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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:
Snapdragonsoup · 20/04/2023 09:05

You can get retractable washing lines as others have suggested although they could just unreel it and attach it to somewhere on their side and make use of it that way. At least you wouldnt be looking directly at their washing though but they would still be being cheeky! Given you have to look at their washing though with the current set up I think you wouldnt be unreasonable to politely point out to them that you didnt want their washing hanging in your garden regularly and would they please make plans to install another line on their side since they obviously need it or just do less washing in future!

Barbecuebeans · 20/04/2023 09:06

Could you make a temporary boundary between your properties with some garden wire attached to a hook in the building boundary?

You're certainly not being unreasonable stopping someone putting their washing in your garden.

SinnerBoy · 20/04/2023 09:08

I would tell - not ask - her not to use the line and to keep out of the garden. In the event that she took no notice, I'd take her washing down and put it on her step.

escapingthecity · 20/04/2023 09:09

Presumably to use your washing line they have to come onto your garden. Ask them not to. We used to have one of those fold out ones mounted on the side of our house which was brilliant as we could put it away when we didn't need it

DoloresDelEriba · 20/04/2023 09:11

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.

Absolutely spot on. If this was happening to you, you would hate it. Time for a fence.

Onefootinthegroove · 20/04/2023 09:31

LumpyLoo8 · 19/04/2023 20:14

Get a retractable one, have it out only when you want to use it, and it’ll be all rolled up the rest of the time. Not impossible for neighbour to still use, but maybe a bit less likely (or more cheeky!)

^^
This.

FeelingwearyFeeelingsmall · 20/04/2023 09:32

There is an old saying - Good fences make good neighbours. You need to erect a strong boundary.

Snapdragonsoup · 20/04/2023 09:39

Sometimes fences arent allowed though. My parents lived om a housing estate which was open plan and fences werent allowed at the front although they were in the back gardens. Boundaries could be marked though but only with something low and discrete. Maybe the OP’s property has this type of open plan set-up. If not, OP then a fence sounds like a good idea. If your washing line is fixed to the wall at the boundary perhaps move it slightly over to your side (and put some other boundary marker up so its clear this washing line is fixed to your side and not shared at the boundary).

Starhead69 · 20/04/2023 09:40

nomoredriving · 20/04/2023 06:30

Or alternatively act like an adult and ask them not to use it?

Show quote history

@nomoredriving yeah I like my way 😂

qazxc · 20/04/2023 09:41

Would this be too subtle a message?

To ask neighbour not to use my washing line
ScottishLavender · 20/04/2023 09:42

Begin clearing the garden. Have a bonfire burning most days. 😈

Or just take it down when you're not using it.

Arapawa · 20/04/2023 09:46

Lots of people suggesting to take it down and you're ignoring them.

Take it down. Put it up when you need it. Lots of people do that.

Nanny0gg · 20/04/2023 09:50

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

Don't know if the OP's a keen gardener, but I'd want a view of my garden not someone else's washing

FrigginFrig · 20/04/2023 09:55

SinnerBoy · 20/04/2023 09:08

I would tell - not ask - her not to use the line and to keep out of the garden. In the event that she took no notice, I'd take her washing down and put it on her step.

😂😂

Mary28 · 20/04/2023 09:56

Remove it and get one of those rotary washing lines you can put up and down when you need it or easily bring it into your house if you need to also. If they say anything, simply say you'd prefer not to look into your garden at someone elses washing! They can buy another line or a rotary for their own garden if they need it.
I think it's pretty unbelievable that they do that to be honest. It would completely annoy me. And it puts you in a awkward position where you have to call it out.

Titusgroan · 20/04/2023 10:05

Of course they can’t use your washing line.
They can’t even come into your garden, that’s trespass.
Put up some posts or tie some string to identify the boundary if you’re not at a stage yet to put up a fence.
Or even better plant a row of hedging, low level hedging isn’t as expensive as fencing and you can plant it yourself so no extra labour costs. Plus it’s better for the environment …..it’s a win win.

Titusgroan · 20/04/2023 10:06

qazxc · 20/04/2023 09:41

Would this be too subtle a message?

🤣🤣🤣🤣
did you actually go out and create that.
What an artist!

pinkyredrose · 20/04/2023 10:08

Theoldwoman · 20/04/2023 02:02

Well if you hardly ever need to use it, why would you be unreasonable about a neighbour using it?

I never understand the not sharing thing.

Do you have any money sitting in the bank that you could share with me? Or could i come over and watch your tv when you're not in?

ilovesooty · 20/04/2023 10:11

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

It's an invasion of her space, without even asking. As others have said, would it be OK to invade her kitchen and use her fridge too?

whoruntheworldgirls · 20/04/2023 10:13

Also going with take it down and get either a retractable one or a rotary that you can fold down and put away when not in use.
I have a retractable because i like that it's stored away and the line is always clean.
I also have this as an over flow line:

Free Standing Rotary Airer

The Minky Free Standing Rotary Airer can be used almost anywhere -in the garden, on a patio, in the home or garage. It has all the drying benefits of a standard Rotary Airer and is simple to assemble and take down. It has aStrong and Sturdy weatherproo...

https://www.minky.com/laundry/outdoor-rotary-airers/15m-indoor-and-outdoor-free-standing-rotary-airer-line.html

billyt · 20/04/2023 10:19

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

Careful, they'll be sunbathing in your garden if you're not using it 24/7

HowcanIgetoutofthisalive · 20/04/2023 10:20

Take it down and move it to the other side of your garden?

Viviennemary · 20/04/2023 10:39

That is quite cheeky of them. I wouldn't like it either. Every other day is ridiculous. Buy a retractable one.

Skybluepinky · 20/04/2023 10:49

Remove it when u rnt using it.

luckylavender · 20/04/2023 10:51

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? 😬

Don't ask them. Tell them.