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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour throwing stuff onto our balcony

31 replies

Theonethingididntwant · 19/06/2017 11:26

We live in a large block of flats and the people above us keep throwing all sorts out their window/off their balcony. At first I thought it was from loads of people above us but then recently I realised due to the way the balconies are staggered it can only be the flat above.
I was annoyed at the cigarette butts, the rubbish and random broken toys but didn't want to start anything as we didn't use the balcony in the winter.
Now the summer has arrived and our cats are out on the balcony a lot (supervised) as are we. It's not huge but it's starting to irritte me with all the disgusting stuff they throw down.
This weekend we were sat in the front room with the doors open due to the heat and a window that opens onto our balcony open too. We heard a noise like someone emptying water out and went out to realise they'd tipped some water or liquid out of their window and it hit our window... I was a bit Hmm. Wondering why on earth they didn't just pour it down their sink which (if it's the same flat as ours which all the flats seem to be) would be right in front of their window where it was poured out.
The next thing I know they've chucked some mushy food out and it's splattered on my balcony.
Then the water/liquid again but there was so much of it that it hit the window and came into our kitchen as well as covering the balcony.
I'm fed up with it. They also chuck KFC out the window to try and feed our cats. Obviously the cats now stand under their window meowing for their daily dose of fried goods.
I'm uncomfortable with confronting them because I know nothing about them. Im not sure what else I can do though and I can't see why anyone would use a window as a bin! It seems annoying and disgusting and I'm fed up with cleaning up after someone else's family on my balcony.
aibu to report them to the managers of the building? Or would it be better to not rock the boat?

OP posts:
MrsOverTheRoad · 19/06/2017 11:38

Put a net up? Then deliver it all back to them through their letter box.

Only half joking!

Report them...film them if needed.

gabsdot · 19/06/2017 11:39

I'd shout up at them to stop.

ArchieStar · 19/06/2017 11:40

Are they aware it's going on to your balcony? If they are that's a very dickhead thing to do and needs reporting to either landlord or council, I'm wondering if it could be classed as fly tipping?

VintagePerfumista · 19/06/2017 11:43

Yuck, what pigs.

We are in flats and this used to happen in our old place but thankfully not now.

Is there a sort of building manager? Administrator type person? (am not in UK and we have these, they stick little signs up about various anti-social stuff and intervene if necessary)

FatBottomedGal · 19/06/2017 11:43

Absolutely report them to building managers!

Original poster
Theonethingididntwant · 19/06/2017 11:44

I'm tempted to clean it all off, get a step ladder and leave it all on their balcony. It's disgusting.

OP posts:
Original poster
Theonethingididntwant · 19/06/2017 11:45

Are they aware it's going on to your balcony?
I feel a diagram may be necessary to show why it couldn't really be nyone else. The fag butts might blow in the wind onto our balcony but the goodness and liquid can only be them.

OP posts:
LagunaBubbles · 19/06/2017 11:47

Of course you report it! Its disgusting.

wheresmyphone · 19/06/2017 11:48

I think first of all chat nicely to them. They may be unaware it is going on your balcony. It's a horrid thing to do just to chuck stuff over in the first place but if you approach them nicely and point out it's just going on your balcony they may stop. Fingers crossed for you.

youhavetobekidding · 19/06/2017 11:50

My granny had a problem with cigarette ends etc being thrown into her garden. My Mum put some in an envelope and took them round to the neighbour. The parents were mortified / furious their son had done this and it never happened again. Perhaps worth a quiet / calm / polite word before approaching management company. Remember to take photos as evidence

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 19/06/2017 11:53

Really, no diagram is necessary. It's quite clear.

You still haven't answered if they know it's going onto your balcony. Is it possible they haven't through where it goes at all and don't realise it would land on your balcony? Possible if they're a bit thick or inconsiderate bastards.

Why you didn't shout when the liquid and food came down the other day, I don't know Confused

bellabasset · 19/06/2017 11:55

You need to keep a diary with photographic evidence of what is being thrown and how often. That makes it clear you are not being paranoid.

Are you renting or a leaseholder, and if you are renting is it from a private landlord who owns one or more flats in the block or is the block owned and managed by one landlord. There should be in your lease or tenancy agreement rules and regulations as to permitted behaviour. Throwing anything from a balcony could cause serious injury to someone. Check who you need to report it to.

