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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours and washing lines

61 replies

Suburbanswings · 20/08/2023 18:12

Hi all,

We live on an estate of flats and masionettes with shared communal washing lines. It says in the lease that we must hang washing outdoors and this is enforced by fellow residents - this is not a problem for us as we prefer to hang out washing outside anyway.

We have recently been told by a retired neighbour who lives close to the washing lines to not put our washing out overnight because the foxes play with the washing and keep him up. There are a lot of foxes at all times of the day on the estate and an endless number of things they can amuse themselves with. We have hung washing out overnight and never noticed it pulled off or damaged. We do live further away from the washing lines. My partner and I work unusual hours and sometimes we just need to hang our washing out overnight. Today we tried to communicate that we were unfortunately only able to hang it out now, and he then called us selfish and went back into his property. He did not try and agree any compromise or alternative arrangement.

We intend to try our best to hang washing out during the day, but when not possible, to hang it out overnight.

AIBU?

OP posts:
jc12689 · 20/08/2023 18:13

Do you really need to leave the washing out overnight?

DustyLee123 · 20/08/2023 18:13

Ignore him.

Original poster
Suburbanswings · 20/08/2023 18:16

It just depends on the day. Today we were both out all day and in a real hurry and need clothes for tomorrow. Other times we might be working during the day and need to hang clothes out in the evening.

OP posts:
Shakeyshakeyshake · 20/08/2023 18:20

How would anyone know if you use a clothes horse?

Original poster
Suburbanswings · 20/08/2023 18:21

We were told they will look through your windows and knock on your door... Unless you want to permanently have your blinds or curtains shut!

But not really the point of the thread as we would also prefer to hang outside.

OP posts:
Topseyt123 · 20/08/2023 18:23

I'd totally ignore him and not engage at all.

I'd also have a clothes horse in my flat for when it wasn't convenient to hang clothes outside. Surely nobody knows unless you tell them.

birdling · 20/08/2023 18:23

What do you do when it rains?

LooselyBasedOnAMadeUpStory · 20/08/2023 18:24

If you set the timer on your machine you can have it finishing a load just as you get up then put it out before you go out so it doesn’t matter if you are out all day.
I find it’s always a bit damp overnight so doesn’t get fully dry so wouldn’t put it out at night anyway tbh.

fetchacloth · 20/08/2023 18:25

Just ignore him. He sounds like a right busybody anyway. 🙄

GalileoHumpkins · 20/08/2023 18:25

Suburbanswings · 20/08/2023 18:21

We were told they will look through your windows and knock on your door... Unless you want to permanently have your blinds or curtains shut!

But not really the point of the thread as we would also prefer to hang outside.

Where the fuck do you live that you'd allow that nonsense? Do you own your home?

Thefamilywaster · 20/08/2023 18:25

You do know spiders rub their willies on your clothes when hung out overnight

heidifrombarnet · 20/08/2023 18:27

Who would keep living somewhere that the neighbours are potentially looking through your windows? I would complain about that as its unreasonable behaviour and affects quiet enjoyment of your home. Anyway, put your washing out whenever you like, perhaps the man has dementia or something? I personally, could not stand living there as I would feel watched and judged all the time!

Original poster
Suburbanswings · 20/08/2023 18:27

Yes, we live in a flat which is share of freehold, but comes with a lease and that's in the terms of it.

Again though, not that fussed about that actually happening, we would prefer to hang outside anyway.

OP posts:
heidifrombarnet · 20/08/2023 18:29

LooselyBasedOnAMadeUpStory · 20/08/2023 18:24

If you set the timer on your machine you can have it finishing a load just as you get up then put it out before you go out so it doesn’t matter if you are out all day.
I find it’s always a bit damp overnight so doesn’t get fully dry so wouldn’t put it out at night anyway tbh.

Perhaps they don't have a timer on it? They want to get up and get to work, not mess about hanging washing out to suit some busybody!

supersonicginandtonic · 20/08/2023 18:30

Why don't you just hang your washing out in the morning before you leave 🤷‍♀️ or if you work nights before you go to bed

Original poster
Suburbanswings · 20/08/2023 18:34

I mean it's all dependent on the situation and weather. Sometimes I might want to sleep a bit later in the morning instead of worrying about pushing the washing out. It could be that the weather is good overnight but bad in the morning. Alternatively I could have forgotten to put the washing out during the day and just need to do it overnight to stop it smelling. I'm not saying I would only ever do washing overnight, we mainly do it during the day but sometimes it's necessary.

OP posts:
Original poster
Suburbanswings · 20/08/2023 18:35

Thank you, this is completely how we feel and unfortunately the washing machine doesn't have a timer.

OP posts:
Applesandpears23 · 20/08/2023 18:38

Can you get a clothes horse and put it out in the garden in a different spot? I put clothes on a clothes horse and lift it outside then in the evening I bring it in to finish drying if necessary.

supersonicginandtonic · 20/08/2023 18:40

I honestly don't know anybody or have I seen anybody round my area who puts washing out at night 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
Suburbanswings · 20/08/2023 18:40

We would definitely have complaints from the resident's association for this as they have a dedicated washing line area which is separate from the main gardens. They're also large and nice washing lines which dry better than a clothes horse.

OP posts:
DishonourOnYouDishonourOnYourCow · 20/08/2023 18:42

What are you going to do in the winter when it’s cold? Surely you’ll have to put it up inside?

CatsOnTheChair · 20/08/2023 18:45

If it goes up now, on a decent day, it would be pretty dry by bedtime.
DH and I frequently set off a load after work, hung it up at 7pm, and brought it in at 10. It was then perfectly dry by morning even in mid winter.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 20/08/2023 18:46

He’s bullshitting. I’d guess he doesn’t want your washing out near his flat. I’ve had experience of this, living in a flat with shared washing lines. I frequently leave my washing out overnight (in my own garden) and don’t get why people find this weird.

thatsn0tmyname · 20/08/2023 18:47

Every Mumsnetter knows, if you leave your washing out at night it will get darked on.

MaydinEssex · 20/08/2023 18:53

I used to live in a maisonette with communal washing lines, and there was an old woman who thought the washing lines were for her and her alone. For example, if she washed her bedding she would hang the duvet on one line, the sheet on another and the pillow cases on yet another line! I just bought a rotary dryer and hung my washing on that as it was so petty behaviour and I couldn't be arsed to fight for line space. People can be strange.