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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to leave shoes on a rack outside my apartment

283 replies

Shoeracklady · 21/09/2017 09:00

I'll include lots of details so as not to drop feed.
New build property in a tourist resort. DP and I are the only year round residents, all the other owners use their apartments as second homes (so have fewer possessions here.)
We have been here for 6 months and have met most of the lovely neighbours so we are very happy here. DPs parents have decided to buy the flat opposite us too which will be full on when they are here but nice.
A new neighbour arrived yesterday and as they were standing in their doorway as I walked past I introduced myself and said nice to meet you etc. New neighbour's first words to me (after his name) were "So you're the one with the shoes, they're not going to be there permanently are they?"

I was quite taken aback by his rudeness and abruptness and mumbled that we might put a cupboard there at some point.

So AIBU to keep my shoes on a nice bamboo rack outside my apartment? They don't affect the new neighbour in anyway other than the fact he can see them when he walks into his flat. They don't smell. Can the sight of shoes really be so offensive?

Other apartments in the building also have shoe racks outside as well as things like umbrella holders.

Photo included as well as a diagram to show that shoe rack is neither a fire hazard (it is in an alcove) nor in anyway in the neighbours way.

I could possibly find space to store the shoes inside but it would be a much bigger inconvenience to me than that caused to the neighbour for having to see our shoes.

Aibu to leave shoes on a rack outside my apartment
Aibu to leave shoes on a rack outside my apartment
OP posts:
5rivers7hills · 21/09/2017 11:49

Woooohooo

Well done OP for being reasonable and taking comments on board :-)

Original poster
Shoeracklady · 21/09/2017 11:49

Allthelightsgoout
I replace things when they get old. I wish I did have a bigger flat but I don't so I am making do the best I can.

OP posts:
Todayissunny · 21/09/2017 11:51

Where I live it's perfectly normal to leave your shoes on a rack outside your apartment door.

TheAntiBoop · 21/09/2017 11:51

If you are In a ski resort I find it odd that there isn't already storage for skis, boots etc

I would bring it up - leaving things outside flats is a massive fire risk and one pair of shoes can lead to people taking the mick - it's a slippery slope!

LavenderDoll · 21/09/2017 11:51

YABU stop using the communal area for your shoes

LesDennishair · 21/09/2017 11:53

Definitely bring it up, OP.

BitOutOfPractice · 21/09/2017 12:01

it's a slippery slope!

I don't think she'd left her slippers there Wink

afishnotabird · 21/09/2017 12:03

Grin bitoutofpractice

Ttbb · 21/09/2017 12:05

YABU. It looks hideous. Not really something I would want to look at every time I leave my front door. It's also terribly rude to leave your stuff in communal areas like that regardless of what other people do.

Narnia72 · 21/09/2017 12:13

Massive no from me. We have a flat and the downstairs neighbours started off with "just a shoe rack", then it progressed to rugs, cupboards and about 20 pairs of shoes left haphazardly everywhere. Eyesore and dangerous. Your personal possessions should be left in your flat.

Same for prams (we had them) and bicycles.

GerdaLovesLili · 21/09/2017 12:32

It wouldn't be noticeable if it were a proper built in cupboard with plants on top and a paining/mirror hung over it. Your open rack however is nasty and an eyesore.

It's not in the way or causing any inconvenience, but I wouldn't want to see it. Make it look nice and your neighbour will probably be mollified.

StrangeAndUnusual · 21/09/2017 12:37

Well done OP. You have done the right thing. I would let your resentment about the neighbour's attitude go for now. He may just be a task-oriented person rather than a people-oriented person. I'm like that, and I have realised in the past that more touchy-feely people find it off-putting or rudge when I launch straight into the 'issue' rather than prefacing it with small-talk. Judge him on your next few interactions,.

Re: the ski-boot storage. Yes, definitely bring that up. It is a real fire hazard to have things in hallways. There should be boot/ski storage lockers. And there needs to be a strict rule about not leaving things that are potential fire-feeders in those lockers (e.g. boot wax)

Terrylene · 21/09/2017 12:53

It is definitely worth finding out as much as you can about fire safety and proper boot lockers as the chair of the residents group.

Everyone needs a clear and safe way to get out of the building in event of an emergency. Every minute buys lives.

Timefortea99 · 21/09/2017 13:00

You are now very reasonable OP! Thank you for not taking off in high dudgeon when the majority of opinion went against you.

In your RA role you should perhaps find out the rules and guidelines of trip and fire hazards.

Hope your relationship with new (and direct) neighbour does not get any worse. It shouldn't do, you took action.

MrsNuckyThompson · 21/09/2017 13:14

Sorry, but YABU. Looks untidy in the communal space.

Original poster
Shoeracklady · 21/09/2017 13:26

Thanks for everyone's advice. I'm thinking that as I've already got fire extinguishers on the agenda for the next meeting, a broad discussion about improving fire safety should be feasible (even in my terrible French!)
I really do hope relations with the new neighbour improve. It'll be hard for me to resist trying to psychoanalyse our next few interactions.

OP posts:
SquareSophia · 21/09/2017 13:26

Ewww!! That's grim. You say they don't smell but I'll bet they do.
Keep your possessions in your flat. Would you hang your washing out there?

Flomper · 21/09/2017 13:41

well done shoeracklady! im impressed by your (unusual on MN) maturity and ability to admit you were wrong. Id have done the same thing but then but the neighboyr on my shit list forever Smile

also lucky you living in a ski resort! will you live there all year round?

InsomniacAnonymous · 21/09/2017 13:47

Your shoes belong inside your apartment.

QueSera · 21/09/2017 14:02

Definitely no shoes in the corridors. Our communal areas in our building must be clutter-free - otherwise people would be leaving all sorts lying around - it looks awful, could be unsafe, can lead to theft accusations and also hinders access in an emergency. What if someone tripped on your shoes? Eg a fellow resident, tradesperson, emergency services etc.

Laiste · 21/09/2017 14:32

This is one of those threads where the posters who never RTFT expose themselves Grin

Well done OP.

paxillin · 21/09/2017 14:35

Even just the OP's updates would tell you the SHOES ARE INDOORS!

But go on, tell OP again to take them in Grin

Laulau79 · 21/09/2017 14:44

I’m wondering Why your in-laws would buy another of these flats that are too small to store your shoes in?

Original poster
Shoeracklady · 21/09/2017 14:58

Flomper
Yep living in a ski resort has its benefits for sure. Gorgeous views bit ittty bitty living space and don't get me started on the driving standards!

Laulau
Most flats out here are designed as second homes (which the in laws one will be for them) it does mean that storage space is not required in most. They are downsizing from another ski resort and buying near us means we can help them with airport lifts etc and facilitate their stays out here particularly as they get older.

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 21/09/2017 15:07

turn them through 90 degrees: not so bad. get a white cupboard for the shoes. but not the shoe rack. looks horrid.

stayed in a place where they had shoe racks outside. (think possibly all tourist?) but they wer all at 90 degrees and did not catch your eye like yours does right at the end.