Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Complaining Neighbour

18 replies

GreenlandTheMovie · 21/11/2020 09:29

I live rurally but there are a couple of houses close by to mine. One neighbour is very anti-social. Lives with her parents (they all moved from London a couple if years ago), barely go outside (including prior to Covid). She is late thirties, parents are late fifties (I think, I've only glimpsed them twice).

It's become her habit to send me a text message complaining about something every few months. This time, it was a complaint about occasional mis-deliveries by Royal Mail and delivery drivers to her home that were meant for me. In the countryside this happens all the time, and I just put their parcels and letters over their gate. But oh no, the way the text was framed is that this was a serious misdemeanour on my part and I needed to take action" to make it stop. Of course, I messaged back pointing out that it was me who had been bringing round their misdelivered mail.

The previous time, it was my small compost heap miles away from their boundary that was "causing smells". Again, a bitter series of texts, full of accusations. It turned out to be their own blocked septic tank that was causing the smell.

Prior to that, it was hedge trimmings blowing onto "their drive". I actually own the land and they have a right of access over it! And I'd been trimming the hedge because they don't!

Prior to that, they tried to get out of a mutual maintenance payment, claiming that because they stayed in and barely used it and get their shopping delivered whike I and the other neighbour have 2 vehicles, they shouldn't pay their full share!

How to deal with? They seem to have a fixed notion that I'm a problem that has to be sorted out. They don't interact with other people at all and instead all 3 of them sit cooped up in a small house thinking up strange ideas.

OP posts:
Greenkit · 21/11/2020 09:31

Why do they have your number

BLOCK THEM

BeepBoopBop · 21/11/2020 09:36

Don't engage.

"Dear me, what a shame"covers most things.

A solicitor's letter will cover the non-payment. If there is hedge maintenance covered in their wayleave, cover that at the same time.

just5morepeas · 21/11/2020 10:02

Change your number and don't give them it. It makes it too easy for them to contact you with silly little things.

annie987 · 21/11/2020 10:13

Just block them

Rollmopsrule · 21/11/2020 10:18

Agree just block them

Cherrysoup · 21/11/2020 10:19

Block her, she wants you that bad, she can shift her arse and come round. I bet she’s not as arsey face to face.

D4rwin · 21/11/2020 10:26

Ignore all of her messages. Should she wrestle her bottom around to complain be very smiley and suggest she send a letter as you want to give it full attention. If her payments aren't forthcoming then go the solicitor route. Sounds like a cf .

Penners99 · 21/11/2020 10:48

Reply
“Oh dear, what a pity, never mind”
Then block.

Whammyyammy · 21/11/2020 10:57

Block and move on

GreenlandTheMovie · 21/11/2020 11:10

Ha! No she's not as arsy face to face! I haven't seen her in person for a year and a half though. The 3 if them literally don't go outside. Not even into their garden. They sit in that house all day wuth the curtains closed. It's bizarre.

I dread getting letters instead of phone calls though.

OP posts:
islockdownoveryet · 21/11/2020 11:12

That was my first thought why does she have your number ?
Block and ignore
If she wants to complain she'd have to write a letter or knock on which would involve leaving the house and I doubt she'd do that .

Gancanny · 21/11/2020 11:14

Letters are far easier to ignore as they can be binned unopened.

GreenlandTheMovie · 21/11/2020 11:21

She has my number because we have a mini sort of informal residents' association for common repairs, etc.

OP posts:
islockdownoveryet · 21/11/2020 11:29

@GreenlandTheMovie

She has my number because we have a mini sort of informal residents' association for common repairs, etc.
Well shes abusing it so block . Like you say yourself these people have nothing to worry about so sit there inventing problems because they are bored .
Catflapkitkat · 21/11/2020 11:58

If they are liable for part payment of a bill between you and another neighbour then I would imagine it's not that easy to just block them. Especially if they are trying to wangle out of it. I would not take any calls from them. Sometimes, with people like that it's easy to agree to something you have second thoughts about later just to get them off the line. Remember if it's a complaint they have had time to mull it over plan what they are going to say - it's a surprise for you. Only allow texts or emails.

As annoying as it is OP try not to take it personally. I think they are trying to bully you as you are new but don't cave in. They are probably like this with everyone.

I would be inclined to keep your replies (if you have to) very brief and too the point. For instance, 'you are responsible for your part of the maintenance contract regardless of use'. Please contact the post office with regards to delivery issues.

I think this will be an ongoing issues for you. I doubt they will change, so you will have to change you attitude to it - try to find it bemusing and sigh. Don't let get you down.

Good luck OP

Macncheeseballs · 21/11/2020 12:34

Ask her around for a glass of socially distanced exterior wine

tensmum1964 · 21/11/2020 16:33

Just send her a slap forehead GIF everytime she texts you Smile

GreenlandTheMovie · 21/11/2020 17:21

She wouldn't accept MacnCheese... Doesn't like other people, doesnt leave the house.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page