Neighbours washing line

[TheFlamingo]

I live in a flat, each flat has a it's own washing line outside of the front door, there are 5 flats on my floor, the neighbour 3 doors down keeps hanging her washing up outside my house, so she's choosing not to use hers and to pass 2 other neighbours to hang it on my line!! I've spoken to her about it but she said she's lived her for 5 years and has always done it, and basically is going to continue to do it, I don't like having washing hanging up outside my front door so I don't use it for mine so I sure don't want to have to see others washing hanging up, also cos of the way the lines are it means you have to literally walk through the washing to get in and out, she hangs her husbands pants outside my door and all sorts! Wibu to report her to the council and would they do anything?? Wwyd?

No one else thinks the washing lines might be communal rather than 'owned' by each flat? I'm pushing this angle because - and in social housing I'd assume it to be the case (I was brought up in council housing) - if you damage her washing in any way and you're in the wrong, you'll be in trouble OP. Criminal damage of another person's property and an ASBO, right there. Suit yourself.

DH's Mum used to have this issue.

She coated the line with oil using a paint brush.

It's not an issue anymore funnily enough :o

Or just hang some random stuff on the line and leave it there, you get some cool tea towels from Poundland nowadays :o

Unpeg and throw on muddy ground. Fuck that for a game of soldiers!

As fun as it is to plot revenge, should this escalate you'll end up looking just as bad as she does. So by all means, I think we should absolutely all keep posting on here about the rank things we could do to her and her washing...

But here's what I would do, based on my interpretation of the information available:

It is not her space, and she has no right to use it. Presumably she had an "agreement", with whoever lived there before you, be it spoken or unspoken. They do not live there anymore, you do. Therefore, any agreement is rendered null and void.

You need to make it clear, verbally (and possibly even in writing), that you do not want her items on your line, and if she continues to put them there they will be removed. There's no need to be threatening or angry in this communication, just be very matter of fact: this is not your space, you do not have my permission to use it, so if you do use it, I will remove your items.

Then, if/when she continues to put her things there, take them down and leave them in a basket on the edge of your property. Wet or dry, no sense in you making the trip down there and saving her the hassle. She'll probably begin to expect it! Then not only does she not have to use her own line, she gets it unpegged and returned free of charge!

Leave the items in a basket, on your property, not folded, but not tampered with. If they are wet, so be it. If they sit there a while, so be it. If it rains, so be it. A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend, you made it clear what would happen, so if she chooses to continue this behavior she only has herself to blame.

Lastly, I wouldn't think you would need to bother with putting your own out (unless you want to). The message you are trying to impart is "you can't use it because I need it", because that can be countered with "well, you're not using it right now, so where's the problem?" The message you are trying to impart is, "it's irrelevant if I am using it right now or not, the fact is that you do not have permission to use it and I will not permit you to use it, period."

Do you have kids? Send them outside with some finger paint.

I also second coating it with oil or anti climb paint.

Personally I would also keep taking it down and dumping it all on the floor. Possibly also walking over it with muddy shoes since it is on your property. Push past it carrying as many messy things as possible.

Perhaps your neighbour is ParcelZilla

A line of burning incense sticks just downwind of her washing should do the trick. Put out when the laundry is as wet as possible for maximum effect.

Or a water fight just as the laundry is almost dry.

Or both.

Supersoaker full of water with food dye in....

Hang bird feeders on the line. They'll poop on her washing.

I'd say coat the line with vegetable or baby oil at night next time it's empty. And keep doing it.

I think I would get a range of things I did not much care about and keep them on my line until the next door neighbour got into the habit of using her line. In the short term you have things up but at least you would be in control of them. Hopefully she would get bored of dragging her stuff round to yours and taking it away again. Also you would not be damaging her stuff or getting involved in conflict.

Chop up a big old sheet into small 'cleaning' rags. Peg them out across the lines. Or some pretty coloured poundland microfibre cleaning cloths. They won't get in your way surely - just leave them there. If she takes them down to put up her washing just take her washing down, fold neatly and leave in a wet pile, put your cloths back. Surely she will get the message?

If it's your line outside your door (And you don't use it) just take down the line. Means there is nothing for her yo hang it on!

Visit a charity shop and buy the crappiest underwear and bright gruesome clothes, wash them. Hang your washing up out side her door and tell her that as she is taking up your space, you need to use hers

Dammit, Claire - I was going to say this!

Except that I was going to suggest not washing the stuff - just wetting it so it was filthy and soaking and outside her door. Also, if you can get hold of some old manky underwear and used sharpies to put skid marks etc on them, that might help.

*use, not used

Curse these fat little fingers.

Put boot polish on the line.

Allow a small child to do finger painting right next to the line.

Have a barbeque right next to her washing.

Hang bird feeders from the line.

The possibilities are endless!

Sabbatical - yes I'm wondering whether it's a formal thing.

Op - before anything else I would just make absolutely certain the lines are assigned and it's yours (are you renting or is this bought - not that it makes much difference just wondered if pesky neighbour has bought and therefore feels more 'entitled')

If it is definitely 'your' washing line id be escalating it. But keep it clean (no pun intended) she's a neighbour and you don't want to be dragged down to her level. It'll do you no favours.

How bloody annoying though.

BUNTING!

That "Cunting Bunting" stuff - "DON'T EFFING PUT YOUR CRAPPY BAD-TASTE CLOTHES ON MY LINE YOU TOSSER".

SOMETHING NON-CONFRONTATIONALLIKE THAT. [GRIN]

As above - find the biggest, flappyest, most luminous duvet cover and hang on neighbours line. Job done.

I like the bird feeder idea :)

Go to a cheap shop and buy enough coloured small cloths to fill the washing line and keep them up there permanently, make sure they're small enough not to bother you trying to get past them

Or rub oil on the line.... I know which option I'd choose!

Smear it with something...boot polish would be great as suggested byUser!!

Hot Glue some Naice bunting to it on your half

Or just put up with it.

Why bother with all the inciting of neighbour rage stuff that may drag on for years.

So you have someone else's washing hanging outside your door - it's just tough luck and comes with the territory of choosing to live in this sort of accommodation.