Neighbour has complained about Portaloo

[Helenwalker2]

We are having some work done on our house which has required a portaloo to be placed at the front. This was a requirement of both parties who quoted if we weren’t to allow access to a toilet indoors for the various trades who will be on site (absolutely no chance with the horror stories I’ve read on here and from a couple of friends).

Our property is at the end of our street so we have only one direct neighbour. When it was first delivered the woman who lives next door made a comment about it being unsightly and hoping it won’t be there for too long - I confirmed the works are going to take up to 3-4 weeks but would keep her updated.

We are 2 weeks on, and this morning our neighbours husband knocked. He said they are unhappy with the smell and want us to move it to the back of our house in the garden. I confirmed we had previously asked and this wasn’t possible. Note we don’t believe there to be any smell albeit were away this weekend.

The woman then knocked this afternoon. Moaning about how bad it smelt at the weekend and how we are unreasonable to have placed it outside the front of our house and so close to their windows.

I said the work is still on plan and it will be gone in the next week or two. She then said she is going to complain to the council as they’ve had ‘advice’ that it isn’t permissible to place portaloos at the front of houses where there’s an attached house (as both ours is being semi detached).

AIBU to stand firm? We don’t believe there’s any truth in what she’s said and by the time the council get round to doing anything, it should be gone.

I still shudder at the memory of coming home to an enormous, massive, unflushed POO in my loo, kindly donated by my builder. Who was working in my house with full trust and access while I was at work.

he turned up next day at 08.00 as usual, no shame.

this was in 2003 and I still hate him. Never hired him again. I’d only just had a new bathroom put in. I’m with OP.

Well obviously it's not ideal but presumably after you'd put down the smelling salts you just pressed the flush and it went away? It seems a bit much to hold a grudge about for 22 years 😂😂

She’s being entirely unreasonable. A properly functioning portaloo cleaned as appropriate won’t smell from standing outside it. It’s also fairly common (I’ve seen them in front gardens) so I can’t see how it’s not allowable.
And yanbu to not want the builders using your loo - I’ve also read the horror stories on here!
£40 a week is well worth it.

But she wasn't talking about cleaning the toilet. She said she had to don a mask and gloves and disinfect all surfaces.

Really?

The neighbours are at it, just ignore them.

My parents builders had a portaloo in their front garden as my parents were on holiday for a lot of the time. Neighbours didn’t complain and it was a naice area too 😂

Why is it stressful for workers to use your toilet?! Mumsnet is obsessed with people not using their toilet for the intended purpose

Loads of reasons -

builders are doing dirty work and it’s hard to not traipse stuff in. When I work in my own garden and get messy, I don’t go in for the toilet, I just piss in the garden.

doors opening and closing and pets getting out

etc

i have builders in and they are using my bog, but I have put boxes up to stop my dog getting through and I have to clean the floor every day. It’s nothing to do with piss and shit. It’s a really messy job.

Its my opinion. FWIW being rude to someone who has a different view to you isn’t big or clever.

This has been our experience too - it was priced into the quote. We actually said we didn’t want one but they brought it anyway. Ours is a 9-12 month job, that we’re around 4 months into. Even during the heatwave, it didn’t smell and there are around a dozen workmen on site most days. Our neighbours have never once complained about it (and we have nervously asked a couple of times to make sure they’re happy with it!).

My parents also had a semi detached and it was in the front garden

I’m sure the portaloo company will know the legalities around where their items are to be placed

It will be in their contract. Maybe you don't have it included.

Write TARDIS on it 🤣

Bloody neighbours!

I often think of that SF film The Purge where you are allowed to go out and kill them one night in a year. I would gladly take an AK47 to some of mine. I had to settle for a "Cease and Desist".

I agree with this. I think it’s really unreasonable not to let the workmen use your toilet. I’ve got an acute sense of smell and I wouldn’t be happy to have a portaloo so close to my house. Let’s hope your neighbour isn’t upset enough to get someone to tip it over.

we had one outside for 6 months when we had our extension done. Our house is detached but it was on the front garden. The builders were welcome to use the downstairs loo but said they had to have a portaloo as it was protocol. It never once smelled bad. Your neighbour will have to just get over it

Yet another first-time poster turns up to talk about toileting and the weirdos on Mumsnet can't help but spend the next few hours talking about shit and piss.

As inevitable as death and taxes.

Some of you need to have fewer of the 'be careful on the internet' talks with teenagers, and more with yourselves.

This! They refused to walk on my cream carpet even with covers and taking boots off outside in pouring rain was a faff for them

get it emptied as often as you can however the real smell comes from when the empty it

Tell the neighbour if the are upset with the portaloo are they offering for the builders to use their toilet?

DH did suggest I point this out to them but felt like it would be a bit cheeky.

they need to be greatful that the country hasnt gone into lockdown, with a full portaloo not allowed to be emptied (as not essential) for many weeks, mean while you are stuck in a house without any form of kitchen for many months..... with no restaurants / cafes open and not able to visit friends for tea..... and no builders are allowed to enter the house either....

Which is exactly what happened to my sister when she was having massive buidling works in 2020

Let her complain. By the time the council get around to doing anything your work will have finished and it will be gone.

This is a new variation of the usual "AIBU not to let workmen shit in my toilet?" thread. I bet the complainer is on Mumsnet as well. Yes, portaloos don't look very nice, but they can be great for an emergency dash in the street. (Misses the point of the thread)

And yes @kittensinthekitchen , there are a lot of toilet threads on Mumsnet. It's a weird obsession.

Your neighbours are totally unreasonable. Its 4 weeks!! Not 4 months or 4 years.
Just ignore her.
I guess you could check with the builders if it needs emptying.
Like PP the council won't do anything and if they do it'll be gone soon.

Can't you have it emptied just to shut them up? It probably does whiff when the wind is blowing towards their windows.

Wouldn’t stink if it was used by Mumsnetters rather than men then, would it?