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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wibu to ask my neighbour to not use washing machine after 8pm?

266 replies

hooochycoo · 29/04/2018 11:27

Our neighbours’s Washing machine is right above our son’s soon to be new Bedroom. He goes to bed about 8. The washing machine makes the whole room vibrate. Would it be unreasonable to ask the neighbours to try and not use it after 8pm?

OP posts:
Cucumbersalad · 30/04/2018 13:20

Wait to see if it actually is a problem. I've noticed my children can sleep through all sorts at beginning of night, but you only have to breathe within a few metres of them to wake them after 5am!!

Pibplob · 30/04/2018 13:49

Also happened to me one evening. So glad I was home and will never put the washing machine or tumble on when no ones home. We would have come home to nothing if that had happened when we were out.

TawnyPort · 30/04/2018 14:10

I'm going to be a complete killjoy here but for the people who say they run the machine while they're out, or run it while in bed, please don't sad. A friend of mine woke up to a fire when hers was on while the family was asleep and they were lucky to get out - the firefighters said it was far too common and they wished they could get the message out to people to only run them when they are in the house

This makes no sense. if my washing machine is going to go on fire I'd much rather it did so while we were NOT in the house. Its actually really rare for it to happen and completely unrealistic to expect people to only use their washing machines in the hours of the day they are awake and in the house.

Growingboys · 30/04/2018 14:16

Totally unreasonable request! I do all my washing in the evenings as I'm at work in the day time!

CalF123 · 30/04/2018 14:21

In what world is 8pm an unsocial hour?

TenancyTroublesAgain · 30/04/2018 17:12

@TawnyPort It does make sense because you're there to see it and sort it before you lose your entire house as well as damaging your neighbour's properties.

blackteasplease · 30/04/2018 17:15

I don't really think it's reasonable although I guess you can ask.

I would go for not making that his bedroom tho ugh.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 30/04/2018 17:21

I'd rather my neighbour come and ask me not to use the washing machine after a certain time than feel they couldn't!
Most people are decent and accommodating ime well in the real world they are.

OP you've been very gracious on this thread, hope it works out for you.

BITCAT · 30/04/2018 17:31

My brother was told 8pm by his housing association..as the lady downstairs complained. He works odd hours and doesnt get much of a break. He also takes of his son a lot and she complains about him running across the floor. He is 5..for goodness sake.

youarenotkiddingme · 30/04/2018 17:33

I actually think it's fine to have a word.
I live above my neighbours and know how much my machine annoys me if it vibrates. If they said something to me I'd try and limit the noise for them.

VerbenaGirl · 30/04/2018 17:36

Could you put a thick carpet or rug in the room, to help absorb the vibrations?

Michellelovesizzy · 30/04/2018 17:38

i wouldnt mind not useing the machine after 8 if my neighbour asked.

TawnyPort · 30/04/2018 17:46

It does make sense because you're there to see it and sort it before you lose your entire house as well as damaging your neighbour's properties

It couldn't possibly damage my neighbours properties and I wouldn't notice until there was a large conflagration, but the point is that its completely impossible to do enough washing for 7 people in the 4-5 hours between home time and bed time every evening, especially if I'm not supposed to pop out while the machine does its run!

Michellelovesizzy · 30/04/2018 17:47

also y should this lady live with this washing machine making that much noise.

Sarahrellyboo1987 · 30/04/2018 17:53

YABU. I live in a block of flats and have economy 7 electricity - electricity is super cheap at night and super expensive during the day. My washing machine goes on during the cheap rate usually between 2-3am. I was disturbing for a couple of weeks and then I got used to the noise of washing machine at night - from me and my neighbours!

Lolalovescrisps · 30/04/2018 18:00

I personally don't think your being unreasonable. The neighbour above me has a kitchen covering both the bedrooms (mine and babies) he would put his washing machine on at 8pm and it would vibrate the ceiling to the point I was expecting it to fall. It vibrated the doors as well, our walls our very thin. On top of that he would put it on for 2+ hours. So I asked him to put it on ealier because it kept the babies awake and my daughter has asd so routine is a must. He didn't mind and I haven't had any issues since.

It doesn't hurt to ask

jessebuni · 30/04/2018 18:01

I’m shocked by how hostile a lot of people on this thread are. Our tenancy agreement for our flat says that no noise we make should be able to be heard by our neighbours after 10pm I know it’s not 8pm but still. So we wouldn’t be able to do a load at 8pm until it was on quick wash and therefore finished before 10pm. We did once have a neighbour that complained that apparently he heard our washing machine on two floors down Hmm at 8.30pm at night when he was trying to sleep as he did odd work shifts. I said sorry and would try to do washing earlier in the day but it wasn’t always possible because of mine and my husband’s working patterns at the time and actually the time it was on that late had been because my son had thrown up all over himself and his bed and I didn’t want sicky things sitting around obviously.

Considering your upstairs neighbour came and complained about the picture hanging I would politely go and say something like “as I’m sure you’ll remember from that time my husband put the pictures up the flats are very sound proof, unfortunately your washing machine seems to be directly above my sons bedroom so whilst I know it isn’t always possible but could you maybe try to avoid using it past 8-9pm when you can as it keeps him awake.”

It’s worth a try. She might at least attempt it if you ask politely. However there is every possibility that she could be a dick about it and start doing more loads later and later at night just to piss you off more.

Lulahsmumma · 30/04/2018 18:01

I wouldn't even ask. my neighbor has asked me to let her know if I'm cleaning my daughters highchair on the balcony, In fact she actually complains about everything. It makes me feel extremely uncomfortable. Thinking will I disturb her or will she complain if I'm doing something.

TammyWhyNot · 30/04/2018 18:01

I think it is fine to ask,. Especially as she asked YOU not to put up pictures after 8pm.

However: be careful what you wish for - she might start putting it on at 5am!

Your DS might just get used to it. We backed on to a trainline for years, just got used to it, didn't bother us.

Kim1010 · 30/04/2018 18:03

I would re arrange your rooms, think it's wrong to request they don't use their washing machine after 8pm ...

Clairaloulou · 30/04/2018 18:08

It shouldn’t vibrate so much. YWBU to ask him not to use it, but you could ask him to check that it’s level and placed properly (it vibrates more if it’s pressing on the cupboards etc). That may help.

Bramble71 · 30/04/2018 18:09

I think it would be unreasonable. They might not get in till late and need to do their laundry at the time, for instance. You could maybe explain, though, and see if you can both come up with away to prevent the vibration; is the machine on a level surface, could they put some foam padding under the feet etc? I'm sure you could work it out together.

ArcheryAnnie · 30/04/2018 18:10

I think if you are in a house you can put your washing on any time you like.

If you are in a flat, it makes for good neighbours to not make a lot of noise on a weekday after 9 pm, including very noisy washing machines.

8 pm is quite early, though. It's worth asking, and not cheeky to ask, but you have to be prepared for a "no".

Daffodils78 · 30/04/2018 18:11

You can ASK but reasonable up until 11pm

ArcheryAnnie · 30/04/2018 18:13

if my washing machine is going to go on fire I'd much rather it did so while we were NOT in the house

TawnyPort that only works as a strategy when you live in a flat if you are also completely happy about burning the neighbouring flats down, too, possibly with them inside. If you are on-site then at least you can call the fire brigade.