to have put their washing up on the balcony?

[abowlofwashingup]

Right.

Long story short.

I am a mature university student with one DD (12yrs).

I live with a group of people a similar age to me (late 20s). It is a houseshare. It's not a sharey, sharey houseshare. We all cook for ourselves, not each other, we don't buy food and share it. It's basically a house we all rent rooms in.

Two of the others (a couple) are very, very messy. They don't clean up after themselves. They leave washing up all over the kitchen and after they've cooked and eaten they don't wipe surfaces so it is actually impossible to use the kitchen for a day or two after they've cooked, unless you clean up for them. If you point out the mess and the fact that they've rendered the kitchen out of order for others, or are forcing other to clear up the mess they tell you they've been working hard at work and need a rest.

Anyhow, I digress.

I always take care of mine and DD's kitchen mess as soon as we've eaten (if it's a quick meal often wash pans before I sit down). This couple went on holiday and the night before they went they cooked a huge 3 course meal then left their shit all over the kitchen and went on holiday.

All of the other housemates were away - they knew they were leaving their mess for me and my DD to clear up. Even though they have never once had to clear up after us.

Instead of getting cross/resen tful/pissed off about it, I just calmly took it all out on the balcony and left if there for them to sort out when they got back.

When they got back, they hit the roof. What it boils down to, is that they excpected me to wash it all for them. They think I am making a point just to be petty.

What would you have done?

This couple are insane - why the fuck should you act as their dish-washer? the lazy, slovenly bastards. And how dare they shout at you about it? If you are moving in 2 months, the time will come round pretty quickly and you can breath a big sigh of relief. In the meantime, agree with the rest of the household to put up a big notice in the kitchen informing everyone that any dirty dishes will be left on the balcony for the lazy twats who used them to clean up at their leisure.

Hate it when its a couple v single. Some assume some sort of 'right' over you and act the 'bully'

Big mistake, you are moving soon so... the house is your imagination's oyster

Agree with heleninahandcart - have some fun on moving out day. Can I start the suggestion ball rolling with Ralgex in the toothpaste? Have used this one on nasty female housemate who kept stealing other people's toiletries, prescription painkillers and money...wish I'd been around to see the result.
Kippers under the sofa cushions is another (milder)one.

NBU!

we once went to a holiday cottage where the landlady lived next door - she came to greet us FULL of apologies over the smell and state of the house - the previous occupants had
a) cooked a curry that was still stinking the house out
b)spilled said curry on the creamy coloured carpet leaving a big orange stain
c) left half a pan of curry and a pile of washing up!

some people are unbelievable!

I hope she charged them, abowl. I've never booked a self-catering cottage that didn't require credit card details and firm wording that they'll charge for excess mess you leave or damage.

I hated living with flatmates and housemates.

There was always one klarty, lazy fucker who pissed everyone else off.

I used to keep my own pots/pans, plate, cutlery, etc. in my room. That way, it's very clear. My stuff = my washing up. Since my stuff lives with me in my room, that shit you left out isn't my problem.

I even had a fridge with small freezer as my bedside table after getting my food ripped off by inconsiderate fuckwits.

Was glad when I finally was able to move to a bedsit.

When I lived in a university owned shared house the cleaners would put any dirty dishes into a big cardboard box and then if they were there a week later, put them in the bin. That was a fair system for 18 year olds who should have known better.

YWDNBU. Sooner you get away from them the better!