Should you let your next door neighbors borrow things?

Question

Such as ladders and etc.

If you let them borrow it, the next thing you know, they'll be
asking to borrow your lawnmower, weed-whacker, etc.

But then if you don't let them borrow it, you set a reputation
of being that selfish neighbor.

Personally, I don't see nothing wrong with being selfish when
you own the goods and don't want anybody else to touch it.
They might damage it and not tell you about it. And then the
next time you use it, it doesn't work.

Would you go back and accuse them of breaking your
goods?

Here's how I see it:

If you paid good money for that ladder and worked your butt
off for it, nobody should have the right to borrow it from you.

It's yours!

But something like this can actually spoil the bonds of being
good neighbors to each other. It would form a bridge of hatred.

What do you guys normally do in situations like these?

It's a newer neighborhood. We've only been neighbors for 8 months, but this is the type of neighbor that never stops talking.

You say you have to get going and he keeps going like he's been holding his stories back for so long and don't really have anybody to tell it to.

Thanks everybody for your comments.

He dresses nicely, but he's got a reputation for being "anal" person. Like he gets scared of certain things.

For example:

Let's say, you're mowing the lawn and you want to be good neighbors. So you mow a little on his side of the property. He gets scared that you're trying to steal his land from him, so he questions you in a sarcastic manner.

Well, we did indeed loaned it out to him. I don't know when we'll get it back, but we'll see! Hopefully, he'll turn out to be a good neighbor afterall.

I just don't get it. The dude is single and has money to buy a big screen TV, how can he not afford a freaking ladder?

And he's single for a reason too. It's the talking!

Answer 1

If you want to be a good neighbor you should allow people to borrow your stuff and you can expect to borrow things from them. People aren't going to borrow things from you if neither of you are on the same level of friendship with one another. If you have something special you don't want them to borrow in particular, when they ask to borrow it, all you have to say is, "I'd rather you didn't." Good neighbors with respect for one another will offer to replace a broken thing that they borrow.

Answer 2

That is a tough question. It definitely does have an effect on the neighborhood dynamics.
I haven't had very good luck lending people things, I usually don't get them back (even from my own sister).
But perhaps a solution might be to let them borrow the item but let them know that you need it back before the end of the day because you need to use it. That way it doesn't stay out overnight and you'll be more likely to get it back if they think you need it. Also, if you don't get it back by early evening, go get it. You have the right to.

Answer 3

There are a few "if" here. If the neighbor is an elderly lady living by herself, doing her own work--if the neighbors are workaholics and really try to get ahead--if they are having a lot of sickness or medical problems--then yes, maybe. But if they are run of the mill--borrowers, breakers, never returners, then no. Yes, it could cause hard feelings but I have learned through life, you will get critized from someone, sometime. lol Might as well be these neighbors.

Answer 4

if you are hesitant about letting a neighbor borrow something, how 'bout you volunteer to help them with the project and when you are done, take your tools home with you.

But if you don't want to let them borrow is because you worked hard for it, you are increadibly selfish. If it was a car, i would agree, but since you are talking about a ladder, just let the poor sap use it and inspect the tools when you get them back.

Or if it's your lawn mower, offer to mow the guy's lawn for a nominal fee, that wouldn't be out of line at all.

Answer 5

this is a really good question. family members and our neighbors are always borrowing stuff from us. when family borrows it's never in the same shape when we get it back. it's either dirty or broken. they're not in good financial shape so we don't ask them to replace it. we've learned to pick and choose what we lend them.
our new neighbors borrowed a ladder last summer. it's still in their garage. we really like them so we haven't said anything yet, but when we need it we're going to tell them we need it back.
i have 2 suggestions: 1. say i'll loan it to you but you'll have to replace it if something happens to it because i can't afford to. 2. say i don't loan out my stuff because i never get it back in the same condition and i can't afford to replace it.
although both responses will probably make them mad, i doubt they'll hate you.
as for accusing them of breaking it if it comes back broken, i wouldn't do that. i think that would definitely cause bad feelings. the next time they ask to borrow something say, i'm sorry but the last time i loaned you something it was returned broken. it probably was ready to break anyway, but i don't loan my stuff out anymore.

Answer 6

I'm not a big fan of loaning things to people. (My great grandmother had a saying..."Never loan money or books because you'll never get either of them back."

I'd say it really depends on how well you know your neighbor and how long you've known them. If you've been in your house for 20 years and have known your neighbor since you moved in, I'd say yeah--it's OK. Being that close/friendly with someone would probably guarantee that he'd A) take care of your stuff, and B) replace or repair it if he damages it. If you've lived in your house less than a year and aren't overly friendly with your neighbors--just say hi to them in passing--and they want to borrow your brand new $3,000 Toro riding mower--definitely not!

Answer 7

it is your ladder therefore you should decide whether u want to lend it out or not. since u ask i will tell u "straight up" you sounds a bit self centered. i dont know the relationship u have with ur neighbours, but would you want to be in need of something and turn to ur neighbours and be turned down? the fact that the ladder will not decrease in quantity and quality means u can lend him. if he has a rep for not returning things or distroying things then tell him no and why

Answer 8

It depends on the person.

I don't loan money as "friends" and neighbors probably won't be a good plan to loan money to. And you NEVER loan money to "boyfriends" or "girlfriends".

We have one neighbor who's absolutely reputable and safe to loan equipment to... no problem... no damages... always returned...

I wouldn't loan to most people

Answer 9

Never lend something that you don't want to lose. Having said that, I don't put much value on material things so I am more likely to lend things to my neighbors. It's ok to have limits and if you will be upset about something being lost or broken, just don't lend it.

Answer 10

That is a hard question to answer . If you were that neighbor in need you hope your neighbor would let you use it , then go buy the item , if your going to need it again in the future. I would let them use it once , hopefully they would respect the item in use.