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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

altercation with neighbour what to do

86 replies

cupofcaj · 30/05/2019 07:16

Me and my DH (27 and 30) are currently living somewhere where we must share the laundry facilities with one neighbour (live on the same property but separate houses, so to speak). We weren't very much taken by the couple living next door, whenever we walked passed and said hello they looked the other way. At first I thought they were shy, but they always make such a racket when they come home late at night, particularly the woman who is screeching down the phone in another language (I think they are Pakistani) and are just very loud in general.
Anyway, whenever I wanted to do my washing, the laundry was always full of their stuff. I would go back at another time and it would still be there. They seem to fill up the washing machine, put it on a 3 hour cycle, leave it there for a couple of days, then top it off with more stuff and run it through again. This can go on for a whole week. I tried knocking on their door a few times but they didn't answer. In the end I got fed up and removed the clothing myself, and just put it in a basket next to the machine. I did this a couple of times. Then one morning I heard her go in the laundry room, scream in anger and kick something, then she came knocking on my door. I didn't answer straight away (was in the middle of something) then she started banging on all the windows until I answered.
She proceed to yell at me how dare I touch her washing, I'm always messing with her stuff, she never had any problem with anyone before I "showed" up.
She was extremely threatening in her voice and gestures (she waving her fists around), I felt shocked and just awful.
I said that I needed to do my washing too, and that I don't think she should take that tone with me. I asked her when had she put that stuff in the machine (knowing it had been sitting there for 3 days) She went all flustered for a moment then said OH! I think I put it in last night (lies). She said she needed to soak her clothes for at least 12 hours. I told her if she wants to do that she can use a bucket so she's not occupying the machine but she didn't respond, she just continued shouting at me and said "Don't you dare, EVER, touch my things again!" and stormed off.
After this I was in tears and called my DH. We spoke to our landlord that day and relayed everything. He said he's aware she does this as he's seen her stuff left in there, and that the tenants before had the same problem with her.
Anyway, in the end our landlord send her a message about it, and she replied saying it must be our stuff, it wasn't her!
My husband went to speak with her husband and he just said he didn't know anything about it, which I know isn't true.
It's not even about having such restricted access to the washing machine anymore, its their behaviour.
I keep thinking - maybe I was wrong to remove their laundry from the machine - I know it's not the most pleasant thing having someone else touch your stuff. But I feel like her reaction and lies were uncalled for.
I do not feel at peace here anymore, I dread seeing them and every time I hear them I tense up.
Do you think I was in the wrong as well? What should I do now?

OP posts:
megrichardson · 30/05/2019 08:09

Based on my own experience with batshit neighbours I would advise you to move asap. You could also drop some laundry dye into the washing machine as your parting shot.

ThatssomebadhatHarry · 30/05/2019 08:14

I’d move. She won’t change she will probably escalate it and accuse you of all sorts.

Eustasiavye · 30/05/2019 08:17

I would speak to the landlord and tell him to put in writing that you want alternative days. So her Monday, Wednesday, Friday Sunday. You Tuesday, Thursday Saturday. If also state that the day ends precisely at midnight and at 12.01 the machine is to be used soley by whoever has that day.
I would then use the machine and if I found their stuff in it I would throw it on the floor.
I would also put in writing that if ever (the fucking crazy bleeder) approached my door again I will ring 999.
Then I would look for somewhere else to live asap. When you leave and have another property, leave a bad review for the property you are in if ever asked.
It might make the landlord wake up.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 30/05/2019 08:17

I'd drop a note through the door and tell her that if she carries on like this ever again then you are going to phone the police and mean it.

What are you going to tell the police then? My neighbours left their laundry in the washing machine?

OopsIHidItAgain · 30/05/2019 08:21

No she shouldn't leave her washing in your washing machine and you weren't unreasonable for putting it into a basket so that you can do your washing.

Not sure her being Pakistani is relevant whatsoever though OP Hmm

Beebeezed · 30/05/2019 08:21

Is it just you two that share the machine OP?

Peccary · 30/05/2019 08:25

Get your own washing machine and/or heated drying rack. There's no way I would put up with that for another 6 months

HennyPennyHorror · 30/05/2019 08:25

In all honesty I would be throwing her stuff on the floor in future. She's a bully and bullies need standing up to.

If you tiptoe around her, she'll carry on doing it. Just throw it on the floor and if she bangs on your door, call the police. Don't even speak to her or try to defend yourself...OR warn her. Just do it.

Silly cow she sounds.

