AIBU: Neighbours watering our garden

[TheNewKaren]

I’m not sure what to think of this: Our neighbours have a very far reaching watering system that completely soakes our entire garden, including us, if we get caught unawares. It reaches over a 2 m high fence and across the width of the garden on our side. On the one hand it’s useful, on the other we can’t use the garden all evening, because they will turn it on most nights at around 8:00 p.m. AIBU to object to this? Btw they have not asked if this is ok.

The kids are thinking just to accept it and hope they will stop

That’s nice but what are the adults thinking?

Your being really weird
Just say, oh hi, I don’t think you know but your watering system soaks my garden to.

Option 1: I don’t mind! But I like to sit out of an evening so could you set it to come on at (insert time of choice)
Option 2: can you move it so it doesn’t come over! Thanks so much!

Go out in the garden starkers and dance in the rain, singing loudly- that might stop them

@BoattoBolivia
Kate bush style!!

Get a power washer, stand up on a ladder, point in their direction and if they say anything say you thought it was a game.

Good grief, so many people seemingly terrified of any interaction. Just talk to them, ffs. Their watering should not be preventing you from using your garden. If they water at night they can surely do so a few hours later.

Such a non issue - just speak to them.

Sorry OP, but posters like you give me the rage a bit. Why so drippy about talking to them?

Just got talk to them.
Is there a reason you don’t want to talk to them?

You can do it in a friendly and polite way. Along the lines of “we were out in the garden last night when your watering system came on and the water came into our garden. Is there any chance it could be put on a bit later or adjusted so it doesn’t come over our fence in case we are in the garden”.

@Lipz

Get a power washer, stand up on a ladder, point in their direction and if they say anything say you thought it was a game.

This

Just tell them you don't appreciate the forecast after 8pm in your garden every night to be wet regardless of weather

They probably have a timer which can be adjusted. But you have to tell them there's a problem first

Why would you not just ask them? They very most likely don't know.

What kind of repercussions are you worried about? Unless there is some back story here?

I don't know why but this thread is very funny!

Next time it happens, get soaked, go and ring on their bell soaking wet, point out the issue, the end.

Or never speak up and never use your garden ¯\(ツ)/¯

Go round and speak to them BUT before you do put some old clothes on and stand in the shower and arrive on their doorstep dripping wet...

@Taliskerskye

Your being really weird Just say, oh hi, I don’t think you know but your watering system soaks my garden to.

Option 1: I don’t mind! But I like to sit out of an evening so could you set it to come on at (insert time of choice)
Option 2: can you move it so it doesn’t come over! Thanks so much!

This ^

I don't understand why you wouldn't knock and have a chat with them

@Briarshollow

Sorry OP, but posters like you give me the rage a bit. Why so drippy about talking to them?

Ha ha….Cos she’s wet.

Hello neighbour, I don't think you realise that your water is going in our garden. Can you adjust it so it doesn't - thanks 🤷‍♀️

People are so often weird and entitled. They won’t stop so if you want to use your garden in the evening, you’llneed to tell them the effect it’s having.If they’re then unreasonable, contact the council.

My neighbours' sprinkler was also watering the patio where our dining table was. I stood on a chair and yelled over the fence to tell her. She apologised, we both laughed, and she moved it.
Problem solved.

This is the second thread I've come across this evening where no-one has tried the simple remedy of asking neighbours politely to stop doing something that is causing problems. OK, it might not work, but until you try there's no point in looking for alternative solutions.

Ask them to adjust the timer to later in the evening so that you can use your back garden. I wouldn't be too shy about asking nicely...you've nothing to lose. I am not that bothered about being besties with neighbours & you need to establish boundaries. Mine is a nosey one who comes out if she sees me in the garden & spends her time tinkering about waiting for an opportunity to interrogate me......I can only take her in small doses. Early days she'd take every chance to ask me about my job, my family, my car & on & on...personal stuff....& she then comments on things in my garden (not a massive hose spraying all over her & hers...not yet!!) yet if you ask her anything she is very vague or else a bit fantastical/grandiose. I regularly interact (work context) with local business & individuals who know her via workplace local business so I hear things relating to her employment & it is apparent from what she tells me about work etc (unprompted) that she is unaware that I know what she actually does (versus what she told me she does). I usually have head phones around my neck at the ready when I hear the back door...... I'm not impolite or obvious but I don't like being beset most times I step out!

I'd just say it to them & hope they are considerate enough to stop.

@ZombieEthel

Why are you worried about repercussions? They're just your neighbours, not the mafia.

That's when we get a massive drip feed saying they actually are the mafia 😁

Sure if you dont want to speak to them you could try to manifest that it goes away?

That's when we get a massive drip feed
Surely the massive drip feed is right there in the OP

I REALLY don't get the mentality of people who post on mumsnet when a knock on your neighbour's door and a polite conversation would probably sort it.

Just go knock on their door and ask.