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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To break my tenancy agreement and use my washing machine at night?

25 replies

CatFaceCover · 14/07/2020 18:22

Live in a housing association flat which is upstairs in a block of 4 (basically 2 houses put together with a shared set of stairs and split into 4 flats).

My tenancy agreement states that washing machine and other noisy household appliances are not to be used after 8pm.

When I moved in this was fine as I had an elderly downstairs neighbour and she needed quiet after 8pm so it was no problem.

My current downstairs neighbour are nurses and work nightshifts at the hospital (they start work around 9pm and come home between 4am and 5am, I’ve seen them a few times when I’ve been up with my anxiety/insomnia) and so need quiet in the day.

I usually put the washing machine on while DD is at school and I’m either at work or at home, but it’s no problem to put it on at night. Neighbours have asked if I could do it while they’re at work instead. They have said they know I can’t hoover or anything while DD is in bed but I can use my washing machine at night. It would also be cheaper electricity and waterwise.

So WIBU to break my tenancy and put the washing machine on at night considering the directly downstairs neighbours are unlikely to complain?

Other neighbours in the block we hardly hear or see so I doubt they could hear my washing machine and be bothered by it.

Voting:
YABU - Don't use the washing machine at night
YANBU - Go ahead and use it at night

OP posts:
Bearnecessity · 14/07/2020 18:48

Be considerate but use it when you want I say.

Roselilly36 · 14/07/2020 18:59

Sensible advice would be to comply with TA.

PrudyPayntersBlouse · 14/07/2020 18:59

I would speak to your HA. Being in a downstairs flat, you can hear everything. I'm in my second bottom floor apartment and I'm just lucky this time, the first one was appalling and the tenant should have put something under her machine, my basement flat vibrated. And she put it on all round the clock, she never slept.

If you tell your housing officer that your downstairs neighbours have X hours and have requested this, and that you're fine with it if they are, then they should work something out.

PickAChew · 14/07/2020 19:02

I the evening, maybe, but not overnight. It's a fire risk.

gotothecooler · 14/07/2020 19:04

I would t use it at night no, because I would be in bed. Is there no way to use it in the evening though?

Di11y · 14/07/2020 19:09

If they go out at 9 they're awake at 8pm. I'd put it on then so finished before others are likely to be in bed. If anyone complains I presume you'd be in trouble

callmeadoctor · 14/07/2020 19:11

Evening, not overnight.

BrieAndChilli · 14/07/2020 19:12

I’d put it on at 7-8pm. That way you downstairs neighbours will be up and about getting ready for work and if any noise travels to the opposite side neighbours then it’s still not totally antisocial hours

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 14/07/2020 19:13

Yeah just ask them what time they wake in the afternoon/evening for their night shifts and have a load ready to go.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 14/07/2020 19:14

Presumably the rule is to prevent you disturbing neighbours..... But it would disturb them by doing it normal hours.... I would just do it when you've suggested.... You're being considerate!

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 14/07/2020 19:14

I wouldn’t be breaking the TA rules without discussion with the HA.

gotothecooler · 14/07/2020 19:18

@IamtheDevilsAvocado

Presumably the rule is to prevent you disturbing neighbours..... But it would disturb them by doing it normal hours.... I would just do it when you've suggested.... You're being considerate!

But then it would be disturbing OP Confused

No way would I do my washing at night to suit someone else.

IncrediblySadToo · 14/07/2020 19:19

I'd ask them what the earliest time in the evening wouldn't disturb then & do it at that time.

It would drive me BATSHIT though only doing it at a certain time. I'd do it out of consideration, but I'd hate it.

Surely the HA wouldn't even know, so I wouldn't let that bother me. Plus they're hardly likely to evict a good tenant over it, even if they were to find out.

User56781234 · 14/07/2020 19:54

Acoustics in shared buildings can be very odd. Don't assume that the other tenants can't hear your washing machine. Why would you risk your and your daughter's home by breaking your tenancy agreement? It's a kind gesture to make but not at the expense of losing the roof over your heads.

Original poster
CatFaceCover · 14/07/2020 22:48

Oddly enough when I've had it on in the day and I've been home I barely hear it but I take the point that the other side may hear it due to the way sound travels.

I think I'll put it on slightly later but not after 8pm just so I don't break the TA or upset any of the other neighbours.

OP posts:
PawPawNoodle · 14/07/2020 22:55

I'd tell them you're putting it on between 4 and 8 if you feel like making a concession. Most people I know that do night shifts would be up by then.

They agreed to presumably the same contract conditions that you did knowing they do night work which isn't compatible so its not your responsibility to work around them.

PlanDeRaccordement · 14/07/2020 23:00

Don’t break the TA
But you can ask for permission and if the housing association as your LL say back to you in writing that it’s ok, then you are covered.
So, you could email the housing association with your neighbour copied in and explain the situation and ask permission to run the washer occasionally past 8pm while they are on night shifts.
See what they say.

sweetbirdofjuice · 14/07/2020 23:13

The rule is presumably to avoid noise disturbance for neighbours rather than anything else so I'm sure the HA would agree- might be worth running past them just to be sure. I wouldn't object to doing the washing in the evening out of courtesy, just ask them what time they get up if you don't want it on very late.

If you ever need to do a wash urgently though at an earlier time, do. It's kind to accommodate them as far as you can but it's still your home too.

ToBBQorNotToBBQ · 14/07/2020 23:28

Why on earth did you need to ask for help with such a shit 'dilemma'. No one has confidence in their own actions anymore it's sad.

safariboot · 14/07/2020 23:33

I would run it at night. Although perhaps not when I'm sleeping, you never know when it might spring a leak. If possible, reduce the spin speed to mitigate noise and make sure it's properly levelled.

user1473878824 · 14/07/2020 23:35

Am I being really stupid... why would it be cheaper at night?

alexdgr8 · 14/07/2020 23:54

@PickAChew

I the evening, maybe, but not overnight. It's a fire risk.
agree with this. never leave a washing machine or dryer operating while unattended. there have been many cases. it's just not worth it.
Completelyfrozen · 15/07/2020 00:28

Agree with Pickachew. I'd never run a washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher overnight due to the risk of fire.

ineedaholidaynow · 15/07/2020 00:35

Surely it’s only cheaper at night if you have an economy 7 type meters/tariffs

lyralalala · 15/07/2020 04:46

You can't risk disturbing the other two neighbours, not to mention risk disturbing your DD, for the benefit of one neighbour.

If they start work at 9pm then they must be up by 6/7pm so I'd be considerate and put it on then.

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