AIBU to think neighbours are using my dryer?

[DontThinkSoBro]

In our block of flats each floor consists of 2 flats which share a drying room on the landing. The drying rooms are jointly owned by the two flats, we have a key each & our own tumble dryers on each side of the room.

New neighbours have moved in - lovely so far, no issues at all... except over the weekend I found one of their sons socks in my dryer & last night I found one of the woman’s socks in my dryer. 100% no mistaking that they are theirs as we only have plain socks & these are most definitely a little boys socks & a woman’s pair of patterned socks.

I absolutely don’t want to cause an argument about it. Could there be another simple explanation that I’m not thinking of as to how twice now, their socks have ended up in my dryer?

How would I approach this without causing a rift with otherwise very nice people?

Ask them to stop using your dryer.
Why do people not just talk to each other?

@Thefamilybusiness

Ask them to stop using your dryer. Why do people not just talk to each other?

@Thefamilybusiness cause it's boring

You would think that if she was going to sneakily use your dryer she’d properly check it after unloading. For this reason, I think it’s quite likely her son is ‘helping’ her whilst she’s busy loading/unloading her machine.

Failing that, a smart plug seems a good idea.

[quote DontThinkSoBro]@Cavagirl it’s literally a rectangle room with my dryer on the left (my flats on the left) & their dryer on the right (their flats on the right)

For further clarity our side also has shelves with our stuff on it next to our dryer. There’s absolutely nothing to mistake which side belongs to each flat, it’s that basic[/quote]
So hand the socks over, telling them you found them in your drier. See what they say

i.pinimg.com/236x/b7/a7/bd/b7a7bda1adb9f38bd154432b2c21eaeb--scary-clowns-evil-clowns.jpg

Print this out and put it in the dryer so they see it when they open the door. Doubt they will do it again

WARNING - DO NOT CLICK IF YOU ARE SCARED OF CLOWNS!

Why ignore the obvious and simple solution of a big length of chain and a padlock around the dryer! It's a much more industrial chic look anyway.

I think it’s a roll out situation:

1st instance: friendly chat with neighbour

Still issues?

2nd: take fuse or drawer out as others have suggested

Imagine if the police took that approach, though. Once you tell the naughty person that their naughty deed is unacceptable (that they probably already had an idea about), does that mean they will never dream of doing it again or simply be more careful not to get caught?

Most people doing things they know are wrong aren't bothered about doing them: they're only bothered about being caught doing/having done them. They can easily note when OP is regularly away from home for an hour or more and then strike.

In fact, the neighbour has the perfect excuse by simply claiming that any clothes they miss after using OP's dryer and (nearly) emptying it were put there by their toddler trying to 'help'.

Also, the fact they have a toddler means they're probably quite used to dealing with 'accident'-laden clothing, so they might not be quite as fazed by the giant skiddy chocolate underpants as somebody without children might be.

Am I the only one fully expecting a new rapper to come on the scene using the stage name Giant Skiddy Chocolate Underpants?! Can't see it being too popular as the latest shade by Farrow & Ball, though

Can't see it being too popular as the latest shade by Farrow & Ball, though grin

They would call it "Skidoo"

Be careful removing the condenser drawer. What will happen if they use tge dryer without it? Very steamy room? Break the machine with the wet circulating?

@Winter2020 from what I've seen condenser drawers are at the front of the machine right next to the buttons / dial to set the machine. It would be pretty hard to miss.
Also I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work without the drawer as they have sensors for when it's full so pretty sure it could recognise somethings missing and not start?
That's what mine does anyway.

@Winter2020

Be careful removing the condenser drawer. What will happen if they use tge dryer without it? Very steamy room? Break the machine with the wet circulating?

Can't say the same for all dryers but mine won't turn on without the drawer in so presumably OPs is the same

Disappointed that no one has yet suggested going over there and “having it out, cheeky cow, and if she still did it I’d wallop her”. Which would make a more interesting change to the MN sponsored “hard stare” which does absolutely zero

Pull the machine out. Add and Ikea smart plug or similar. Push back. Control via phone app and only turn on electricity while you are using it. End of.

I want a drying room. Prepared to shared with a fellow MNer. Any takers?

@Winter2020

Be careful removing the condenser drawer. What will happen if they use tge dryer without it? Very steamy room? Break the machine with the wet circulating?

It doesn't work without the drawer or if the drawer is full of water.

Status SREMSOC Remote Control Socket https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007Y7D8Z6/ref=cmswwrcppapiglccfabcRJ5P0JDMBR60HNRQQNKF?psc=1

As the socket is behind the dryer, a simple remote controlled socket should do.
If the neighbours are determined to find out why the dryer isn't working they could pull it out but it depends how serious they are about their cheekyfuckery. That's when they need telling unequivocally (again as they are already aware) that it's your property and they are not to use it. Then get a dryer lock as already linked in this thread by previous posters.
You haven't got a video baby monitor by any chance have you? Or a wireless camera such as a battery powered cctv cam or a webcam? Something you could hide amongst the items on your shelving? At least you'll know if they're still at it and whether an ugly lock being permanently attached to your nice new dryer is needed.

How about this? A bike lock would stop them getting access to the plug

sourcing map Lockout Tagout Device Electrical Large Plug Lockout Tagout Box Lock Device for 13mm Cable Dia https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07X891JPS/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcNVN5AR16KXCH909RYSJP

Or this one comes with a padlock

SDENSHI Safety Padlock Safety Electrical Plug Lockout Box Plastic Power Plug Lock Out Padlock Tools Safety Padlock https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B083H5W3MF/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcAW1D3R3H3GC2KHND6J56??encoding=UTF8&psc=1

If you take the drawer out and the other machine is the same model, ndn would just put hers in if she's doing it to save her electricity.

Kill her Op, and shove her under someone's patio.

I wouldn't ask if she was using your dryer because she didn't ask you if she could use your dryer so no need to have a word with her but you DO need to take action and you already know she is a real cheeky fuck.Plan A** say absolutely nothing for the immediate moment until you leave a bottle of lotion for scabies on the shelf in the utility area and if your husband or partner could start scratching or even start furiously scratching yourself and moan about how you are prone to the ol scabies and how it drives you mad with all the extra laundry etc...now if she continues to use your dryer after that you need to move to plan B.

Well if OP is annoyed about someon e using their dryer they would be totally unreasonable using someone elses patio

@HeyDemonsItsYaGirl

Find 1,000 spiders and put them in the dryer. When you hear the screams and they ask wtf is going on, calmly say "Oh yes, that's where I keep my spiders."

Sorted.

This is the single greatest suggestion so far

I would use a baby camera and have my Alexa device in there and every time they walked in I would get it to say “I can see you using the machine....” “is this yours”

Or better still “hi I’m mr tumble and you aren’t my owner!!”

Just to freak them out.

OP you said you saw those socks on two separate occasions, what did you do with the first sock the first time?

Also they're terrible thieves for accidentally leaving evidence more than once. Do they not check their laundry afterwards to discover one sock is missing each time?