawned communal gardens.

My flat seems like it was an afterthought. The main building is a rectangle, and my flat has been added onto the end as a smaller rectangle, so it's set back from the rest of the block.

I also don't have an upstairs neighbour, and I have my own private entrance. All the ground-floor flats have a patio and lawn in front of them, and there's also a large lawn at the rear of the property that is also quite private.

Because my flat is on the end and set back, you have to walk around the corner to reach the lawn outside mine or even know there is a flat there at all - as I said, it’s kind of been stuck on and is self contained. A lawn also runs down the side of my flat as well as in front too.

Nobody really uses the space outside mine due to its odd location and even the communal path doesn't lead to it... well, nobody except one person.

This neighbour has her own patio and lawn directly outside her flat, but she seems to prefer putting her clothes airer on the lawn outside mine. There's also plenty of space at the back of the building for hanging washing, where there are not really any windows overlooking - if she's after a bit more privacy for underwear, etc.

I know the gardens are shared, and technically she has every right to but it just feels a bit bizarre - the flat was empty for while before I moved in, so I am wondering if she was using the garden for washing and hosting etc.

She has to go out of her way to use this area because my flat is at the end and isn't connected by the path, this also means she walks quite close past my front door and windows. It's no sunnier than any other part of the gardens, and as I said, she has plenty of space directly outside her own flat.

It's not that I mind looking at washing. It's more that, because I'm the only person overlooking this little area, I start feeling responsible for her stuff. For example, it's on a corner and gets quite windy, so her airer regularly blows over. I've just had to bring my own washing in because it's started raining, but hers is still out there.

Am I being unreasonable for finding it a bit odd? I obviously won’t say anything to her as I know she technically has the right to it, but I just personally wouldn’t and nobody else does too!

It is there - it is very much like the set up we had.

From the diagram I think she feels it’s a space that’s ‘round the side’ of all the flats, not overlooked by patios. Whereas to you it feels next to yours. Both perspectives seem valid to me, you do overlook and adjoin more space than anyone else but I would also be annoyed in your shoes. Think you might have to lump it though

Maybe not quite CF territory but I'd find it a bit odd too, mostly the fact she has to walk past your front door and window presumably to get there. The back would seem like a better option

Put your laundry on a rack outside her flat and see what happens.

I would first just politely ask her. If she refuses, I would put my own airer outside her window. I would acquire a lot of fetish gear which would need washing daily.

Great diagram !
I think she's probably putting her washing out of sight? Are yoy allowed put washing out? Often it's not allowed in covenants which may explain why she's hiding it.
Anyway if you don't intervene ie when it rains or falls over she will presumably find it a pain and stop?

I’m surprised you’re allowed to put washing out in a communal garden. We aren’t. Surely if everyone puts their washing out the garden gets very cluttered?

I agree with the above.

You say you flat was empty for some time so she might have just got used to using that area.

I am guessing that washing might look like an eyesore in the space in front of the main block ? Whereas the space near you is out of everyone's eyeline except yours unfortunately.

If I was you I wouldn't like it either but I dont think you can say anything.

😂

thinking how awkward it’s going to be if she came round the corner at this moment

Well if she does come around the corner, it would be perfect opportunity to say
'Oh, I did wonder who kept leaving their laundry in full view of my windows?'

I'd also be getting some friends children to have a balloon fight with colour water 😂

the flat was empty for while before I moved in

She definitely knows you’re living there now?

Do the gardeners have a schedule? If so, could you leave pots out there and move them on the specific days they are coming?

like I said I probably will not say anything, as it is definitely communal, I just wouldn’t do it personally as you have to get really close to my doors and windows to get round the corner and with the positioning of the hedges and fence I would feel like I was encroaching someone’s space.

The sun is back so I have my second load neatly on the airer on my patio.

yes, she has seen me numerous times through my windows!!! Including this morning when I was having a cuppa in my pjs on the sofa

It seems you’ve bought a property with shared communal gardens which run outside your property

Unless you own the land people have to share
Whilst it’s not nice putting washing outside someone else’s window, it’s not illegal as it’s not your land

Definitely don't touch her stuff and really try to be outside as much as possible so she has to walk past you say on your patio to pick all her washing up from next to your patio.

I agree she's using that space because her patio is at the front of the flats really and she either wants her washing to have a bit of privacy or she's been told she can't put her washing out the front like that as it looks "scruffy". Does anyone else in those flats put their washing out front?'

Just make your presence that it doesn't feel so private any more and she'll start using the back garden. It's probably less convenient than walking out onto her patio and just to the side if she has to go out the back of the main building and take a fob etc but thats really neither here nor there. It's not really fair to be putting your stuff Infront of someone else's home like that.

Could you position large planters so its difficult for her to get so close to your windows or make your 'area' a bit more enclosed?

I'd knock it over every time, then comment on how windy your little corner gets

I'd pop out and say "oh that's brave of you, I stopped leaving mine there as my knickers kept disappearing".

It looks like there's a main road in front of the flats and that where she's hung her washing is set back a bit?

That might be why, privacy from passing traffic. Why people do things is a complete mystery sometimes.

Just looking at your username OP
has there been theft from your patio
or do you feel
this lady is stealing your garden ?

Yanbu. She's being weird.

From your diagram it looks as if she's putting her washing in a more private area than her own patio, further back from the road and screened by the bushes. It is the first space not directly in front of any flat. Surely using the back lawn area would be a longer trek? Unless you are sitting on your patio when she's putting her airer out/getting it in she has maybe not really considered how close you are. Do you have a Resident's Association who might fund shared whirly gigs at the back?

As suggested, put loads of stuff on the lawn. If you know when the gardeners are coming. Move it inside . I think it's completely selfish behaviour. It's a form of bullying because you are being too kind.

Tricky situation as you have stated, she is in her right to use the communal garden and I also think she has got used to using it as it's more private. I would make youself known so she is aware that you are there and may feel awkward enough to not do it.

Putting your washing outside her is also an idea if it's escalating but it's very passive aggressive and just as a last resort in my view.