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Original poster

AIBU re this odd request from neighbours?

485 replies

yorkshapudding · 02/08/2015 16:51

Our NDN's came over to tell us that they are having some work done in their back garden starting tomorrow- having a fence built, some trees cut down, rubbish cleared etc. They estimate it will be about two full days work, possibly more. They then told us that they were going away and would not be back until after the job has finished. They explained that they don't want to leave the workmen a key for "security reasons" so this means they will have no power source to plug tools in, no access to a bathroom or kettle etc. so would we be in and if so would we mind 'helping out' with those things.

I explained that DH will be at work and while I am actually off work for the next couple of days, I will have various errands, things to do, want to take DC out etc. so will be in and out of the house. They then asked when I was planning on going out so they could let their workmen know and saying "oh don't worry, they'll work around you". I told them that I hadn't made firm plans and didn't know when I would be going out. To be honest I don't really want to be tied to a schedule and I also don't like the idea of three strange men traipsing around my house for two days. I told them that I was sorry but they needed to either provide them with a key or arrange for the work to be done at a time when they would be home as we couldn't be on hand for two days to provide cups of tea, electricity and access to bathroom facilities etc.

Although they were polite, I got the distinct feeling that NDN's thought I was being mean and not very neighbourly.

AIBU or is it a bit much to expect me to accommodate all this? Initially I thought they were being cheeky (they don't want to leave these men a key but I should just open my house up to them!) and that it was a bit of a strange request but due to their reaction (they seemed quite surprised that I said no) I'm now doubting myself. They are generally quite annoying neighbours, nothing too awful just a bit noisy and inconsiderate at times, so I don't trust myself to be objective!

OP posts:
prettybird · 05/08/2015 10:37

Don't know about new properties only ever lived in houses 100+ years old but in older properties, a power point outside is definitely NOT the norm.

When we moved into out current place, the power in the garage was via a plug in the spare bedroom with the cable spanning the space "protected" Hmm by a piece of perished hose Shock.

When we converted the bedroom into a kitchen we sorted that out, had it properly wired, complete with a circuit breaker and the link between the two buildings is now armoured cable.

Still no power in the garden (use extension leads from the garage) but that's a project for the future. Smile

Hadron21 · 05/08/2015 10:46

Can't wait for the concluding episode of this drama!

GarlicDoughballsInGlitter · 05/08/2015 10:46

We have outdoor power points too but I am not actually sure if they work. I guess I should check!

place marking

LurkingHusband · 05/08/2015 10:52

Many years ago, our then [HA] flat was renovated along with 16 others, in a program of works. About 2 weeks before, the contractors sent a leaflet to all flats, explaining that water, drinks, toilet facilities and power were all being provided on site, and that householders should not be expected to provide anything. It finished by emphasising there was on-site secure storage, and no tools or equipment was expected to be stored in homes.

The fact the leaflet was so well written and printed suggested there had been a need for it from previous incidents Hmm.

Anyway, I still have the spirit level they managed to lose, and the Makita drill they left behind ran for ages Grin.

Oh dear, I appear to have placemarked too Blush

dustarr73 · 05/08/2015 10:55

Snort at the Korean Lady.I remember that thread well.

ExitPursuedByABear · 05/08/2015 10:59

No outdoor power point here. I always how people manage to have loads of outside lights at Christmas. We only manage it with the cable put through an open window or the letter box.

ExitPursuedByABear · 05/08/2015 10:59

And not everyone needs to download during the day.

Some of us manage to do it before leaving home.

2rebecca · 05/08/2015 11:01

Stupid neighbours. Ypou don't go on holiday and not leave a key for access if you're having work done and have agreed the workmen can access electricity and toilets. When we had work done we had to agree in advance if the workmen could use our facilities. If not we'd have been charged extra for a generator and portaloo. Their foreman just had a key to the house whilst we were at work. Sometimes you have to trust people.

FlyingPirate · 05/08/2015 11:01

This thread has brightened my otherwise rather shit day.

Well done, OP, for sticking up for yourself!

rainbowstardrops · 05/08/2015 11:02

Am loving the dedication of the elderly neighbour - we all owe her a high five! Star

LurkingHusband · 05/08/2015 11:13

Since outdoor power points have seeped into discussion, at the risk of being boring, can I ask folks to check that theirs is definitely covered by an RCD breaker. It's a device which will cut the power if a current appears on the earth circuit (e.g. you have just managed to run your lawnmower over the cable) and may very well save a life.

