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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:
RunningOutOfCharge · 21/09/2017 09:13

Sorry but yes, it IS a fire hazard

5rivers7hills · 21/09/2017 09:13

YABU

It looks super shit when people leave crap outside their apartments, also generally a fire risk as corridors should be 'sterile' with nothing to burn.

It also isn't your hallway to leave stuff in - the hallway is not demised to you. Keep your possessions inside the bit of property you own.

Timefortea99 · 21/09/2017 09:14

Although they are not in the neighbour's way they are in his eyeline in a communal area. You might like seeing other's stuff but it is just clutter to others including a lot of people who have responded.

The area is not yours,you should not fit a cupboard either. Your building regs tell you to keep area clear. There is no reason why you cannot have this rack in your own home. YABU.

PaddingtonLoverOfMarmalade · 21/09/2017 09:14

That's a lot of shoes! If it was one or two pairs drying out I'd be ok with it but it does look messy. And it feels a bit like you're claiming the shared space as yours. He might be worried you're going to store more and more things in the hallway. It's probably an inconvenience for whoever cleans the hallway too.

expatinscotland · 21/09/2017 09:14

I'd complain about this. It's a communal space, not a space for people's personal things. That looks awful and scruffy.

Trufflethewuffle · 21/09/2017 09:14

If you don't think they look unsightly then put them inside your flat so that you can look at them.

RB68 · 21/09/2017 09:14

Shelf ontop and light doors - out of sight out of mind. You run the risk of them nivking them anyway

RB68 · 21/09/2017 09:15

nicking

Bluntness100 · 21/09/2017 09:15

I agree that doesn't look nice at all and if everyone did it it would be a mess. Put your shoes inside. You're being unreasonable.

I wouldn't say anything but I wouldn't be happy about having to look at your shoes either.

BoredOnMatLeave · 21/09/2017 09:15

My neighbours do this, I don't know why but it infuriates me. I wouldn't say anything to them because I don't have a backbone but I feel that they shouldn't be leaving stuff out when they don't own the corridor.

Mine is slightly different though as I have to walk past them to get to my flat and one of the neighbours leaves their muddy work boots there, and its a fire hazard as I could trip if I was trying to get out and it was smokey.

Also it's one thing to leave 1 pair out, you have actual furniture in the communal hall

ShapelyBingoWing · 21/09/2017 09:15

Is your flat not big enough to fit shoes in or something?

The corridor isn't am extension of your home. Bring it in.

sooperdooper · 21/09/2017 09:16

And it's not your space to build a cupboard in either, you can't do that in a communal corridor

Just keep all your personal items in your apartment

fucksakefay · 21/09/2017 09:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PerfumeIsAMessage · 21/09/2017 09:16

I live in a tourist resort too, and we also have about 10 apartments which are only used in the summer.

You absolutely cannot leave your own stuff on the communal landing- whether or not it's a rule of the building (you may find it is, we for example are not allowed to leave our rubbish bags on the landings)

I'm pretty astounded you'd even think it was OK to effectively extend your storage space onto the shared area!

Shoxfordian · 21/09/2017 09:16

Yeah you should move your shoes

If you want to have something in the corridor you could try a nice plant instead

fucksakefay · 21/09/2017 09:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sooperdooper · 21/09/2017 09:17

Unless they're communal shoes, in which case maybe all your neighbours will start helping themselves to what they fancy wearing

Original poster
Shoeracklady · 21/09/2017 09:17

Pretty unanimous then!
During the season (it's a ski resort) most people do leave their shoes boots outside their apartments. It's just because now is quiet season that new neighbour can't see anyone elses!
For now I can move them in for the week the new neighbours are here and then we can clarify with the residents association at the next meeting as I do feel the wording is ambiguous and I also feel it is most people's interest to be able to use the corridor.

OP posts:
Bumbumtaloo · 21/09/2017 09:18

Sorry op YABU.

I'm actually quite surprised that you haven't already been asked to remove them in a communal area. We live in a flat and on more than one occasion had letters through our door (everyone had them) saying that any personal items in the communal area will be removed on such and such date.

ArgyMargy · 21/09/2017 09:18

I think you need another/a bigger shoe rack. You seem to have run out of space.

Allthelightsgoout · 21/09/2017 09:18

This would really irritate me. Put them in your property.

troodiedoo · 21/09/2017 09:18

Hate to say it but yabu. Communal area is not for personal things. Surely the rack would fit inside your door.

MehMehAndMeh · 21/09/2017 09:18

YABU but you're not going to listen are you? It's a communal space and you shouldn't be storing your stuff there. Bring the rack and shoes inside.

Willow2017 · 21/09/2017 09:19

Nah sorry it makes the hallway look cluttered, its not your area to claim and they are personal possessions keep them in your own house.
Not to mention the fire hazard.
I wouldnt want to see someones smelly shoes every time I went out my door.

Iris65 · 21/09/2017 09:19

The photo shows that it looks unsightly.