Next door builders using portaloo

[KylieWasHere]

We’re having an extension done to our detached house and our next door neighbours are having some work done at the same time. We’ve seen that their builders are using the portaloo we’ve hired. Next door didn’t hire portaloo.

No one asked us anything.

should we say something?

I guess it doesn’t impact us (won’t cost us more), but for example if damage was done to the portaloo it would be our builders / us who get charged. Our neighbour is a lovely elderly man so don’t want to upset him.

any advice? Are we just being petty?!

We didn't mind our neighbours' builders using ours. Then again, (i) they asked nicely and (ii) they were only there for a couple of weeks whereas ours were working on site for ~4 months.

In terms of any additional cost, it won't be much in the grand scheme of things. I'm pretty sure we paid a flat fee for the portaloo per week or month. We didn't pay extra depending on how often it was emptied. Quite possibly the hire company serviced it on a fixed schedule, rather than waiting for it to fill up.

I wouldn't worry about it - especially not if the payment arrangement means there'll be no extra cost to you.

Our neighbour's builders chucked a bucket full of shit in our garden as our neighbour is too stingy to get them a portaloo! So I would maybe be glad they are using the portaloo! Our neighbours still haven't hired one!!

That would really annoy me but I can be petty.

Leaving the gate open would puss me right off.

I’d pop round and ask if they want to go halves and if not tell them to stop.

Interesting to see the mixed responses.

I’m inclined to just leave it, as a couple of PP mentioned in the grand scheme of an extension even if it needed emptying more often it will be peanuts compared to what we’re spending. Our neighbour is putting up with our noisy works (much noisier than his) so it feels like a small gesture we can make in return. My partner is a lot more petty than I am though so will need convincing 🤣

Much more pressing things going on in the world but still it is common courtesy to ask especially as it is on your property!

They’re grown adult men doing a responsible job - they’re not going to damage the loo. Although other people not there for a reason - like passing runners or just people out for a walk - I wouldn’t be happy about them using it.

Yes agreed. And they shouldn’t be leaving the gate open.
BTW the fact that the neighbour is a “lovely elderly man” is no reason to give him a pass on everything!

I'd ask your builders about it. We did share a portaloo between our house and neighbour's house whilst we were both doing building work BUT we were both using the same company! The cost was split between us.
We also shared a skip. Both made sense as meant there was more driveway space available for parking on so less of a pain for other neighbours.

I suppose though a lot depends on how long we're talking about and what happens if your project finishes but his is still carrying on.

Would it be better to ask the builders to get rid of the portaloo due to the unwanted neighbour-builders using it? Then your builders could just use your house loo, or pee against the hedge?

What is the set up in term of hiring?
Do you pay for a set period? Does it include all the emptying, or do oyu have to pay each time?

If it is costing you more, I absolutely would lock it.

If you are happy to let the other builders use it, then definitely speak to them and say if they continue to leave the gate open, they will no longer be able to use it. Also check with your builders to see if they are happy sharing.

It's annoying, but then your building work is probably annoying for your neighbours too, probably one where you just have to leave it alone.

I wouldn’t have a problem with them using it but I would prefer if they asked first and didn’t leave the gate open.

I’d probably ask my own builders if they minded. If they don’t, tell next door’s builders they can use it on the condition they close the gate and are considerate.