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We have a no washing overnight policy. Recently the unit block Nazi was on hols and had delegated her job to another (unknown!). Two jumpers left overnight by some brave soul was bagged and labelled with “Next time these will be put in the garbage tin”. Advice please! It seems ridiculous to not allow the odd item to spend the night outdoors if circumstances mean there is no alternative. I have only been 'unit living' for 4 months and am horrified by the inflexibility. (no, they were not my jumpers!!)
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Is it a “policy” or a by-law. If it's only the former, the laundry monitors can take a running jump.
If it's a by-law, all they can do is issue a warning then have a meeting and issue a Notice To Comply.
Taking someone's property and putting it in a bin is an act of theft and vandalism.
Now, copy and paste this conversation, blow up the type size to fill an A4 page, print it and peg it to the washing line for everyone to see.
Headline? How about: 'Keep your grubby hands off my clean clothes'?
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
I must agree with Jimmy on this, maybe a note to the effect of ‘touch our clothes again and you will be reported to the Police’ could be a bit strong but will shake things up a bit.
You have to ask the question, what is the difference leaving washing out overnight? It is not causing any harm to anyone other than the person who left it out there as it is likely to be damp again in the morning…
This is a bit of an outdated perspective on things.
That's a bit rough. Even if it is a by-law you can't destroy someone elses property! You just can't! And if this washing is hanging on common property clothes line (ie hanging in the right place) whats the harm? Who's going to see it in the middle of the night?
It's not like most people want to leave their clothes out overnight. Circumstances may arise that cause a delay in bringing washing in. Perhaps serial offenders can be reminded (and their clothes remain untouched), but really, if someone leaves their washing out once in a blue moon………But throwing out the “offenders” clothes just isn't on.
What do they do in enforcing the visitors parking spot by-laws in that complex? “Park your car here again and we will move it to the street and torch it”? Wow, and residents here think our EC is too tough!
If the weather has been cool and the clothes are not quite dry, how is leaving them overnight different from taking the two jumpers in and hanging them out again first thing in the morning? If only our issues were some simple. Our EC had to show up at ACAT (the ACT tribunal) because a couple of owners did not like some potential expenses anticipated in the sinking fund plan that was passed 50 to 10.
This scenario covers both sides of the extremes that can occur in a multi- unit setting. It may be that only one line is in a sunny position and that one or more occupiers (current dwellers or long gone) habitually left their washing for up to a fortnight – which has led to long suffering occupiers taking a robust or even extreme stand.
If threats of fines prove not to work (just being in English may render them useless) then it may take months to proceed through identifying offenders, getting evidence/the EC to contact them multiple times/CTTT. Compared to anarchy I would much rather have a fellow resident who patrols the common property armed with a camera, notebook and resolute visage.
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