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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My washing line annoying neighbour

407 replies

Afrodizzyak · 12/04/2022 16:21

We have a new neighbour who has complained to me about my laundry hanging on the line ruining her view. It's just run of the mill laundry, no crutchless knickers or bondage gear, so not offensive. At first I ignored her, but she later told me she had photographed it and would complain to council.
I'm not the only neighbour she has complained to, another about his whistling, which is piercing her ears, having sensitive hearing and she asked another neighbour to keep his windows and doors closed whilst cooking as it made her nauseous.
It's not just humans she intolerant of, if a bird is singing, she will start growling to scare it away.
Before she moved here, we all just dodged along fine.
Is there any law against hanging washing? I'm not tumble drying our family's wash when not necessary.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Ukholidaysaregreat · 12/04/2022 19:51

16:39bloodywhitecat that is genius!!

nannykatherine · 12/04/2022 19:55

Someone who doesn’t like birds singing ??????? Crikey

saleorbouy · 12/04/2022 19:55

Just tell her it's eco friendly and not a permanent installation.
She sounds like the complaining type uf she seems to find fault with everyone.

Dixiechickonhols · 12/04/2022 19:59

Is she British. I know in America some communities have a no hanging washing out restriction.

Heartofglass12345 · 12/04/2022 20:02

Please please please hang up some croctchless knickers and bondage gear, and say 'thought it was about time it had a wash' Grin

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 12/04/2022 20:04

@nannykatherine

Someone who doesn’t like birds singing ??????? Crikey
Tbh... I was routing for a cat to find the magpie screeching this morning at half past 5 🤣
Chloemol · 12/04/2022 20:04

She is nuts

Personally I would not be putting a big 6 foot fence round the garden, accidentally adding trellis in top ( yes I know the rules ) and tha5 can be her view

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 12/04/2022 20:05

@sjxoxo

I hate washing lines and find them visually ugly.. I wouldn’t have one and I wouldn’t want my neighbours to have one where I could see their undies from my kitchen haha but I also wouldn’t complain about it to the council! x
Would you complain about it to your neighbours though?!?
Whyamiwastingtime · 12/04/2022 20:06

Can you don this ?

My washing line annoying neighbour
VodselForDinner · 12/04/2022 20:06

I’m loving all the funny ideas.

That said, the only way to deal with lunatics is to disengage and give them nothing to go on.

“If you feel the need to count act the council about my washing, please feel free to do so. Now, please leave my property and don’t call again”.

Repeat as required.

Do you have a number for the owner of the house? I’d fill them in on what’s happening and remind them that any neighbour disputes will need to be disclosed if/when they sell the house.

Hugasauras · 12/04/2022 20:11

I actually like seeing clean washing hanging up outside! I'm in a fairly new build house and all the properties in our estate were built with whirlies in the back garden for hanging washing. On nice days, plenty of people are hanging washing out!

saraclara · 12/04/2022 20:12

@Afrodizzyak

Thanks all for advice. I have never experienced anything like this before and just completely bemused by her way of thinking. She's renting the house next door as owner moved away which is a shame.
Do you know the owner? Would they write to her and ask her to stop pissing the neighbours off?!
allmysons · 12/04/2022 20:16

She's bonkers.
I like it when I see my neighbours washing out as they are reliable sources of good weather checks. It means it will be a dry day so I then hang my washing out.

tkwal · 12/04/2022 20:18

In Spain , quite a lot of developments are managed by a committee of residents and they can impose rules on just about anything. I know of one which doesn't allow laundry to be hung anywhere but the roof terrace. Up 3 flights of stairs from the laundry room.And people who rent aren't permitted to have pets

ArtVandalay · 12/04/2022 20:24

Wow. I'd be pegging out washing every day just to annoy her. She's bonkers.

And I say that as someone that removed the washing line when we moved in as it spoiled the aesthetic! But I can't police the neighbours.

BrightOrangeOrange · 12/04/2022 20:28

@sjxoxo

I hate washing lines and find them visually ugly.. I wouldn’t have one and I wouldn’t want my neighbours to have one where I could see their undies from my kitchen haha but I also wouldn’t complain about it to the council! x
I've heard it all now OP and this quote made me laugh too.

It is normal to hang your washing out. Loads better and cheaper than to tumble dry.

Original poster
Afrodizzyak · 12/04/2022 20:33

I live in an average 3 bedroom family house in UK. No restrictions on hanging washing and most neighbours do this.
I do feel sorry for the birds, busy at the moment nest building. We even have a crows' nest in a nearby tree, so you can imagine she has a full time job growling.

OP posts:
SquirrelG · 12/04/2022 20:34

She's an idiot - let her complain to the Council, it will give them a good laugh! I would also make sure I whistled while I was hanging it out if I were you.

SquirrelG · 12/04/2022 20:37

I hate washing lines and find them visually ugly.. I wouldn’t have one and I wouldn’t want my neighbours to have one where I could see their undies from my kitchen haha but I also wouldn’t complain about it to the council!

OMG - where do these strange people come from? I have been around for over 60 years, and have NEVER heard anyone say anything like this. I couldn't care less about seeing anyone's undies hanging on a line.

WonderfulYou · 12/04/2022 20:42

Washing lines are for hanging out your washing.

I hope she does report you to the council and I hope they tell her how absolutely ridiculous she is being.

I would be tempted to ring the council and ask what the rules are about her photographing your washing.
I’m sure they’ll be aware of her.

I’d put out washing every single day even in the rain but maybe not underwear incase she puts it in SM or something.

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 12/04/2022 20:44

Only one thing to do........ buy several windchimes and hang them around your garden to help drown out her whining the bird noise for her

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 12/04/2022 20:44

I'd hang a couple of dogs towels on the line as a permanent fixture

JustLyra · 12/04/2022 20:47

@Afrodizzyak

Thanks all for advice. I have never experienced anything like this before and just completely bemused by her way of thinking. She's renting the house next door as owner moved away which is a shame.
If she gets harassing then complain to her landlord.
OfstedOffred · 12/04/2022 20:47

She is batshit, obviously.

But when you say you have your washing line "propped up high" what do you mean?

Ya possibly bu if you have erected a 10ft high rotary drier.

Fernshire · 12/04/2022 20:52

I'd tell her to fuck off next time and tell her you'll report her for harassment if she doesn't leave you alone which would be taken more seriously than her batshit complaints.