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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:
DurhamDurham · 21/09/2017 10:05

If everyone decided to leave all of their shoes outside their apartments it would be cluttered, dangerous and a mess. Corridors in communal areas are supposed to be clear so that in the event of a fire there is nothing to hinder an escape or items which could catch fire and spread the fire .
I would moan if I was your neighbour.

Horriblehistories · 21/09/2017 10:06

So sorry op but yabu about the shoes, yabu about the neighbour and the new 'front door' too!

Shoes don't offend me, they just look an eyesore and make the place look cluttered and untidy. I don't think the neighbour was especially rude, he just didn't namby pamby around and said what most people would be thinking.

As for the front door, I have no words.

Didntcomeheretofuckspiders · 21/09/2017 10:06

YANBU, shoes look fine and aren't in the way! What is wrong with people? I live in a small 'block' of flats (it's a kind of purpose built block of 9 properties, some flats and some maisonettes) and people have things in the hallway and no one is offended! One flat has shoes outside in an alcove like that, someone else keeps a couple of bikes in the communal area downstairs. I've also visited the flats/houses next door and seen several shoe racks, umbrella stands etc.

You should see the state of the hallways in some of the big blocks of flats I've visited for work! Go karts, pushchairs, washing, trampolines... all sorts!

LesDennishair · 21/09/2017 10:07

I wouldn't have dared do this when we lived in an apartment. It wouldn't have been the done thing. You could ask if they would object to a small cupboard, perhaps, if you're really desperate for space. They do look a bit of an eyesore if I'm honest.

Nettletheelf · 21/09/2017 10:08

You're not going to die in a ditch over your bloody shoe rack, are you? You'll make a right fool of yourself at the residents' meeting if you do, and ALL of your neighbours will be irritated with you, not just those on the same corridor who have to look at your wretched shoes.

I don't get why you're giving it the "I've never been so insulted, poor little me" treatment after your neighbour, having been introduced, said, "so you're the one with the shoes, are you?". What's so bad about that? Would you have preferred him to not mention it for several weeks then feel awkward because you and he had become such good friends in the intervening time?

The man is allowed to tell you that he doesn't want to look at your shoes in the corridor. Why does he have to sugar coat it? You're the one being unreasonable. Rude would have been, "move those fecking shoes back inside your apartment, you selfish sod".

Seeingadistance · 21/09/2017 10:08

YABU. It looks horrible, and yes, it will be a bit smelly, and it's not your property! Why can't you keep them in your flat?

Your neighbour would be just as entitled to use that same area for keeping his stuff, given that it's communal. Would you be ok with him storing his vacuum cleaner, and spare pots and pans next to your shoes?

StoatofDisarray · 21/09/2017 10:08

It looks a mess, it's a fire hazard, and it wouldn't be tolerated in any of the flats I've lived in. I don't think your neighbour was being particularly rude either. YABU.

ShapelyBingoWing · 21/09/2017 10:09

In reality though I don't understand why you can't just move your shoes in to your flat?

The OP keeps failing to answer this but from her update about plans to build a door halfway up the hallway, I get the impression that she feels like she and her PIL essentially do own that half of the communal hallway and would simply rather leave her shoes there than have them being unsightly in her living space.

lozzylizzy · 21/09/2017 10:10

You must think they look unsightly yourself or you would have them inside your apartment!

Horriblehistories · 21/09/2017 10:11

The more I read this the more I think op has got a cheek. Doesn't want the shoes in her flat but happy to leave them outside for everyone else to have to look at.

caggie09 · 21/09/2017 10:12

Why would you want them outside though? Whats the reason for not putting them inside? Id be worried someone would pinch them, and possibly judge me on my style of shoes😂Grin

kaitlinktm · 21/09/2017 10:14

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.

If I were you I wouldn't do this - they are almost bound to say you can't use the corridor and then you won't be very popular with other residents you say have stuff outside their apartments. It would be safer in a fire though.

Flomper · 21/09/2017 10:16

YABU

you cant leave your shoes out in a communal hall.

plus, some pisshead holidaymaker will steal them

NoParticularPattern · 21/09/2017 10:17

Oh god you're one of them!!
OP: AIBU?!
Posters: Yes! It's messy!
OP: la la la la not listening I shan't admit I was wrong. He was RUDE TO ME. I think.

It looks messy. I'd hate it too. I don't understand the wall thing- especially as it will essentially be a very expensive shoe cupboard when you could just have brought them inside. I'm still none the wiser as to why you CAN'T have them inside. Weird

bluebell34567 · 21/09/2017 10:18

till you get a cupboard maybe you can put a nice cover on it.

Ontheboardwalk · 21/09/2017 10:18

I'd pinch every left shoe if I had to look and smell someone else's shoes every time I left my flat

Laiste · 21/09/2017 10:18

That would really annoy me. If you feel they're so inoffensive why aren't they in your flat?

When in doubt i ask myself: what if everyone did it? The morally correct answer is then usually pretty clear.

RunningOutOfCharge · 21/09/2017 10:19

In the photo.... what's the cupboard thing to the right? Next to pil flat? Looks like double doors or something

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 21/09/2017 10:19

YABVU. This is one of the most ridiculous threads I've read in a long time, and possibly the fact that it's so obviously true and that you actually think possessions in a communal hallway are fine, and now are saying you want to put a front door in a communal hallway, is what makes it even more ridiculous.

You want to live with your in-laws? Buy a house for that. Preferably one big enough to store your shoes inside. Don't fuck up other properties.

drspouse · 21/09/2017 10:20

During the season (it's a ski resort) most people do leave their shoes boots outside their apartments.

If this is the case then just speak to the residents' association and follow up with the neighbour.

I actually think YANBU at all and wouldn't mind if they were tidy, it makes the place look homely.

Bluntness100 · 21/09/2017 10:21

You must think they look unsightly yourself or you would have them inside your apartment!

This is my thought as well. The op thinks they are unsightly in her apartment but not unsightly outside where she can't see them.

RunningOutOfCharge · 21/09/2017 10:21

Can anyone else see the doors in the photo?

Laiste · 21/09/2017 10:21

The trouble with pushing boundaries at residents meetings is that any previous status quo which is helpful to everyone (re: blind eye being turned to snow shoes left drying outside doors ect) is then thrown into question, rules are clamped down on and everyone suffers.

Silverthorn · 21/09/2017 10:23

Its a fire hazard. In terms of the flammable shoes will accelerate the rate of fire spread. Also it looks awful. Put them on your balcony.

PortiaCastis · 21/09/2017 10:24

Are you leaving them out in the hope that room service will pick them up and clean the buggers?