Neighbour borrowing my electricity

[SuffolkQueen82]

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.

I saw a comment on Facebook the other day that said people over 65 should have driving licenses removed as there's not a single person at that age that isn't a risk behind the wheel.
I did respond that I know people nearing that age still working physical jobs. Apparently they shouldn't do that either.

Is hers a council property, if so call the council and they will send someone, I know it's not your job. X

Phone adult social services and explain what has happened and ask if they would do a welfare check. If she won’t let an electrician in she won’t let them in either, but she is at least on their radar. If she does not sort out her electrics the house, and she, will deteriorate further. You can’t do much, but at least then you know that you have done what you can.

I don’t understand why the 🤮at the thought of a pigeon hospital but I do wonder how this is managed with three cats in the house 😆 - unless they are the cause!

OP, you’ve been a great NDN helping this lady out but it seems that she needs far more help than your electricity.

Has she now got it sorted?

Unplug. It will force her to take action. If you do not, she'll leave things as they are.

I mean while I was home of course, that’s what I would do. But yeah definitely not while she’s away

Unplug, melt the plug on the extension cable using a gas cooker, take it round saying "sorry the power went off, this melted, it's not safe". No one offended, plug costs 20p.

@AuntMarch that’s depressing. My parents are 70 and perfectly lucid and able to drive.

unplug it

If you look up the number for Care and Repair in your area (pretty sure they cover most of the UK) they should have case workers who can help source grants to upgrade the safety of her house with regards to electricity, heating, insulation etc. They can help find legitimate trades to do the work. Really great company to help older people with housing issues in private homes.

ffs 🙄

I think you need to roll your eyes at yourself @penjil - if you'd read @TurquoiseThings post correctly and clocked the smiley face you'd have been able to work out it was clearly tongue in cheek.

You made me chuckle anyway @TurquoiseThings

*I think you need to roll your eyes at yourself @penjil - if you'd read @TurquoiseThings post correctly and clocked the smiley face you'd have been able to work out it was clearly tongue in cheek.

You made me chuckle anyway @TurquoiseThings*

Glad to be of service @JoyeuxNarwhal 😁

OMG you can't even get your pension until 67!!!!!

How sad.

YANBU to unplug the cable but I think this lady might need a referral to adult social services.

OP, you have a heart of gold. You’ve already gone above and beyond. I hope your neighbour managed to sort something out. It’s awful thinking of someone sitting alone in the dark.

Shockingly though (well it shocked me) Age Concern deal with people age 55 and over!!

That brought me up short I can tell you 😫feel like I aged just finding that out

It is UNPLUGGED folks!

But now I am very concerned about the pigeon hospital, because of hazards of bacteria and viruses! Birds harbour a lot of diseases. Why are those birds there? Are they sick? Injured? I can only imagine the state of her second bathroom!!

I think a welfare check would be in order, or some kind of environmental check to find out what's going on with the birds.

Honestly OP poor lady sounds like she has a chaotic home situation.

Wow people are crappy!!! You have done a wonderful thing but I would unplug it tomorrow before you leave and send a final message.

All those saying you shouldnt have helped etc and people let you down - what a miserable old bunch!! Mumsnet is such a selfish place these days - or is that England in general!

The woman was quick enough to come round with £20. She's clearly struggling in some way (perhaps not financially). OP seems lovely.

Usual mumsnet dichotomy on display:

• everyone wants people to behave better towards one another
• anyone genuinely needing help is a CF and should be ignored

Yes Op - go back in time and do this!

😂

I believe she can charge her phone at a public library. They are warm spaces too

im sorry not you're problem unplug it. Sounds callous but youve given her ample time to sort it out

Is she a hoarder? It sounds like her home could be a fire risk. It might be worth having a quiet word with one of your local councillors. Living in a dark, unheated home full of cats and pigeons, with presumably no hot water either and being too scared of people to get it fixed, is no way to live, it sounds like she needs proper mental health support.

I mean, OP isn't wrong, but when all my sockets tripped my electrician came out on Sunday. And I paid him handsomely for the pleasure!

@SuffolkQueen82 You definitely need to unplug. I feel for her, but it's not your responsibility to risk your own home to keep her lights on.