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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:
Sogrowjo · 21/09/2017 10:41

What about something like this shoe cabinet?

Aibu to leave shoes on a rack outside my apartment
Walkforvictory · 21/09/2017 10:44

I am sure someone will have said this already but just in case:

It's a fire risk.

It should be moved.

My parents flats were told to remove doormats after a fire risk assessment of their LA property.

alphajuliet123 · 21/09/2017 10:46

A nice cupboard with a plant on top would actually make the hallway look better.

HotelEuphoria · 21/09/2017 10:48

Totally unreasonable.

What if next door wanted to leave their running trainers outside (which were fairly stinky) and opposite decided to leave a buggy outside whenever they were there and then another neighbour put their rubbish outside all day every day until they next went to the communal bins.

The communal area should be free from all possessions and not just for H&S in my opinion.

Sorry, put your shoes in your flat.

coddiwomple · 21/09/2017 10:48

where will it stop? next someone will put a fridge or freezer because the kitchen is too small, someone else a dryer because they don't fit in the bathroom... Suitcases, seasonal tires and chains. It will look lovely

RunningOutOfCharge · 21/09/2017 10:48

I nice wooden fire friendly cupboard? Which could topple over?

Terrylene · 21/09/2017 10:49

Shoe cabinets and nice tables go up in smoke too.

In a smoky atmosphere, where you do not know which way is up, you do not need any clutter to trip over or add to the smoke.

You also need materials that will hold back fire for the longest time possible.

paxillin · 21/09/2017 10:49

What about one of those cupboard style beds for visitors in that case?

RhiannonOHara · 21/09/2017 10:51

Against the tide, but I think YANBU and your neighbour needs to a) get a life and b) remove the stick from up his arse. As do many posters on here.

They're shoes, not farmyard waste or scrap. They cannot possibly offend the eye or the nose that much. And they're in a part of the corridor that will be walked along by the OP and her family only. They're hardly in everyone's way.

Not to mention, the OP says other people have things outside their apartments too, so she's hardly some lone rebel or troublemaker. I wonder if this neighbour goes round giving the other neighbours grief about their shoe/umbrella racks, or if he has chosen to have a go at the OP only? OP, I'd politely ask him this if I were you.

Bunnyhipsdontliegrl · 21/09/2017 10:51

I disagree with evertone. This is a beatiful sight. Yabu though because you are depriving yourself from such a nice view. Put it back inside so you can enjoy it. Maybe uner the telly?

(You really can't see the difference between one pair of wet boots and that horror?)

Also he is not the new neighnour who has been rude to the lovely neighbour, he is the new neighbour who has been brutally honest with the cheeky selfish neighbour because you shouldn't even had to be told -and still refuse to hear apparently.

Bunnyhipsdontliegrl · 21/09/2017 10:52

Evertone being everyone. I lost my words for a second there

Fuckit2017 · 21/09/2017 10:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Shoeracklady · 21/09/2017 10:54

Hi. I didn't run away. Just popped out for a bit.
So regarding the rack- I'll speak to neighbour and check if he is happy with us putting a cupboard there. I would be more than happy for other neighbours to use it too so that could work well. For now I'll find space inside.
For those of you asking why they aren't inside now. Simply because the flat is very small and available storage space used up. I'll juggle things around but it's nothing to do with unsightlyness.
Regarding talking to the residents association. I guess I'll talk to other neighbours about this first and see what the feeling is. If boots aren't allowed in the corridors then I like the idea a poster had of providing built in cupboards to solve this issue for everyone.

Regarding the door. The idea is that PIL and our flat can be knocked into one so it would become a corridor rather than a 'smelly shoe room'. Obviously I know that in order to do this we will have to buy that bit of corridor off the other residents and discuss plans. Many of the flats in the building have been knocked together to make them bigger. The main difference here is that they were all done when the building was still being built whereas now it is finished (almost!)
I'm honestly quite a nice neighbour. Not a CFN so I suppose that is why I found new neighbour so rude. Literally the morning he was moving in (so the shoes hadn't been annoying him for days,) the second thing he said to me was a moan about the shoes. So for example as other neighbours have moved in I've invited them round for a glass of wine/ cup of tea and he could have mentioned the shoes then.

OP posts:
HotelEuphoria · 21/09/2017 10:54

Suitcases, seasonal tires and chains. It will look lovely

Grin
StrangeAndUnusual · 21/09/2017 10:55

You can't do that. It'll be against fire regs. And you don't own the space. It's not yours to leave your shoes there!

CotswoldStrife · 21/09/2017 10:56

I was expecting this to be a reverse! I wouldn't even like a cupboard in the corridor but definitely not the shoe rack, it doesn't look good!

As for the door - what if your PIL sell their flat to someone else?

expatinscotland · 21/09/2017 10:56

You want to live in a joined up place with the PILs where you can keep all your stuff in one place . . . it's called a 'house', not two separately contained flats you want to use a communal area to join together. I'd never purchase a flat with loose RA rules for this very reason, you get some CF who thinks they own the communal areas and that they're there to for them to alter to suit their needs.

dogfish1 · 21/09/2017 10:56

Sorry but YABU. I am a bloke and a reasonably laid back/messy one at that but from your neighbour's POV the next thing will be an ironing board. He sounds a bit uptight but some people don't want to see anything in communal hallways and you should respect that even if it's not your preference.

Walkforvictory · 21/09/2017 10:56

The nice cupboard acts as more fuel for a fire.

There should be nothing left in communal hallways.

Really thought people would be more aware of this in the UK after recent events.

StrangeAndUnusual · 21/09/2017 10:56

Saw your recent post. You can't put a cupboard there either. It will be against fire regulations. And you don't own the space. Will look awful too - what if everyone puts their own cupboard outside, would look a mess.

Original poster
Shoeracklady · 21/09/2017 10:57

Oops. Yes to those who asked the other red doors are the water pipe cupboards.

OP posts:
RhiannonOHara · 21/09/2017 10:58

Literally the morning he was moving in (so the shoes hadn't been annoying him for days,) the second thing he said to me was a moan about the shoes

He's a twat.

But i guess it has to be the same rule for everyone
Other people DO also use the corridors for shoes, the OP says.

RunningOutOfCharge · 21/09/2017 10:59

Ok rhiannon

So Grenfell towers residents would have also been fine in your opinion to do the same yes?

Lots of items in random places...extra items to trip over once corridors become full of thick smoke? Yes? Still ok? Well then. Let's imagine someone had put an accelerant in one of these handy little shoe cupboards? Could be a genuine mistake.....can you think of any accelerants which could be popped into a cupboard?

Alcohol? DIY equip such as paint or white spirit.... maybe some barbecue stuff to light barbecues with?

Anyone think of anything else??

Original poster
Shoeracklady · 21/09/2017 11:00

Ha. Thanks Rhiannon.
I've been served my arse in a plate but it's nice to know someone else thinks he's a twat too Smile

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 21/09/2017 11:00

Why would you suggest the neighbour could share the cupboard only to then block access at a later date? Honestly, I'd bring it inside and apply to the residents the correct way. Doing what you're suggesting is going to put their backs up for no reason.