Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep removing this sign

53 replies

DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 14:28

It's one about deliveries.

Background:
Live in flats, my building itself has 10 but it's in a gated compound with lots of these buildings. We have small mailboxes outside and then one door to enter but with no trades button. 3 floors.

Whenever I've not been in for a delivery, which is 95% of the time as I go out to work, courier gets buzzed in by another neighbour and packages are left in communal area or sometimes outside the door. I've never had an issue and am always grateful that they are left as it can be a pain to arrange a re delivery.

About a week ago, I came home to find a note taped on the front door (has glass and was facing outside) saying that a package for them had been left in the communal area but had been taken and they were asking for it back. They then ended it with 'its not nice to steal' which I was a bit Hmm about as I've once had a package accidentally left outside my door and I didn't realise until the next day when I went to open it. I of course gave it to its rightful owner. I've also never had an issue in the time I've lived there (over a year).

Anyway I assumed they were jumping to conclusions and it was probably a case of courier listing item as delivered when it hadn't been. Note eventually disappeared and all was quiet.

Then a couple days ago I found a new typed note taped in the door, something to the effect of 'deliveries: DO NOT leave items in the communal area as it's not safe.' It isn't an official notice form the property management company. I assume it's from the neighbour, and I removed the sign as I don't want it putting delivery drivers off leaving things.

Well last night another one was taped again. Slightly different words but essentially the same message, but now it's 'dangerous' to leave packages in the communal area.

My AIBU: was IBU, to remove it again this morning? I had a delivery due, and wanted to receive it! I've since received an email stating that it has in fact been delivered and left in the communal area.

To reiterate, this is not an official notice, those are always headed and signed and pinned to a notice board. I just feel like if one tenant isn't happy with their items being left then they need to put that in their delivery notes, and not dictate how everyone else in the building receives their post?

OP posts:
Tigertigertigertiger · 13/12/2021 14:32

Yup, I’d keep removing it , but if you know who is putting it up perhaps you could have a chat with them ?

They could modify the sign to say “please do not leave items for flat c (whichever is their flat ) in the communal area “

Hellodarknessmyoldpal · 13/12/2021 14:34

YANBU i would prefer my packages left in communal area rather than arranging them to be redelivered. If you know who is leaving the note maybe ask them to attach to their own front door?

Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 14:48

@Tigertigertigertiger

Yup, I’d keep removing it , but if you know who is putting it up perhaps you could have a chat with them ?

They could modify the sign to say “please do not leave items for flat c (whichever is their flat ) in the communal area “

I only know the door number, not who lives there. The first message about 'stealing' stated the flat but the subsequent notices haven't. I don't feel comfortable just knocking on their door having a face to face
OP posts:
housemaus · 13/12/2021 14:51

I dunno, I've been the person whose parcels kept mysteriously going missing from a communal hallway and it was an absolute nightmare to get drivers to stop leaving it (because they saw other peoples' and assumed it was fine).

Similar to what a PP has said, maybe leave a sign saying "Parcels for Flat X can be left" so yours will be left there/add it into all your delivery notes for orders?

Theremoresefulday · 13/12/2021 14:53

It isn’t safe to leave parcels there if they are getting nicked though?

I’d do as a pp suggests and put your own sign up saying “parcels for flat x can be left …”

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 13/12/2021 14:53

YANBU in circumstances like this anyone who puts up such a sign should identify themselves so others know who to discuss it with. One person can't expect to make a unilateral rule.

chesirecat99 · 13/12/2021 14:54

The best solution would be to leave a note on the back of the notice for the person asking them to modify it to specify not to leave parcels for them only or modify it yourself to say it is ok to leave parcels for you.

TBH, I have sympathy for them. I am fed up of couriers leaving packages in our communal area despite giving specific instructions not to do that when I order and items being stolen. I'm even more fed up of neighbours I don't know using me as their unpaid concierge service because I WFH.

It might be a pain having to arrange a redelivery but not as much of a pain as it is for the person having to accept 95% of deliveries for 10 flats. Don't order things to be delivered unless you know you will be home, send the item to your office or a pick up point or pay extra for specific day delivery. You are probably in breach of your lease allowing items to be left in communal areas (fire regualtions) unless the item fits in your mail box.

I may be rather grouchy about the subject having had to take in 4 packages so far today Angry

londonrach · 13/12/2021 14:56

Yabu..I'm surprised it's allowed due to fire regulations.

chesirecat99 · 13/12/2021 14:57

One person can't expect to make a unilateral rule

TBF, @daimbarsatemydogsbone, it probably already is a unilateral rule. It's against fire regs to leave anything in communal hallways.

Tal45 · 13/12/2021 15:03

They need to put up a note asking for THEIR parcels not to be left in communal areas. I'm sure they think they're being helpful so I'd just have a word.

SoupDragon · 13/12/2021 15:06

It might be a pain having to arrange a redelivery but not as much of a pain as it is for the person having to accept 95% of deliveries for 10 flats.

Yes... what poor person has to keep letting couriers in?

Laiste · 13/12/2021 15:07

Well, it could be the fire risk thing ...

But if it was me in this situation i would put up a very clearly written note right above/below theirs which said:

Flat no.9 (your number OP) requests that you leave packages for them in the communal area please.

Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 15:08

@chesirecat99

The best solution would be to leave a note on the back of the notice for the person asking them to modify it to specify not to leave parcels for them only or modify it yourself to say it is ok to leave parcels for you.

TBH, I have sympathy for them. I am fed up of couriers leaving packages in our communal area despite giving specific instructions not to do that when I order and items being stolen. I'm even more fed up of neighbours I don't know using me as their unpaid concierge service because I WFH.

