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?

You never know what else your plug is being used for.
😂😂😂

OP, sell your tumble dryer and replace it with a clothes horse.

This was in purpose. Honestly the cheek of some people! I would lock it without speaking to them.

My uncle lived in France. When he died, we gave his neighbours, who he was very friendly with, a key just to keep an eye on the place. Turns out that they'd been using his washer and dryer and had appropriated his vacuum cleaner to their house.
People can be cheeky. I don't blame you for being annoyed. I do think you could just have a pleasant chat with them and if that doesn't get you anywhere, buy one of those socket covers.

Label your dryer.

Does anyone remember the very long (and possibly unresolved) thread where the poster was convinced someone was using her tumble drier at night?

Maybe she found the culprits and they have relocated next door to OP.

www.amazon.co.uk/LACKINGONE-Refrigerator-Fridge-Rustproof-Freezer/dp/B07YBVVSF7/ref=asc_df_B07YBVVSF7/?hvlocphy=1007280&hvlocphy=1007280&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvnetw=g&hvadid=410504097720&hvadid=410504097720&hvpone&hvpone&hvlocint&hvlocint&ref&hvpos&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-833445777014&hvtargid=pla-833445777014&hvrand=17055481175170419781&hvrand=17055481175170419781&adgrpid=89992321153

Yeah I think they are using your dryer as well as own to save time . It’s a bit cheeky if from your electric etc . So speak to her say you found 2 socks and not to use the dryer .

I wouldn't bother talking to them, they've had the conversation about what belongs to who already. And I can't see an estate agent neglecting to give them the basic facts.

I'd simply put a socket lock on the wall, and have a lock box for the items on the shelf.

@amylou8

Turn it off at the consumer unit if the utility has its own switch, or take the fuse out the plug. I'd be keeping an eye on my washing powder too!!

That, too!

I would go round with the socks. I’d lightly say you found them in your machine so just wanted to check they know which is theirs and which is yours.

You both know they know it’s your drier. However, at this stage you don’t want a row about it, so feign ignorance of the fact they know.

If it happens again, I’d mention that the electricity is linked to your specific property and therefore their use of your dryer is costing you. If you feel you want to mention this at this point you can, it I’d probably wait to see if it happens again.

I’d also randomly pop into the drying room at different times just to see if they are using yours again.

I think a first light hearted, no blame conversation is needed. These things can often be solved better like this than with big conflict. However, it could continue and if it does you might have to be firmer and take further action...but it might be avoidable.

Put a lock on your tumble dryer
Bin anything you find in there before you get the lock on it.

Buy a pet snake and house it in your dryer.

I need to know more about the room. Surely it also houses the washing machine? I’m actually anxious that you have a washer in your flat and a dryer in another room. Why would anyone design that?!

I used to live in Germany and loved the thought, space and consideration given to laundry.

Oh, and your neighbours are CFs. No need to spare their feelings.

They don't understand that they only rent/own one of the dryers?
They think both are communal?

Just tell them. Then stick your name on your dryer and their name on their dryer.

I'd go with the lock without a conversation.
I think they will just get better at hiding they are using it if you tell them about the sock - as you said, OP, it's not like they don't know...

I thou they were probably splitting a load to do it quicker.

That is the weirdest set up I've ever read about why didn't they just give the flats less landing space and more flat space and then everyone could have their appliances in their actual home

The neighbour could have avoided any conflict by only using her own machine.

No more conversations should have been necessary after the ‘this is my machine - this is yours’

The neighbour is at fault. They know fine what they’re doing.

A nice big lock on the socket will make it clear that the OP is not to be taken for a mug.

Camel tethered.

@PolarnOPirate

That is the weirdest set up I've ever read about why didn't they just give the flats less landing space and more flat space and then everyone could have their appliances in their actual home

It's common in some countries, this set up.

I agree with PolarnOPirate
If it’s not a communal launderette type space it’s an odd setup
Isn’t there anywhere in your flat to put your dryer to stop this altogether?

Another example of a mumsnetter not doing the obvious and most simple thing, which is communicate with the neighbours!

Just like on the landlord/tray thread.

Bin the socks and lock the socket. Or sock the bins and lick the locket.

@RampantIvy

Remove the fuse from the plug to your dryer

THIS!

Removing the fuse sounds like a faff if the fuse is inside and needs to be unscrewed. I’d go for the socket lock (fab, never knew they existed!) or removing the water collector thing as PP suggested. On reflexion I would not give the socks back. Missing staff would further discourage them from using yours.

stuff