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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask neighbour not to use my washing line

231 replies

Sundaycoffee · 19/04/2023 20:08

My next door neighbours keep using my washing line. They have two of their own lines which are right next to my line but within their boundaries. My washing line starts attached on the wall at the boundary to our property's and crosses slightly over my garden where it is attached at the other end to a concrete post on my property a metre or so inside my boundary.

Being a family of 4 with a lot of washing, they often hang any extra washing that they can't fit on their line on mine.

Disclaimer: I live alone and don't tend to use the line much except for when I wash towels or sheets. My clothes I usually just stick on a clothes horse and put outside the door.
I'm sick of looking outside and seeing their washing hanging across my garden but equally AIBU if I rarely use the line myself and they need that extra bit of space for theirs? 😬

OP posts:
Acornsoup · 19/04/2023 20:39

'They have two of their own lines which are right next to my line but within their boundaries. My washing line starts attached on the wall at the boundary to our property's and crosses slightly over my garden where it is attached at the other end to a concrete post on my property a metre or so inside my boundary.'

Sounds like your line is bordering on common ground for the most part. Why not move it to it is 'clearly within' your boundary, get a retractable one, or just let them get on with it.

Fantina · 19/04/2023 20:40

It’s funny how generous everyone is with your washing line in your garden. I wouldn’t mind this occasionally (sunny day and a backlog of washing) if I was asked first. But I really would mind looking out my windows and seeing someone else’s laundry flapping around my garden.

Tell them not to do it and if they persist, take it down and hand it back every time.

Tinkerbyebye · 19/04/2023 20:40

Simple take the line down and then only put it back when you need it

Halfull · 19/04/2023 20:47

Take it down, but tell them you’re going to and ask them very sweetly if they would like it as you’ve noticed they sometimes need three lines. Then they can hang it on their side. Then you can get a retractable one, hang it clearly on your side and they’ll not need to use it. If they do, you’ll know they’re taking the piss. Problem solved and no one falls out. I suspect they’ll have no idea it’s irritating you.

Anything else is a bit passive aggressive and could just end up with you falling out which would be a pain when you both have to share space.

Peapodburgundybouquet · 19/04/2023 21:16

Sundaycoffee · 19/04/2023 20:31

I don't think it helps that they didn't ask. It probably also doesn't help that I never get a moments peace from theirs kids constantly running, screaming and jumping so they already annoy me and this is just another thing to add to the list! 🤣

Cut it down with huge scissors, while holding their gaze. Then buy a retractable one.

JudgeRudy · 19/04/2023 21:20

NannyGythaOgg · 19/04/2023 20:14

So why is it an issue? If you needed it ... fine. But you don't so why be awkward

She's probably not wearing her red cardigan atm or the whole of the sofa so let's use that. There's a bit of space too in the fridge and next doors have just bought a load of yoghurts so won't hurt to pop them in OPs kitchen!

You don't think it's an issue that a neighbour regularly trespasses into your garden and uses your equipment...and then forces OP to either get angry looking at her washing billowing away in her garden....or forces her to be confrontational

mybeautifuloak · 19/04/2023 21:40

NannyGythaOgg · 19/04/2023 20:14

So why is it an issue? If you needed it ... fine. But you don't so why be awkward

Because who wants other people's pants hanging in their garden? I don't want to look at other people's laundry

Mossstitch · 19/04/2023 21:53

I put mine up and take it down when I'm not using it as I'd rather look at my flowers and seeing the washing line spoils it, so would definitely annoy me having to look at somebody else's washing! Just make a loop each end and hook it up when you need it👌

RunningUpThatMill · 19/04/2023 22:08

They didn't ask so they are CFs. I like the suggestion of a retractable one by PPs. Gobsmacked that they didn't ask.

RunningUpThatMill · 19/04/2023 22:09

Mossstitch · 19/04/2023 21:53

I put mine up and take it down when I'm not using it as I'd rather look at my flowers and seeing the washing line spoils it, so would definitely annoy me having to look at somebody else's washing! Just make a loop each end and hook it up when you need it👌

Or this ^

IncyWincyGrownUp · 19/04/2023 22:30

Time for a whirligig washing line?

