Help please! Neighbour building works - can’t use our toilet

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Hi, it’s a bit of an unusual one so wondered if anyone had dealt with similar previously and if you had any advice. For context, we live in a Victorian terraced cottage, and we rent.

A couple of days ago, our neighbour had builders in on the roof. We had no prior notice, and they started drilling etc at 8am. So far, not any real issue other than would have appreciated the heads up. However, we have a skylight/window in our bathroom on the roof - it’s the only window the bathroom has. Therefore we have no privacy when needing to use the toilet (or bathroom generally). Clearly my daughter and I don’t want to use the loo when random men can look in and have full view. It’s extremely high up and has no blind. We can’t see a way of covering it up.

On the first day, they agreed to have a break 3 hrs in so we could use the bathroom. Then we decided to go out as they promised it was only that day.

Well, they’re back today, here again tomorrow apparently. We tried speaking to our neighbour and was fine at first and agreed after 3.5hrs his builders could have a short break so we could use the toilet. When this didn’t happen, my OH went over to ask about it, and the neighbour got rude and very abusive to him - so my OH decided to walk away. He has previous form and has been rude and abusive to myself and My daughter before so we avoid him.

I am pregnant, therefore I need to use the toilet fairly regularly. I don’t think I’m being unreasonable asking for a short break every 3/4 hrs to use the loo - especially when he started the works early at 7.30 this morn (against council regulations), they are drilling and banging all day and we haven’t complained about the noise, they have trespassed to our roof constantly without asking if we were ok for them to do this during the works. To top it off, when my OH took me to town so I could use a loo, we came back and our entire top floor stunk of smoke - they had been smoking on the roof.

We have called the council who have been sympathetic and waiting for a call back, but any other ideas? I can deal with everything but would like to use my loo a couple of times in the day!!! I’ve thought about calling the police because of his abusiveness but I’d rather not escalate to that extent unless necessary. Advice please 😊

Honestly I'd just take an umbrella in with me, they won't be able to see you if you're under an umbrella.

Can't you find an old sheet or tarpaulin and ask the builders to cover the window from the outside?

Bit random, but do you have a garden parasol you can site over the toilet that would block out the loo?

If they are on the roof anyway, could they not drape something over the window - it isn’t ideal but it would give you privacy.

Failing that I’d call my landlord and see what they suggest. Really you need a privacy blind fitting.

I'm confused- why are they on your roof if its the neighbours having work done?

No, they’re not helpful at all. We’ve tried talking to them, and just been abused back. He’s awful - to give you an idea - he abused me and my daughter in front of his kids. We were the ones who walked away as I would never be aggressive or abusive in front of children (or generally but defo not in front of young children.)

Thought about going under a sheet or umbrella but neither options really work. They won’t cover the window. We can’t reach it.

Believe me we have tried to find simple ways around it before calling the council.

@Elouera they shouldn’t be on our roof - it’s a terrace so they can step over easily. They’re not respecting our boundary. Which tbh I don’t care about too much (we’ll ignore the noise issue!) other than them looking into our skylight. They haven’t asked to come into our roof

Tape paper to the frame or frosted film if likely to be longer term. Could you use next door's loo during the day?

Are they are on your roof or on your neighbours roof? if they are on your neighbours roof then you will have to cover the window up yourself i'm afraid. your neighbour is entitled to have his roof repaired.

The umbrella idea is to cover you rather than the window. Obviously it's not ideal but it would work for the loo

The umbrella wouldn't cover the window but it would cover you surely? I appreciate you shouldn't have to hide under an umbrella to use your own loo and you should definitely pursue complaining about that (bad reviews on social media for the builders?) but just as a temporary measure so you can actually pee it's better than nothing.

Bluetac paper or tissues to the window

Or get the builders to temporarily tape some cardboard to the outside of the window?

@LIZS thanks but there’s no way I’m going into his house - he’s highly volatile. I can’t emphasise enough just how nasty he is (not just to us but also to other neighbours, his kids, ex wife etc).

Anything structural needs to be done by the LL but he won’t do it - he doesn’t care. So we’ll incur the costs which feels unfair. We’re moving in a couple of months.

This just all feels like it doesn’t need to be like this. I would never treat my neighbours like that, I would at least ask permission to be on their roof and offer to cover their window

Could you buy a camping toilet and put it in the bedroom for emergencies

Have you spoken to your landlord? If the workmen are tramping on your roof they could do damage.

Can you stick something like this which can be peeled off after the works finished?

rabbitgoo Matte Blackout Privacy Window Film Frosted Films UV Protection Glass Window Sticker Dark Window Tinting Film 100% Light Blocking 44.5X200CM https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0785D9LCM/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_Q.QkFbBGPYKXK

Use a ladder and stick some newspaper over the inside.

Thanks for all the comments advising about ways to use the toilet. We have thought of many, believe me. I’d rather a simple and quiet solution. In the meantime, we are going to the shopping centre to use the loo.

I’m looking for advice re council or other means - I can’t emphasise enough how volatile and aggressive he is. It can’t be right that they can be on our roof and look into our skylight without trying to help us cover it or take a short break every 4 hrs so we can use it.

Yes, they do keep coming into our roof - that’s a large part of why the van look into all of our skylights

@starfishmummy yes I’ve told the LL, I said he may want to check the roof for damage as they have been on it and the work being done is clearly structural.

Another vote for a camping toilet. I know you shouldn’t have to but that’s what I’d do

Thank goodness you’re moving soon!

Can't you stick some paper over it?

Am I missing something here?
They're not even on your roof?

Can't you just pee a in a bucket out of sight?

Ladder, newspaper and blu tack is surely the easiest option? Going to the supermarket or scheduling toilet breaks is madness! What's wrong with you?!

Borrow a ladder, to affix bubble wrap or tissue paper with blue tack or masking tape over the glass. Sorted 🙂