Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour keeps using my washing line.

210 replies

Horsegirl1 · 16/08/2016 18:09

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 ???

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 16/08/2016 19:06

Can you leave a sprinkler runnning when you arent drying your clothes?

ProseccoBitch · 16/08/2016 19:07

I didn't realise it was through an agent, if they're managing it (rather than just collecting the rent) then get them to deal with it and earn their fee Smile

GabsAlot · 16/08/2016 19:11

thats what youre paying the agent for get them to tell her

MrsWombat · 16/08/2016 19:14

Lock the gate, and don't leave any pegs out.

LyndaNotLinda · 16/08/2016 19:15

I would just pop round and say very breezily 'Obviously, you need a washing line which hasn't been an issue before because we've only had holiday lets! Silly of us not to think of it. Here you go' and hand her a plastic line.

Then she can put it up were she wants.

It makes it perfectly clear you don't want her using your line without being confrontational.

happypoobum · 16/08/2016 19:15

I just don't understand this. How have you let it go on or so long?

Are you always so spineless? Or is she proper scary?

I love PanGalatic solution but I wonder if it might be a bit extreme for you? Maybe just take it off and leave in her garden, or if you really can't speak to her, put a note through her door telling her that she doesn't have access to your garden as part of her rent, so can she stop using your fucking washing line?

Am I the only one secretly hoping OP talks reasonably to neighbour, who then continues to use the washing line? Starts digging a pond in OPs garden..............

starryskies78 · 16/08/2016 19:16

You're most definitely not pathetic op! It's causing difficulties for you. Maybe approach her from the point of the gate being left open and it not being safe and then mention if she would just keep to her own garden it would make yours more secure for your dc's. Then, either mention the line and that you are actually been put out not being able to use it, or just assume if she's been told not to enter your garden any more then she won't be able to anyway!

EatsShitAndLeaves · 16/08/2016 19:17

I think she's telling you in a very passive aggressive way to provide a line.

As a holiday cottage it isn't essential but they are leasing long term so I'd guess the payback to you as landlords is worth it.

TBH I'd go out and buy a cheap rotary line on Amazon. Pop round with it when it arrives and say "I've bought this for the cottage. I'd appreciate if you set it up and stopped using my line as I need it. I'd also politely like to say that your rental does not cover the use of my private garden or the facilities within it."

Then if you are not feeling assertive just smile and walk away rather than engage in any more conversation.

Mission (should you choose to accept it) Washing Line - accomplished.

Fluffyears · 16/08/2016 19:17

Just tell her it's not on!

cherryplumbanana · 16/08/2016 19:21

OP you sound very nice if you haven't just chucked all her washing back in her garden.

I had a similar problem, so bought a few packs of cleaning clothes and pegged them in the evening to reserve my line. I was worried to start a war with the neighbour. Mine neighbour was very weird.

www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=254184444

Atenco · 16/08/2016 19:22

I don't think it is beyond the skills of a woman to install a washing line, actually

SoupDragon · 16/08/2016 19:25

Why does your DH have to put up the line? It's not hard.

Rainbow · 16/08/2016 19:26

Maybe if she's shy and quiet, it's her way of saying can I have a line please? 😊

Cadsuane · 16/08/2016 19:36

It's easy to put up a line if there is something to attach it to. I'm guessing that there isn't hence why it's a more difficult job. Dh and my DDad replaced one of our posts and it was a heavy job involving a narrow deep hole and a lot of concrete. I tried to help move the old one but didn't have enough upper body strength. And it would need to be a minimum of two posts.

Arfarfanarf · 16/08/2016 19:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NickiFury · 16/08/2016 19:40

Put a line up for her. It's the right thing to do, not cause bad feeling by taking her washing down and putting it on her step etc.

Idefix · 16/08/2016 19:45

It may be worth checking with your letting agent if she is allowed to put up a line or rotary thingy in. I seem to remember a thread a little while ago about a tenant not being allowed according to the rental contract.

Are you very shy too op? I wonder if you are both going round in circles a little Smile.

All lettings I have stayed in have come with a line or rotary, but now wondering if they were left by the previous tenants.

Zucker · 16/08/2016 19:45

It's a passive aggressive way to get you to install a line in their garden. I'd take the clothes off the line and take them in, they'll have to come looking for them. Then you can tell them to stay the hell out of your garden. Sure you didn't realise they weren't your clothes, there's so many of you in the house you can't keep track Grin

Idefix · 16/08/2016 19:47

Slow Typer Arf

IJustAteTheKidsFoodAgain · 16/08/2016 19:48

I'd lock the gate as well as providing the line. It's ridiculous to steal someone's washing line

Witchend · 16/08/2016 19:53

Thing is if I was renting long long term, I'd ask if I could put up a line. But as she's just not holiday type short term (I'd guess less than 6 months) she may have felt awkward about asking you to do a permanent fixture. Or she may have asked the letting agency something like "is it okay if I use the washing line in the garden?" meaning your garden and he assumes hers.
Or most likely she thought "I've got a big load today and landlord isn't using theirs. If I put mine there, she'll say if she minds and I'll know not to d it again." So you didn't say anything so she assumed you didn't mind. Grin

But in all holiday lets there has been a line so putting one up will be good for your future holiday lets too.

Choceeclair123 · 16/08/2016 19:53

Easier just to put a washing line up for her. If she's otherwise a good tenant why risk causing ww3 leaving you in need of a new tenant who could turn out to be much worse. She's cheeky, she's annoying but it could be worse.

BikeGeek · 16/08/2016 19:54

Is it just me who reads these types of threads and wants to set myself up as a 'problem solver' for hire. So much angst that could easily be avoided.

Becky546 · 16/08/2016 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheWitTank · 16/08/2016 19:54

I would just unpeg all her washing, fold it neatly and put it on her doorstep with a note explaining that the line isn't communal. I would also provide a line -you can get one very cheaply, easily resolves the issue with no bad feelings or awkwardness and it is there for future renters. It isn't a huge problem.