Bench press on balcony beside ours, view from my dining table and seating area!

[bubblesforlife]

So our neighbors just erected a 2-meter high bench press just over the fence of our balcony, it's the view from our dining table and balcony seating area. Tell me there is something in balcony rules that should protect us from neighbors doing this? Pleeeeease!!

He asked during the week could he erect a 2-meter high privacy screen but we said no higher than 1.5 meters because it blocks our sunlight. So he puts this absolute eye sore up instead!

Here is a pic for demonstration.

I wouldn't be thrilled either but I doubt there is anything you can do. It comes with the territory of living in a flat.

At least he is not using his balcony to store lots of junk like many people do.

I was going to say the same as OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny. You seem to think he will be working out all day, every day ?? Seems unlikely to me.
Also, like Insancerre said, I think most of us are presuming the balcony was there when you chose to move into the flat? - it can't come as a surprise that a neighbour might actually use theirs.
There are a LOT of things neighbours do that are irritating, but I can't see this coming anywhere near the top 100 annoying things.
Even if he is super conscientious (and lets be honest, most home gym equipment loses it's appeal after the first couple of weeks), but even if he is, you are only going to be talking about a few minutes once a day. I bet there are things you and your family do that irritate him, too - it is just what happens when you live close to other people.

He's an arsehole for putting that thing there (and you're getting some arsey replies on here). If he wants a bench press he should put it in his flat. And I don't blame you for not wanting a screen up that would block out the light either.

Gawwwd! Some people here are pretty harsh! I was asking for advice not for criticism, ouch!!

I must be a terrible person, how dare I not want a big hideous bench press outside my window from my next door neighbors! Condemn me to prison all you Mumsnetters!!!

Outcome: I text them with a suggestion that they may want more privacy for their exercising, and if they moved it slightly. I got a response which was passive aggressive because I declined the 2-meter high privacy screen (which is a trellis full of fake lavender), but they get my point and moved it! Done deal.

and @insancerre , i bought off the plans so no I did not see it before I moved in! He did though!

We are getting the developer to put a 1.5-meter divider, it's been in the works for over a year, so that will sort out an ongoing privacy issue, but that does not consent to set up a gym on your balcony! It's against the leasehold rules, seating and a table!

I can't see the issue with that, And he proposed privacy screening and you said no to that too.

Why not just text him and tell him you rule the world and as such he is not permitted to use his balcony. He can decorate it nicely but should never be out there at all? And that you feel you're completely reasonable in this request, because after all, you do rule the world?

@Bluntness100 I couldn't agree more!

You must be such a lovely person in comparison to me, I wish i were more like someone like you!

Geeze there is a lot of unpleasantness on here these days. Can't people disagree without resorting to personal abuse?

His bench press should be in his flat. Apartment living requires all parties to be mindful of their impact on others. Obviously most people would be negatively impacted by someone grunting and squeaking on the next door balcony whilst trying to enjoy a bit of outdoor space. Of course you shouldn't have to lose your sunlight to block out your neighbour's antisocial behaviour.

I would leave it OP. Our climate is not conducive to keeping bench presses outside. Also, people tend to buy impractical home gym equipment that gets used for a bit, then ignored, then put into storage/sold. Keep quiet and it might disappear all on it's own.

I have a feeling that the more you complain, the longer it will remain OP.

Condemn me to prison all you Mumsnetters!!!

Ahem- some of us said you weren't being unreasonable- we're not all vipers!

Condemn me to prison all you Mumsnetters!!!

Bit of a theme of over reacting then.....

BackforGood

I can't see what wrong with that. It's no different to someone who's tee total being fed up with you drinking with your friends on the balcony.

OP has been subjected to an MN pile on. It's like the 5th form on here sometimes.

I got a response which was passive aggressive

Oh please tell us what he said!

How on earth has the OP been subjected to a pile on?

She asked a question and got an answer she disagreed with. If you think anyone has broken talk guidelines feel free to report...