Neighbours Using my Tap

[Beth1908]

Hi all - I have just purchased a ground floor maisonette which has a garden split into two, shared with the maisonette above. The previous owner was good friends with the owners above and so they never fenced around each others. There is one outside tap on my part of the garden, connected to my water supply. Historically, the owners above have been using this tap to water their garden. I have just been informed that we’re going on a water metre AIBU to suggest that they stop using as I can’t afford and don’t want to be (!) paying for their usage! Thank you for your thoughts

[UrsulaPandress]

Definitely stop them using it.

[Chamomileteaplease]

Of course not! Surely once you tell them that you are going to be on a meter they won't have a leg to stand on.

[chipsandpeas]

turn the tap off until you want/need to use it

[Gazelda]

Absolutely. But don't "suggest". Tell them in a friendly manner that as you're now going into water meters you are unable to afford for them to use your supply.

[GiantKitten]

Not unreasonable at all, but I can’t see how they’re going to deal with watering unless they can somehow get their own tap run down from upstairs?
Otherwise they’d be carrying watering cans down. Or could they run a hose out of their window?

[Leafy3]

Of course yanbu

[GinIronic]

Tell them not to use it anymore and then get a tap lock to make sure no one uses it without your knowledge.

[Tomorrowisalatterday]

Get a rain butt

[Beth1908]

Thanks everyone for your replies and support! Trying to get the balance of not pissing off neighbours as soon as I move in but also not adding to ever increasing bills!!

[Beth1908]

@GiantKitten Yeah, I don’t know how easy (or costly?!) getting a tap fitted that’s connected to their own supply? They don’t have access to the garden from the back … they have to go out the front and walk down an alleyway so it is quite far to carry watering cans

[StrikeandRobin]

Have a discussion and let them know but then get one of these tap locks.

Tap lock

[onmywayamarillo]

Yes of course! This happened to me, but tyres as with off valve in my house so I switched it off. They didn't say anything

[Lovelydovey]

YANBU - get a plumber to install a lockable outside tap.

[knickersniff]

Do you intend to fence of your garden ?

[Gribbit987]

Well, how much do they realistically use if it’s just watering cans? Couldn’t they continue to use and pay you like £1 a month or whatever figure you come up with?

Water rates are very low and set to averages. I saved money when we got a meter. You might well do too. Their use minimal - is it more the invasive element you dislike or is it a worry about the cost?

I’d look for a peace keeping resolution. It sounds like without your water source they will struggle. Discuss the matter, see how they feel about a contribution and avoid disgruntled neighbours. Always best to maintain neighbourly good will 🙂

[diddl]

I think that they should be thankful for the use that they have had so far!

They can't think that they would always have neighbours who would want to pay for to water the garden/not have it fenced off!

[WhatNoReally]

Why don't you suggest they contribute a little to the water bill? If they say no, lock the tap.

[shouldbesleepingnotscrolling]

As PP said a few watering cans over the spring/summer probably wont cost very much so although you dont have to, you could make it clear to them that you are going on a meter but dont mind them using a small reasonable amount?

Or suggest they get a water butt?

[ElvisLeftTheBuilding]

Unless you are desperately poor, and their garden is massive, then using your tap to water their garden will be virtually nothing, especially over winter.
Honestly, if it was me, I'd monitor the metre and see how many pence they are clocking up. As a rough guide, 1000 litres of water costs about £3. I'd let them carry on and if necessary bill them for the couple of pounds once per year.

[CasperGutman]

If they're using a couple of watering cans to water some pots every now and then in a dry spell, I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe just ask them to chip in a quid or two every now and again. If you have a rough idea what they're using you can work out the cost easily enough.

If they're hooking up sprinklers and irrigating the whole place all summer long, that's a bit different though!

[rovercat]

Could you install a water butt and collect the rainwater? Ask them to use that first then if it runs out (unlikely in a normal summer!) use the tap.

[Aquamarine1029]

Definitely get a tap lock.

[PeekabooAtTheZoo]

Why should op pay the £40+ for a water butt? I agree a butt is the answer but this isn’t her problem to solve, the neighbours should buy a butt and put it on their side of the garden on their property!

[Dontfuckingsaycheese]

You should both be using waterbutts. It’s a ridiculous waste of water to use for watering garden. Have they/you heard the news at all… 🤔

[Surtsey]

We have a stop valve for ours on the inside. Perhaps you have one too. They are usually fitted so you can turn it off and drain the outside pipework so it doesn't freeze in cold weather.