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.

Yes, and also as per the op it won’t be emptied until it is collected- so 4 weeks in total without being emptied. That’s grim for the people using it. Even though I think the neighbours are being precious. 2 people living on a boat empty their toilets more than once a month.

I can't see where she said it won't be emptied. If that's the case then that's definitely not usual- we had builders for a long project and the loo was swapped weekly.

If it hasn't been emptied then I think it would be sensible to mention the complaint to the builders and ask them to arrange for it to be emptied. Otherwise just ignore- by the time the council leap into action (if they do) it will be long gone.

@Helenwalker2 the woman who lives next door made a comment about it being unsightly and hoping it won’t be there for too long

Yes, ok, it isn't a pretty sight, and I don't know how bad the smell is but you only have 2 weeks left of the planned timeline? It's not like it's going to be there for months! If it's not right under her window, how does she even smell it constantly to complain?

I hope you aren't in a situation like we were with our kitchen when the supplier offered us a portaloo for 4-5 weeks to install the kitchen and then installation turned into a 5 months nightmare! Then you'd really might need to consider what to do next!

@charleschicken This is where it says it won’t be emptied until collection at the end of the job

The workmen are allowed inside your house, but not allowed to use your toilet? Why? I don't understand. What are all the horror stories you've read about people using a toilet?

Honestly, I'd take a bunch of flowers and a bottle of wine round to the neighbours to say sorry as there really isn't an alternative and give them a time frame for removal. I was grateful for our neighbours being so understanding during our renovation.

@Helenwalker2 to be honest this is probably a good idea if you value the relationship rather than being right and winning the argument.

Completely agree with this.

When we were redoing our kitchen, our kitchen supplier asked us if we wanted one. I said "no" and came to regret it in the end but in retrospect if I opted for one, I would have come to regret it anyway as our kitchen nightmare installation went on for 5 months instead of the promised 4-5 weeks!

Still, I don't see it as being the same as the old colonial families making their servants use a separate loo. Our fitter, for example, used our downstairs loo. Naturally, he never removed his boots throughout the installation and I had to live with the dirty floor on a daily basis. If that wasn't enough, he wasn't exactly keen on cleaning up after himself or leaving the window open, so we had to endure that too. Not many people fancy dealing with that after the person or people, who are essentially strangers in their home.

If she complains to the council they may send an environmental health officer to check on it. If you're right and it doesn't smell then they will go away happy. I assume it is being emptied and cleaned regularly since this is usually part of the service. When we had one for our building work it was done weekly.

You mean stories like pissing on the floor and seat? They’re all true! Anyway I don’t want workmen coming in at frequent intervals to dump and pee! If someone only has one loo it’s horrible.

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)....
It’s only £40 a week which I’m more than happy to pay given the alternative wouldn’t be worth thinking about with the stress etc.

I'm just highlighting these little gems again OP as you worked so hard, I wanted to give them the recognition they deserved.

😂

Op has already said it won’t be emptied until the work has finished. Think she should question this. Bottle of wine and flowers for neighbours would be a nice touch. Apart from that - it’s only 1 month so the neighbours will have to suck it up

Try having one inside 😧

The alternative wouldn’t be worth thinking about? Eh? It’s people using the loo. Jesus.

In the current climate, all work is likely to be completed before the council even looks at the complaint!

Didn’t you know? Contractors are good enough to work for you but not to use your facilities 🙄

My neighbour had one in his front yard for nearly 1 year when he had work done. It was emptied monthly.
It didn’t smell.
I found that the radio & swearing were far worse than the portals.

A month without being emptied/changed. Ewwwwwwww.

No wonder they are complaining. Probably thought it would be changed every week and are gobsmacked that there's effectively a deepening bucket of crap in a shed by their window.

Thanks. Unemptied for 4 weeks is grim and I bet it smells after 2. Ask to have it emptied.

Re builders using the normal loo- I think this depends on the project. If you have 20 blokes on site doing messy outdoor work it's not practical for them to use the indoor loo for all sorts of reasons and they would not want to. It's not like having some chap in to do a bit of tiling.

Maybe suggest that the workmen knock on her door every time they need to void their bowels or bladders and see how much she hates it then…

You are very adamant that it doesn’t smell so maybe in future you’d consider allowing tradesmen to use the indoor toilet? I’m 12 months (on and off) into major renovations and wouldn’t dream of denying anyone use of my loo! The only time I’d consider a portaloo is if there was no alternative, eg the bathroom being fitted/no running water etc.

Can't you give your council a call? At least you'll know she's talking rubbish next time she door steps you.

If it doesn't smell, why would she open up her indoor loo to the tradies?

She doesn’t HAVE a downstairs loo!! They would have to go upstairs walking mud all over her carpets to the one toilet in the house!! For £40 a week I know what I’d choose!