Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

So annoyed with my neighbours what should I do when I see them?

281 replies

geekygardener · 27/10/2025 13:36

Every week I’m taking in parcels for a neighbour. I don’t mind the occasional one, but it can fluctuate between a couple a week to a few daily. They order a lot of stuff and are never in to receive it. I don’t know why they don’t order it to their family who live on the next street or to one of their work places. This has been going on for a number of years.
I wouldn’t mind if I’m in just pottering at home, but I often work from home and my office is next to my front door. This means delivery drivers can see I’m in sat at my desk. They will continue to knock and wait even if I don’t initially answer because I’m in a meeting or call. People on the other end of my calls can clearly hear the knocking and dog barking, so I have to cut off. It’s unprofessional, especially because I take calls from people in distress. It’s unfair to cut them off.

I have told multiple delivery drivers that I am working and can no longer take in parcels for neighbours but that seems to have made little difference.
I work nights too and I’m woken up at least three times a week by deliveries for the same neighbours and it really affects my mood.

Today I was resting after a night shift and knocking woke me. Teen dd opened the door but then came running up telling me it was a large delivery for the neighbours and the delivery driver said he needed an adult to take it. Plus it was too large and heavy for dd to take in alone. This is not the first time we have taken in packages that have been large and heavy. I had one neighbour’s wardrobe and bedside table blocking my hallway for over a week while they were on holiday.
I just lost my temper because of being woken and I gabbed the parcel said “fine” and slammed the door. The delivery driver looked shocked, I do feel guilty about that but I was just fed up. I then just sat back down and no more than 2 minutes later another delivery driver knocked with another parcel for neighbours. Dd answered again and shouted out to me that he required an adult again, I couldn’t believe it. It was a different delivery company and driver but I shouted back for her to tell them no. They handed it to her anyway and she brought it to the hallway.

I can honestly say if it was the odd occasion that’s fine and I’d be a good neighbour and take them in happily. But this is multiple times a week, often multiple times a day and is disturbing my work and rest,

I did mention it to neighbour, who is the main culprit, he just laughs and says he understands it’s annoying, but it keeps happening.

Im now left with a large heavy box in my tiny hallway. I also feel like I can’t relax because soon neighbour will come knocking on my door to collect it. So if I wanted to go back to sleep I would be woken again. I looked across and the neighbour is actually in ! Both cars are there and I can see the son playing outside. They just couldn’t be bothered to answer the door.

I have told dd not to answer the door again because she can’t deal with deliveries, which upset her a bit.

Anyway, I hate confrontation but I feel like this is taking the mick.

OP posts:
MikeRafone · 28/10/2025 14:56

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 28/10/2025 14:33

Waste of time. It won't get read!

Waste of time. It won't get read!

delivery drivers on on a very tight schedule - they will not waste their time knocking and waiting if your not going to answer. They might ring the doorbell and then read the sign, but they will not hang around as they need to be going to the next job

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 28/10/2025 18:29

MikeRafone · 28/10/2025 14:56

Waste of time. It won't get read!

delivery drivers on on a very tight schedule - they will not waste their time knocking and waiting if your not going to answer. They might ring the doorbell and then read the sign, but they will not hang around as they need to be going to the next job

If you think anyone on a tight schedule is going to take the time to read a rambling message you're wrong. They don't even read concise ones!

Single50something · 28/10/2025 18:31

Totally not unreasonable
Old neighbours often got deliveries and knew i wfh so would ask to leave with me. Fine mostly. But sometimes they would call to check it arrived..I would say yes its by my backdoor..collect when want. And they would ask me to take it in as it was expensive! So then id end up with a.bloody great parcel to walk around til they were back.
Def put a note up

Tuesdayschild50 · 28/10/2025 18:40

Tell your neighbours ypu are no longer taking parcels.
Sellotape a massive sign to your door saying you are working and do not knock .
Or you are sleeping do not knock no longer taking anyone's parcels .

latenightscrolling · 28/10/2025 18:43

Gosh, that’s just too much. I’d print what you’ve written here and literally put it through their door! Explains it all perfectly!

FlockofSquirrels · 28/10/2025 18:51

I don't blame you for being deeply unhappy with the delivery drivers and the sign is a great idea. You'll likely need to hold fast to not answering the door even if they try to ignore the sign for a bit.