Likethebattle · 30/05/2019 08:30

Continue to remove her stuff is she turns up shouting w shout back that you will not tolerate her being a bully and slam the door in her face.

carbuncleonapigsposterior · 30/05/2019 08:34

Kindly ask your landlord to put up a notice in the shared laundry to the effect " Please remove laundry from washing machine if it's not being used, if you leave the washing in the machine, the other tenants are at liberty to remove it themselves, no tenants has exclusive rights over this facility Thank you for your co-operation" As he is well aware of the problem, in that it's been a problem for previous tenants, there should be more of an onus on him/her to maybe sort it out. Unfortunately some people are extremely selfish. I remember a clear notice in a changing cubicle at my health club "Do not leave your clothes in this cubicle" but that didn't stop one selfish person doing that and then she got all hoity toity when they were removed by a member of staff.

diddl · 30/05/2019 08:41

So the landlord knows but does nothing-that's the bigger problem isn't it?

Perhaps he should think about putting in another machine if he knows she does this!

Do you usually bung her stuff back in the machine after you've used it?

How do you soak clothes in a WM?

croprotationinthe13thcentury · 30/05/2019 08:52

Just keep moving her stuff. If she kicks off, tell your husband to go round and give them both some 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻. They will soon back down.

PrtScn · 30/05/2019 08:55

I’d not let her dictate to you. Do your washing when you need to, and if her clothes are in there remove them. Maybe put them back in the machine when you are done if you think it will save you some aggro. Start taking photographic evidence each time and put a short cut to the voice recorder app on your home screen for fast access in case you need to record her rants quickly (and discreetly). Protect yourself in case she stoops so low as to play the race card if she doesn’t get her way.

UCOinanOCG · 30/05/2019 08:58

Remove her washing every time but firstly take a photo and make sure it is time stamped. She is being ridiculous.

TheSerenDipitY · 30/05/2019 09:00

i would use the machine when ever i needed, and as soon as she approached me, for any reason, i would very obviously pull out my phone and hit video record and as soon as she speaks to you tell her "i am recording!" if she wants to be abusive and aggressive with yo make sure she know you are going to record every single interaction you have with her, if anything she will act all nice n shit because she wont wont to give you proof that shes a cunt

Darkstar4855 · 30/05/2019 09:02

YANBU. I would remove her washing every time she left it there and tell her if she doesn’t like it then stop leaving it there.

BalloonSlayer · 30/05/2019 09:06

Could you contact the landlord and ask for a reduction in rent as your neighbour will not let you use the laundry facilities? And as he says "she was like this with the last people" then he knew bloody well this was going to happen and should not have rented it out with laundry facilities. Suspect you would get nowhere with this but it could spur him into action, or free up some cash to use a laundrette instead.

Chickoletta · 30/05/2019 09:07

You can pick up a second hand washing machine for about £100. Surely better than all of this aggravation...?

JohnsPrincess · 30/05/2019 09:10

Sorry I lost all interest when her nationality made an appearance in the first paragraph

BornInAThunderstorm · 30/05/2019 09:13

How is she “soaking” clothes in the washing machine? The water empties at the end of the cycle.
Imo she is relying on you being intimidated to get sole control of the washer. I wouldn’t buy a washing machine, why should you when you should have access to the existing one?

Keep taking her clothes out. Next time she comes round ranting call your landlord so he can hear her shouting in the background. If he still does nothing, insist he supply a machine or allows a reduction in rent.

SnuggyBuggy · 30/05/2019 09:14

I'd just keep doing what you are doing and reporting when she kicks off. She doesn't sound like a nice person

Boysey45 · 30/05/2019 09:18

@ChardonnaysPrettySister, I'd tell them that I was being screamed at and threatened and I felt frightened and intimidated.

It needs logging because next time she might escalate and come at OP to hit her or worse.

LoafofSellotape · 30/05/2019 09:19

You removed her washing so you could use the machine,you did nothing wrong.

Don't try to understand her behaviour and don't spend time trying to work out if you did anything wrong.

She has form for this so don't engage with her any further and remove her washing every single time she hogs the machine.

If she challenges you simply ask her how you are meant to do your washing.

cooldarkroom · 30/05/2019 09:19

Just keep doing what you are doing, its what happens in the laundrette. No problem, she can put it back in when she wants,
If she comes being agressive, just say, "We share the machine, you are not entitled to monopolise it. close the door."

& some machines have a "soak" programme

LoafofSellotape · 30/05/2019 09:21

As a pp suggested get your phone out and film her!