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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask my neighbours to remove a cable on our roof?

83 replies

Mouse510 · 20/08/2016 20:58

We have just noticed that our new neighbours have run a cable from our TV aerial into their house. This would have entailed someone going up on our roof and running the cable along the whole length of the roof. We live in an old cottage and have had some leaks from our roof in the past. My DH has been on the roof and sorted them but now we may well have more slates moved/slipped.

We are now in the position of having to ask them to remove the cable, find out why they did it in the first place without so much as a by your leave, and I want to tell them that if any repairs are required then they will be liable!!

AIBU to think they have been a) cheeky and b) bloody rude? We don't want to fall out with them but I'm not happy to just ignore it.

OP posts:
TheFirie · 21/08/2016 12:17

Keep the cable as proof and present a request to pay to repair damages.

madgingermunchkin · 21/08/2016 12:18

Just cut it. And then keep a close eye on it. If another one appears, go round and ask "someone keeps going on our roof and connecting to our aerial. Have you seen anything strange?" If they say no, then suggest you're going to have to get a camera installed as it looks like there's dodgy people around.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 21/08/2016 12:19

Shock That is beyond the pale... Have you asked your neighbours about it yet, OP? What did they say?

SquinkiesRule · 21/08/2016 12:21

I'm not place marking honest. Well maybe just a little.
Cheeky feckers.

ILoveAGoodBrusselSprout · 21/08/2016 12:31

I can't see how this could be a cheeky contractor and the neighbours don't know.

Surely when a contractor fixes an aerial to your roof, you'd go out and have a look when they're finished? To see how its positioned, how it looks, etc?

They may claim ignorance, but there's no way I'd believe that

DartmoorDoughnut · 21/08/2016 12:33

WTAF?! That's beyond cheeky!

RepentAtLeisure · 21/08/2016 12:36

Get up there and cut it off? Wow, some of you are brave, I've never even cleaned the gutters on my house!

Rubberduck2 · 21/08/2016 12:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

notapizzaeater · 21/08/2016 12:36

I'd go up and cut the bloody cable - how rude !!

WannaBeDifferent · 21/08/2016 12:37

I cost me £400 for a new aerial ! I would go round and ask them first . It might start more problems if you just cut it , falling out with neighbours can make your life a misery.

diddl · 21/08/2016 12:37

How strange!

I'd be very tempted to cut it-in a place on your property-if it would be difficult to get up & remove it.

MadrigalElectromotive · 21/08/2016 12:39

I'd cut it. Cheeky fuckers.

BurningBridges · 21/08/2016 12:39

Sunday lunchtime is an ideal time to go round and ask them OP, and then come and tell us. settles in

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 21/08/2016 12:41

I'd be round asking them to fix their "mistake". Then depending on how they reply and if I want to move soon, I would contemplate legal action. Cheeky fuckers!

ADishBestEatenCold · 21/08/2016 12:43

They absolutely should have asked.

However, I gather that sharing an aerial is not uncommon and having a 'split' signal doesn't detract from the quality of service. So ... if this was something that their tradesman did without asking them, I would allow it to remain. Perhaps ask them to make a contribution to the original cost and ongoing repairs.

The alternative is that someone goes back up on your fragile roof to take it off.

Sootica · 21/08/2016 12:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mumofazoo · 21/08/2016 12:46

Wow that is unbelievably cheeky of them.

Becky546 · 21/08/2016 12:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

legotits · 21/08/2016 12:51

Listed building?

Communal ariel?

If not then a fine display of brass neck.
Go round to watch telly later, tell em you provide the signal they provide snacks.

pinkieandperkie · 21/08/2016 12:51

Oh god that's not right. Your neighbour may not realise the cable is on your roof if a contractor did it. I would probably disconnect and then hide behind closed doors and shut all curtains (don't like confrontation).

diddl · 21/08/2016 12:56

How do they think that they are getting reception when they haven't got an aerial??!!

acasualobserver · 21/08/2016 12:57

Of all the people who are saying cut the cable 0.1% would actually do it.

ohtheholidays · 21/08/2016 13:01

How would you be the unreasonable one?!

I'd take pictures of it first OP and then go nuclear at them!
They're new neighbours you need them to know that your not scared to stand up for yourselves and your property other wise they could go on to do all sorts to your property.

For you not to have noticed means they must have done it whilst you were all out,it's more than just a 5 minute job so they must have been watching your house to make sure you'd be out long enough for them to do it.

TSSDNCOP · 21/08/2016 13:01

I absolutely would cut it.

ohtheholidays · 21/08/2016 13:04

There is no way any legit Contractor did this OP!

Please have words with them about it,if your property had caught on fire or your roof had been damaged and it rained and your property was flooded your Insurance would not have paid out if it was caused by that cable being connected to your ariel!

If you say nothing and just remove the ariel god knows what else they'll think they can get away with,it's better to sort it out now before they try anything else on!