Homeowner Slams 'Cheeky' Neighbor Who Billed Them After Painting Front Door

A homeowner has raged that their "cheeky" neighbors sent them a bill after painting the front door, soon after moving in.

The disgruntled homeowner vented their frustration to Mumsnet, under username Eggfairy1, explaining that said neighbors recently bought an apartment in their building, which has eight units in total.

Rather than living in it, these neighbors used it as an investment, with the homeowner noting they'd seen the home advertised to rent online.

Under the title "Cheeky neighbours want me to pay," they wrote: "I came home the other day to find the main door to the building had been painted. It was shabby before and could do with a coat but this was surprising since I hadn't been consulted and it was a shared door.

"The new colour is black which I was always told was a bad omen. I really didn't like it but didn't want to make a fuss. They have now emailed us saying they want the flats to equally contribute £25 ($32). Lovely to meet you too."

While they acknowledged it wasn't a huge sum, it was a large proportion of their budget, as Eggfairy1 continued: "It may not sound like a lot of money but I am really budgeting right now and my weekly budget for fun is £30 ($23) and it would have to come from that which is miserable.

"I just know if I send them the money I will be bitter about it and anxious that they may expect me to pay in the future without consenting me."

Plus they wish they'd been consulted prior to the act, as they added: "If asked, I would have reluctantly agreed to have it painted just not black."

They asked for advice over how to proceed and not "entirely ruin any relationship" with the neighbors.

And they shared more details in the comments, revealing two doors had in fact been painted, saying: "It was technically two doors with the main front and then the inner porch door too—it does seem ridiculously expensive."

Eggfairy1, who lives in Scotland, added that another "overbearing" neighbor had paid the sum and emailed the remaining households saying they're "fully expecting everyone else to pay too as it's our obligation."

The post, shared last week, has amassed more than 400 responses, and can be read here, as people slammed the charge, pointing out the total would have been £200 ($260) total.

TwinklyBranch wrote: "That's really cheeky of them. They should have got agreement from all the flats before going ahead. I'd email back to point that out, and just say unfortunately you don't have the budget right now. But if you do offer to pay, ask to see a copy of invoice from the painters and any other quotes they got for comparison. I bet you won't be the only one p**sed off at this and refusing/unable to pay."

Keepitonthedownlow advised: "Ask them if they got any quotes for the work. £200 for door painting seems quite a lot."

Noname99 commented: "Of course you don't pay! Just email them saying that to save any difficulties in future any communal word need to agree up front including quotes. Do you not have a management company?"

Saltyquiche said: "Yes state that work needs to be agreed by residents beforehand and then undertaken. You haven't budgeted for additional outgoings."

NarcissasMumintheDoghous fumed: "Absolutely not. Don't set a precedent. Email them back telling them no—you never agreed to this 'improvement' and that you will not be contributing to any other improvements in future that are not agreed up front and transparently managed."

While ChiefWiggumsBoy added: "Ignore it. What's the worst they could do when they're letting the flat?"

In the U.K., property can generally be sold as freehold or leasehold. A group of people can share a freehold. Leaseholds typically last between 99 and 999 years.

Explaining the difference, Home Report Scotland said a "freehold" is when someone owns the ground and the property, and "leasehold" is when the owner has possession of the property but does not own the land.

Eggfairy1 said in comments they weren't sure which camp they fell into, adding: "I had a look at the deeds and there is no mention of leasehold or freehold but it says in order for maintenance the majority of the flats should be in agreement then the work can carry out and the rest are obligated to pay."