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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think tenant shouldn't have to hang curtains out of window

38 replies

NeighbourLeaving · 12/02/2022 17:12

A house very near to us recently sold and we think rented, has most of its curtains hung over the top of the windows, with the top foot hanging flapping in the wind and rain all day. Not sure if they are actual curtains or just blankets.
We need to sell our house and I think this would deter buyers from an otherwise nice street. Rarely see anyone coming or going from the house but have seen a woman and child once or twice. WIBU to knock and ask if they need curtains/ rails and either offer to write to their landlord/letting agent on their behalf, or to say we have some spare in our loft, let us know sizes and I'll dig them out if they fit (ie go buy them). I'm no good with a drill though so can't offer to put rails up. WWYD?

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 12/02/2022 17:16

I think a prospective buyer wouldn't notice and you're being a bit precious.

whatnumber · 12/02/2022 17:17

This would annoy me to but no way would I knock.
That is going too far and I don't think you would get a good reception!

thecatneuterer · 12/02/2022 17:18

@girlmom21

I think a prospective buyer wouldn't notice and you're being a bit precious.
Quite.
Original poster
NeighbourLeaving · 12/02/2022 17:20

Just to clarify it's a terraced street with no front gardens, front walls are directly onto the pavement.

OP posts:
BestKnitterInScotland · 12/02/2022 17:21

I would notice and it would bother me.

It says "the people who live in that property don;t care about their house" which rings HUGE alarm bells. I don't like the phrase but it's "lowering the tone" - especially if all other houses are well-kept and maintained.

The problem is that you can't do much about it.

Gladioli23 · 12/02/2022 17:23

It would put me off if they were actually next door, otherwise I probably wouldn't worry that much.

Just because with terraces you don't want to share maintenance responsibilities with people who don't look after their house more than anything!

Chakraleaf · 12/02/2022 17:26

@BestKnitterInScotland

I would notice and it would bother me.

It says "the people who live in that property don;t care about their house" which rings HUGE alarm bells. I don't like the phrase but it's "lowering the tone" - especially if all other houses are well-kept and maintained.

The problem is that you can't do much about it.

We rent

They said we can't drill.

No curtains... so I pin up sheets!

AgathaX · 12/02/2022 17:28

Depending on where you live, i think a prospective buyer very much would notice and possibly mind.

If you've never spoken to them then just going round offering curtains and rails may seem odd. Not sure what else you can do though so it's probably worth a go. I think you'd need to find someone to fit the rails though.

Freddiefox · 12/02/2022 17:28

No curtains... so I pin up sheets!

Command do some great hook which take the weight of a pole and curtains.. we had the same no drilling rule. This was a great solution

Lindy2 · 12/02/2022 17:31

So the windows are permanently covered with these blankets/curtains and never drawn back open?

There's also no one visibly living there apart from occasionally a woman and a child.

That would actually put me on alert for it potentially being a cannabis farm OP. Does the house get frost on the roof or is it also rather warm?....

Bagelsandbrie · 12/02/2022 17:31

I’m going to be honest and say yes it looks horrible and I wouldn’t like it if I came to view the street but I think it would be very rude to knock on the door / actually say something about it!

Dutch1e · 12/02/2022 17:40

I really don't understand the reticence to speak with your own neighbours. Knock, say hello, and mention in passing that you have spare curtains doing nothing in that 'loft' of yours.

How is it rude to offer something, if it's done in a friendly way?

Grayday · 12/02/2022 17:41

I made a curtain cut to size based on my own front window for next door and provided a tension pole before listing my house. They never put it up, kept their horrific hippie blanket in the window and I ended up asking for my pole back. Buyers didn't comment or appear to be put off, as is the market.

SheWoreYellow · 12/02/2022 17:42

I think it’s worth asking, what’s the worst that can happen. They say no?

CrinklyCraggy · 12/02/2022 17:45

I would notice and it would put me off a street, but I don't think you can ask them to change it. If you know them, you could maybe offer to help them out, but I can't see them receiving it well if this is your first contact.

