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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not give neighbor internet password?

712 replies

NegansDollFace · 29/01/2018 21:21

I’ve lived at my current address for 3 years, 4 in November 2018. The house next door is split into two flats, one upstairs and one down. So I’ve never been particularly close to my next door neighbors. We exchange (limited) pleasantries if we see each other and they’ve taken in a parcel for me once and I for them a few times. They work night times and there’s a bit of a language barrier so we legitimately don’t have any relationship beyond polite.

Tonight when I was at our local supermarket when I saw neighbor from the upstairs flat, I smiled an acknowledged him but moved to go to the self checkout. He followed and began a conversation asking how I was, fine, fine but when I ask him how he is he tells me not so good. He goes onto explain that downstairs neighbors have moved out and took their internet with them. I can already see where this is going so he asked if he could have my WiFi password and that he was willing to pay for it. I was put on the spot so I told him I’d speak to him when I’m home.

I’m home now and really am hoping the fact that I haven’t gotten back to him will speak for itself. What would you all say/do? I have incredibly bad social anxiety and I’m very awkward in these situations. Am I BU to just tell him no? And feel like he’s being cheeky? Surely if he shared internet with the flat below they’d have told him they were moving so he’d have time to get a different provider? Also if he’s willing to pay to use mine wouldn’t it just be easier to get his own installed?

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 29/01/2018 21:30

Just say no. As is often said on here, no is a complete sentence.

BertieBotts · 29/01/2018 21:31

No way! Just say sorry X but I don't want to share my Internet. I've heard talk talk have a good deal though. If you're feeling especially nice you could send him to Martin Lewis' homepage comparing them. But you really don't have to!

chipsandpeas · 29/01/2018 21:32

If your looking for an excuse rather than just saying no just say your internet is shit as you have a lot of devices on it it wouldn't cope with one more

WineIsMyMainVice · 29/01/2018 21:33

Yes just tell him you’re on a very low tariff meaning you only have a certain amount of usage - and you use it all every month!!

SandyY2K · 29/01/2018 21:35

Say no. That Virgin advised against it for security reasons.

Lonesurvivor · 29/01/2018 21:35

Say you've checked with your internet provider and they've said you're not allowed to give access to people not in your premises. Act dumb and pretend you were checking if he'd get cover from your flat.

ChasedByBees · 29/01/2018 21:36

I’d write a note saying no or at least write a script for yourself, as he’s likely to ask again. Do make sure you say no though.

GrockleBocs · 29/01/2018 21:40

No. It's a really bad idea for all sorts of reasons as shown above. Of you wouldn't give him your front door key then you certainly shouldn't give him your wi fi key.
If it was somebody you knew really well then you could possibly set up a guest network but for a random neighbour? No.

UnaOfStormhold · 29/01/2018 21:40

If you log into your router you can set it not to broadcast its ID, meaning that only people that you give the name to can see it's there. And do make sure you have changed the admin access password as this can be an easy loophole.

NegansDollFace · 29/01/2018 21:41

Just had partner of upstairs neighbor come to the door and saying thank you for sharing my internet with them. I had no idea what her DP had told her and said something along the lines of “I’m sorry, what?” She said DP had said I would share my internet with them so she’d come to collect the code.

I managed to get out that I didn’t feel comfortable doing this so I don’t feel like I could share it. Cue her face dropping and awkwardly staring at me before forcing a smile and telling me she’d give me tonight to think on it as it would help her DP and herself out. She then asked how my DD was and if she was still waking at night as they can hear her. DD has ASD, sensory processing disorders and barely sleeps but this is the first time she’s ever mentioned it to me so I feel shite now.

I’ve legitimately never had a close relationship with these people ans I’ve never felt so fucking awkward in my life.

OP posts:
Beamur · 29/01/2018 21:42

I let my babysitters use my wifi, but have changed the password since.
I wouldn't share mine, can't be good for security and you hardly know this man.

TemptressofWaikiki · 29/01/2018 21:42

He just has to sort his own shit out and get Wifi himself. Not your circus, not your Interwebz monkey.

Knaffedoff · 29/01/2018 21:42

Just say no, there is no explanation needed. They could be CF or may just not understand what they need and implications of what they are asking. My parents don't own a pc/tablet and have no need for broadband but had considered buying a tablet and asking for internet access just for my kids not realising the offence they could be causing !

Italiangreyhound · 29/01/2018 21:43

Limited mobile data, sorry not to be able to help you." Then do not engage. he is a cheeky fucker, as they say.

The local library probably has internet he can use, suggest that if you want to be helpful, or not.

If he has your password and downloads anything illegal it could be attributed to you. And don't let him in to chat about this.

UnimaginativeUsername · 29/01/2018 21:43

Even if the neighbour has bad credit that’s stopping him getting his own internet (unlikely, as he could just buy a PAYG sim with data), that’s hardly his neighbours’ problem.

I’d just ignore it, OP. If he asks again, just say that you aren’t willing to share your password with anyone.

Italiangreyhound · 29/01/2018 21:44

PS No... is a complete sentence.

Appuskidu · 29/01/2018 21:44

Cheeky fuckers!

Fletchasaurus · 29/01/2018 21:45

Definitely not! Even aside from the security concerns, it's cheeky to ask. In this modern age everyone has many gadgets that connect and I certainly wouldn't share something like that i"m paying for in my name with someone else. Just prepare yourself to say no if he asks again x

UnimaginativeUsername · 29/01/2018 21:45

Don’t feel shit or awkward. The know they’re chancers.

If they want internet access, they’re just going to have to pay for it themselves.

ArchchancellorsHat · 29/01/2018 21:46

Good of them to let you sleep on it - are they suggesting they might make a noise complaint or something? It's so strange. i'd still not be letting them have your internet though, as pp pointed out, they could be accessing anything with it and it would look like it was you doing it.

teaandtoast · 29/01/2018 21:46

Way to try to make you feel guilty and give in, op. What a neighbour!

MoeSzyslaksTwinSister · 29/01/2018 21:46

That one sentence: NO

cheesypastatonight · 29/01/2018 21:46

Have you not asked them why they just don't get their own?! Just say, I pay for my own. You pay for your own!

ArchchancellorsHat · 29/01/2018 21:47

BTW they wouldn't need to ask if your dd was still waking at night if they could hear her - they'd know already.

ivykaty44 · 29/01/2018 21:47

Ring up the internet provider and ask if you can sublet your WiFi

They tell you no

You tell neighbour you asked your internet provider and they said no

But let him come to you