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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think I've got the most batshit neighbours?

444 replies

MrsGaryLightbody · 20/07/2019 10:25

I'm gobsmacked...

History of next door is one letter through my door a month or so ago to ask if I would trim my rose bush in back garden as it's grown 8.5 inches above the fence and they can now see it. It's a five foot fence. Confused but I did new ( me) neighbourly thing and trimmed it.

This morning there's a note through door again from them , letting me know that they are going to contact the RSPSA and dog warden ( is there such a thing) and report me . A list of complaints were then listed .
These include, letting puppy howl all night, leaving pup alone all day to howl. Letting pup wee against same place on fence , which apparently seeps through and is damaging their vegetables. They are fed up with me shouting at puppy. They don't like the name I've chosen. Confused
They then go on to say they apologise for not stopping to give me a lift ( rural bus service) but they saw I had pup in my bag and didn't want it in their car. But they will be writing a stern letter to the bus company to complain that people shouldn't be allowed on buses with dogs as it's a health hazard.

I'm not sure whether to reply by writing ... or just shout through the letter box that I don't have a ducking dog!! I never have and I don't have any pets. The neighbours either side of me and them have cats. They have cats.

Just what I need ! Should I ignore?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
TheInebriati · 21/07/2019 10:49

Don't chat with Gerald, its a trigger for her.

ContactLight · 21/07/2019 18:08

Is it just me or does anyone else think that if the OP talks to the community police officer they will say "Oh no, not again.."

thenightsky · 21/07/2019 18:40

I would be wary of winding her up by shouting Gerald and stuff. If she truly is suffering from delusions you'll end up reinforcing them Sad

NeonLights · 21/07/2019 19:14

@ContactLight I was just thinking exactly the same thing! It could well trigger some sort of intervention (medical assessment/ discussion about behaviour).

Original poster
MrsGaryLightbody · 22/07/2019 12:21

Hi all , quick update.

I've spoken to my other , lovely, neighbour and it appears that there's a lot more going on than I could of ever thought.

It seems that Mrs Gerald has lived here for yonks and has a reputation in the village for being very opinionated and rude. Apparently inherited house from parents who again were apparently entitled and rude.

Before I moved in ( rented) Mrs Gerald wanted to buy my house from the owners but they refused because of her reputation. She then tried to rent it ... not sure why. She was refused, even tried to get letting agents to give her a key so she could meet & greet prospective tenants.

There was a tenant before me who left early in their tenancy. Not sure why. Landlord is absolutely lovely. She even sent flowers & wine with a lovely note when I asked if if I could carry on tenancy without H who had left.

Also it seems ( don't forget this is a rural village) that Mr Gerald is known to be a bit of a doormat.

I've lived rural before but not where everyone seems to know everything!! Or assumes Wink

So... I'm just going to see how it goes .. for now .

I've no intentions of goading or confrontation. But the good thing is that I've met and talked with lovely other neighbour and as I'm very lonely that was really positive. Smile

OP posts:
Gingernaut · 22/07/2019 12:24

She's not batshit then, this is the start of an ill-advised campaign to try and drive you out.

Be careful.

Speak very politely to Mr Gerald, but log this with 101 as antisocial behaviour.

nettie434 · 22/07/2019 12:25

Well done MrsGaryLightbody. You have dealt with this so well. At least now you know the situation and at least you and Lovely Neighbour can now empathise together over the Geralds

justilou1 · 22/07/2019 12:27

Sounds like Mrs Gerald has decided that you are now ready for a new man and logic dictates that you MUST have your sights set on Mr Gerald! (This is why you have been shrieking his name from the battlements at sunset, you cheeky minx!) Mrs Gerald is clearly FITH!

StrongTea · 22/07/2019 12:33

Think that is worse somehow than if she was actually ill. Think I would def make the community police aware.

Badcat666 · 22/07/2019 12:35

@MrsGaryLightbody

Oh so glad you have met another lovely neighbour!

