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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WWYD?

111 replies

Whattodo20177 · 18/10/2017 23:53

More a WWYD really.

My neighbor has recently started leaving her bike in the communal hallway.

It is a pain to manoeuvre around with shopping etc as well as being a fire hazard

But I don’t want to ruffle feathers as she is a nice neighbour and the other neighbour in our block is a miserable complainer so I’m keen to keep her on nice neighbour’s side.

The bike doesn’t affect miserable neighbor as she is in the basement flat. Me and bike neighbour are the only ones who share this particular hallway.

The complicating issue is that I’m a professional pianist and so practice at least 4 hours a day. Only ever within the hours of 10am and 6pm though. She has always been complimentary about the music though whenever we’ve bumped into each other. But I’m worried that if I complain about the bike, she will turn and create bad blood.

WWYD?

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 19/10/2017 00:11

Sorry, X posted.

I think they're around £15 or so, but best have a Google.

Original poster
Whattodo20177 · 19/10/2017 00:14

Worra, do you mean a wall bracket on the communal area or in her own flat?

I’m absolutely happy for her to mount her bike (management willing) on the communal wall. And whilst I’d also be happy to chip in for the cost, I’m wary about setting a precedent for chipping into other issues that ahoukd not be my responsibility.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whattodo20177 · 19/10/2017 00:14

Akhoud?! Should!!!

OP posts:
BlondeB83 · 19/10/2017 00:16

I would knock it over, not in a malicious way but leave it in such a way that it looks like it has been a hazard. Might make her think twice about leaving it there.

Luncharmstrong · 19/10/2017 00:18

Please just let it be.
It’s not a big deal.

NewLove · 19/10/2017 00:19

Move it somewhere else so she thinks it has been stolen. Or report it anonymously to her landlord

doodle01 · 19/10/2017 00:19

Yep you 'invade' her space with music she invades yours with a bike
It's the nature of neighbours if you can get past it live with it
If she's a bike lover it may be her pride and joy and if she puts it outside it will go wheel about
If you like her put up with it I know it annoys you which is unfortunate

Telstar99 · 19/10/2017 00:20

@Whattodo20177

I think Telsrarr is either my neighbour or leaves her bike in the communal hallway too

No I'm not, and no I don't! I have a house (with a garage and a driveway,) and I don't live in a flat.

No need to be sarcastic. And can you not talk about me (sarcastically to others) like I'm not here? So rude and condescending. Hmm

And you should have said if you ONLY wanted responses that agreed with you.

I am sure your piano playing for 4 hours a DAY is way more annoying to anyone in your block of flats that the bloody bike in the hallway!

I'm done. Clearly you don't want anyone responding on here who doesn't fawn over you and agree with everything you say.

Toodles! Hmm

Luncharmstrong · 19/10/2017 00:21

Life’s all about give and take especially when it comes to neighbors

Telstar99 · 19/10/2017 00:21

@Whattodo20177

I think Telsrarr is either my neighbour or leaves her bike in the communal hallway too

No I'm not, and no I don't! I have a house (with a garage and a driveway,) and I don't live in a flat.

No need to be sarcastic. And can you not talk about me (sarcastically to others) like I'm not here? So rude and condescending. Hmm

And you should have said if you ONLY wanted responses that agreed with you.

I am sure your piano playing for 4 hours a DAY is way more annoying to anyone in your block of flats than the bloody bike in the hallway!

I'm done. Clearly you don't want anyone responding on here who doesn't fawn over you and agree with everything you say.

Toodles!

Luncharmstrong · 19/10/2017 00:21

Ps my neighbour has 3 bikes in the hallway

Original poster
Whattodo20177 · 19/10/2017 00:22

No I'm not, and no I don't! I have a house (with a garage and a driveway,) and I don't live in a flat.

Oh, well done you.

OP posts:
highinthesky · 19/10/2017 00:22

It’s awful that you feel unable to spell out a basic safety message to your neighbour: common sense must prevail. If it’s a leasehold flat there may be a clause within you can refer to if necessary.

FizzyGreenWater · 19/10/2017 00:24

Everyone can forget nitpicking about whether or not it's a fire hazard- lots of flats prohibit storage of personal items in communal hallways for exactly this reason. I've lived in a couple. Very very much a hazard.

