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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to set off their security light at night?

43 replies

SubparOwl · 13/02/2019 06:13

Bit of an odd one.
New next door neighbours (detached properties) moved in just before Christmas and have done a lot of work on their home already, including installing a very bright security light outside their back door yesterday.

I have insomnia and am a smoker. I tend to get up around 4am and smoke outside about once an hour from that point onwards.

I am completely silent when outside, the houses are older so well spaced, and our patio door is virtually noiseless so I couldn't see any way this could disturb neighbours, until now.

I can't even step outside the door a few inches without their hugely bright light switching on. It stays on for a couple of minutes, so when I move again to go inside, it switches on again.

It is right outside their bedroom window. They usually get up around 6.

I think this could well disturb them, but don't want to ask as I am quite wary of them. I have got on well with all previous neighbours, but these are yet to acknowlege me at any point despite smiles and hi from me, and the day they moved in the woman was most miffed that I still had a bbq outside in the garden in winter.

They carried out work which affected our property without mentioning it to us and I've felt quite awkward since they moved in.

I don't really want to change my habits as I get most of my quiet housework and life admin done in the early morning before work..but I don't want to antagonise them.

Do you think it's unreasonable to continue to go outside?

Thanks.

OP posts:
SukisKettle · 13/02/2019 06:17

No I don't. You should be able to use your own property as you wish. If it causes their light to gone on and it disturbs them then that is for them to make adjustments.

C1rrus · 13/02/2019 06:17

Aw you feeling generally anxious at the moment op?

C1rrus · 13/02/2019 06:18

“Are you...” not “Aw you...”!

Happysaurus · 13/02/2019 06:19

YANBU. If it disturbs them, they could always turn it off. Smile

Original poster
SubparOwl · 13/02/2019 06:21

Yes I am quite anxious! How can you tell? Grin

OP posts:
FabulouslyFab · 13/02/2019 06:21

You carry on doing what you do on your own property- if the light bothers them then they should adjust it.

SenoritaViva · 13/02/2019 06:26

Their light should be adjusted if they’re annoyed.

exLtEveDallas · 13/02/2019 06:27

Our neighbours on both sides have security lights. We had to get DD a black out blind because they come on randomly throughout the night - foxes, cats and our dog set them off.

You don't need to change your habits OP, it's your neighbours choice to have the light, not yours.

Singlenotsingle · 13/02/2019 06:27

Why are you worried about this? They haven't even complained, have they? It should be you complaining about the security light coming on. Doesn't it blind you? They need to move it.

Original poster
SubparOwl · 13/02/2019 06:29

I honestly expected you all to say I was being hugely inconsiderate.
I've clearly lost the plot.

Single, no, I actually quite like it, makes the garden look lovely. Grin

OP posts:
Hassled · 13/02/2019 06:29

If it's not you triggering the light it could just as easily be a fox or a cat wandering around that triggers it - it really is their problem, not yours.

C1rrus · 13/02/2019 06:29

You seem worried about provoking them.

abbsisspartacus · 13/02/2019 06:34

It's far too sensitive if it's coming on when you walk in your garden

Original poster
SubparOwl · 13/02/2019 06:35

I am worried about provoking them, and I'm not really sure why.

OP posts:
TheSerenDipitY · 13/02/2019 06:35

it sounds bloody annoying, if she complains tell her to point her light in a different direction and if she doesnt make sure you go out more often, also BBQ more

Skittlesss · 13/02/2019 06:37

Hey, it’s a “free” light so you can see what you’re doing in the dark. Grin

HoraceCope · 13/02/2019 06:40

Could this be the trigger for you to put off your early rises? leave it another hour for a cig? That can only be positive?

LilaJude · 13/02/2019 06:41

Don’t worry about it OP. It’s their choice to have a security light, it’s up to them to solve the problem if it bothers them!

Original poster
SubparOwl · 13/02/2019 06:42

Horace it probably should be!

OP posts:
Original poster
SubparOwl · 13/02/2019 06:47

Thanks all.

OP posts:
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 13/02/2019 07:00

The light should be adjusted to cover only their own garden.
We have a security light that only covers our own garden, and the other houses are quite close. It was adjusted when fitted, so that it comes on only with movement a certain distance from the house. (Usually foxes!). Anyone in next door's gardens won't set it off.

If your neighbours raise objections, tell them it needs adjusting. It's not your problem - that is unless the light bothers you anyway.

thelonggame · 13/02/2019 07:10

Absolutely don't change your habits, your neighbours ABU not setting their light up correctly. Unless yo are jumping up and down deliberately to trigger it constantly I really wouldn't think twice about setting it off.

Romanov · 13/02/2019 07:15

I don't think you should change.your habits either

You are quiet and if the light didn't come on no one would know
Its their light, and it's disturbing you so if anything they should be apologising to you

HolesinTheSoles · 13/02/2019 07:15

I wouldn't think twice. I've had neighbours that smoke outside or let their dig outside at night before. It would never occur to me to ask them to stop. If the light bothered me it would be my problem to fix since it's my light.

ThinkOfAWittyNameLater · 13/02/2019 07:17

Please don't let this worry you.

Definitely think of it as free light for as long as they leave it where it is.

We get free blinding light from our back neighbours. Their garden floodlight is tilted so I don't have to turn on the upstairs bathroom light on Winter mornings. We did have to get blackout curtains for eldest's bedroom but we were buying curtains anyway, so not a problem.