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Original poster

Cheeky neighbours and their wet washing - Part 2.

165 replies

QueenofmyPrinces · 01/01/2019 12:57

I posted a few months ago about one of our neighbours using our adjoining garden fence (which is about 7ft high) to hang their wet washing on and how I was fed up of being faced with their wet clothes hanging over into our garden each day or picking up their pants and trousers when the wind blew them off the fence and onto our lawn.

We tried numerous strategies:

  • Repeatedly pushing the clothes back over their own side of the fence therefore them landing on their garden.
  • My son taking his water gun to the sides of the clothes that were hanging down over our side of the fence.
  • Keeping any of the clothes that blew off the fence and landed into our garden.

They seemed to get the hint and invested in a clothes line but rather than buy a rotary line they just bought a cord and tied one end to the fence post that belonged to their house, pulled it diagonally across their garden and then tied the other end to the final post of our adjoining fence. They then pegged all their clothes onto it including their wet towels which obviously were very weighty.

Unsurprisingly the repeated use of this clothes line with heavy items caused the adjoining fence post to buckle and separate from the other fence posts. Once this original weakness had occurred it obviously got worse and worse as they continued to hang up their wet washing.

As it stands now the end post of our garden fence is heavily leaning over into their garden and the weight of that is causing the end third of our fence to bend inwards over their garden too.

(A diagram can be provided if this doesn’t make sense) Grin

Anyway - yesterday, one of the neighbours had the bloody cheek to put a letter though our letterbox to complain about our fence impeding over into their garden and therefore could we please replace our fence!!!!!

My husband couldn’t believe it! I was at work thankfully because I would have hit the roof. My temper isn’t quite as calm as my DH’s.

I mean what the hell?!

We don’t quite know how to respond because all I want to do is to tell them to piss off and if anything they should be the ones to replace the fence!!!

I’m off out for lunch in an hour and I really hope I bump into one of them as I walk to my car so I can tell them what I think of their suggestion!!

OP posts:
BabyNameBook · 03/01/2019 16:43

The witchy trinkets comment was deleted because yes it was really racist. The over crowding..etc isn't racist it's fact, the fact that they also happen to be from another country is incidental to that, they would be rude cheeky fuckers regardless of where they are from and having that many people in a 3 bedroom house in this country is classed as over crowding.

BlueEyedBengal · 03/01/2019 16:45

Just read the thread, that house sounds seriously overcrowded. Does the landlord know there are 6 adults and 3 children living in a three bed? Do you think he's turning a blind eye to overcrowding? Maybe a council inspection is needed to check the rules are abided to.

cuspish · 03/01/2019 16:46

but not classed as over crowding in other cultures.

Queen, how have you tried to speak to them? In person, by a note? And what has happened when you have? Do you think they have understood you?

Original poster
QueenofmyPrinces · 03/01/2019 16:55

All conversations have been face to face until the letter we got from them.

I always got the impression they understood us as they would apologise and say it wouldn’t happen again etc.

OP posts:
cuspish · 03/01/2019 18:04

well then send them a letter, cc it to their letting agents/land lord.

Roussette · 03/01/2019 18:40

I believe the OP has already contacted the letting agent/LL who has said she has to sort it.
That is of course incorrect.

I did not pick up any racist tones on here. If the house is crowded, it's crowded! End of.

I would probably go round one more time and tell them very clearly that you are going to take it further (LL/Agent/Solicitor) if they dare to attach anything to your washing line one more time.

Roussette · 03/01/2019 18:41

Attach to your fence, not washing line!

Raindancer411 · 03/01/2019 18:52

I would mention the amount of people living there in case they are subletting

Original poster
QueenofmyPrinces · 03/01/2019 18:59

My husband has just been and spoken to them and he said that at present we have no intention of paying to fix the fence because it was their washing lines that have broken it and so they will have to fix it and pay for it themselves. He told them to discuss the issue with their landlord to see how to proceed regarding the payment of the repairs and then let us know.

The neighbour he spoke to is one who is able to speak English and he said that our fence would not have broken due to their washing if it had been a good quality fence in the first place and so he didn’t see why he should have to pay to repair our poor standard of fence (or words to that effect). My husband didn’t get drawn into an argument and just repeated that the neighbour needed to speak to their landlord about the repair work needed and then come and tell us what the plan is.

My husband made it quite clear that no way would be paying!

OP posts:
Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 03/01/2019 19:00

It sounds like it could be an HMO.

If it was a legal HMO - I believe the LL has additional responsibilities, has to comply with more stringent fire safety protection, and needs to inform their mortgage provider.

I would inform your local council and take it from there.

Original poster
QueenofmyPrinces · 03/01/2019 19:01

What’s a HMO?

OP posts:
Rudgie47 · 03/01/2019 19:03

House of Multiple Occupancy.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 03/01/2019 19:05

Could you send a very simple message -

Neighbour - your heavy washing has damaged the fence. Do not tie your washing line to our fence or posts. We will not mend the fence if you are still tying your washing line to it.

MauraIsles · 03/01/2019 19:38

@SFTG read OP’s updates!!

Cattus · 03/01/2019 19:43

I think I’d want to move house. I hate ongoing stressful situations.

Wigwambam10 · 03/01/2019 19:44

It doesn’t matter if your fence is not a strong one they still should not have done it

Biancadelriosback · 03/01/2019 20:36

This is mad!!
If they damaged your car it would be there responsibility to fix it so same goes for your fence! I'd be furious if it were me.

lazymare · 03/01/2019 21:04

That is so cheeky. Your husband did well to keep calm in the face of such entitlement.

Dollymixture22 · 03/01/2019 21:15

They sound like dreadful neighbours. Very selfish and entitled.

MrsJDornan · 03/01/2019 21:29

I hope they speak to the landlord and don't just brush it off thinking you will pay

Daisymay2 · 03/01/2019 21:38

Did DH get any joy from the letting agent? Did he tell them how many people are living in the house?
If he go nowhere - you might need to speak to the council - Enviromental Health I think about overcrowding/HMO.
After he re-married DH and SDIL rented out his house to a couple with 3 children. He discovered they were renting out rooms to people who were not on the tenancy agreement and it got very difficult and his "old" neighbours were complaining about car parking. The tenant got stroppy about him stopping their extra income after letting agent got involved.

Daisymay2 · 03/01/2019 21:40

That should be DB not DH!
Tenants left in the end but damaged the house. Beautiful fireplace painted with black gloss........

Maelstrop · 03/01/2019 21:46

Know any friendly police officers? It is criminal damage although the police will most likely try to swerve this desperately and refer you to the council.

I'd be contacting the council re it being an illegal HMO, councils are normally tough on them.

Catalicious · 03/01/2019 21:51

I would report to the LL every single time you have an issue with them. LLs just want an easy life, so whilst they may not get involved with the specific disputes, they may eventually decide the tenants are more hassle than they’re worth.

BlueEyedBengal · 04/01/2019 01:02

You need to phone the council and report this overcrowded address