It might be a pain having to arrange a redelivery but not as much of a pain as it is for the person having to accept 95% of deliveries for 10 flats. Don't order things to be delivered unless you know you will be home, send the item to your office or a pick up point or pay extra for specific day delivery. You are probably in breach of your lease allowing items to be left in communal areas (fire regualtions) unless the item fits in your mail box.

I may be rather grouchy about the subject having had to take in 4 packages so far today Angry

I think your idea of a note on the back of the note is a good idea.

Neighbours don't actually 'take in' the package, they are just buzzed in. Actually, most of my packages that are delivered this way come from Amazon, and on the odd occasion that I've been in the delivery guy has a bunch for the flat and just buzzed the first door then goes about delivering to everyone. However it would be a pain to be the one always getting buzzed.

There's also an unlocked storage cupboard that I am happy for items to be left in and that's my first choice for other couriers, but not all couriers have the option to even enter that in on delivery notes. Second choice is to be left at a local shop, but again depending on the company it's not always an option. So when I say 95% of my deliveries, I mean the ones that I haven't been able to redirect elsewhere (but acknowledge that it will no doubt fall on someone else to buzz the door open).

I'd love to be able to WFH so that I never miss a delivery. I also wish that companies used Royal Mail more as I'm happy to collect at the delivery office.

OP posts:
Laiste · 13/12/2021 15:10

I imagined the door to the communal area is not one you have to ring to get into.

So the communal area is as accessible to deliveries like a normal doorstep?

Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 15:12

@Laiste

Well, it could be the fire risk thing ...

But if it was me in this situation i would put up a very clearly written note right above/below theirs which said:

Flat no.9 (your number OP) requests that you leave packages for them in the communal area please.

This is a fair point, mostly my packages are left against my front door, but this note specifically mentioned the communal area as that's where their package had apparently been left, and I thought the overall tone would put off anyone leaving a package unattended at all. I'm ground floor, usually the ones that stay in the hall are for higher flats.

Again, if it's a note from the property management company then of course it is what it is. But it's not

OP posts:
Laiste · 13/12/2021 15:12

Ah buzzed in.

So on the note say deliveries for flat 9 (or whatever) to be put in storage cupboard please.

Laiste · 13/12/2021 15:13

I'm with you by the way. I would be really annoyed if one person veto'd leaving packages for residents.

Teaandcakeordeath83 · 13/12/2021 15:17

I bloody hated the constant parcels being dumped in our old flat communal area. Some would be there for days, it was a narrow hall and the piles of crap that just got left around made getting in and out with three kids/ shopping/ more than one person in the hallway just impossible. One parcel quickly became five followed by someone leaving a bike/ leaflets/ random boxes of shite that people were "welcome to take". My youngest tripped over someone's Asos bag mountain that slipped out in front of her....

Yabu. Arrange alternative delivery dates and locations if you can't be in for your parcel or ask the delivery company to leave your parcels directly outside your front door.

Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 15:17

I guess it's one of those things where someone loses no matter what. Either couriers leave packages and they go missing and get grief or they are really strict and it causes an inconvenience to receive.

I had absolute dramas with Yodel because they refused to deliver without a signature, and they hadn't turned up when they said they would the one time I was actually in! So then they kept coming when I was at work and I was missing it, and their nearest depot is a trek.

I wish we had a Trades button, but the buildings are old and we have to physically unlock it with a key every time we enter.

OP posts:
Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 15:20

@Teaandcakeordeath83

I bloody hated the constant parcels being dumped in our old flat communal area. Some would be there for days, it was a narrow hall and the piles of crap that just got left around made getting in and out with three kids/ shopping/ more than one person in the hallway just impossible. One parcel quickly became five followed by someone leaving a bike/ leaflets/ random boxes of shite that people were "welcome to take". My youngest tripped over someone's Asos bag mountain that slipped out in front of her....

Yabu. Arrange alternative delivery dates and locations if you can't be in for your parcel or ask the delivery company to leave your parcels directly outside your front door.

I have to say this isn't the case in our building at all, but see where you're coming from.

I specifically mentioned the communal area as others parcels are usually left there and this was the case for the note-maker. Mine are usually left outside my door as I'm ground floor.

Also to add, when they're left In the communal area they are left in the space under the stairs. It's right next to the main door.

OP posts:
fabulousathome · 13/12/2021 15:24

In my block we turned off the Trades button as everyone though it was a security risk.

We have a large porch at the front which is unlocked 24/7 sometimes parcels are left there. I am not aware of anything having been stolen.

There's no easy answer to this problem unless they allow you to have a parcel box outside each front door.

MargaretThursday · 13/12/2021 15:27

if yours are fine and others are being pinched then we know who's prime suspect then Grin

Original poster
DickMabutt73962 · 13/12/2021 15:30

@MargaretThursday

if yours are fine and others are being pinched then we know who's prime suspect then Grin
Haha! I did think that if they saw me removing the sign they'd think it was me 😂

I honestly think (maybe I'm being naive) that it's a courier issue as honestly I've had stuff left outside in an accessible area and it's never been pinched! So I find it hard to believe it was taken from the inside. We are a small number of people living there, can't see why someone would steal!

OP posts:
NMC2022 · 13/12/2021 15:33

@SoupDragon

It might be a pain having to arrange a redelivery but not as much of a pain as it is for the person having to accept 95% of deliveries for 10 flats.

Yes... what poor person has to keep letting couriers in?

Me in my black Angry If I don't answer the buzzer, we get no post and I'm the only one working!!
chesirecat99 · 13/12/2021 15:42

Neighbours don't actually 'take in' the package, they are just buzzed in.

It is still a huge pain having to answer the door multiple times a day when you are in meetings or trying to concentrate.

I had absolute dramas with Yodel because they refused to deliver without a signature

Yodel have collection points. I think all couriers do.

Swipe left for the next trending thread