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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell my neighbour that 1130pm is not the time to do washing!!

99 replies

pomadas87 · 19/11/2017 23:56

... or would that be crackers?? Would I come across as weird and controlling?

It's 1130 at night and my upstairs neighbour (live in a flat) has their washing machine on the loudest spin cycle, it feels like our ceiling is shaking. Lying here in bed thinking this is ludicrous but don't want to seem cause a fuss ... it is bizarre to do washing that late, no? They both work 9-5 so it's not because they're on funny shift patterns. It's at least once a week and their kitchen is above our bedroom.

WIBU to say something, politely?

OP posts:
BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 19/11/2017 23:57

Maybe they're on an electric tariff that's cheaper then?

aintnothinbutagstring · 19/11/2017 23:58

Well I'd like to say YANBU, but I just put a quick wash on myself. I know some people do it if they're on an off peak energy plan.

HamSandWitches · 19/11/2017 23:59

Are you my neighbour looks at the washer currently on a spin cycle

mumof06darlings · 20/11/2017 00:00

I have a washing on now. Don't have any neighbours though. I think it's normal to do the washing this hour but I would assume she doesn't realise how loud it is to you. In passing I would just mention it casually if it's keeping you awake

StereophonicallyChallenged · 20/11/2017 00:01

I think it's pretty normal to put washing on last thing at night - gets hung out in the morning then! So I wouldn't frame it that its weird/odd but I would let them know it's disrupting your sleep as they probably don't realise Smile

custarddinosaur · 20/11/2017 00:02

Have you mentioned how noisy the machine is, or do they not know?

MajesticWhine · 20/11/2017 00:02

You might as well tell them, nicely, that you can hear it. Hopefully you are on good terms with them anyway. If you don’t know them at all they might think you are overstepping a bit.

Original poster
pomadas87 · 20/11/2017 00:03

Hadn't considered the point about energy tariff!! Maybe that's it.
TBH I used to put washing on whenever when I lived in a house but now we're in a flat I just think it's different as you can hear everything through the floors/ceilings (not walls though, strangely)

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 20/11/2017 00:04

I've got washing in now but I don't have neighbours to annoy.

In your shoes I'd be irritated too.

I think a polite word is the way to go as they probably haven't a clue their kitchen is above your bedroom.

Original poster
pomadas87 · 20/11/2017 00:10

I think they do know it's above our bedroom as we've spoken in the past about water coming from upstairs and our neighbour came down to look at the damage to the ceiling paint. This was ages ago though so maybe they've forgotten.

I think I will try and mention it to them politely...

OP posts:
Notevilstepmother · 20/11/2017 00:10

In a detached house it’s fine, in an upstairs flat it’s not. They probably don’t realise how much it shakes your ceiling so you do need to mention it politely.

Notevilstepmother · 20/11/2017 00:11

Sorry posting at the same time...

notangelinajolie · 20/11/2017 00:14

I always do a wash before bed. That way it is ready in the morning for me to hang out or put on the maiden to dry. Our washing machine isn't within anyone's earshot though so it doesn't affect anyone else. I do sympathise with you - we used to have a next door neighbour who slept with the radio on through the night - it wasn't loud but I could still hear it. I didn't say anything because she was elderly and living on her own and I think she had it on for company.

Neighbour noise is part and parcel of living in a flat but there is no harm in asking nicely.

BlackeyedSusan · 20/11/2017 00:18

we are not allowed to wash after 9.30 as washing machines are above other peoples bedrooms.

not that everyone adheres to this rule as you can hear washing machines somewhere in the block going.

ZaphodBeeblerox · 20/11/2017 00:19

I often put a wash on late at night, and generally do noisy things in the kitchen - like grinding spices or running the food processor etc. Mostly related to planning for the week ahead, things I couldn’t get do during the day etc. But we’re on the ground floor and the kitchen is on the detached side of our house so it doesn’t affect our neighbours.

Upstairs neighbours regularly karaoke late into the night (2-3am) with very very bad singing voices though. I’d rather hear a spin cycle than her rendition of Titanium!

Smithy84 · 20/11/2017 00:24

I do shift work, so am limited as to when I can do my washing. Last time I wasn't on top of my washing my DD had to go to school without her PE kit, so had to do the lesson in her knickers. So people might have their reasons for doing it at unsociable hours

FriendsFriendsFriends · 20/11/2017 00:25

I work standard daytime hours and I often put my washer on at this time!
I’m fairly mindful of others though, I may not do it regularly if I was in a flat for instance, only if it was urgently needed for whatever reason.
But I’m a semi and my washer is at the opposite side of my house to the neighbour so I’d never given them a thought.

rightsaidfrederickII · 20/11/2017 00:27

Are they always working 9-5? People seem to perceive that I do, and indeed my contract says I do, but in reality I often work Saturdays, don't get home until 10pm or have to stay overnight. It may be the only time they've had available to do it.

Ontheboardwalk · 20/11/2017 00:30

I'm in a semi and would think twice about a washer or dryer after about 10 pm due to the way noise and vibrations travel. If I absolutely needed to do it I would but if I didn't I wouldn't.

Stayed at many people's flats and I've always been told about the 10 pm rule. Not sure it's legally binding but always thought it was good communal living

thiskittenbarks · 20/11/2017 00:34

We usually put a wash on last thing at night as that’s just when we get round to doing it after DS is in bed. We are in a house with no adjoining neighbours though. Come to think of it we used to do it when we were in a flat. Mind you it had very thick walls and no one below...we didn’t even notice when our neighbours had parties.
Maybe just let them know you can hear it? But I don’t think washing at night is remotely unreasonable

EllieThornton · 20/11/2017 00:48

Get an electric fan. I have one in my bedroom and the white noise covers any extraneous sounds from neighbours or outside.

OtterInDisgrace · 20/11/2017 01:26

You shouldn’t have to get an electric fan for white noise.

The ‘rules’ for living in flats are different from living in houses, and this is actually anti-social behaviour. However they may be unaware of it so the first port of call is to ask them nicely if they realise how noisy it is and could they please not do it after such and such a time.

If they persist you then consult housing associations or landlords and finally the environmental health for advice.

Anyone having had this pointed out to them who continues to do it is anti-social.

OtterInDisgrace · 20/11/2017 01:28

I used to live in a downstairs flat and had economy 7. I would have dearly loved to put my washing on after 11 but knew it would disturb all the other residents so couldn’t. It pissed me off a bit but ultimately I wasn’t selfish enough to say ‘fuck them all’ so I didn’t do it.

SparklyLeprechaun · 20/11/2017 01:31

Just mention it nicely, I bet they never realised. I've lived in a top floor flat for years and often had my washing machine on at night, it never occurred to me it might be inconveniencing neighbours. No one ever complained but I'm feeling rather bad now...

rainbowduck · 20/11/2017 01:32

If it isn't a regular thing, I wouldn't make an issue of it. Perhaps someone was ill?