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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU or are they?

23 replies

Bunnyfuller · 02/08/2020 17:52

We moved into a lovely, peaceful rural village 3 years ago. Only 2 houses actually near us and both are fab.

Behind the garden shed that was in place when we bought the house is a square of paving slabs, also here when we bought the house.

Yesterday NDN popped in (very friendly but not socialising type relationship) and asked if they could have ‘3 of the paving slabs back that they gave to the previous occupants’.

We have a chicken house on the slabs now. Apart from this, they gave the previous people the slabs, we bought the house with said slabs and didn’t know they may be asked for!

She’s not being horrible about it, but am I right in thinking there’s a bit of cheeky-fuckery, or is this just rural living randomness or are we being tight?

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 02/08/2020 17:52

What did you say Shock

wineandroses1 · 02/08/2020 17:55

How very odd. Just say no, sorry, they are part of the property that we bought 3 years ago, and they support the Chicken House. Bye bye.

Thehop · 02/08/2020 17:58

“Oh gosh I’m so sorry they came with the house and the chickens are on them now. You should definitely ring deidre to get you some new ones though!! How rude of her to just sell them with the house and not give them back!”

june2007 · 02/08/2020 18:16

If not in use return if in use explain. If she gets funny you say sorry you didn,t know that they had come from them and they just were in the garden when you got it.

Original poster
Bunnyfuller · 02/08/2020 19:19

They are most definitely in use, if only as a base for the chicken house. We could buy more, sure, but we bought the house as is, and I feel it is different to asking the previous occupants for them back. It’s a fairly affluent village too, they’re not hard up.

1st world problems I know.

OP posts:
Andylion · 02/08/2020 19:28

If not in use return if in use explain. If she gets funny you say sorry you didn,t know that they had come from them and they just were in the garden when you got it.

But, does it matter where they came from? They were part of the propriety the OP bought.

Andylion · 02/08/2020 19:29

property

bizzieb33 · 02/08/2020 19:31

Is it possible that they were spares that are now irreplaceable?
They may be keen to have them back if a couple have broken in their patio and the alternative is odd slabs/a new patio?

beepbeepsheep · 02/08/2020 19:54

We had something like this recently. Neighbour I barely know said "oh the old owner agreed to go halves on X, so we should get that done". I just said I knew nothing about it, wasn't interested in X improvement, told her I had to go and closed the door. Fuck all to do with me.

Original poster
Bunnyfuller · 02/08/2020 20:09

These are literally the most basic ordinary paving slabs. She even said today she gave them to previous owners because they didn’t need them and couldn’t be bothered to get rid!

‘We gave the slabs to people who no longer live here, to do us a favour but we need them now’

WTF

OP posts:
Pelleas · 02/08/2020 20:14

'Can I have my greenhouse/barbecue/garden bench/pergola/planters/shed/gravel driveway back please as actually it was only lent to the people who used to live here?'

melj1213 · 02/08/2020 20:37

YANBU to say "Sorry, we know nothing about your original arrangement. We are using them so we cannot return them," but the neighbour is NBU to make the enquiry either (providing that it was done so politely).

If you weren't using them, they were just hanging about taking up space and/or the NDN was unaware you were using them then it is perfectly logical that they might politely ask you if you could spare them before going out to buy new ones.

If they knew you were using them or demanded them back as though it was their right to have them back then she would be a CF and you would have every right to tell her to get lost.

SilverOtter · 02/08/2020 22:57

That is bloody weirdHmm

SpookyNoise · 02/08/2020 22:59

They have got some cheek!

Smallsteps88 · 02/08/2020 23:02

They’re being fucking ridiculous. Those slabs are about 50p-£1 each to buy! I’m assuming she can see that you have a chicken house on them?

ladypete · 04/08/2020 10:04

“Oh gosh I’m so sorry they came with the house and the chickens are on them now. You should definitely ring deidre to get you some new ones though!! How rude of her to just sell them with the house and not give them back!”

This.

ladypete · 04/08/2020 10:05

Because they know they are being ridiculous and would never ask the previous owner to buy them 3 paving slabs after 3 years.

They are relying on you being a pushover.

Shoxfordian · 04/08/2020 10:05

Say no
She's ridiculous to even ask

justilou1 · 04/08/2020 10:24

I would say that you bought the house as is, and you have no evidence that she gifted them. They are now your property and are now clearly in use.

TeaStory · 04/08/2020 10:31

So she admits they were given as a gift, not a loan? She’s being completely ridiculous. They belonged to the previous owner of your house, you bought them with the house & you are using them. No.

AranciaRosso · 04/08/2020 10:34

No - you need to put this one straight to bed or where does it end?

"Can we have back the fitted kitchen that we lent to the old owners please"

Put a stop to it right now!

PackagingDisaster · 04/08/2020 10:54

How utterly odd.

User87471643901065319 · 04/08/2020 11:27

So your ndn asked you this on 01 August. What did you say at the time? I do think she is a CF but it seems a bit odd that you haven't told us what your response was.

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