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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that if I want to keep my curtains closed all day I can!

111 replies

NancyCaroline · 01/10/2015 13:50

Landlord had to pop in today with the Gas safety inspector. I happened to be at home as I'm not working today. Before leaving, he glanced down the corridor into my bedroom and said "oh, you've still got your curtains closed, I hope we've not disturbed you after a nighshift?" "No no" says I "I'm off till the weekend"

Gas man then asks what I do and we have a little chat about it. They leave.

5 minutes later, knock on the door. Gas man has left his gas detector thingy on the kitchen side. Off I toddle to get it. Find Landlord coming out of my bedroom. I ask what he's doing and he says he was opening my curtains for me as I still hadn't Shock To which I said thank you, but I prefer to keep them closed and I'd rather he didn't randomly wander into my bedroom thank you very much!

He got very sniffy and informed me that in future he'd prefer me to keep the curtains open unless I'm asleep as it looks "unseemly"!

My face was ShockConfusedthen Angry

OP posts:
RainwildsGirl · 01/10/2015 14:37

my bedroom curtains are always closes in winter, its still dark when I leave the room in the morning and dark before I go back up there at night - so what is the point of opening them? plus it keeps the room warmer in winter.

at the weekend our lounge curtains are closed until 10-11am depending on when we get dressed. we are on a main-ish road and I don't want the neighbours seeing me lounging in my pjs thanks!

who notices these things enough to be annoyed by them anyway???

WorktoLive · 01/10/2015 14:38

What is it with all these people with such an interest in other people's curtains Confused. Yes I am aware of the irony of posting on a thread discussing the subject.

CherylTunt · 01/10/2015 14:40

I keep my curtains shut in the living room if it's sunny because I hate bright light. And it makes the bedroom stuffy and hot, I can't stand that.

TheWitTank · 01/10/2015 14:41

I absolutely hate curtains shut in the day, but it's none of his business. He shouldn't have been in your bedroom or touched your curtains.

Number3cometome · 01/10/2015 14:44

Another curtain thread!

I keep mine in the front room closed all day. We have quite a high rate of burglary in my area and I don't want them seeing all of my electricals.

I am a tenant and if my landlady every did that to me I would be livid.

In fact, when I have my gas inspection I make the appointment directly - landlady is not present.

Muckogy · 01/10/2015 14:46

YANBU.
although i do think having the curtains closed in the daytime makes it feel like there's someone sick in bed at home, or dead. its a bit dreary.
but its your gaff - so carry on.

Plornish · 01/10/2015 14:48

Your home, your choice.

As for seemliness, my DF as a boy apparently used to argue with his mother because she liked to keep the curtains semi-closed during the day, and he wanted more light. Her reasoning was that she wanted the neighbours to see that she had (i.e. could afford) curtains. She grew up in the East End of London.

Aeroflotgirl · 01/10/2015 14:50

You are paying to rent the room, its your right to have the curtains open or closed how you wish. Hope he's not going to do a daily curtain inspection!

BrandNewAndImproved · 01/10/2015 14:53

If my bedroom has a few clothes piles and unmade bed I don't open my curtains.

I'd be more Angry pissed off that he went wandering in your bedroom.

KP86 · 01/10/2015 14:54

Did you realise the landlord had even come back into the flat? What a rude, assuming prick.

I am a landlord who also rents and I would NEVER do that to a tenant.

Unless for some reason having the curtains closed all day was causing issues with dampness, as someone else said, it is absolutely none of his business.

I'm furious on your behalf.

TheHouseOnTheLane · 01/10/2015 14:56

Open the curtains you slattern.

HellKitty · 01/10/2015 14:59

I had a boyfriend in the 80s who picked me up and immediately started apologising. He thought someone had died as our curtains were pulled to. It was to stop the light shining on the telly.

CarlaJones · 01/10/2015 15:03

Open the curtains and when the landlord walks past to do a curtain seemliness inspection, be sure to waggle your naked butt out the window at him. That'll give him something to cat bum mouth about

PickleSarnie · 01/10/2015 15:04

Do you live on my street? I have been here 5 years and, in that time, they have never once opened a single one of their curtains. They have 7 windows at the front of the house and everyone of them has a closed curtain.

I am fairly sure they (you, if it's you?!) are either (a) nudists or (b) hiding a secret cannabis farm.

Number3cometome · 01/10/2015 15:05

What's with the secret cannabis farm comments?

Surely you'd use the loft!

Original poster
NancyCaroline · 01/10/2015 15:07

Ppeatfruit Shock I hope Dil told her where to go!!
KP86 nope,they were both standing at the front door, I went in the kitchen to get the Gas thingy and when I came out he was coming out of the bedroom! I felt a bit slatternly I must admit- bed was unmade and pile of clothes on the floor!

To top it off, gas man put up a carbon monoxide detector and it's WONKY!! Angry

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 01/10/2015 15:09

"My curtains are closed as the sun fades the furniture otherwise."

Do you live in a stately home? Grin

I couldn't care less if people keep their curtains open or closed. I don't even notice what state my neighbours curtains are in.

I don't like keeping my curtains closed as I like to open them wide to let the light in, and open the windows wide to air the room.

Original poster
NancyCaroline · 01/10/2015 15:10

Pickle nope not me, its a 1 bed flat and my front curtains are very definitely open!

OP posts:
NiNoKuni · 01/10/2015 15:15

Hardly anyone on our street bothers opening the bedroom curtains, us included...it must be a cannabis conspiracy! Grin

ppeatfruit · 01/10/2015 15:28

NancyCaroline Grin Yes she was clever; she told the neighbour to return (because she'd just got out of the shower) and she then reminded her that she can hear their tv very late and they scrape their chairs etc. So it was useful but I still can't get over the cheek of it.

What do you mean the carbon monoxide detector is wonky? Get them to put in a new one that works properly!

VulcanWoman · 01/10/2015 15:29

Unbelievable, the cheek of some people, he needs to mind his own beeswax. Next time he visits don't take your eyes off him, he'll be making sure your toilets been flushed or something.

Original poster
NancyCaroline · 01/10/2015 15:43

Thing is, I now have a sneaking suspicion that he's done it before. He had to go into my flat a few months ago when I was out and when I came home the curtains were open when I was sure I'd left them closed. I didn't think anything of it at the time but now... Confused

OP posts:
VulcanWoman · 01/10/2015 15:46

Best to never let him in unless you're there, how often does he call round?

2rebecca · 01/10/2015 15:47

The cannabis farm comment came from this www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17896081 as I remembered the curtains closed comment from when it was in the news

WorktoLive · 01/10/2015 15:56

I watched police empty a house of cannibus growing equipment on our street a few years ago.

I can't remember whether their curtains were open or closed.

Surely landlords aren't allowed to enter properties uninvited and when the occupant isn't there, unless there is a leak etc? Something to do with privacy and 'quiet enjoyment'.