To have been out twice in a day?

[RainbowPonywithWings]

I live in a block of 4 flats all owned and rented out by a Housing Association. Block is 2 flats downstairs, 2 upstairs and narrow staircases to the upstairs flats. There’s a communal entrance but we all have our own front doors.

On Friday I opened my front door at 10am to find a man painting it (I hadn’t been told) asked if I could get passed with my 3 year old and went out to a group. Came back at around 12.30 for lunch and there were stood on a small stool in the middle of the staircase painting the ceiling. Guys moved to let me, DD and pushchair past.

At 2.30pm I needed to go out again as was due to pop in on my granddad. They were still on the staircase painting the ceiling. The man not painting told me that if I went out again they couldn’t let me back in again until they left at 6.30pm (my daughters bedtime). I said I’d be back about 4.30pm and they replied that me going in and out all the time meant they were behind and I’d have to wait until 6.30pm to get back into my flat unless they could catch up and leave earlier.

I did go back at 5pmish with my mum and they begrudgingly moved when she stood repeatedly asking them what they were doing (mum didn’t come into my flat or they’d have had to move again when she left).

But AIBU to think it’s normal to go out a couple of times during a day? The other residence in the block all work until 6pmish and their children are either in childcare or have moved out so it didn’t really matter to them.

Or should I have “stayed put” until they left? Just been mulling this over, and considering whether to discuss it with my HA in case it happens again?

They are being very unreasonable. If they wanted to restrict access, someone should have contacted you well in advance to earn you and arrange a suitable date.

Draw a huge cock on the fresh paint.
Wait for them to come back.
Post on FB you have a free iPhone - first to collect from box at front door gets it.
Go out.

Seriously though, I hate grumpy tradies. HA work is well cushy. They always allot more hours and hands than you need, and I've worked more than one. Seriously nice gig if you can get in on the tender or on their books.

What a bunch of turkeys. If they refused to let you get into your own property you should have called the police.

Christ i'd have given them an earful if they'd tried to tell me i had to stay out of my house till 6 bloody thirty because they were painting the staircase! Ye gods. They've been employed to paint the hall not dictate to the residents. Who do they think they're talking to?!

Totally unreasonable of the painter to dictate how often you can come and go from your home. It might be an inconvenience for him but it shouldn't inconvenience you - especialy as you weren't given advance notice so couldn't make alternative arrangements. Glad your DM had the sense to make sure you ignored him.

I live in HA and am having the same and more done, I'm in and out all day, they apologise to me for being in the way! Definitely complain to the HA. They are CF's.