Not sure what to think: MIL neighbours

[latestnamechange]

Just had a call from my 85 year old MIL's neighbours. I don't really see or speak to them very often, so when I saw it was them calling, I was really worried as she's older, vulnerable and in quite poor health.
The man told me not to worry, but he needed to call as the grass in MIL's front garden has got long and it looks awful. He said that the neighbours have all spoken to each other and agreed that they should not do it, but it should be done and that maybe I should do it, or maybe a gardener could do it, but he didn't want to recommend a gardener.
We do pop round with food or pharmacy deliveries from time to time, but don't go in and I've also been trying to isolate due to asthma. He knows this.
Initially, I felt really guilty, because I'm a bit of a people pleaser, but I think it's a bit of a cheek really, especially given the current situation. She has a mower, but it's extremely unlikely to have the right blades and I really don't want to go to B&Q or anywhere to get gardening accessories, in fact, I don't think I should even be considering it.

What do you think?

If it bothers them that much they can do it. It might make relationships easier if you could do it but you don't need too. Would your mother be worrying about it?

I think I would phone them and say you understand their concern and they are welcome to mow it if they want but at the current time it is not possible for you to do it / organise anyone else to do it.
Basically a polite version of either ignore it or do it themselves!!

If they're that bothered about it they should do it. As long as she is inside the house it won't expose her to have them round around with a mower in her front garden!

What a nosy, interfering petty man! I suppose you have to be polite if he is keeping an eye on your MIL but really right now who is worrying about such things?

My neighbour cuts the old ladies grass front and back regularly.

Can’t see why they can’t if it bothers them that much!!

We do the other side when she’s been poorly.

It’s just something you do!

Is it a particularly big lawn? I think it's a bit mean that no-one has offered to do it for her - especially as they've been talking amongst themselves

I thought you were going to say he'd phoned you to ask if he could mow it!

You could say you doubt it is considered essential, and neither is shopping for a lawnmower, but as a gesture of goodwill you will cut it if they lend you a mower. That should sort it, whether they are just moaning for the sake of it.

Bloody hell, talk about priorities! Tell them they're welcome to do it, but unfortunately you can't get it organised.

Honestly some people are ridiculous.

Don't feel guilty at all.

If it bothers them that much, one of them can do it or fork out for a gardener out of their own money.

Wow! The neighbours discussed it and decided they shouldn't do it. If they are that bothered by it they could cut it. So cheeky to phone you over some long grass.

Meant to say I'd definitely mow it regularly for an elderly neighbour - as long as it wasn't an acre 😂

How strange.. if it's a space that she would use but cant because of the grass then you should do it for her tbh, if shes not able. Not sure how a mower wouldn't have the right blades for grass? I wouldn't put myself out just to improve the aesthetics of the street from long grass.

I hope he's not been stressing the old lady about it!!!!

Ask the interfering neighbour which category of essential outing "a trip to mow grass that my mother's neighbours find offensively long" comes under?

What would she have done about the grass before lockdown, OP?

They could have cut the grass in the time it took them to discuss it. Tell them to FO. I would be tempted to grow a jungle now.

Thoughtless, selfish and incredibly rude! I’m a bit cross for you OP.

Who normally cuts it? Is it possible the neighbour has been cutting it but now isn't sure whether distancing rules allow it?
I don't think I'd be overly offended by the phone call. It's hard to tell the tone when you write what he said. If you are isolating because of your asthma it's going to be a long time before you're able to get new blades and cut it yourself so it's worth considering what you can do in the next few months before the grass is taller than your mum!

If he's that fussed he should offer to cut it. Bloody hell. The time it took to call you he probably could've done half of it! He's a knob for calling & requesting your do this, especially in the current situation.

That is cheeky. It's even more cheeky that they phoned you and not your husband, since presumably it's his mother.

So your MIL's neighbours have got together, decided her grass is unsightly and phoned you? What a bunch of CFers! Tell them to do it themselves if it's bothering them that much.

Who usually does it?

I’d be led by your MIL on this one, if she’s embarrassed do it for HER not them. If she doesn’t care- leave it.

How unkind of them not to do it. I've always thought it was a social norm to do an elderly neighbour's grass while you were doing yours. I guess that's just how I was brought up.

Don't even consider. The nosey b***ds!

Does she usually have a gardener?