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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

It's a NDN CF one....

109 replies

hopefullyhelpfully · 17/08/2019 14:30

5 months ago we had some work done on our house which created dust. We told our NDN that we would pay to have their back windows and conservatory cleaned- asked them to book someone at their convenience and we'd pay.

They didn't do anything and after reminding them twice and volunteering our window cleaner we forgot about it.
They then started doing lots of work on their house which has created huge amounts of mess and dust- lots more than our work did, and which has left all their windows filthy. Our garden and windows are also now mucky with detritus from their work, but we didn't bother saying anything as we're about to start work on the garden and there didn't seem to be any point.

Anyway, they have just posted an invoice for £65 through our door for getting their windows cleaned! To add insult to injury the invoice indicates that it was more expensive due to the terrible state of the windows, caused by THEIR building work.

I'm fairly certain no one will tell me IABU to call them rude, BUT AIBU to still pay? I know it's wrong, but I don't want neighbour issues and CBA to start a row over £65. My mum (who is much much feistier than DH and me) is outraged with us (the word pushovers was used!) but we did tell them we'd pay and set no timescale or conditions....

OP posts:
GoGoGoGoGo · 17/08/2019 17:43

Christ on a bike OP, I despair.

ScaryBunnyPainting · 17/08/2019 18:00

shakes head

GoGoGoGoGo · 17/08/2019 18:06

Pretty sure they’re not bothered about upsetting you OP.

CoraPirbright · 17/08/2019 18:27

Good grief OP - just think what you could be doing with that £65 that you are about to hand over! Lovely dinner out......something new for the house.......day out for the kids.........

Dont do it!!

IfIShouldFallFromGraceWithGod · 17/08/2019 18:47

You are pathetic if you pay and can expect more cf bills in the future

AdelaideK · 17/08/2019 18:57

You're just on the wind up now to get everyone frustrated with you.

FireBloodAndIce · 17/08/2019 19:10

Seriously, your mum has it right, why are you bending over for them?

Really you will be getting more bills soon for all kids of crap and treated to plenty CF as you've proved you will roll over.

spongedog · 17/08/2019 19:30

Just seen this thread. You offered.

The bill is tiny - £65 in the South East is more than normal but your houses do sound quite large (3 story?). I am South East and a normal 4 bed might be £30-40. You are being advised on here to fall out with neighbours over that sum of money. Good neighbours are worth their weight in gold.

You offered - let me repeat. I only get my windows cleaned every 3 months. So perhaps they are similar - cancelled their last appointment due to works and have now reached their next appointment.

I dont think they are CFs at all. Their building works and the impact is a separate matter. Are they aware their works have impacted you? If not, that is a fair conversation.

LyndaLaHughes · 17/08/2019 19:42

Just ignore it. Pretend you didn't get it and see if they are cheeky enough to come and query it. Please don't pay this as their behaviour is the height if CFery given the state of your own house as the result of their work.

pudcat · 17/08/2019 19:56

No one in their right mind would pay this. They will think that they can walk all over you for anything they don't like you doing.

mintplum · 17/08/2019 20:09

No way would i be paying! They are taking advantage of you.

originalpigeon · 17/08/2019 20:15

Do not pay.

donquixotedelamancha · 17/08/2019 20:34

I'm going to pay and be cross about it.

It must be awful living like this. I understand people who just don't care about anything but to be so bothered and so afraid you can't discuss it and to know you are being a bit pathetic...

Are you really sure you don't want to try saying no for once, OP?

Cherrysoup · 17/08/2019 20:42

Don't pay them, they are exceptionally cheeky! They've had work done and made your windows dirty so I'd say you're quits. Tell them that and see what they say.

cstaff · 17/08/2019 20:46

I think the OP has paid up. She hasn't been on here since 4.37.

StoneofDestiny · 17/08/2019 21:40

I'd give them £30 and tell them 'I'm sure you recognise we need to use the rest to clean up our property after their renovations'.

Roussette · 17/08/2019 21:43

If you don't pay, OP, come back on here for support. We will help!

(I would give them sod all. That's the nature of everything, NDN has an extension done, I would not expect £65 for windows! I'd pay for it myself. No idea why you offered in the first place. You offering has set this up for this daft situation)

AlwaysCheddar · 17/08/2019 21:46

Why in earth would you pay???!!!!

SoLost101 · 17/08/2019 21:46

I don’t actually understand why your paying....

Sparklybanana · 17/08/2019 21:49

Pay them 65 minus the amount to clean your windows. I really don’t understand why you’re paying. But since you’re in the habit of giving away money - can I have £40 as this thread has made me realise that my windows need cleaning and that’s all your fault. It’s £40 around here so it’s actually a good deal for you?

My request is no more rediculous than theirs.... don’t pay.

Remoteisland · 17/08/2019 21:51

If you pay now, I’d bet my bottom dollar they’ll be round with another bill when you’ve finished the work on your garden...

Original poster
hopefullyhelpfully · 17/08/2019 21:56

Ok, so I went round tonight. I had originally agreed to pay and had set no timeline, plus wanted to maintain good neighbour relations, so I took the cash, but was prepared to mention the other issues instead of just wordlessly handing over money. It was only the female neighbour there. Interestingly she was completely unaware her husband had given me the invoice and seemed a bit embarrassed. She herself brought up the disruption their work had caused plus the mess in our garden. She made an excuse for him that he probably hadn't thought about the timescale or noticed the additional mess, and I politely agreed that that must have been the case (assuming he's both blind and stupid) and so we then agreed that we'd both sort our own houses out with no hard feelings.

She's really very nice and we had a glass of wine whilst sharing renovation plans. She's feeding our cat on Friday when we're both away and I've reassured her that taking in the endless stream of packages they have delivered really isn't a problem.
So I'm pleased. I might otherwise just have put the cash through the letterbox and felt aggravated, so Mumsnet did empower me slightly, but pleasant relations have been maintained. 😊

OP posts:
StoneofDestiny · 17/08/2019 21:57

A brilliant outcome OP. Well done to two sensible women.

Lemonlady22 · 17/08/2019 21:58

blimey thats a lot for just windows, ive just paid £70 for guttering etc and windows on detached house...they are CF

cstaff · 17/08/2019 22:08

It was lucky that she answered the door and not her partner. That's a good outcome for all involved except him. At least you know who the CF is in that house.

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