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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think this was Neighbours fault? (diagram included)

166 replies

HiyaMummy · 26/12/2017 15:46

I live on the top floor of a block flats. 2 flats per floor. Rented from a Housing Association. Diagram not to scale

The squares in the corner of the flats are our front doors. Next to our front doors we each get a space, probably the size of an understairs cupboard. The HAs contract with us says this space is for the storage of pushchairs (which I do for DD) and non perishable food and drink items. The alcoves don't have doors on so you can see into each others alcoves and easily access them. We're not allowed to add doors or even poles for curtains/screens - I've asked before, but the HA say the block is secure so anything that gets stolen should be easily found.

Over Christmas I stored some of DDs Christmas Presents and some alcohol there. I left some of the chocolate out there along with some bottles of beer.

Neighbour has a dog. On Christmas Day after coming back from family his dog was off lead and while neighbour unlocked the door, the dog got into my alcove, where he promptly knocked over a crate of beer bottles licked that up and ate some of the chocolate.

This morning neighbour knocks on my door and asks me and DH to pay for the vets bill he's now got as his dog has become very ill from eating and drinking the contents of my alcove.

While I sympathise because it's awful when your pets ill I have a cat and I hate it when she's ill I feel it's the neighbours fault for allowing his dog to be off lead in the communal areas where he may have access to stuff he shouldn't be having such as chocolate.

Neighbour is coming back later to discuss it and I want to know if I'm UR to refuse (we can't really afford vets bills, we have pet insurance for the cat for this very scenario)?

AIBU to think this was Neighbours fault? (diagram included)
OP posts:
Splinterz · 26/12/2017 15:49

Your neighbour is trying it on.

Is this actually in your contract or is it an assumption : The HAs contract with us says this space is for the storage of pushchairs (which I do for DD) and non perishable food and drink items.

Jessikita · 26/12/2017 15:49

It’s a 100% your neighbours fault. You are entitled to store items there. Their dog should be under their control at all times.

In fact, they should be paying to replace your damaged/eaten items.

KinkyAfro · 26/12/2017 15:50

Firstly what a bloody ridiculous set up, I've lived in lots of flats and I wouldn't trust anything to still be there in the morning!

No, totally not your fault, his dog should be under control and I'd tell him that. Not your responsibility

Original poster
HiyaMummy · 26/12/2017 15:51

It states in the contract: () The space beside each flat may be used for the storage of pushchairs, wheelchairs and other mobility aids and for the storage of non perishable food and drink items that do not require refrigeration such as crates of alcohol.

I've been inspected and they checked that space and said the way I was using it was fine.

OP posts:
firawla · 26/12/2017 15:51

They are bu and should be apologising and replacing your stuff

VivaLeBeaver · 26/12/2017 15:51

He needs to supervise his dog better and have insurance. I wouldn’t pay.

etap · 26/12/2017 15:52

This is 100% their problem

TatterdemalionAspie · 26/12/2017 15:52

The neighbour should be paying to replace your food items that his out of control dog ate!

He is a festive cheeky fucker! Grin

AmayaBuzzbee · 26/12/2017 15:52

Agree with Jessikita; absolutely neighbours’ fault, and they should pay you for the items their dog destroyed/ate. Do not pay a penny, but definitely ask for compensation for what you lost

Original poster
HiyaMummy · 26/12/2017 15:52

We've never had problems with the set up before, this neighbour is fairly new (end of October move in) and previous neighbours and other residents in the block have no problems with the set up.

OP posts:
harrietsoton · 26/12/2017 15:53

Tell them that it’s their personal problem and with that front, they can also pay to replace your alcohol/chocolate/presents too.

Original poster
HiyaMummy · 26/12/2017 15:54

I'm not bothered about the items lost so much, we still have 3 huge tubs of sweets and several selection boxes in the flat, and there's always several bottles of wine and beer in the fridge. I just don't want to pay his vets bills.

OP posts:
Knittedfairies · 26/12/2017 15:54

In hindsight perhaps it was not such a good idea to leave chocolate out there, but his dog shouldn’t have been off the lead either - but it is your neighbour's responsibility to pay the vet fees. Has he offered to pay for the broken beer bottles and the chocolate that was eaten?

cathyclown · 26/12/2017 15:55

I thought the neighbours were about to pay to replace the goods their dog consumed/knocked over!

I also think they are trying it on. They knew the spaces could hold goods that could be dangerous for a dog, (especially around Christmas), but didn't bother keeping dog on the lead until they got into their own flat.

MinorRSole · 26/12/2017 15:55

Err no, his dog his problem. As a dog owner myself I would be mortified and offer to replace the items. He should be monitoring his pet!

Dogs are terrible scavengers - the things my lot see as suitable nutrition turns my stomach - but it's my job to be vigilant. although if I could find a way to ask foxes to poo somewhere else that would be so nice

HunterHearstHelmsley · 26/12/2017 15:55

When he comes to discuss later, have a list of what he needs to give you to replace what the dog ate. Definitely the neighbours fault.

SnowannaRainbow · 26/12/2017 15:55

YANBU, completely their fault and its not your problem if they're too feckless to have arranged pet insurance.

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 26/12/2017 15:56

He should have been in control of his dog. Really he should be offering to pay for the replacement of your alcohol and chocolate

I would point this out to him and see if he backtracks

Glumglowworm · 26/12/2017 15:56

Yanbu

The dog must’ve been unattended for longer than it takes to unlock a door tbh, which is entirely the owners fault

JollyGiraffe · 26/12/2017 15:56

YANBU, do NOT pay.

And they should be replacing the beer and the chocolate.

cathyclown · 26/12/2017 15:57

Are dogs allowed in the flats?

harrietsoton · 26/12/2017 15:58

Regardless, you don’t have to give him anything towards the vet bills. What happened was not your fault at all. You were using your alcove properly. Your neighbors sound very inept in that they couldn’t regain control of the dog earlier - he managed to run into your property, smash bottles, drink beer and eat enough chocolate to make him ill before the neighbors stopped him? Ridiculous

When he comes over, tell him that you are not paying for anything.

Original poster
HiyaMummy · 26/12/2017 16:00

Cathy Yes pets are allowed with the housing associations permission and they usually say as long as they get no complaints from the other residents in the block about your pet your allowed to keep it.

OP posts:
HeadfirstForHalos · 26/12/2017 16:00

I would make a list of items he needs to replace/pay for ready for when he comes back. He must have been paying zero attention to what his dog was doing for it to drink and eat enough to make it so ill. Surely as soon as the dog knocked over a bottle the owner should have heard it and immediately stopped his dog?

He is totally responsible for his dogs current condition.

Rossigigi · 26/12/2017 16:02

His problem, his dog, his bill.

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