DirtyChaiLatte · 19/06/2017 11:56

Just for the sake of being able to say that you tried to ask nicely initially, you should write them a polite letter outlining what has been happening and asking them to please stop. You should also give a copy of the letter to the building management company/your landlord /Lettings Agent etc.

If they continue then make an official complaint to the above people to interfere in your behalf.

AssassinatedBeauty · 19/06/2017 11:57

I'd go up and speak to them and act like they might not be aware that stuff is hitting your balcony. I think it's reasonable to give them one chance to rectify it before complaining further.

BangkokBlues · 19/06/2017 11:57

The next thing I know they've chucked some mushy food out and it's splattered on my balcony.

Gross fucking gross!

Some people do not deserve to live inside.

Go upstairs and ask them why they are throwing rubbish and other stuff onto your balcony.

Hopefully they are just dirty thicko slobs who haven't realized rubbish should go in the bin rather than spiteful antisocial yobs.

CruCru · 19/06/2017 11:59

Yes, report it to the building manager. Every time this happens.

If you don't, they won't be able to do anything about it.

PenguinOfDoom · 19/06/2017 12:00

For god's sake. Can we please stop asking for diagrams for every fucking parking/neighbour dispute when the OP is perfectly clear?

I know sometimes they can be helpful when the OP is trying to describe an unusual access or parking situation but it's becoming completely unfunny to see them requested for everything.

OP, I would initially speak to them and ask them to stop throwing stuff over. If they respond by telling you to piss off (which I suspect they will because seriously, who throws food, rubbish, fag ends and broken toys over their balcony unless they just don't give a toss?) then report them to the management company.

Original poster
Theonethingididntwant · 19/06/2017 12:00

I'm really doubt they don't realise it does. I went out there as soon as I heard the water and they had shut the window straight away.
I'm hoping maybe they just don't think about it but to be honest I can only give them a chance to remedy it. I don't even ever see them outside of the flat and last time I tried to knock to ask them to stop feeding the cats they managed to not be in for a week straight. Would a note through the door suffice so I dot have to wait for them to be in?

OP posts:
Original poster
Theonethingididntwant · 19/06/2017 12:03

Our landlord only owns our flat. He's never in the country and wouldn't be able to do a lot but the letting agent has commented that they manage other flats in the building.

OP posts:
CruCru · 19/06/2017 12:04

Actually I suggest that you don't go round. Realistically, unless they are extremely dim, they know that throwing stuff out the window is going to piss someone off - even if they don't know exactly who. Going round may just expose you to some unpleasant confrontation.

Ring the management company very single time it happens. It will be bloody inconvenient but it is what you need to do.

kaitlinktm · 19/06/2017 12:08

I definitely would try a note/letter first. Date it and keep a copy. Make it polite and factual.

You could say that you assume they don't realise that this rubbish is landing on your balcony. Maybe state exactly what items have been thrown (and when if you can remember). Point out that not only is it unpleasant for you but that it is also a health risk. Perhaps say in the note that you have tried to speak to them in person on previous occasions but kept missing them.

Then you can keep the copy as evidence (along with dates and photos of the debris). Just thinking in terms of if you need proof later on.

MrsOverTheRoad · 19/06/2017 12:09

Fill one of those high velocity water pistols with something like garlic water and onion juice...then shoot their balcony.

AssassinatedBeauty · 19/06/2017 12:12

If they never answer the door then I agree with @kaitlinktm 's approach to it.

Floggingmolly · 19/06/2017 12:16

It doesn't matter whether they're aware it's going into your balcony or not. Chucking random shit out through the window into the street is just as scummy.

WoofWoofMooWoof · 19/06/2017 12:17

Oh my, I understand completely how you feel Sad. I'm in the ground floor flat with a garden, and the amount of crap the upstairs neighbours throw into my garden is just stupid! Brooms, dustpans, cups, food, paper, empty cigarette packets, pennies (DDs are saving them up lol). Their young DS once threw a sharp steak knife out of the window while my DDs were playing in the garden (who the hell lets a 3-year old play with a steak knife!!!!). I don't even smoke, but I have to pick up around 30-40 butts from my garden every single day! The newest thing is to throw toilet paper into my garden. I'm sooooo fed up.