A couple noticed their neighbours had made a costly error but decided against warning them. Maintaining harmonious neighbourly relations is a goal for many – no one wants the threat of drama or confrontation on their doorstep.
Many aim to be as considerate and aware of their neighbours as possible, keeping interactions courteous while maintaining a respectful distance. This seemed to be the case for one couple who were uncertain how to react when they spotted an expensive mistake unfolding at their neighbour’s property.
Lucy Sharp and her partner were at home late one evening when they heard their neighbour’s outdoor tap running at “full blast”, sparking worries about their water bill.
The cost of living crisis is impacting millions, with fears over the escalating costs of basic necessities like water and electricity causing widespread panic and anxiety.
In a TikTok video documenting their situation as it unfolded, Lucy and her partner could be seen standing in their back garden listening to the water pouring out at their neighbour’s property, but they were unsure if it was too late to knock on their door and warn them.
Addressing the camera directly, Lucy said: “It’s half 11 at night, everyone on the road is in bed but next door but one’s outside tap is running full pressure onto the floor. Their water bill is going to be outrageous.”
As the lights were off in the neighbouring house, they were hesitant to knock on the door and potentially disturb them. The pair ventured outside to investigate but due to the darkness, they decided to retire for the night.
The couple later filmed themselves in bed as they calculated the cost of leaving an outdoor tap running all night.
Reading from his phone, Lucy’s partner estimated it would cost between “£12 to £26 for eight hours at full blast”. He then said: “I thought it was gonna be about £300!”
In the caption accompanying the video, Lucy wrote: “There’s no first time home owners guide for this stuff! Do we save their water bill or mind our own business?”
The post sparked a flurry of comments with many suggesting the couple should have informed their neighbour about the situation.
One person advised: “*knock* ‘Sorry, I know it’s late but I think your outside taps on, didn’t want you to get a massive water bill’. Literally all you needed to do.”
Another quipped: “Who needs enemies when you have neighbours like you guys”. A third suggested: “This is such a non-issue just go knock on their door.”
A fourth urged: “Knock! Or go turn it off. I would be gutted if someone knew my tap was on and didn’t let me know.”
Another joked: “House surveys should include whether the neighbours are aspiring TikTokkers or not”.
Another TikTok user agreed with the couple’s decision though and said: “I’d have done the same as you, can’t lie. My anxiety would NEVER see me knocking on their door”.
A second user said: “Is this a joke … imagine if that was your tap”. Another suggested: “You’d just jump over [and] turn it off. Jump back again. And then in the morning let them know”.
Yet another added: “I’d definitely rather be woken up to be told stuff like this, idc [I don’t care] what time it is, I’d be grateful to you!”
In a follow up video, Lucy defended their choice. She clarified they’re new to the street and don’t know what their neighbours look like, nor do the neighbours know what she or her partner look like.
They didn’t contemplate jumping their fence “like an intruder” and believed that if they had done so, the police would’ve been called.
Lucy said: “If you said we should’ve knocked on, you are probably right. To be completely honest, we just kind of wimped out.
“We’re first time buyer homeowners, new to the street and it was literally practically midnight. If you are my new neighbours, I’m really sorry your tap was running all night and I knew about it. Won’t happen again.”