Your post was about being irritated with the neighbors, though, but you didn't actually describe what the neighbors themselves have done to make this your problem. Are they sending packages to your address or including instructions to leave packages at your address if they aren't home? I'm not sure talking to them is helpful unless there's something specific you want them to do differently (that isn't just not ordering packages to their own home) or you're just letting them know that you can't accept any more packages and will be putting up a sign then not answering the door.

Whatthebarnacles · 28/10/2025 18:58

YANBU in how you feel. I do feel for the neighbours in a small way as, in my experience anyhow:
A)couriers pay no attention to the 'safe place' listed. In my previous home I had a very obvious and safe place where all parcels were requested to be left, should I not be home when they arrived. They would ignore half the time!
B) I would wait in / wfh / book a day off specifically for delivery of parcels for them not to arrive or turn up whenever.

Our previous Evri driver had said that they need to offload on 1st attempt wherever possible otherwise they roll on to the next day meaning they have less paid for parcel opportunities to deliver the following day etc...

The only way to get around this is to put a sign up for the couriers. And continue to be firm.

opencecilgee · 28/10/2025 20:15

I would probably take the parcels over and leave on their doorstop

taking in furniture is above and beyond

Redragtoabull · 28/10/2025 20:35

I'd kick the shit out of the next 'delivery' so long as no pic had been taken and keep doing so until they get the message, but b4 that I'd be telling them a firm 'no' and a no junk & neighbours mail' on my door/letter box post, anything already taken in, return via return to sender, cheeky cents

Jack80 · 28/10/2025 21:38

I would put a sign up on your door to say no parcels thanks.

SweetBaklava · 28/10/2025 21:47

Jesus Christ almighty - just say no!!!!! Delivery drivers will soon get the message and so will the CF neighbours

Wooky073 · 28/10/2025 21:56

I order quite a bit online too. But I dont have them delivered to neighbours. Usually when you order you can leave instructions. I ask for them to leave them under the car port. Its under a camera its safe enough. There are only a few things ever that require a signature. But even then before now I have left a note on the door signing for it and leaving instructions for them to leave on doorstep. I also have a large garden storage box as a parcel drop off box. They all use it no problem. It avoids being disturbed when WFH or when not in. I dont rely on neighbours.

My point being that your neighbours dont need to rely on you. They may be leaving instructions on their deliveries to direct their parcels to you. On amazon for example you can add in settings instructions that then goes onto all your parcels. Or even to have it delivered straight to you. You need to tell neighbours its affecting your work and you wont accept any more parcels. Suggest they get a parcel box and camera if needed. Ask them to ensure they are not listing your address as the divert to address. Then add the note to your door stating you are not accepting deliveries for neighbours. Delivery drivers can be quite persistent - ive had one peer through my windows before now which alarmed my child. So it could be good to get a blind or something so they cannot see you. If they see you they will persist - especially if they have had instructions to deliver to you. Give fair warning to your neighbours so they are aware that their parcels may be sent back. Quite disrespectful of your neighbours to dismiss your concerns and continue.

TheSilentSister · 28/10/2025 23:42

I wouldn't put up with that shite. Put a notice on your door.
I order a lot of stuff off Amazon and I leave my outer front door unlocked for this reason. I got a sign (off Amazon) and now they just pop the parcel in the porch without disturbing me or the dog. You can't expect them to be mind readers.

Pop a note through the neighbours door to tell them you are no longer accepting their parcels. All delivery companies try at least twice and send a notification to the recipient, so there is no excuse really for them to sort it themselves.

Sam9769 · 28/10/2025 23:45

Refuse to accept the parcels! Simples!

Sam9769 · 28/10/2025 23:49

As long as you continue to accept the parcels, this will continue to happen!
Until you say no to all, you are your own worst enemy!
You can't complain and still accept the parcels.
As for the CF neighbours, tell them to fuck off!

IsEveryoneJustBotsNow · 29/10/2025 01:00

I’ve been there, I used to be really shit at having boundaries and saying no and there’s been times I’ve had seven different neighbours parcels in my hallway and I’d be angry at them.

