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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to have a word with my awful neighbour about her water usage?

53 replies

SerenaJoyWaterford · 26/07/2018 18:04

The woman who lives above me is an absolute fruitloop. She creeps around the close at all hours of the night fiddling with the communal lights, taping over the lock on the back door (???) and just generally being a busy body. She was the only woman in the building when we moved here (block of 6 flats) and it seems she has taken a particular dislike to having another woman in the building. We have never exchanged more than a hello but it's just the impression I get.

Everything is a competition with her. Not a single occasion passes by where I put my washing out or take my hoover into the close to tidy my doorstep up that she isn't 10 minutes behind me doing the exact same thing. I thought it was just coincidental at first but now it's outright annoying - can't I do anything without having a shadow creeping behind me?

I'm particularly annoyed at her today because of this awful heat we're having and she has put her washing machine on FOUR times. I know this because there is a very distinct bang when she slams the door shut and then a loud kind of gargle(?) noise that flows through the pipes as the machine fills with water, and then an hour later she is outside with the laundry.

Of course she is allowed to do laundry but she appears to be washing 3-4 items at a time, then 2 hours later another load, and another, and another. I should probably mind my own business and I'm prepared to be told to do so but I can't help letting it bother me. We've been advised to try limit water usage in this heat and yet she's completely taking the piss IMO. Her machine when spinning also rattles my entire kitchen and that makes it even more annoying!

Would I be unreasonable to speak to her about limiting her water usage or should I just mind my own? I know it's so trivial but with the constant rumbling noise above my head it's all I can think about!

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 26/07/2018 18:06

Leave it.

ilovesooty · 26/07/2018 18:06

I don't think it's up to you to police her water usage however irritating you find her.

Jengnr · 26/07/2018 18:07

Sorry it’s annoying but you have to mind your own beeswax on this one. It might be annoying but there’s nothing unreasonable about doing washing in the daytime.

thatcoolpirate · 26/07/2018 18:08

I’d say stay out of it, she might have a back log of washing she’s trying to whip though before the rain (hopefully) comes this weekend.

I think it’s one of those situations where you don’t like a person so everything they do annoys you.

Would it bother you if it was a pleasant neighbour?

TheShapeOfEwe · 26/07/2018 18:08

She sounds v annoying but you would be unreasonable to ask her to change her behaviour. She's being a pain but not technically doing anything wrong.

Chickenbhunaandoice · 26/07/2018 18:09

You sound bonkers!

Live and let live.

Rainbowtrees · 26/07/2018 18:09

I’ve done a couple of loads already today and am about to do another - making the most of the hot weather!

multiplemum3 · 26/07/2018 18:10

Who gets wound up about someone else doing their washing? Please leave it otherwise you'll be as much as a busy body as her

UglyCathKidstonBag · 26/07/2018 18:10

She sounds very irritating but I’d leave well alone.

WarPigeon · 26/07/2018 18:10

The washing is none of your business so I’d leave it. Not least if all because if you cause a fuss she might be taping over your MOUTH next time, in the middle of the night, wearing nothing but a pair of marigolds and one of those weird Russian hats 😫

... you’ve been warned!

thisneverendingsummer · 26/07/2018 18:12

YABU. There are no water bans yet (though I think there should be!)

What she does in nothing to do with you, and you need to mind your own business and find something else to occupy your time. You say she is batshit, but you sound no better to be honest!

SerenaJoyWaterford · 26/07/2018 18:12

Thanks for the replies everyone - I was fully expecting to be told to butt out and I do agree - I'm just struggling to let it go! I'm definitely biased because she's a nightmare neighbour, thumping, loud music and the rest, but I guess this is just one I have to let go.

OP posts:
BottleOfJameson · 26/07/2018 18:13

If I thought it would actually affect her behaviour I would say do it but in all likelihood she'll just use it more to wind you up. Maybe she dislikes being told what to do so she's rebelling. In that case and especially if she dislikes you your interference is likely to make it worse.

ImAIdoot · 26/07/2018 18:14

YABU concerning yourself with her washing regime.

Also this is a great time to get the laundry backlog cleared, everything is dry in what seems like 10 minutes.

Bezm · 26/07/2018 18:16

She may have mental health issues. Calling her a fruit loop is VVVVVU.

Poetnojo · 26/07/2018 18:17

And you say she is a busybody?

Bluntness100 · 26/07/2018 18:20

You can't be telling people how often they can do their laundry. If anyone was to be seen as batshit in that scenario it would be you.

HarryDaylight · 26/07/2018 18:22

YABU. Get on with your life and leave her to get on with hers.
Life's too short spend counting the number of washes your neighbour does.

ShirleyPhallus · 26/07/2018 18:22

This is one of those times when I’d LOVE to read the same thread from this woman’s perspective

butlerswharf · 26/07/2018 18:23

You'd definitely be unreasonable

MissContrary · 26/07/2018 18:25

take my hoover into the close to tidy my doorstep up

What? Do you mean you hoover your doorstep?

SerenaJoyWaterford · 26/07/2018 18:27

I agree the fruitloop comment was unnecessary - apologies, just speaking out of frustration. I have spoke to the man above her before and he has had issues with her, she ended up keying his car so maybe she does have some mental issues. I appreciate it seems like I'm dedicating my day to keeping track of her but it's not like that. I work from home and she is a constant distraction, but that's all beyond the point now and some comments are absolutely going off track so I have requested the thread to be closed. Thanks all for the input.

OP posts:
Haddaway · 26/07/2018 18:28

Ywbvu yes. Ywnbu to write to your water company asking them why they don't fix leaking pipes instead of paying their shareholders though because, if we do get to the point where water usage is limited, it will be because of that and nothing to do with your neighbour using a washing machine.

SimonBridges · 26/07/2018 18:33

While she sounds like a nightmare I think a number of loads with a small number of things in is not such a crime.
For example I need to wash my reusable sanitary towels, which is a handful of items, on their own, I also need to was some ‘delicate wash’ items, and some tea towels (which MN has informed me should be washed on their own). That’s three loads for not very much stuff.

tenthavenue · 26/07/2018 18:39

i think she sounds like she may have severe OCD which is a terrible mental illness to have.
Can you find out if she gets any support?