Aquamarine1029 · 19/04/2023 22:40

Everyone saying "it's not an issue, "wouldn't bother me", give me a fucking break. You really want to look out into YOUR garden and see your neighbours clothes and knickers blocking the view of your property? You'd be fine with it when you want to go out, relax, and enjoy the fresh air? Come the fuck on.

Op, take the line down and put up a retractable one. Your neighbours are entitled brats.

Beaverbridge · 19/04/2023 22:43

I'd either take it down, or hang out bed sheets take up the space.

carriedout · 19/04/2023 22:46

I'd take it down.

And get saving for that fence!

PuffinsRocks · 19/04/2023 22:47

I think the lack of fence is the pertinent issue. I don't think you can really complain that unenclosed garden with an extra bit of unused washing line is being used. Put up a fence or talk to them and ask them not to, and I'll change my vote to YANBU.

Xenia · 19/04/2023 22:50

I would get the fence up as soon as you can and DIY with the fence if you can to save money as they are not that difficult to put up

Hawkins003 · 19/04/2023 22:56

@Sundaycoffee
Or you could be a good neighbor and let them use it,yes I understand your frustration, but still, it's just a line

2023Hope · 19/04/2023 23:11

Mossstitch · 19/04/2023 21:53

I put mine up and take it down when I'm not using it as I'd rather look at my flowers and seeing the washing line spoils it, so would definitely annoy me having to look at somebody else's washing! Just make a loop each end and hook it up when you need it👌

I’m the same!

EggInANest · 19/04/2023 23:11

It’s going to be warm enough to properly sit out soon, but you will have your neighbour’s sheets flapping round your ears.

Take it down except when you need it. Washing lines get mucky, left out in the open, and make black lines on your washing.

SparklyBlackKitten · 19/04/2023 23:13

I would take it down for sure

LampLamp · 19/04/2023 23:13

This would drive me mad.
I have a retractable line and find it really handy, it was about £12.

Not to excuse them but do they think it is a shared space? Is there a reason there is no fence already there? I know someone who lives in old railway cottages where a fence between gardens is against something in their deeds.

Yfory · 19/04/2023 23:16

NannyGythaOgg · 19/04/2023 20:14

So why is it an issue? If you needed it ... fine. But you don't so why be awkward

So if this was happening in your garden you'd be perfectly alright about your garden being regularly decorated with someone elses washing?

Op - Either go and ask them, replace it with a retractable one or just remove it altogether. Problem solved.

LoveBluey · 19/04/2023 23:31

I can't believe this is Mumsnet and nobody has yet commented on the only having sheets/towels to hang out a couple of times a month. Where are all the competitive I wash my sheets 3 times a night even if it doesn't mean waking the whole household?!!

WickedWitchOfTheEast87 · 19/04/2023 23:51

No. They can set up a third line in their own garden, if needed. Do not feed the cheeky feckers.

^^
This with bells on!

@Sundaycoffee your neighbours are cheeky fuckers they come into your garden to hang their washing on your line without even asking your permission! If you don't put a stop this they'll start pushing their luck and thinking they can do whatever they want as cheeky fuckers always do.

I'd take that washing line down and don't leave it out if they're cheeky enough to walk into your garden and hang their washing up they'll be cheeky enough to put the washing line back up so they can continue to use it. Also just because they have children and you don't that doesn't mean you have to accommodate them they chose to have children so its their problem to find a solution to.

I don't have a garden I live in a flat so I either use my tumble dryer or use my clothes horse I wouldn't dream of going into my downstairs neighbour's garden and just casually hang my washing on her line its so fucking rude, entitled and cheeky! I'd be to embarrassed to even ask never mind just walking in and hanging my washing up.

DividedHouses · 20/04/2023 01:06

=1 for take your current line down, offer it to them since you know they need three lines. Put up hooks/poles that are clearly on your side only (and maybe a bit shorter than your current one, less tempting) and get a retractible line for yourself. Put in a couple of new plants and make it clear you like sitting/looking at your plants not washing.

And by the way, it's not just looking at their washing, it's them coming into and walking on your garden twice a day every other day...

But you can do this nicely, and remain friendly. Don't start a neighbour dispute if you can help it.

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