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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I an uncharitable bitch ?

164 replies

snugglecat · 01/01/2017 23:14

I live in a small block of flats. The guy opposite us is a bit of a character 30-40 pretends to be homeless in the local town but obviously has a two bed flat to himself. The police are often knocking on the door and the corridor often has the smell of cannabis but he doesn't cause me trouble. We politely exchange a hello on the stairs but that's about it.

I've noticed recently he's had the flat door propped open on occasion but there is no lights on - I suspect he's run out of electric (but has money for weed)

Today I came home and he's ran an extention cord from one of the sockets in the hall through the letterbox into the flat.

Our communal areas are well looked after and regularly cleaned, but we do pay the service charges for this . Which includes the lightening and maintenance in the cost.

Effectively he's stealing electricity and we are all paying for it (16 I'm the block) .

I have been a single mother living on the breadline making ends meet so I've known hardship. I'm since married with two children . We do OK but we watch the pennies.

I feel annoyed by him doing this but in the same way I'm annoyed with myself for wanting to report him - do I really want someone sitting in the dark with no electric , even if it is self inflicted ?!

So wwyd? Aibu to report him to the housing association ? Or should I be more charitable and turn a blind eye ?

Interested in your views !

OP posts:
MapMyMum · 02/01/2017 00:49

Overloading a socket is very easy. Just because there is space for 4 plugs does not mean that it is always safe for 4 appliances to be in use at any one time. Check www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/electrical-items/overloading-sockets/

ageingrunner · 02/01/2017 00:53

I hope all those suggesting cutting through the wire and cutting the plug off would unplug it first 😱

OutToGetYou · 02/01/2017 00:54

Just turn the switch off. :)

lyricaldancer · 02/01/2017 00:56

No, don't start cutting wires, OP.

travellinglighter · 02/01/2017 01:00

If he's Nicking electricity from a single socket then there's a good chance he could overload that circuit and cause damage or a fire. The other issue is that the supply in the flat may not be properly earthed, a faulty appliance that doesn't blow a fuse or operate a trip switch may lead again to shocks and fires.

Report

Chelazla · 02/01/2017 01:06

I wouldn't report him, it's same service charge regardless. I think live and let live.

Baylisiana · 02/01/2017 01:38

The fire risk is serious, it is one you cannot take. If he is usually non aggressive I would be tempted to speak to him and tell him it isn't an option, see what is going on and if he can sort it out. Otherwise report. Also, although it does not sound like it, you might want to report and pressure landlord to do an inspection. A relative of mine discovered her neighbours had a regular cannabis farm next door and the police told her the whole row of houses could have gone up in flames any day.

I am not unsympathetic to him, but there is a limit to how much you should have to put with and putting all your lives at fire risk is way too far!

CauliflowerSqueeze · 02/01/2017 02:09

Live and let live - I agree. There's a big fire risk though so seemingly Mr Neighbour doesn't believe in love and let live.

BabySnores · 02/01/2017 04:32

I'd report it. It's a fire risk and trip risk.

RebootYourEngine · 02/01/2017 04:53

I would report. I am sure i saw the same thing on Can't Pay We'll Take It Away'. It is a huge fire risk because he will have extension leads plugged into extension leads.

Also i am with Reindeer and Sarnies when it comes to smoking weed. I have seen it destroy people close to me. It is not a harmless drug.

MagicChicken · 02/01/2017 05:06

This is quite a common trick. You should report it, it's theft and it will result in other people's service charges increasing. I'm sure it's possible to put lockable sockets in and I imagine many councils and HAs etc already do it.

MagicChicken · 02/01/2017 05:07

And I also hate cannabis. People go to such lengths to argue that it's harmless when all around us we see evidence to the contrary.

MagicChicken · 02/01/2017 05:13

Surely you pay the same service charge though as a flat rate?

Of course they do Worra but it will be assessed and possibly increased annually based on costs and usage, so anyone regularly using 'free' utilities rather than paying for their own is going to cost the neighbours money. Come on, you are usually sharper than this!

On the other hand, it could be that a fuse has tripped in his flat or something and he's too dim/stoned to work out how to sort it. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt for a couple of days and see what happens. If not, report it. If he's having a problem with his electrics the HA / LL or whoever can sort it, if not they can put a stop to him nicking electricity.

talkshowhost97 · 02/01/2017 05:23

That is spectacularly cheeky!

My first thought would also be safety concern about how many regular extensions he has daisy-chained from the one you can see (far more likely he's got a load of cheap ones running in different directions, than a single 50m) . While it's ok to do this for low watt stuff like chargers and lamps, I'd be more worried he is using high watt stuff like a kettle and microwave simultaneously. Or white goods Shock can you peek through letterbox when he's out to check this?

First move, I would wait until he's out and remove the fuse from his extension plug. (Even better if you have an old blown one to replace it with). He might be more cautious with what he's running off it if he thinks they are blowing.

And report him/ask the building manager to fit one of those locks to the socket.

tectonicplates · 02/01/2017 05:28

Do NOT offer him money for his electricity metre. Once you've done it once, he'll keep asking again and you'll never hear the end of it.

daisychain01 · 02/01/2017 05:32

Don't damage his extension lead. That a mean thing to do! Yes, fine to report due to safety but no need to get vindictive ffs. Poor bloke.

talkshowhost97 · 02/01/2017 05:45

Appropriate username daisychain01 but unfortunately the chances are it's "daisychain09+" so removing a fuse which isn't actually damaging his extension isn't vindictive/being mean. It will however remove the danger of him setting the building alight for a short time until something is done about it.

Miserylovescompany2 · 02/01/2017 06:43

Realistically, if he's living like a homeless person I don't think he'll be powering up a washing machine, iron, fridge, microwave etc...he's probably not even cooking himself food. That extention could be powering up a heater?

He will get found out eventually. I wouldn't report someone down on their luck. You don't know if it might tip him over the edge?

Just my opinion, nothing more and nothing less.

MysticTwat · 02/01/2017 07:06

One person in a two bedroom flat? Won't he be getting hit pretty badly with the bedroom tax?

SparkyBlue · 02/01/2017 07:14

Definately report him. I work for a landlord and we had this recently in
a particular building where a tenant was doing this. It's dangerous but these people are normally the type who don't give a shit about anyone but are well able to play the "poor me" card.

Charlottelouisa · 02/01/2017 07:15

Please don't report home he isn't doing any harm and may just be falling in hard times. It's just after Christmas after all. I would actually top up his meter for him but that's Me. Everyone falls on hard times regardless of their choices. Just give him a break

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 02/01/2017 07:43

"Isnt doing any harm"

Get a grip! He is stealing electricity. Creating a fire risk. CHOOSING to spend money on drugs. Fucking ridiculous. Report him.

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 02/01/2017 07:43

In fact I would unplug his cord and cut it in half.

RobinSnood · 02/01/2017 07:47

He is not "a character" he is a criminal.

He is abstracting electricity and (you believe) defrauding generous strangers by begging and pretending to be homeless (this is much worse, imo).

If I were you I would report him to the housing association and to the police.

StealthPolarBear · 02/01/2017 07:51

"Chelazla

I wouldn't report him, it's same service charge regardless. I think live and let live."
The service charge will shoot up at the first opportunity.
That said the fire and trip hazard would bother me more. Selfish.