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!

Best diagram ever !!

I would ask why she puts washing outside your space

also get some cheap garden chairs to put out there

If it's all communal gardens and there is no designated laundry area, it's odd that she is breaking the unwritten custom and practice of each flat using their nearest patch for drying laundry. Are there any rules about hanging laundry out to dry?

It might be petty but I suppose you either ask her directly why she doesn't use the patch next to her flat where she can see if it's blown over, or you could make a point when she puts her washing outside your flat of putting your washing out on the communal patch by her flat,. My guess is that your patch is either more private or sunnier than her patch, or that she just a bit odd.

If OP wants privacy then surely she needs curtains or blinds?

You'd think so, wouldn't you. In my case, the local pot smokers, half a dozen of them, have taken over the small communal lawn, with their paddling pool, five or six chairs, two clothes lines, a boxing punch bag fixed to the side wall, redundant exercise bike, and a small plunge pool. One of them dug up a bit of the side to make a garden, but has now neglected it. They sit there all day, every day in the sun. It's like running the gauntlet every time you go out. Like the OP says, though, technically they're doing nothing wrong, and pointless complaining, but it's a bloody nuisance

Gawd that's annoying. I feel bad for you. As you say it's difficult to confront people during the day.

We have a communal garden and it's mainly used by kids playing. This can be noisy and does deter me from going there for a quiet read/sunbathe etc. But it's harmless really.

Anything like paddling pools, boxing bags, loud music and smoking makes the place seen extremely inhospitable. I'm just a bit concerned it might turn into this when the kids hit their teens?!

Why did you SHOUT the word 'diagram'? Strangely aggressive....

Because it’s a Mumsnet truism that any threads about shared spaces / access / parking must include a diagram. It’s an in joke. Nothing aggressive about it. HTH.

It's your area really etiquette and proximity wise. I would put some outdoor furniture out right next to it so she may hopefully realise it's intrusive.

🤣🤣🤣