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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour borrowing my electricity

202 replies

SuffolkQueen82 · 10/12/2023 18:55

So… I have a recluse neighbour, probably in her 60’s, we speak regularly and are neighbourly to the extent we’ll put each others bins out etc. Her electric sockets stopped working in her house 6 days ago and asked if we could run an extension lead so she can keep her phone charged, with the promise she’ll call an electrician the next day.

obviously we don’t want someone to be without power so we obliged. 2 days later she sees me
walking past, explains that she has an electrician coming and gives me £20 for the electric asking that we don’t unplug it yet. at this time I warn her I am going away with work and the house will be empty for a significant time during the day so it will need to be sorted before I leave as it’s a security risk.

2 days later still nothing I knock on her door yesterday evening to say I am away Monday and it needs sorting. She says the electrician is coming round today (Sunday) and it should be fixed. She then comes round 30 mins later to tell me the main electric has now tripped and my extension lead is her only
source of power. I mention getting a petrol generator as I can’t have a cable sticking out of an open window while I’m away.

she has been ignoring me all day today, I am leaving in the morning and will be unplugging the lead as I leave. I don’t want someone to be without power but she’s had nearly a week to sort this, I have told her. AIBU?!

I know for a fact her house is in a state of disrepair and her wiring is definitely not up to standard so the house most likely will need to be completely required, she doesn’t even have central heating or double glazed windows.

but:

  1. it’s a fire hazard as she could have a number of leads running from that 1 extension
  2. it’s a security risk, esp at Christmas when I have a lot of footfall in front of the house and the cable is visible.
  3. least importantly it’s plugged into the only socket free for our Christmas lights which has put a dampener on an already difficult Christmas season.
OP posts:
bobotothegogo · 10/12/2023 19:01

OMG YANBU at all! Unplug the socket right now! Some folk are complete chancers.

OhComeOnFFS · 10/12/2023 19:02

There's no way she got an electrician round on a Sunday!

You're right, she will have tons of extension leads going off that one. Have you checked your meter?

You could have said, "Leave your phone here for an hour and I'll charge it".

LIZS · 10/12/2023 19:03

Unplug it when you leave. If mains tripped she needs to turn everything off then on again individually to identify the issue. She can charge her phone in library, cafe etc Has she perhaps not paid her bill?

IncompleteSenten · 10/12/2023 19:04

I seriously doubt she's planning on getting it sorted.

Yanbu.

H9b7b · 10/12/2023 19:04

I’d disconnect it and wouldn’t leave it trailing while away, it’s not great that she has no power but it’s also not yours to solve and you’ve already done your part.

happyinherts · 10/12/2023 19:04

Yes, it's a security risk and an electrical danger. You can't possibly leave things like this while you're away. Please unplug it now and perhaps ring an elderly concern helpline or something. It's just not safe. You've been very kind in allowing this so far, but it's just not sustainable anymore.

neilyoungismyhero · 10/12/2023 19:05

You were soft and mad to let her do it in the first place. People always let you down.

BoobyDazzler · 10/12/2023 19:06

Oh yanbu at all.

if she’s living in a state of disrepair and without power it may be worth speaking to social services but beyond that this isn’t your responsibility to sort.

Secondguess · 10/12/2023 19:06

Knock the door and warn her if you like, but you mustn't go out or go to sleep before you disconnect the extension cable. It is a massive fire risk and your insurer would (quite rightly) have good grounds to not cover you.

I'd switch it off and offer to charge her phone at your house if she really needs it.

Mrgrinch · 10/12/2023 19:10

She won't sort it whilst she can get away with sponging from you.

Unplug it when you go away and don't allow it to be plugged back in upon your return.

Gooseysgirl · 10/12/2023 19:11

I would unplug it before you go to bed tonight. She's taking the piss.

GrumpyOldCrone · 10/12/2023 19:12

Is there a chance that she just needs a fuse replaced in her fuse box? I’m assuming it’s the old type… Would she let you in to have a look?

The present situation is really not ok. It’s just not safe.

Floopani · 10/12/2023 19:12

Someone is pissing on your head but telling you it's raining OP!

You gave her fair warning, unplug right now!

FairFuming · 10/12/2023 19:16

Its very nice of you to let her use it for this long!

stomachameleon · 10/12/2023 19:16

You need to unplug. We know that. You know that. It's ok too.
She has had plenty of time.

HamBone · 10/12/2023 19:19

I wonder whether she’s been disconnected? I know that the situation has to be extreme for that to happen, but it’s possible.

Aside from the fact that it’s gone on too long, you really don’t have a choice about disconnecting the extension lead if you’re going away. As PP’s have said, it’s both a security risk and an electrical hazard. It would probably invalidate your house insurance if you had a break-in or a fire broke out.

User13579367337 · 10/12/2023 19:20

I wouldn’t be unplugging it tonight just out of spite. She’s not doing this for fun and she’s immediately offered you money. I wouldn’t feel the slightest bit guilty about unplugging it tomorrow though. You can’t leave your house at risk and you have gone above and beyond for her

Therealjudgejudy · 10/12/2023 19:24

Definitely unplug it now. Its a hazard

HamBone · 10/12/2023 19:24

User13579367337 · 10/12/2023 19:20

I wouldn’t be unplugging it tonight just out of spite. She’s not doing this for fun and she’s immediately offered you money. I wouldn’t feel the slightest bit guilty about unplugging it tomorrow though. You can’t leave your house at risk and you have gone above and beyond for her

I agree, @User13579367337 plus the OP will be confident that her neighbour’s phone will be fully charged on Monday morning…so she can call an electrician.

OhmygodDont · 10/12/2023 19:25

I’d unplug it and honestly a report to adult social care and the council if she is a council tenant even if she isn’t tbh they still have a duty of care to those who are living in such conditions to pass on reports somewhere for some kicks up bums.

if her electric is so bad and she’s now running electric from your home and possibly Daisy chaining that it’s a huge huge fire risk.

YouBelongWithMe · 10/12/2023 19:26

Definitely not unreasonable!! You've given lots of notice of your trip too. Unplug.

Zooeyzo · 10/12/2023 19:32

I always wonder what kind of people allow neighbours to do this- You must be a very nice person OP I would have just said no. And see this is the problem with being nice...People take advantage.

madeinmanc · 10/12/2023 19:45

If you're really worried could you leave her a spare powerbank for her phone?

Libertyy · 10/12/2023 19:46

No way, unplug it now. Tell her your bills are high and you can’t facilitate this any more

Libertyy · 10/12/2023 19:47

I’d happily offer to charge her phone and put her food in my fridge for her to take in an emergency but wouldn’t let her use my electricity