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AIBU?

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Original poster

To have asked my neighbours to...

81 replies

Shadowboy · 20/01/2017 22:16

Have removed a item from their garden that was preventing our house from selling?

We have been inundated with viewings but the same comment keeps on coming up as to why potential buyers are not putting in an offer.

We are a semi in a fantastic area. The only semi in the area in fact. We've had 1/2 viewings per day since the house went online. Some are simply unproceedable and a few have mentioned they are concerned about the neighbours because of the item in the front garden. It was left there by the son who has now gone to uni. Parents have not moved it (a mannequin sat on a bench) it's very obvious from the road (especially as he was for some time dressed as Father Christmas so bright red and is now naked but making a certain gesture with his fingers.) parents seem completely fine with it being there but the estate agent have pretty much said that other than not having an en suite there Have been no other negative comments, simply a concern that the neighbours are 'odd' or 'weird' so EA asked us to pop round and ask it to be temporarily removed. I did but it didn't go well so now I'm wondering if I was unreasonable to ask?

I was very polite but perhaps they took it personally so it is still there for all to see (you have to dive past their house to get to ours)

Frustrating thing is they are actually fine as neighbours go!

OP posts:
Bovneydazzlers · 21/01/2017 03:02

Facebook the son and bribe him £50 to remove it, poor student probably won't resist that!

NeedaFanjob · 21/01/2017 03:05

Can someone pop over at night and break of the offending middle finger? ( presuming its the middle finger. Or maybe just snap of both middle fingers and prevent a second trip. I would.

Andylion · 21/01/2017 04:08

If you use hamble's idea
If you do a deal like this, get him to agree in writing that he will move the mannequin from all areas of his parent's property - including posing it just inside a window lol!
you might as well just offer to buy if from him. Then you can be sure it won't be anywhere on their property.

kelpeed · 21/01/2017 04:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kelpeed · 21/01/2017 05:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

girlelephant · 21/01/2017 07:11

Switzerland 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Cosmicglitterpug · 21/01/2017 08:18

I used to keep a blow up doll in the window of a flat I lived in to deter burglars, so it wouldn't bother me as a prospective buyer. I'm sure the owners wouldn't mind moving it if you explained the situation.

Maverickismywingman · 21/01/2017 08:21

I think you should remove the mannequin under cover of darkness.

TrickyD · 21/01/2017 08:34

Cosmic she has asked them to remove it. Read her first post.

MiscellaneousAssortment · 21/01/2017 08:36

Oh dear, you're being perfectly reasonable but not sure what you can do, argh!

FlaviaAlbia · 21/01/2017 08:40

I would have snuck over at night and kidnapped it before asking them but since you've already asked they'll know it's you if you do that.

I'd go with bribery of the student now.

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 21/01/2017 09:04

Are people really deterred from buying a house because of a mannequin? It's not like a creepy clown or scarecrow, those would be off putting.

I agree with previous posters, you need to contact the son and offer to buy it.

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 21/01/2017 09:06

Or a ventriloquist's dummy, that would be uber creepy.

FlaviaAlbia · 21/01/2017 09:20

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed It's probably not the mannequin itself, it's the image it helps conjour up of the neighbours...

I'd see it and look elsewhere.

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 21/01/2017 10:19

I see your point. I suppose we all have different ideas about who we can and can't live next for to.

Iggi999 · 21/01/2017 11:18

"Weird" and "rude" are not top of most people's list for ideal neighbours.

LucklessMonster · 21/01/2017 11:26

It's the hand gesture that would put me off. Those are clearly people who don't care about others' sensibilities OR what people think of them. I want the people I'm sharing walls with to care about others.

Oriunda · 21/01/2017 11:29

It's the rude gesture that's the sticking point (what is it? V sign?) - it indicates that the neighbours don't give a f*ck about a potentially - to some - offensive gesture that can be seen by all. I'd assume you were moving because the neighbours were nightmares and would avoid.

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 21/01/2017 11:39

What did the neighbours actually say when you went round? Need more detail!

oleoleoleole · 21/01/2017 11:44

I think the EA is using it as an excuse.

OhSuckItUpDucky · 21/01/2017 11:46

Steal it or offer them money for it

NightWanderer · 21/01/2017 11:52

I dont think you can steal it. Get the EA to make up a story about it. You might have just been unlucky with the viewings so far.

BlurryFace · 21/01/2017 12:01

Hmm at the suggestion of police involvement, I have a phone case with a rude gesture on it, should I have the police called on me?

Mehfruittea · 21/01/2017 12:01

Are they in during the day time? If not, when you pack up kids and dog, take it with you. Then put it back when you get home again.

I used to fill my car boot with a lot of crap I didn't have room for but didn't want prospective buyers to notice. Like the ironing board and Hoover. And a bowl of washing up I didn't have time to do!!

user1471545174 · 21/01/2017 13:13

YANBU OP. Some people are just twats.