And so glad everyone else in the village knows what she is like and that she is just a busy body who is trying to get you to move out by her bloody awful behaviour.

Build up your confidence in the knowledge she is just a horrible person and she has an agenda that is nothing to do with you but with wanting the house that she cannot have.

I recommend getting a lovely beautiful note book it write in and note down each and every time she tries it on or what she says to you so you have a record to show others if need be. Tape on your phone if need be.

keep any wacky mail/ notes she sends you in a lovely pretty box....

And when you are feeling stronger and better within yourself, get an injunction slapped on her arse so she can no longer communicate in any shape of form to you

Flowers and Cake and Brew and Wine for you! xxxx

LillithsFamiliar · 22/07/2019 12:37

I'd let your LL know. It seems likely your neighbour is going to start contacting them with ways in which your imaginary dog is breaching your tenancy agreement and disrupting the neighbourhood.

Herocomplex · 22/07/2019 12:41

That’s positive, you’re also a lot more clued up on village life now so that’s great. Sounds quite lively!
The slow reading of the note on the doorstep was clearly her planning her reaction to you. She’s got a lot of time on her hands. Id be super breezy when I saw her next, and definitely greet her by her first name...

FloatOn · 22/07/2019 13:12

Now that we know she doesn't have a MHI get a parrot OP and teach it to say Gerald.

BruceAndNosh · 22/07/2019 13:34

It might be worth pre-empting any stirring by her - contact your lovely landlord and explain that Mrs Gerald thinks you have a neglected dog and may contact LL to complain about it.
Reassure her that Gerald The Dog does not exist

Fairyflaps · 22/07/2019 13:44

It's a shame Mrs Gerald took her letter back from you.

wowfudge · 22/07/2019 14:06

Definitely tell your LL about the letter and what happened when you went next door. You need her onside before NDN reports you for having a non-existent dog.

Redshoesandtheblues · 22/07/2019 14:15

Sniggered at idea of teaching a parrot to squawk Gerald, FloatOn!!

YouTheCat · 22/07/2019 14:17

Definitely tell your landlord. Keep a note of the batshittery and any more of it needs logging with 101. Don't let the stupid cow hound you out of your home.

Redshoesandtheblues · 22/07/2019 14:18

Who's a pretty boy? GERALD.
Who's a bad boy? GERALD
Who is weeing on the fence? GERALD.
🦜

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 22/07/2019 14:19

Glad you've met your other neighbours. I would definitely just give your landlady a heads up about what's happened, just in case batshit crazy decides to try and stir anything up.

Mishappening · 22/07/2019 14:20

Just pop round and tell them that sadly the dog has died.

TheViceOfReason · 22/07/2019 14:27

Do not engage with them again.

Inform your landlord - i believe you now know exactly why the last tenant left.... Tell your landlord every single time these people harass you.

Also tell the community police / warden.

Keep anything more you get from them.

Repeat, do NOT engage.

Once they realise bullying doesn't work they WILL switch tactic - they will then try to be nice to reel you back in. Again, ignore it. If they say good morning, say "morning" then carry on with whatever you were doing.

If they try and talk over the back fence, tell them you are busy then carry on sitting doing nothing. Don't worry about being rude.

They can only affect you as much as you allow them to, so don't let them spoil this for you.

DirtyDennis · 22/07/2019 14:29

She then did say ok sorry.. but as I went to turn round to the gate she whispered I know you have .. and shut the door

Grin This made me properly laugh out loud.

Original poster
MrsGaryLightbody · 22/07/2019 14:30

I'm definitely going to tell Landlady.
Mrs Batshit won't hound me out, this is my safe haven and after all the dealing with H I'm not going anywhere !

But it's actually done , in an indirect way some good ! My other neighbour is lovely and it feels good to know that .

OP posts:
Passthecherrycoke · 22/07/2019 15:14

Oh god what a weirdo! Glad your neighbours and LL are lovely