Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour wants to sit in my garden

90 replies

mackthepony · 19/08/2022 17:02

Not sure if IABU or just curmudgeonly.

Neighbour is selling her house. Has a visit this afternoon. Wants to sit in our garden in the shade (hot here today) for one hour with her dog whilst the estate agent shows the house.

We live near a huge, leafy park with benches.

Not sure why this has pissed me off really as it doesn't affect me, but why can't she just sit in the park for an hour?

Aibu?

OP posts:
Vikinga · 19/08/2022 17:03

So she can be next to the house and maybe overhear some comments, be close if they need her etc?

Sunnyqueen · 19/08/2022 17:04

I would let either of mine. I don't see the issue she just wants to sit there with her dog.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 19/08/2022 17:05

I would let her.

JenGin · 19/08/2022 17:05

I think as a one off it's probably okay, isn't it? She probably just wants to be close by. If she does it for every viewing then I'd start to get a bit miffed. Also, is it a massive house? Because an hour seems very long for a viewing!

LookItsMeAgain · 19/08/2022 17:05

"I'm sorry but that doesn't work for me. Why not take a quick stroll around the park instead?"
should cover it.

TheFlis12345 · 19/08/2022 17:05

Do you normally get on with them? I would absolutely let our neighbours do this but we regard them as good friends and we socialise together a lot.

Amipreg1 · 19/08/2022 17:05

Personally I wouldn't have a problem with this. We get on well with our neighbours and its not like its putting you out in any way.

If for whatever reason you don't want her to, it's quite easy to say no. I wouldn't ever expect any favours if you need them though.

latetothefisting · 19/08/2022 17:06

Well I suppose she wants to be on hand in case there are any questions, or wants to be sneaky and overhear any comments, or wants to keep an eye just incase they try to nick anything, or thinks they probably won't be an hour so thinks if she's next door she can pop home if they finish early. Quite a lot of possibilities really! I don't think it's a particularly bizarre thing to want to do although I personally would just go to the park, and can also see why you would prefer she'd not do it as it is a bit awkward!

AtomicBlondeRose · 19/08/2022 17:06

It depends if you like her. I mean the neighbourly thing to do would be to make her a cup of tea and sit out there for a chat if it’s only an hour. I’m antisocial as hell and even I would do that!

Brigante9 · 19/08/2022 17:07

Bit odd to ask. I’d just take the dog somewhere cool/for a swim.

RatherBeRiding · 19/08/2022 17:08

If you get on with her then it seems fine - she is probably thinking it won't take that long so she will see when they leave and can go straight home rather than hanging around for an hour somewhere unnecessarily.

notanothertakeaway · 19/08/2022 17:08

That seems a perfectly reasonable request, provided the dog doesn't sh*t on your lawn

Original poster
mackthepony · 19/08/2022 17:09

If she does it for every viewing then I'd start to get a bit miffed.

^

Yeah, this is my worry really. She recently got rid of her car too and so can't even go and sit in that.

She doesn't live right next door so the eavesdropping thing is moot. She next door but two

OP posts:
Hobbesmanc · 19/08/2022 17:09

Presumably if she asked you she feels you're on good terms. She probably just wants to be close so she can go straight back home if the viewing is only a few minutes.

Seems a little anti neighbourly to be cross unless there's some other background

Surplus2requirements · 19/08/2022 17:10

I've got the same issue, personally I don't mind though. She very elderly and doesn't really want to sell so I think it's a little unpleasant for her. She been round a couple of times in the last week and minds her own business generally but it's been nice to have a little chat as I go about my day.

If you don't want her to, why don't you tell her you dont?

She might think you a little un-neighbourly and to be fair it kinda is a bit but it's not a big deal.

Original poster
mackthepony · 19/08/2022 17:10

Didn't think about dog shit. Or the fluff tbh

OP posts:
Blossomtoes · 19/08/2022 17:10

Seems all right to me. It’s not like she asked to have a nap on your bed.

Pugdogmom · 19/08/2022 17:11

I personally wouldn't have an issue with it ,but that's obviously up to you?

eldora · 19/08/2022 17:11

Front garden or back garden?
Would you have to let her in to the garden through a gate?
Is she bringing her own chair?

I think it would be a nice thing to do.

Ravenblack1 · 19/08/2022 17:13

Are you usually quite friendly? I'd let her and probably make her a cup of tea and join her for a natter.

Ravenblack1 · 19/08/2022 17:14

eldora · 19/08/2022 17:11

Front garden or back garden?
Would you have to let her in to the garden through a gate?
Is she bringing her own chair?

I think it would be a nice thing to do.

I think I'd let her sit on one of my chairs. 🤣

TenRedThings · 19/08/2022 17:15

I think it's pretty mean to say no

Original poster
mackthepony · 19/08/2022 17:16

We have chairs 😂

Back garden

OP posts:
Novum · 19/08/2022 17:31

I assume she's asked you because her nearer neighbours are out? I must say, I can't see any real reason to say no. How can it harm you?

Rottenpumpkin · 19/08/2022 17:37

mackthepony · 19/08/2022 17:02

Not sure if IABU or just curmudgeonly.

Neighbour is selling her house. Has a visit this afternoon. Wants to sit in our garden in the shade (hot here today) for one hour with her dog whilst the estate agent shows the house.

We live near a huge, leafy park with benches.

Not sure why this has pissed me off really as it doesn't affect me, but why can't she just sit in the park for an hour?

Aibu?

Definitely curmudgeonly and very unneighbourly too.

Maybe she's really down and fancies company (I'm sure your first instinct will be to think that's not your problem though....)

Why not just have a cup of tea or coffee with her, it's One hour of your life.....

I don't get why people have to be so selfish and unfriendly! No sense of community spirit at all.No wonder loneliness is at an all time low with attitudes like yours....Sheila Seleone springs to mind....

You seem mean spirited to be honest.