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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:
TheWitTank · 16/08/2016 19:57

To add, I put up my own washing line in about 5 mins. It is a cheapy retractable from Argos. Just whizzed it in with an electric screwdriver, no skills required.

headinthecloud · 16/08/2016 19:58

I'd definitely ask her not to use my line. I don't understand why she would it's really quite odd!!

HarryPottersMagicWand · 16/08/2016 20:02

Put a padlock on the gate. If she can't get in the garden and you are too wet to say "excuse me, I need my line, could you please not come into my garden and use it" then she can't use your line.

JacquettaWoodville · 16/08/2016 20:03

I wouldn't put up my own rotary line without checking in case landlord was arsey about a hole in the lawn.

Mind, nor would I use their line!

Use one of the above replies about buying her a line which she can put into the lawn where convenient for her. It's not unreasonable for her to want to put clothes out.

Waltermittythesequel · 16/08/2016 20:07

Yes, lock the gate.

How bizarre! She must know it's your line.

You're not pathetic.

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 16/08/2016 20:09

Do you generally make mountains out of molehills OP? Genuine question. You see if you and perhaps your DH are the types to see putting a washing line up as a big deal your tenants might not have liked to ask.

TheCrowFromBelow · 16/08/2016 20:10

I have rented loads of properties some came with lines, some didn't.
She rented as seen and if she wants a line she should ask you.
Op- how about knocking in her door and saying I've noticed you are using my washing line, we'd be happy for you to out up a rotary line if you'd like but please don't use mine.

greathat · 16/08/2016 20:11

Tell her your more than happy for her to install a rotary line in her garden

JinkxMonsoon · 16/08/2016 20:16

Bloody hell woman, she's only doing it because you let her!

You've been having to find alternative means of drying washing for four weeks because you're too cowardly to say she can't use it?

Look, I hate confrontation too, but you really need to grow a backbone here Grin

zzzzz · 16/08/2016 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChocolateButton15 · 16/08/2016 20:29

I would lock the gate and just put a note through the door saying not to come in or use my line but feel free to put one up in the garden she's renting off you

YourNewspaperIsShit · 16/08/2016 20:31

Sounds like she's passive aggressively asking you to install her one Hmm

I wouldn't just for the cheek of it really, not hard to ask

maisyanddaisy · 16/08/2016 20:45

The OP isn't pathetic or spineless, she's NICE and doesn't like confrontation or awkwardness. I would be the same in this situation op! Buy a cheap whirly and install it- problem solved, no need for any unpleasantness.

toffeeboffin · 16/08/2016 21:25

For crying out bloody loud, stop being so British!!

Go around to hers. Knock on the door. Explain you have five kids and need access to the washing line 24/7.

Ask her if she would like you to install a line in her garden.

Tenant smiles, says yes please.

Simples.

Lonnysera · 17/08/2016 08:51

Avoiding potentially awkward situations isn't "nice"! It's a huge lack of assertiveness. I really think assertiveness should be taught in school, it's a feminist issue, clearly demonstrated by suggestions that getting a man to put up a line, is a good solution!!!

It's a conversation. No one will die.

mickeysminnie · 17/08/2016 09:13

You are unable to assert yourself when someone takes what belongs to you without asking? Seriously? I would be having a serious conversation with my 5 yr old of she didn't have enough self respect to put a stop to this!
Grow up!

IceRoadDucker · 17/08/2016 09:31

Stop being so cheap and give her a bloody clothes line.

liquidrevolution · 17/08/2016 10:02

Just pop a line up in her garden. Its no big deal, will cost peanuts and will save you a lot of stress.

AmserGwin · 17/08/2016 10:12

As you have let it go on for 4 weeks, she obviously thinks you don't mind. Just install one in her garden

RhiWrites · 17/08/2016 10:14

I think that landlords do need to have the balls (or ovaries) to tell a tenant "please don't do that".

A tenant entering your private property to use your facilities isn't normal. Would you let her walk into your kitchen and make herself tea if she was out of teabags. Tell her to stop.

Also unless OP has a disability it doesn't take a man to put up a clothesline. Mine is attached to bolts screwed into brick walls and I put it up myself.

HateSummer · 17/08/2016 10:19

Sorry haven't read the whole thread, but you keep banging on about your dh installing the washing line...why can't you do it? Go to her house and install the washing line ffs...it's hardly a man's job, why do you have to wait for him?

Zucker · 17/08/2016 10:25

Maybe, just maybe in the OPs house that's how things are done. We are all allowed to have different ways of running a household or in the OPs case a working farm.

HateSummer · 17/08/2016 10:27

What? Men do the "outside" jobs and women do the housework and kids eh? That's a lovely way of doing things. Takes me right back to the good old 50's...

Zucker · 17/08/2016 10:33

Maybe so and maybe it suits them! No need to throw the back to 1950's thing about to insult anyone. People live differently shocker Shock. I'm often astounded on MN what people put up with in their relationships from their so called equal partners.

Kr1stina · 17/08/2016 10:43

Some of you are being gratuitously rude

People in the country generally don't like to fall out with their neighbours. Most landlords don't like to upset their tenants. The Op isnt being pathetic, she's just not sure how to handle it without causing offence.

And I'd expect that her DH has more experience putting in fence posts than she has. Having equal roles in a marriage isn't the same as doing identical things .