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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think neighbours are using my dryer?

486 replies

DontThinkSoBro · 07/04/2021 14:21

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?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Wingedharpy · 07/04/2021 15:59

Lockable socket cover, £5 from Amazon.
Say nowt.
Job done.

Pusspot · 07/04/2021 16:00

I would clean the filter after you use your dryer, and then check it before you use it next time.

HarryElephante · 07/04/2021 16:00

@FleetwoodRaincoat

How old are the children? Could one of them have been sent to do the drying and used the wrong one by mistake?
Oh, come on!

That's giving them the benefit of the doubt and doesn't get lawyers/locksmiths/cctv/police/scooby doo involved.

SeaToSki · 07/04/2021 16:01

Are you sure no one from a different floor could be sneaking into your room and using your dryer. Clearly someone else is, but it might not be the neighbour on your floor

Notjustanymum · 07/04/2021 16:02

Can you switch off the power to it from your flat, OP? There must be some way of ensuring they are not abstracting (stealing) your power supply. If not, get an electrician to add one from your flat...they won’t be able to use it then...

Sleepdeprivedmama1 · 07/04/2021 16:04

Echo the socket cover lock thing that others have suggested and keep an inventory on what you have in that room, since you said you keep other things above the tumble dryer (just in case they help themselves!)

Wingedharpy · 07/04/2021 16:06

Dig a moat around dryer and install piranhas.
Mention, in passing, how much worse your oozing skin pustules are doing since you changed your dryer and you wondered how that could be.
Employ a bouncer to stand guard beside dryer 24/7.
Sell up and move.

Beautiful3 · 07/04/2021 16:07

Think I would explain nicely that mines on the left and the electricity comes from my flat. If it continues I'd do what other ops have suggested, and get a lockable plug socket. They look like a great idea, and stops cheeky neighbours from adding to your electric bill.

AndeanMountainCat · 07/04/2021 16:09

Put lots of tools and useful scrap materials in the drying room and then lock the A Team in there.

Beautiful3 · 07/04/2021 16:09

@Pusspot

"I would clean the filter after you use your dryer, and then check it before you use it next time."

I love this idea, its simple, yet genius!

Whythesadface · 07/04/2021 16:10

Just lock the plugs. You never know what else your plug is being used for.
This ways even if they ask you just smile say sorry, but your just making sure your white goods are safe.

stablefeet · 07/04/2021 16:13

What? Why on earth wouldn't anyone just take the sock round and say "You left a sock in my dryer. I'm sure it's a misunderstanding, but please don't use it again". Then you get one of these plug lock things just to be belt and braces about it.

ProfessionalWeirdo · 07/04/2021 16:15

@Pusspot

I would clean the filter after you use your dryer, and then check it before you use it next time.
This might provide evidence that someone else is using the dryer, but it won't stop the offenders from doing it again.
TatianaBis · 07/04/2021 16:15

Who knew you could get socket locks? MN at its greatest. I have just taken delivery of my silicon jam spoon, also MN suggestion.

WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot1 · 07/04/2021 16:15

@DontThinkSoBro do you have/can you get one of those monitors so you see your usage in real time. I imagine it will go high when the drier is on. If you have nicely reiterated not to use your drier, you can then go downstairs and chuck their nicely washed stuff on the floor whilst damp. And put a nice towel or something in there in its place (you know, you removed their stuff as you needed to use YOUR drier) or just leave it empty, if you prefer.

Lordamighty · 07/04/2021 16:17

They are not nice people if they are using your dryer & stealing your electricity.
Bin the socks & either remove the fuse or water collection tray from the dryer.
If you don’t put a stop to it they will just carry on, making sure they don’t leave anything behind to give the game away in future.

ilovebrie8 · 07/04/2021 16:17

Just talk to them...say you found some socks which are not yours in your dryer. Can they use their own as it costs you electricity...simples...

RickiTarr · 07/04/2021 16:17

[quote Beautiful3]@Pusspot

"I would clean the filter after you use your dryer, and then check it before you use it next time."

I love this idea, its simple, yet genius![/quote]
It’s only information, though. You’d still have to take some action.

TristantheTyrannosaurus · 07/04/2021 16:18

@nancywhitehead

Just talk to her about it and ask her to stop using your drier.

It's weird when people post threads on here about such inanely simple things! Honestly! It obviously just needs a conversation and if she continues then you will have to put a lock of some kind on your drier.

But it doesn't need a conversation. The OP can just put a socket lock on, turn the power off at the source from her home/remove the fuse, or take the water container out if it's a condenser one.
PuppyMonkey · 07/04/2021 16:19

Put a big official looking Hazard warning sign on the front of it saying "Danger of death - awaiting repair." Grin

DeadlyMedally · 07/04/2021 16:20

I don't think the people with the conversational scripts realise how irritating and transparent they come across. I'd I were the neighbour in question, a thinly-veiled accusation that would sour the relationship whether it was deliberate or not. That level of subterfuge is just insulting tbh.

Personally, I'd just switch it off from the fusebox or remove some essential part when it's not in use.
On the off-chance that they really didn't realise and they ask you what's going on with the dryer, you can tell them that your electricity bill had spiked so you stopped leaving it on standby and you can share a laugh when you "realise" that it was because of your neighbour using it.

They're probably aware that you're paying though.

SheldonesqueIsAlmostHuman · 07/04/2021 16:21

OP had the conversation.

Someone is still using her machine.

Conversations only work if the other person is reasonable/not a CF.

NoGoodPunsLeft · 07/04/2021 16:23

If they are cheeky enough to effectively steal their neighbours ' electricity all.a nice chat will do is make them cover their tracks better. These people aren't your friends so just make it unusable when you aren't using it so they cant. What are they going to do, complain to you Confused

Edtheduck82 · 07/04/2021 16:25

Is she approachable? Could you just repeat to her which side is her's . . . and if that doesn't work then can you turn your dryer off?

TatianaBis · 07/04/2021 16:26

@SheldonesqueIsAlmostHuman

OP had the conversation.

Someone is still using her machine.

Conversations only work if the other person is reasonable/not a CF.

They’ve not had a conversation about using her machine, simply a conversation about whose machine is whose.
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