To be annoyed my neighbour came into my flat uninvited and asked about my rent?

[TheCheeryKoala]

I just moved into a new flat on Friday. The door was open because the movers were going in and out, and I was packing up one last box before we left. Out of nowhere, a neighbour I’d never spoken to before just walked into my flat, started looking around, and then asked how much I paid for it!

I was polite but firm and told her to leave and maybe consider having some manners.

AIBU to think this was way out of line? I get being curious, but barging into someone’s home and asking about rent feels like a massive boundary to cross. Has anyone else dealt with neighbours like this, or am I overreacting?

I agree that it’s overstepping a boundary but I would imagine they didn’t see it as your home anymore since it was devoid of your possessions and perhaps the desire to move into it and know more about whether they could afford it outweighed their manners. Assuming they went when asked, I wouldn’t spent anymore thought on it.

It depends on how this neighbour 'walked into your house'. If they simply walked in and started talking about the rent, I don't think you are being unreasonable at all. If they walked in and introduced themselves and you got an 'OK' vibe, then maybe they don't have great social skills and were trying to break the ice.

Was that at the old flat or the new flat?

It is odd, but I guess you can just be pleased you moved!

I was packing up one last box before we left

I'm assuming this was at the old flat? Maybe she wanted to know if she was over or underpaying her own rent? Or how much she'd get if she rented her place out? I'd probably just have told her. When I moved out of my last flat, the landlord put the rent up by £400 a month when he re-advertised. I was so scandalised I told all the neighbours!

Bloody cheek!

It happened just as I described in my post - she walked in unannounced and immediately asked about the rent.

Neither of you was polite by any of the usual conventions, but it's easy to see why she might have asked, and I would just have answered her.

That’s very cheeky, imo, plus crap timing as you’re packing the last box to leave!

So she was asking how much the rent was on the flat you were leaving? I don’t think that’s particularly rude. She might have been interested in renting it or get an idea of if she was paying too much for hers.

“Out of nowhere, a neighbour I’d never spoken to before just walked into my flat, started looking around, and then asked how much I paid for it!”

You were literally walking out the door, she probably didn’t see it as your home, because it wasn’t 🤷🏻‍♀️
Not as outrageous as walking in while you still actually lived there.

Movers were going in and out. Door was open. None of your personal stuff was there.

She was a bit forward, to use an old fashioned term, but I wouldn't have done more than answer her question and tell her I was busy / wish her well / leave her to it.

Well, that is very odd. I didn't realise you were moving out, so it wouldn't be an issue for me. I'd be glad I was leaving.

She sounds like one of those people who goes and sees all the neighbours' houses if they're on sale. I don't think your reaction was awful, and you feel the way you feel about it, but a lot of people really wouldn't mind this at all.

I think she has an absolute cheek and would be quite uncomfortable with it! Moving out or not, it's still your home until you lock the door for the last time.

Mumsnet is really weird sometimes. Op your neighbour was clearly out of order. I'm not sure why people are trying to excuse this kind of behaviour.

Other people coming in doesn't mean everyone else can just stroll in without authorisation. Much like if a stream of partygoers is going to your neighbour's place, it doesn't mean you can also just to go your neighbour's place.

I’m not sure where you got the idea that I was “literally walking out the door.” My post specifically said I was in the flat packing up a box. She walked in unannounced while I was still there.

Yes, she was rude. But I'm not convinced that there's any method by which you can politely tell someone to get some manners though.

If it was me op i would have been more verbal as in.
Get the fuck out out my home and fuck off you nosey basterds.

I wouldn't have really been happy about that at all I would have felt that was rude to just walk in regardless

I just moved into a new flat on Friday. The door was open because the movers were going in and out, and I was packing up one last box before we left.

No mention of the old flat in the opening paragraph makes it difficult to see that. Sure we can work it out, but it's doesn't flow

I've just moved out of a flat I've been in for 14 years... When I first moved in it was £525 a month. When I moved out it was £840.
Out of interest, I looked at the listing about a fortnight after moving out and it was on at £1000 a month and already let! Definitely not worth £1000! Overlooking a dual carriageway and on a busy, hard-to-park-in estate!