OP she's nice about the piano which is gold dust to you - I would leave it

WorraLiberty · 19/10/2017 00:24

Yes in the communal hallway

Or possibly in their own flat?

Dying laughing here at 'toodles'...on with a Hmm and one without, for good measure Grin

doodle01 · 19/10/2017 00:25

Everyone stop arguing not your bike prob or hall way

TheCraicDealer · 19/10/2017 00:28

It’s not only that manoeuvring around the bike in choking acrid smoke would be difficult, but under fire regs you’re not supposed to store combustible items in communal fire escape routes. That’s why communal hallways generally look very sparten and management companies keep on top of people storing bikes, prams, bins and other unnecessary stuff. My physio was told to move a plant pot or a chair (can’t remember which) from a large landing for this reason when the fire inspector guy came round after they opened their new premises.

Might seem a bit far fetched but you could consider asking the local fire brigade if they do those fire safety checks and if so, tell neighbour(s) you think it would be useful if you all met with them. Firefighter turns up, says the bike is a hazard and you nod sagely and agree to come to another arrangement. Even ignoring the bike issue it could be a lifesaver. If you don’t want to do that then I think you need to be honest with the neighbour and be prepared for her to throw the piano back in your face (not literally) or for things to get frostier between you. Is there a managing agent for the building who could maybe arrange for an inspection?

MrsOverTheRoad · 19/10/2017 00:30

It's never OK to leave stuff in a communal hallway! Riduculous to say crap like "I'm sure it's fine"

No it's not!

After Grenfel you'd hope people would become more vigilant! In a smokey hallway, a bike could cause OP to fall and get hurt...and die!

OP...call your local firebrigade ...they do free checks on smoke alarms. Some will come out and do a quick look over the hall and you can get THEM to tell neighbour.

Ours came out without us asking...they do sometimes just do spot visits if people are interested...but you could then pretend they just came. They might leave her a leaflet or something if she's not in or you can tell her they said it was a bad idea to store it there.

MrsOverTheRoad · 19/10/2017 00:31

Oh x post with Craic! There you go OP. Sorted.

Chrys2017 · 19/10/2017 00:31

I own my flat and I was told I can't have a door mat outside my door because of it being an obstacle in the case of fire, so I would think a bicycle would definitely qualify.
Can't you get a digital piano with headphones to do your 4hrs daily practice on? You shouldn't really carry out activities that make you feel as though you owe your neighbours a blind eye on safety matters.

Original poster
Whattodo20177 · 19/10/2017 00:36

But then do I tackle it with neighbour or go directly to her landlord?

Her landlord is tight as fuck as it happens. Refused to chip in for a new carpet in said communal area even though it was mouldy and 20 years old. I absolutely know her won’t be receptive.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whattodo20177 · 19/10/2017 00:37

You shouldn't really carry out activities that make you feel as though you owe your neighbours a blind eye on safety matters.

I’m just trying to be a considerate neighbour that’s all. By law, I’m actually entitled to much more than the 4 hours of practice but obviously won’t exercise that right because I’m not a twat.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whattodo20177 · 19/10/2017 00:41

As I said in my op, I practice 4 hours. 11-1 then 3-5.

She has often complimented me on the music. Said it made a change from the drum and bass coming from the flat on the other side.

OP posts:
YouSaySidewalkISayPavement · 19/10/2017 00:46

Fire hazard is a problem. I doubt it would be permitted by fire inspectors.

As you say, dark smoke, bike has fallen over - could it block opening a door? Exterior door or hallway door?

I'd just mention it to her as a fire safety concern and ask her if she can put it anywhere else. What kind of flat is it? Assume a conversion if a hallway issue? Do you have a front "garden" or yard or side alley where you could install a bike frame?

Worst case scenario call the fire brigade on a non-emergency advice line. I'm pretty sure I know what they will say.

Ducknose · 19/10/2017 00:52

There was a similar thread where the OP was the one who had her belongings in the communal hallway (at the far end so not obstructing) and everyone went mad at her saying she had no right to have it there/safety hazard etc :/