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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask her not to put her washing machine on

72 replies

lovelystar · 07/01/2018 10:31

I think I already know the answer to this so am fully expecting to be shot down here but my lack of sleep is making me a bit loopy!
Me and my partner have just moved into a block of flats and have considered ourselves very lucky in that we managed to get it in a good location and a good size for the price we are paying. Everything here is lovely HOWEVER the lady above us puts on her washing machine almost every day from about 8.30am until about 12pm. It makes the most irritating loud sqeauking sound which does not stop the whole time it is on and can also be heard from outside the block! For most not a problem, however my partner works nights so by the time he gets in and gets settled to sleep in the morning the washing machine is on again and part of us dies inside everytime we hear it start up :( I'm also 34 weeks pregnant with quite a high risk pregnancy so do not want to be causing drama in our block and causing stress to myself. What I'm asking is wibu to write her a note asking her nicely to not put the machine on until maybe a bit later in the day or should I just count myself lucky and leave it?? We've only just moved in and she's been here a long long time. Sorry for the ramble.

OP posts:

Pugsleypugs · 07/01/2018 10:34

Leases for flats usually stipulate rules about when noise can be audible from outside the apartments. Standard is something like between 11pm and 8am noise isn't allowed, if the machine is going at the times you've stated then they're breaching the terms of the lease so you wouldn't be unreasonable to raise it with your neighbour (or managing agent if you can't get hold of neighbour).

angieloumc · 07/01/2018 10:36

I think OP is meaning 8.30 in the morning till midday unless I'm mistaken, so not an unreasonable time to use the washer at all.

mustbemad17 · 07/01/2018 10:36

8am isn't unreasonable for a washing machine i'm afraid. I'm in a flat & we have a cut off point of 7pm - 8am here.
Could you ask her to get the machine serviced?? If it's squeaking it could do with one!

Costacoffeeplease · 07/01/2018 10:36

It sounds like it’s 8.30 am to midday, in which case I don’t think you can ask - maybe she works in the afternoon or had other commitments. Can he not wear ear plugs?

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 07/01/2018 10:37

Sounds like machine is on its last legs anyway...

x2boys · 07/01/2018 10:39

That's life in flats unfortunately op, i lived in a flat and also worked nights unfortunately other people will still have to go about their daily lives .

genever · 07/01/2018 10:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jaseyraex · 07/01/2018 10:39

I don't really think you can moan too much at that time of the day tbh. It must be irritating for your partner but at least it's not the middle of the night. Can you get your partner some ear plugs?

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 07/01/2018 10:41

It seems a perfectly normal time to be doing laundry, I’m afraid- I don’t think you’ve got a leg to stand on. If I got a note from you asking me not to use my washing machine during the morning, I’d be pretty surprised!

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 07/01/2018 10:42

The OP is perfectly clear about the times, surely? 12pm is midday...

Cornettoninja · 07/01/2018 10:42

Honestly I tread carefully anticipating your family will be the cause of some unsociable noise soon

Maybe mention you can hear it squeaking and would she consider getting it serviced.

I completely sympathise though, I get so irritated by unwanted noise and even mundane sounds can be unbearably irritating once they've been established in my awareness.

Original poster

lovelystar · 07/01/2018 10:43

To be honest I know it's completely reasonable for her to be doing her washing at that time it's not exactly the crack of dawn, I think it's just the constant repetitive sound of it. I just wish there was a bit of variety in the noise it makes maybe or maybe it's not even her washing machine in which case kudos to her I guess...

OP posts:

Notreallyarsed · 07/01/2018 10:44

I can sympathise with your partner, I lived in a flat while doing nights and it’s heavy going. I’m guessing since you’re talking about it affecting his sleep that it’s 8.30am until midday? Unfortunately then, it’s not anti social hours and you need to find a way of ignoring/learning to live with it.

loopsdefruit · 07/01/2018 10:44

Well 12pm is midday, if it was 12am that would be midnight. OP I totally feel for you because I hate noises when I'm asleep, is there the option for wearing ear defenders for the few hours the washing machine is on so you get uninterrupted sleep?

Original poster

lovelystar · 07/01/2018 10:46

@cornetto that's a fair point which has been on my mind alot recently considering our LO will be the only child in the block aswell! Last thing I want to be is a hypocrite and I do love where we are living

OP posts:

wowfudge · 07/01/2018 10:47

It's not as if the timings are anti-social so I think YABU. Please don't send neighbours notes about this kind of thing - speak to them. You would be better off telling her about the noise carrying and suggesting one of those mats to go underneath it. If it's an integrated machine that won't be a solution. Bear in mind that once your baby is born, your family will be creating quite a lot of noise which is likely to impact on your neighbours.

Original poster

lovelystar · 07/01/2018 10:48

I think it will be headphones from now on! We could have worse neighbours!

OP posts:

arethereanyleftatall · 07/01/2018 10:48

I don't think there's any harm in explaining the situation nicely to her, in a 'I know you're not doing anything wrong, but if at all possible, could you use your washing machine in the afternoon please, as my husband works nights?'
If she can accommodate it, and you ask nicely, I'd do it

SaucyJack · 07/01/2018 10:49

Yes, you would be unreasonable to complain about her using her machine during normal daytime hours.

I really wouldn't. Even if she's the most tolerant person in the world, it's not going to get your neighbourly relations off to a good start.

Wait until she actually does something wrong before going round to complain.

mirandasings · 07/01/2018 10:49

12pm is midday. Not sure why some people are confused over the times?!

Is it everyday OP? What do they do, wear clothes for an hour then wash them? Lol that’s a lot of washing they’re doing!

Fantasticmissfoxy · 07/01/2018 10:49

Unfortunate, but it's your partner who is keeping non standard hours not your neighbour so as irritating as it is, he'll just have to adjust to normal daytime noise. Noise cancelling earphones might help

chatwoo · 07/01/2018 10:49

As annoying as that must be, she's not doing anything wrong, Ie, not anti-social hours. Is it her actual machine making the noise or the floorboards etc?

She must have a lot of laundry though!

Original poster

lovelystar · 07/01/2018 10:50

@wow this is something I'm conscious so I think I'll just live with it. I'm sure we will survive and find ways to deal with it

OP posts:

ChesterFuckingDraws · 07/01/2018 10:50

Could your partner use earplugs? As a shift worker who used to live in a flat and now lives opposite a play park earplugs are a life saver

Headofthehive55 · 07/01/2018 10:52

Once you have a baby you won't notice the noise from neighbours!!

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