Any equipment I use outdoors, is powered from an RCD-protected extension cable (available from all good DIY stores).

limitedperiodonly · 05/08/2015 11:17

Mint they hid their shit in a store room in the basement Sad. Just nasty.

The neighbour sounds like she'll give a full and thorough surveillance report. My mum would have said: 'done a toilet' too .Grin

TheReluctantCountess · 05/08/2015 11:18

Are the neighbours due back today?

QueenOfThorns · 05/08/2015 11:53

Why oh why is elderly Korean next door but one lady not a MNer? It's very unfair to have to wait until OP gets home before we get an update Sad

(Place duly marked)

paulapompom · 05/08/2015 11:58

Yorksha yadddddnbu, unless you stop updating, which would bu.

Limited your DH sounds truly lovely, They sound like scummy cunts who should be ashamed.

That said I am loving this thread! Would it be too much to adapt it into a film? Start with a montage of cheeky ndn going door to door asking neighbours for use of loo, electric, whatever - I am seeing op as Jennifer Aniston and maybe Jake Gyllenhaal as a hunky topless builder, I think this could work. Would need good special effects for the weeping bicycle monkeys though.

londonrach · 05/08/2015 11:58

What time is op back...(remembers the elderly korean thread..thanks queen...and pops over the classics)

londonrach · 05/08/2015 11:59

Paula...let me know when the film is out...

paulapompom · 05/08/2015 12:04

Londonrach - of course, Mners will be issued with premiere tickets!

ExConstance · 05/08/2015 12:11

What a great idea! I'm having my kitchen done in September, so I'll book two weeks leave and leave the neighbours at number 1 to deal with it all!

No YANBU

Kaekae · 05/08/2015 12:15

So they are going away and want to you to deal with their builders? I'd say no! Why have they just assumed you'll be in anyway?!! Cheeky! I had a fence put up recently. I did decide to pull down some shrubs and trees on my side because I needed more room in my garden but we didn't touch my neighbours. All the work was carried out in my garden so no damage or mess to neighbours plants or property.

Mouthfulofquiz · 05/08/2015 12:25

I actually can't wait for tomorrow's next update.

BitOutOfPractice · 05/08/2015 12:43

The cheeky fuckers NDN arrive home today

Metacentric · 05/08/2015 13:00

can I ask folks to check that theirs is definitely covered by an RCD breaker. It's a device which will cut the power if a current appears on the earth circuit (e.g. you have just managed to run your lawnmower over the cable) and may very well save a life.

Trivia note: the whole point of RCDs ("residual current devices"), aka ELCBs ("earth leakage circuit breakers") is to deal with the case where current hasn't appeared on the earth conductor, but is instead leaking to earth through some unspecified other route, perhaps you. Indeed they provide protection for unearthed appliances, like many garden tools; most "double insulated" equipment sold in the UK uses a two-core flex, as they don't have earth bonding (nor do they need it).

An RCD measures the difference in current between the live and neutral (the "residual current"), and trips when the difference exceeds 300mA (the sort you might have on your house distribution unit) or 30mA (plug-top devices sold for use with garden tools). They don't look at the earth at all: if there is a leak to earth, the RCD detects it by the effect it has on the balance between the live and the neutral.

Simply having an RCD (aka ELCB) in the consumer unit isn't good enough; if your hands are wet or your heart is weak 100mA@230V is certainly enough to kill you ("it's the volts that jolt, but it's the mills that kill").

An RCD won't always save your life, and there are scenarios where you can get a potentially fatal shock without the balance of the conductors being disturbed. But those are rare situations, and a 30mA RCD on every garden tool is a massive safely win. Just don't rely on your house RCD to do it for you.

limitedperiodonly · 05/08/2015 13:14

OT metacentric but I have an outside power source in the garden put there by someone else.

I think it's dangerous - it's an indoor socket powered from an extension within the house - but I don't know what to do with it.

What do you suggest?

I flicked the switches from on to off with a stick while wearing rubber shoes - brave.

It's been there years. I've been in the garden countless times when it was wet.

It's lethal, isn't it? I should call an electrician on a dry day, shouldn't I?

IceBeing · 05/08/2015 13:28

this is just fab...other peoples NDN issues are always more fun than one's own!