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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

With my neighbour?

114 replies

Katinkka · 04/02/2015 15:52

Just had a row with my neighbour who was asking my ex to fit an electric windchime in his garden. I said I didn't like the sound of it and asked if they will be noisy. He said 'yes. Really noisy'. I can't bear windchimes and have asked another neighbour previously to take some down as listening to them on a night was sending me into a homicidal rage.

He went off on one saying he can't stand my cats who crap in his garden. They're not all my cats round here! I feel like the bad guy but am I?

OP posts:
toastyarmadillo · 05/02/2015 03:23

Ah good point thumb if it's genuinely an issue try environmental health

Jengnr · 05/02/2015 03:35

Would you compromise and keep the cat indoors if he got rid of the windchime?

If not you really ought to stfu. If you would then suggest it to him.

however · 05/02/2015 03:59

If you have a cat, and it shits in his garden, all bets are off.

lunar1 · 05/02/2015 04:22

I had to stop growing veg in my own garden because of other people's cats. If wind chimes piss off cat owners so much I might buy a few dozen.

whothehellknows · 05/02/2015 05:38

My NDN have six sets of windchimes below my bedroom window. I tuned them out quickly so it's only irksome when it's blowing a gale.

Cats (& rats, pigeons, crows, etc) are undeterred.

MythicalKings · 05/02/2015 07:10

Just a thought. If they are electric maybe he has a remote control and his intention is to set them going if a cat is squatting in his garden. In which case I hope it works.

I may try that as well.

Original poster
Katinkka · 05/02/2015 07:25

I have 12 cats so no chance of keeping them all in. I guess I'll just see what happens and complain if they annoy me.

I am aware I'm also a nuisance with my cats but making the whole lot of neighbours listen to sodding windchimes all night is much worse in my opinion. I am nice neighbour in every other way and ex does jobs on the cheap for everyone.

Electric windchimes. Wtf

OP posts:
pictish · 05/02/2015 07:32

Wind chimes are worse than cats?
Um no...they're really not.
12 cats worth of shit in his flowerbeds? You need to learn to let live pal.

TiltedPenguin · 05/02/2015 07:32

12 cats? I hate windchimes, but I think 12 cats is more antisocial... He must be having to clear up multiple poos a day. And noise from them fighting.

MyLeftElbow · 05/02/2015 07:36

As far as I know, electric windchimes are for indoor use - because of the lack of indoor weather! :/ they would probably get damp and break outside hopefull

MythicalKings · 05/02/2015 07:37

If I thought it would keep cats away I'd have 12 windchimes going constantly.

Crazy8 · 05/02/2015 07:38

12 cats!!! I think your neighbour must be very very understanding.

DancingDinosaur · 05/02/2015 07:39

12 cats? And you're complaining about a windchime when you have 12 cats? Do have litter trays for those then, or do they just spread their shit round in all your neighbors gardens?

Schoolaroundthecorner · 05/02/2015 07:41

If you have 12 cats they probably are all your cats who crap in his garden, despite your protestations. One or two cats produce enough crap, I can't imagine what living next to 12 would lead to. You haven't a right to complain about wind chimes in these circumstances.

Meowww · 05/02/2015 07:42

electric wind chimes sounds like a joke, like tartan paint or something

pictish · 05/02/2015 07:47

Maybe the wind chimes are to scare off the cats? Or this is a wind up?
Who knows.

echt · 05/02/2015 07:53

Don't know where people get the idea that the OP can't complain about wind chimes. Any noise can be a nuisance and yes, the council will take it seriously. The comparisons with birds are fatuous, they are not in anybody' control, whereas the windchimes are.

The cats are separate issue and you are BVVU to assert he can't know it's your cats shitting in his garden. Do the maths. They are not covered by law am but you're not helping yourself here.
I would, in the interests of good relations with the NDN, buy him a supersoaker to discourage the cats, and tell him to spray away, as well as several packets of satay sticks to put in his flowerbeds, pointy side up, to sort out the cats.

VivaLeBeaver · 05/02/2015 07:56

I love cats but if I was your neighbour Id be installing a bird scarer never mind wind chimes!

whattodoowiththeleftoverturkey · 05/02/2015 08:02

Could you ask him to put the chime up in the farthest point of his garden from your house?
In return you'll pick up all the cat poo in his garden once a week?
Fair compromise, I think.

londonrach · 05/02/2015 08:04

12 cats! Thats alot of poo. Serious question can you get 12 cats in a house? Imagines op (lucky op) lives in a huge grand house (like national trust houses) with large gardens in which case you shouldnt hear the wind chimes.

Tyzer85 · 05/02/2015 08:04

You have twelve cats but you're moaning about your neighbours windchime? Sorry but you are being unfair, if I had 12 cats shitting in my garden I'd be investing in more than a windchime.

PtolemysNeedle · 05/02/2015 08:05

Wind chimes might be worse in your opinion, but you will be aware that not everyone shares your opinion.

In my opinion, cats are worse. They shit, they leave muddy prints on cars, and sometimes they cause otherwise quiet dogs who are kept to their own gardens to bark so they can contribute to a noise issue as well.

12 cats is excessive, and selfish. Stop being a hypocrite.

Original poster
Katinkka · 05/02/2015 08:45

Well I never intended on having 12 cats. Unfortunately I've been the local 'soft touch' and taken on various waifs and strays. I've categorically said no to anymore though. Anyway, that's a separate issue. The neighbours have those noise things in their gardens to scare the cats off. I bought next doors' cat scarers and batteries but they said they have a sprinkler thing that works the best now. My house is a big four bed detached and the cats mostly crap in my own garden. I know, cause I clean it up. I have an open sandy area and loads of loose dirt under the trees they like using. I do what I can.

OP posts:
UncleT · 05/02/2015 08:52

No you don't - you gave twelve cats. That's not doing what you can - it's highly irresponsible. I adore cats, I have one of my own and love her dearly, but having twelve (no matter how it happened) at one property roaming the area is ridiculously inconsiderate.

UncleT · 05/02/2015 08:52

*have