My neighbours were not requesting things get left at my address, so I’d have been a twat to have a go at them, it was the drivers asking me to take them in so that they didn’t have to return, my dh is a delivery driver and I know the abuse he gets from the public, I wasn’t ever rude to the drivers or slam doors in their face but all the parcels in my hallway affected my ability to relax.

One day when I was moaning about it to a friend, she suggested I complain to the delivery company and let them know that drivers are pressuring me to accept parcels, she gave me a bit of a much needed telling off when she found out I’d never actually said no.

The days it’s convenient ti take parcels in, I pop a large note on the outside of my door politely saying I am unable to accept neighbours parcels today and not to knock, if I forget to put this note up, I just say no to the driver and that’s it. Problem solved.

MuminMama · 29/10/2025 10:02

Sorry, I clicked the wrong option by mistake! Clearly you are completely in the right. I’d put a sign up.

Goingbonkers247 · 29/10/2025 11:03

i'd tell them to leave it at their house. especially the big stuff. it's not your responsibility
our delivery guy drops it on front door step and leaves it there for all the neighbours to see. he even went through a stage of not even knocking or ringing the door bell. I told him and he's better but still just leaves it even if no one is home.

ToadRage · 29/10/2025 13:00

Just refuse to take them. The idea about a sign is good, if you are busy or resting don't answer the door, if you do just tell the delivery driver you will not be taking anymore parcels for your neighbours, it's their problem, not yours. Several parcels a day is not on, do they have more money than sense? Some companies do nominated day delivery, so they could at least pick a day they are going to be in.

August1980 · 29/10/2025 14:49

Not usually my style to be unkind!!! But omg OP. This happened to me with my neighbours too. In fact at one point there was no space in time hallway as they never came to collect their packages. They expected me to make a few trips to deliver theirs.

please put up a sign. When walking my dog I saw some people have the no junk mail please on the door/letterbox. Put a sign saying not taking any deliveries. (Remove the sign on says when you are expecting it) I am so irritated for you.

TakeResponsibilty · 29/10/2025 15:00

IsFearrCuplaFocalNaCuplaFuckAll · 27/10/2025 13:47

Are they actually listing you as an alternative address or is it the delivery company chancing it?

As they’re in today, I’d be knocking and saying that as they aren’t treating you with respect, you will not be taking in any more parcels and that they have disturbed your sleep for the last time. If he laughs again, say no I’m serious. You’ve taken it too far! I’d then put a note on the door saying no deliveries unless they’re to this address.

additionally, I’d be moving the parcel to outside their house whether they answer or not.

the delivery drivers seem ti knock quietly on the door it’s for and loudly on all others.

@IsFearrCuplaFocalNaCuplaFuckAll ”delivery drivers seem ti knock quietly on the door it’s for and loudly on all others.”
Yeah, because all delivery drivers want to have to knock on two doors if they can, they’ve got so much spare time.

ladyofshertonabbas · 29/10/2025 15:04

Put a note on door
Refuse all deliveries for neighbours
Tell DD not to take in parcels either

People will get the message.

PenguinLover24 · 29/10/2025 19:53

Post a note through their door saying to remove you from the list of neighbours who will take in parcels for them. If they continue as soon as you get one dump it on their doorstep but to stop them ringing the doorbell all together you could get a cover for it? I have one that goes over the button on my blink doorbell that says please do not disturb. I have found that some are so quick to run up and knock though so a laminated sign on the middle of the door explaining why I don't want to be disturbed alongside the cover works 9/10 times.

MuffinCCHeeler · 30/10/2025 08:56

When I was home alone with toddler and newborn, I also accepted a couple of large packages for a couple of neighbours who lived across my street. I was astounded that they didn’t pick it up that day or the next and the day after that! I couldn’t manoeuvre my buggy past the packages in my hallway. Then I saw them and had to yell across the road for them to come and get it. Instead of thanking me for taking it in, they were so rude!
After that, I decided I would only take packages for my immediate neighbour who was lovely. I had some delivery drivers plead with me to take stuff but I stood firm and said no, they are rude and don’t pick it up.
If I worked nights like you, I would consider a sticker or a sign but you just have to start saying no.

Nurseleaver82 · 30/10/2025 09:08

How has this week gone so far? I think it will be worse to begin with. X

Swipe left for the next trending thread