Neighbour keeps using my washing line.

[Horsegirl1]

We have only one neighbour as we live rural . Our gardens meet and she keeps using my washing line. Everytime I go out to hang up my washing g she has clothes on my line. She has only just started doing this. She has lived next door for 8 months but rarely speaks despite my efforts to be chatty etc (she is very quiet and private and says no more than hello) . Anyways she has suddenly started using my washing line. It's driving me crazy as I have 5 children so have tons of washing. Plus my husband is a farmer so again many clothes to wash . AIBU to politely ask her to buy/put up her own line ??? I wouldn't dream of doing this but maybe I'm an un reasonable bitch and should share ???

Oh and it is useful to have a washing line at a holiday cottage - preferably one you can wind in if you don't need it but that's there if you do.

I ran a leggings office for many years and a landlord is not responsible for installing a washing line.

I don't think the tenant is responsible for a fixture like that though. I would think the landlord should provide it.

Oh dear autocorrect!! LETTINGS office!

"As it's been a holiday cottage a wash line has never been an issue"

Eh? Every self-catering cottage or flat I've ever stayed in on holiday bar one has, when possible, provided a means of outside washing - line, rotary dryer etc., either in the garden or back yard. Odd not to provide one IME.

I have rented houses with and without washing lines. For the sake of good relations and to solve the problem you just need to clarify whether you will provide one or whether it's her responsibility.

Next time just take it off and knock on her door
Give her the washing and tell her she must have got confused as its your linw

This. WTAF? You really have to ask?

I don't think you need to be confrontational, just assertive. Say something like, 'the rental agreement doesn't include our garden. You are welcome to put up a washing line in the garden or we can do it in x weeks time. In the meantime, please don't use ours or enter our garden.'

I have a holiday cottage I let out. There is a tumble dryer, a fold up clothes dryer and a whirligig in the garden for out guests to use. We spoil our guests we do!

How does she get it? If it's a gate, put a lock on

Next time she does it, go round and politely and nicely say:

I think there has been a bit of a misunderstanding. Your lease only covers your garden, so my clothesline in my garden is not for you to use. Could you make sure that you only use your own garden in the future? Thank you

Nice, calm, friendly, firm. End of.

Can you dismantle your line when not in use (by you?)

You can order whirly gigs on Amazon that come with their own metal garden spike for £25, and then all you need is a mallet.

If you really want to avoid confrontation, wait until she has gone out leaving her clothes are on your line.

Sneak into her garden, install the whirly gig, put her clothes on it, sneak out.

Never speak of it again.

I had this when moving to a rural area and she was just being a cheeky bitch!! And when I said I would like to use my own washing line she messaged me EVERY SINGLE DAY asking if I was using it!

"outside washing"

I meant outside drying, durr. Cue images of kneeling by a stream rubbing ones smalls etc. on a washboard.

Point taken re providing a wash line for holiday cottage. It's our first time doing this and we have an agent who has never mentioned supplying a wash line. We are so busy on farm that we use an agent to deal with everything regarding cottage. My issue was her using MY LINE. Iv had to use tumble dryer and banisters when she is using my line. I am a coward and know it's probably my own fault for not speaking up . We will provide her with a line . Thing is as she has a MASSIVE GARDEN I'd have just installed a line or she could have asked us to provide one (which we would be happy to do ) but instead she enters my garden and uses my line ?often leaving gate open when I have a 2 and 4 year old who often play out !

Maybe get the agent to talk to her?

Sorry but you sound slightly pathetic.

I think as the LL you should just provide a washing line. Job done.

Two nails and a £1 line - ten minutes of anyone's time.

Or print out letters spelling RESERVED (or FUCK OFF) and leave them on the line permanently.

Or steal all her pegs

She has to literally open in a gate to come into your clearly separate garden?!

Tell her to sod off.

Or, if you can't face the confrontation, slip a note under her door saying 'could you please not use my line as it means I can't use it! will get one put up for you after harvest if you need one, thanks'

I don't personally think a landlord should provide a washing line as standard, when I've rented I've always sorted my own drying arrangements.

Given she obviously uses one though, it would be a straightforward fix to this issue. And yes, they are hugely helpful for a holiday cottage too.

Why she thinks it ok to come into your garden and use yours though, is beyond me

Can't you put a washing line for her? Why does a man have to do it?

You are her landlords and that puts a totally different spin on it to a random neighbour. Very strange not to dare to speak to your own tenant - what if she did something really unacceptable like started knocking down walls or chopping down trees - would you still leave it til your DH had time to deal with it if he's at a busy time at work and you are the one inconvenienced?

Wow thanks for calling me pathetic ? Very tough over your keyboard . Jeez - childish