Curtains aren't usually the landlord's responsibity

blanketyblanked · 12/02/2022 18:00

Yeah, you would be a CF to them

chesirecat99 · 12/02/2022 18:03

That is shocking, @Chakraleaf!

Although it is not law, it is usually expected that landlords will provide blinds or curtains. The landlord can't refuse to let you drill holes. It's your home. What they can do is charge you to fix any holes you leave but you can do that yourself. I would write to the landlord, asking them to provide curtains or blinds or curtain rods, or give you permission to install them. If they refuse, I would complain to your local Environmenta Health Officer. Lack of privacy, the inability to regulate light levels and stop heat being lost through windows are all things that are detrimental to mental and physical health.

Puddington · 12/02/2022 18:20

When I rented a terraced house a few years back one of the ones in the next street (so I could see it from my spare room window, terrible at explaining! Grin) had a window with the top bit of the curtain hanging out/flapping in the wind and rain at all times! I had never seen it before and haven't since. From what I could see it was a large family living there, not a cannabis farm or anything. Not sure if their landlord didn't provide the equipment for curtains or if it had broken or something but I did always used to think it must be quite miserable and drafty, and the curtains would be absolutely ruined of course. That said I didn't really think on it beyond mild curiosity and one house on a street doing it wouldn't put me off buying.

2bazookas · 12/02/2022 18:31

If any viewers ask about the other house and flappy curtains you just say " It's vacant, just been sold. " That's all they need to know.

Winter2020 · 12/02/2022 19:04

I think it would be nice if you could knock and say welcome to the neighbourhood, I live down the road etc and ask say I noticed you have not been able to hang your curtains - do you need a hand putting up poles? But unfortunately you have saud you can't do it/use a drill - a problem the home owner/renter probably shares. Do you know anyone handy with DIY that would be willing to help if the tenant agreed? They probably can't afford to prioritise it right now. If you can't help I would stay out of it. Still say hi but don't mention the curtains. I'm sure they know It's not ideal. We're not handy and had a sheet at our bathroom window for 2 years until a professional company put a blind up. We did spend money in those 2 years but had other priorities.

HappyDays40 · 12/02/2022 19:42

It wouldn't even enter my mind to ask

Original poster
NeighbourLeaving · 13/02/2022 10:13

Thanks, a big range of perspectives then! @Grayday that must have been frustrating but I'm glad it didn't deter your buyers.

OP posts:
CrinklyCraggy · 13/02/2022 10:21

I don't think anyone will "ask" but there will be people who look at the street and think they don't want to live there.

DropYourSword · 13/02/2022 10:24

We need to sell our house and I think this would deter buyers from an otherwise nice street.

If that is enough to put prospective buyers off your house, it can't be much of a catch!!

ViaRia · 13/02/2022 10:29

I don’t think it’s rude to offer something to a neighbour (and they can always say no thank you). The trouble is, I think it could possibly embarrass them to say ‘I notice you have curtains sticking out of your window and I assume that’s because you can’t afford a curtain pole. Would you like my old poles’.

I personally don’t think you should say anything as it seems like you don’t know these neighbours.

I would say, forget about their house and focus on ensuring your house is at its best and ready for viewings. If you find that buyers seem to be put off ‘by your neighbours’, ‘by the area’, etc., then maybe do speak to them about it. But don’t pre-empt it, as it may not even be an issue. Not all buyers are looking for a perfect family home. Some are looking to rent out, some have a tight budget and happy to put up with a minor bit of ugly on the street, others literally will not notice or care about their next door neighbours’ curtain situation.

In the mean-time, you could try to strike up other conversations with the neighbours. Introduce yourselves (if it’s not too late/ weird to do that), say hello when you pass them, be a nice neighbour. Then, if or when the time comes they you need to talk to them about it, you will hopefully have a better idea of how to tackle it.