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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to put a note on this car?

29 replies

BirdhouseInYourSoul · 02/12/2014 23:04

There is a neighbour who has taken to smoking in his car with the engine running this last week since the weather has turned cold.

It happens pretty much hourly until 1-2 am. Sometimes he has the radio on also I'd hate to see his petrol bill

It's bloody annoying me as it disturbs me every time and also DS has woken up on occasion too.

WIBU to put a note on his car telling him to pack it in?

What should I say?

OP posts:
LadyStark · 02/12/2014 23:10

YABU

He's perfectly entitled to go and sit in his car every hour and run the engine if he wishes. I would not be impressed to get a note in this situation.

Whatsthewhatsthebody · 02/12/2014 23:13

Not sure you could object really unless the radio was super loud.

Must be annoying though.

Original poster
BirdhouseInYourSoul · 02/12/2014 23:13

I am worried IABU but seriously, it's a very noisy car.

OP posts:
Original poster
BirdhouseInYourSoul · 02/12/2014 23:17

Maybe I could just passive aggressively turn the light on, yank the curtains back and stare at him so he's uncomfortable and finishes up quickly. :)

sometimes he's in there for 10 minutes or more. It's pretty annoying.

OP posts:
Patilla · 02/12/2014 23:21

Isn't it unlawful these days to let your engine run for any length of time while the car is stationary?

Original poster
BirdhouseInYourSoul · 02/12/2014 23:25

hmm. I'm not sure.

Maybe I can stick some global warming leaflets on the car instead?

OP posts:
wowfudge · 02/12/2014 23:27

This person is your neighbour - can you not speak to him or another of his family members rather than leaving a note on his car? Or buy him a slanket so he can smoke in comfort outside the house without getting into his car and starting the engine.

Original poster
BirdhouseInYourSoul · 02/12/2014 23:33

I've never met him wow or his family.

I'm not really certain which of the two flats he is from to be honest.

I'm not very good with confrontation of any sort so that's why I thought a friendly note might work.

I just wondered if it was reasonable behaviour to sit with your engine running late at night directly outside peoples bedrooms.

I probably am being Unreasonable because I was just at the edge of sleep when he started up the car again and I got that rage you get at being woken at that point Blush

OP posts:
TheCowThatLaughs · 02/12/2014 23:57

It's inconsiderate to sit outside people's houses in the middle of the night running your car engine. He may not realise that it's disturbing people though. Some people are thick very self-absorbed, or maybe he just doesn't give a shit about anyone else!

KoalaDownUnder · 03/12/2014 00:02

YANBU. Nobody wants to be woken several times at night by a loud car engine idling outside their bedroom window.

I think I might work up the nerve to politely approach him about it. But would be prepared to be told to fuck off. Sad

abigamarone · 03/12/2014 00:04

No such thing as a 'friendly note' when it's been anonymously stuck to your car.

Minerves · 03/12/2014 01:29

yabu I think sorry. his car. I think all you can really do is ask him not to put his radio on after say 10pm.

Minerves · 03/12/2014 01:30

but i also like the idea of buying him a slanket, that's cute

CupidStuntSurvivor · 03/12/2014 02:19

I feel your pain (ground floor flat, car park directly next to my bedroom) but YABU. As pp said, there's no such thing as a friendly note when it's been put on your car and the writer isn't open about who they are. It's his car, he can do what he likes in it. You'd probably get further having a word face to face though there's little point in him sitting in the car, engine off as it wouldn't warm up.

LadySybilLikesCake · 03/12/2014 02:23

It is a ticketable offence to leave your engine running. My neighbour used to do the same at 7am, leaving it running while he went inside for half an hour. The police fine folk for doing this.

LadySybilLikesCake · 03/12/2014 02:25

www.islington.gov.uk/services/parks-environment/sus_pollute/air_quality/Pages/Vehicle-air-pollution.aspx

"The law says that is an offence to idle your engine unnecessarily when stationary. If you fail to turn your engine off after being asked to do so by an authorised officer you can be issued with a fixed penalty notice.. This is enforced under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002.

The law covers all vehicles on public roads including buses, taxis and private cars. However it does NOT apply to vehicles moving slowly due to road works or congestion; vehicles stopped at traffic lights; vehicles under test or repair; or defrosting a windscreen. The fixed penalty notice is issued to the driver of the vehicle."

Original poster
BirdhouseInYourSoul · 03/12/2014 09:19

I guess I'll just invest in some ear plugs and count the days till spring so he can stand in his garden again :)

I may try and have a word with him about it if I see him around.

OP posts:
Catsize · 03/12/2014 09:26

He is very selfish and demonstrative of our ever-increasing 'I'll do what
I want, stuff everyone else' approach to life. Sad
Stand next to his car dancing. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. He may soon stop after that. Smile

LadySybilLikesCake · 03/12/2014 09:36

or you could film him and send it to the council. With any luck they will send him a fixed penalty notice (see the link).

velourvoyageur · 03/12/2014 09:38

does the radio use petrol??

BitOutOfPractice · 03/12/2014 09:39

Just have a chat with him! Along the lines of "I'm not sure if you realise but..." and see what happens.

Original poster
BirdhouseInYourSoul · 03/12/2014 09:44

I have no idea velourvoyageur but having his engine running must do.

He was out there this morning with a cuppa too so I actually know what he looks like now. I will have a word next time I see him.

My horoscope said expect a timely prize this morning. So I'm either going to win a watch/clock at the school raffle later or the lottery. If it's the lottery I'll build the poor man a heated smoking shed!

I will check out the link LadySybil but I'd be reluctant to go down and official route tbh.

OP posts:
RhubarbAndMustard · 03/12/2014 09:49

We had this issue at our last home and it does drive you crazy to be woken up every night.

I talked myself out of leaving a note though as it isn't very friendly. Perhaps organise some Xmas drinks for neighbours and then you can bring it into conversation that you hear them out there at night and must be very cold, etc.

NewEraNewMindset · 03/12/2014 09:52

Actually I think a note can be friendly as long as it's not anonymous.

I wonder if you could put a note on his car saying that you are leaving the note due up not knowing which neighbour you are writing to. Explain that the car noise is waking everyone up in your house and then leave your house number so he can approach you to talk.

That might be enough to gee some conscience out of him. Of course if he is a twat then it might just get you a whole load of trouble. Anonymous notes are generally always treated as inflammatory unless they contain compliments and a mobile number of someone attractive Wink

Original poster
BirdhouseInYourSoul · 03/12/2014 10:01

I'm not organising drinks just so I can pin him down - that sounds like far too much work and even I'm not that much of a coward about confrontation!

I will speak to him.

I agree a note might seem a bit off. I promise I would have put please and thank you on it though :)

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