Oh dear, neighbours :(

Oh Belgravian you really made me laugh with your traffic cone idea!

My DD had neighbours who left an old sofa in their front garden for weeks. They ended up complaining to the landlord, it then got moved. I think neighbours should complain if people behave anti socially, that includes leaving rubbish on view for any length of time even if it’s in their own garden. I’m not saying the OP was in this category, but maybe put a note on said item “this is awaiting collection on....”

Sometimes we open our mouths and our thoughts pop out unbridled. Perhaps this is what happened with your neighbour.

I think it was very rude to make such a remark after only a few days had passed. Like you, I would never think of commenting on a neighbour's garden - unless it was in such a terrible state that it was attracting vermin.

Yes, I have indeed put it down to her having a bad day. I’m not going to fall out with her (I am an adult really) but I still think it was rude. I wouldn’t dream of commenting on what neighbours have in their gardens. Each to his own and live and let live. Mr Neighbour was nice and helpful though so that’s good.

I can understand why it was upsetting but I’m remembering that we all have bad days. I think if I usually got on well with someone I’d put it down to her having a bad day, benefit of the doubt really. Try not to dwell on it, you’ve dealt with the removal now so best to look to the future and try not to worry, I suspect all will be well once the feelings settle.

I did tell her I was waiting for it to be picked up, that’s when she said it looked a mess!

I’m dreading next week when we have to put 2 complete divan beds and a king size mattress out before 6am for the council to collect, it has to be left on a pavement which we don’t have, our house has a shared drive with 2 other houses, it’s going to have to go on the pavement outside another neighbours house.

Had the old tumble dryer broken down?

ournan people aren't mind readers and your neighbour had no idea you were planning for the old drier to be taken away. I cannot condone their rudeness but I think if you had said oh it's only there until someone collects it on..... that should have been fine.

I can understand why you were upset (as I would be) but I think it's best forgotten now.

since you are in such close proximity I dont think you should let a thoughtless remark cause problems.

Just say " sorry about the delay in moving the old drier, it will be gone by>>>>>>>"
Dont let this fester.

If you have nice neighbours and you want to keep things nice, agree with them, say it concerns you and would they help you get it to the tip/other place of disposal.

When I buy new appliances I always arrange for the lorry delivering the new one to take the old one away. It is so much simpler and no more expensive than the sum charged by the local council to do the job for me.

I have just paid £40 for the council to collect 2 sofas from my drive. It took over a week but fortunately I was able to have them tucked to one side so not really an eyesore.
All I had to do was remember to park on my neighbour’s drive (she’s away) so that they had easy access yesterday.
Maybe a word to your neighbour when you put it out might have avoided unpleasantness?
It is always worth a lot to be and have good neighbours.

Waiting to be picked up - yes but unless you tell them people won’t know. My road has a Facebook page so anything like that would be flagged up straight away.

in

Gerispringer

It would have looked obvious to me that left on its own it was waiting to be picked up.

Unless the op's front garden looks like the one on the photo....

Where I live if you leave your bin out when it’s not collection day people get annoyed. I agree they should have been more polite but I would probably be critical of a neighbour leaving a large domestic appliance in their garden for more than a day or two without explanation.

Set your alarm for 2.am then quietly pop out and collect an unloved Traffic Cone and put it in the middle of their front garden.

Listen for when they go out and leave at the same time and greet them loudly in your best Hyacinth Bouquet voice, "Really! I can see you had fun down at the pub last night", sniff loudly and March off!

I just put a sign saying ‘Free’ on unwanted stuff and it usually vanishes quite quickly. Our council charges for everything.

I’m surprised your neighbour spoke to you like that though, you’d have thought they knew you better than to think you considered a tumble dryer to be a garden ornament.

I meant some trust or pleasantness had been broken by the way, not any part of me!!!

Thank you. Yes the council will take it away but £25! Certainly a lot to me. And they would have taken at least a week to pick it up.

You’re right, I should have asked her to help, but I was so gobsmacked at her rudeness! When I’d pulled myself together and dried my tears (of shock I think) I went round and asked her husband to give me a hand with it into my very small car. I couldn’t lift it on my own. He did, all done now, but I feel as if somethings been “broken” unfortunately. Ah well.

You could agree with your neighbour and ask him if he would like to take it to the tip for you, otherwise you will have to wait for the scrapman to come.

Some firms will take away the old item when they deliver the new one, but there is usually a charge. JL charged £15 to take away our old freezer but it was better than trying to struggle to the tip with it and we don't have a scrapman coming round.

Our council, Redbridge will take up to 3 items away for free. Worth checking your council..

My council charges £17 for three large items.

Put a note on it saying £50 and it will be gone within the hour!

Your neighbour was rude.

Our council will collect two large items per year free of charge.