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Original poster

Neighbours Using my Tap

42 replies

Beth1908 · 07/09/2022 18:27

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

OP posts:
Gardenista · 07/09/2022 22:52

When I lived in a first floor flat I had an outside tap installed running from my boiler - I had to have the pipe work lagged and drain the tap each winter in case the pipes froze but perfectly do able

MarmiteCoriander · 07/09/2022 22:53

Some councils and/or water authorities offer reduced priced water butts on their websites. I'd suggest the neighbour gets one.

Also fence off your own garden! I'm finding it hard to imagine that the upstairs have a garden, but need to go out their front door and down an alley to access, and its right next to yours but no separation to define their part! I'd love a pic or drawing, although technically irrelevant to answer your question. You are not being unreasonable at all!

dodobookends · 07/09/2022 22:54

Water butts are all very well until they are empty. In a long dry spell, what then?

Anyway, a pp upthread mentioned 1,000 litres of water costing about £3. To put that in perspective, a sprinkler will use that in around an hour. It is also around 100 watering cans full. You could easily use ten cans a day watering pots and annuals or vegetables in a small garden.

FarFromHome2 · 07/09/2022 23:08

While of course you have every right to stop them using it, if it’s a couple of pounds a year, and makes their life much easier, I’d personally let them continue.

Getting a drink, filling watering cans or buckets uses very little, but if they were filling a swimming pool or running a sprinkler or automated watering system I’d stop that.

LilacPoppy · 07/09/2022 23:10

What do you mean "just been informed " it's your choice if you want a water metre.

emmathedilemma · 08/09/2022 08:28

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 07/09/2022 22:45

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… 🤔

This!!

SoupDragon · 08/09/2022 08:32

LilacPoppy · 07/09/2022 23:10

What do you mean "just been informed " it's your choice if you want a water metre.

No it isn't.

I have been informed that I am going on a water meter, it want my choice. Everyone in our water company's area is going onto a metered supply. You always had to go on a meter when you were the new owner of a property anyway.

diddl · 08/09/2022 08:36

Can't believe posters think that Op should pay for her neighbours to water their garden!

blitzen · 08/09/2022 08:49

YANBU

my outside tap has a valve on it which was under my kitchen sink. I turn it off any way for the winter to avoid frozen pipes xx

BlueMongoose · 08/09/2022 16:19

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 07/09/2022 22:45

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… 🤔

If you are a downstairs flat you don't have a roof. If you're an upstairs one you don't have anywhere to put the butt....
A joint approach is indicated.

BlueMongoose · 08/09/2022 16:20

blitzen · 08/09/2022 08:49

YANBU

my outside tap has a valve on it which was under my kitchen sink. I turn it off any way for the winter to avoid frozen pipes xx

Generally those things are designed to be used as you do, a couple of times a year. Using it more often might mean you need a different fitting, designed to be used most days.

MistyRock · 08/09/2022 16:36

If it is a few pounds a year then, personally I wouldn't say anything, you never know the day you may need your neighbours help, and if you are petty enough to stop him using your tap for the sake of a few pounds you could end up stuck. I would rather have a happy neighbour personally.

PieonaBarm · 08/09/2022 17:48

We have a water meter and use the hosepipe for watering the garden in the summer months. I can't say I notice a difference in the water bill on a monthly basis at all, it's usually around the same give or take a pound. It's a negligible difference, however I do appreciate your point and we do have a lockable tap despite it being in our own fenced garden and behind a locked gate.

I wouldn't have a problem giving you a fiver a month over summer to cover my use or you stopping the use once a meter is installed. Just speak to them and explain you're on a budget.

LilacPoppy · 09/09/2022 15:34

@SoupDragon yes if you buy a new property you have to have a meter. You can refuse for other reasons though. Just because your company says "we are installing a meter to every customer" does not mean you legally have to anymore than you have to get a smart meter.

AdoraBell · 09/09/2022 15:38

Definitely tell them to stop using your water supply and if they ignore and carry on then turn the tap off at the stopcock, if that’s possible.

eighteenmonthstogo · 09/09/2022 15:51

My god I am glad you lot are not one of my neighbours !! What a horrible nasty , get orf my land bunch you are. So small minded that you cannot even begin to discuss this issue in a non-confrontational polite and kind manner..

I like my neighbours. If I were in this situation I would seek them out and say 'hi' .. and explain that a water meter is being imposed upon you and ask the neighbours how they want to manage this new situation. Based on a typical water usage for cans it is going to come out at about a tenner a quarter..

A lock on your tap ?? Do you all hate your fellow man so much that you would implicitly accuse them of being water thieves BEFORE you have a normal open conversation with them ?

You could also suggest they get a water butt for the garden . Which would also reduce need to use yours.

MistyRock · 12/09/2022 09:42

eighteenmonthstogo · 09/09/2022 15:51

My god I am glad you lot are not one of my neighbours !! What a horrible nasty , get orf my land bunch you are. So small minded that you cannot even begin to discuss this issue in a non-confrontational polite and kind manner..

I like my neighbours. If I were in this situation I would seek them out and say 'hi' .. and explain that a water meter is being imposed upon you and ask the neighbours how they want to manage this new situation. Based on a typical water usage for cans it is going to come out at about a tenner a quarter..

A lock on your tap ?? Do you all hate your fellow man so much that you would implicitly accuse them of being water thieves BEFORE you have a normal open conversation with them ?

You could also suggest they get a water butt for the garden . Which would also reduce need to use yours.

I couldn't agree more, the amount on here that would never take your parcels in either, or heaven forbid you actually knock on their front door without a preempted date and time. Lol. Some are real crackers.

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