Neighbor “forgets” to return borrowed power tools, now wants man’s brand new pressure washer, leaving the owner stuck between politeness and protecting his stuff: ‘We share a driveway (duplex setup), so I see him literally every day and can't avoid him’

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Dec 24, 2025 5:00 PM EST

I recently found out an interesting ability my mind has: being nostalgic about things I did not experience and being homesick for places I've never been.

Now I'm sure there are loads of spiritual related explantions, but I personally am not a huge believer of that kind of stuff. And there are some philosophical concepts I feel could make it make sense, but for now, I'm not looking to name this strange phenomenon and instead focus on the time I led a simple life on a ranch in Montana during the 1970s, even though I was born in 1992 and have never been anywhere near Montana.

I'm bringing this up because this story reminded me of the pretty worn-out cliche scene of neighbors borrowing a cup of sugar and sending their kid with a piece of the baked goods the cup of borrowed sugar helped bake, which I'm sure is much rarer nowadays, when you can DoorDash a sprinkle of salt if you're willing to pay $16 for it. Tell me "Where Have All the Good Times Gone."

And for the sake of the guy who shared this story, I hope someone makes a DoorDash for power tools, hedge trimmers, ladders, drills, and cords, because his neighbor sure seems like he could use that service.

So, instead of sugar, this guy's neighbor went right to the toolbox and set up camp, and each borrowed tool disappeared for longer than the last, each return felt less like a favor and more like a miracle. And now, when there's a shiny new pressure washer in the picture, he's suddenly outside acting like it's a joint purchase. 

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  • 01

    My neighbor keeps asking to borrow tools and never returns them, now he wants my new pressure washer

    A man pressure-washing a backyard patio, holding a power washer aimed at wet paving stones, with a bold text overlay about repeatedly having to ask for borrowed items back.
    via Irina Shatilova

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    This has been going on for a while now. My neighbor (mid 40s maybe?) moved in and seemed cool at first.
    via TheForegoingBingo

  • This kind of neighbor is a special breed. He doesn’t steal exactly, he just forgets that time exists. Tools leave home with hope and come back tired, dirty, sometimes broken and definitely older. He calls it borrowing, but it’s more like adoption without paperwork. The confidence is almost artful, like he really thinks shared driveways mean shared belongings.  

  • 03
    Asked if he could borrow my hedge trimmer once, no problem right? Well he kept it forever and I had to go knock on his door to get it back.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 04
    Then it was my ladder, my electric drill, extension cords, you name it. Every single time I have to go ask for them back cause he just never returns anything on his own.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 05
    The drill came back with a de d battery too. I had money aside enough to get a decent Ryobi pressure washer from Home Depot, been wanting one forever to clean my deck and driveway.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 06
    Had it delivered and was out front unboxing it when he walks over all excited asking when he can borrow it.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 07
    A white two-story country house with green metal porch roofs sits along a quiet gravel road, surrounded by leafless trees and early spring landscaping.
    via Clay Banks

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    I kinda laughed it off and said maybe sometime but honestly I dont want him touching it.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 09
    The thing is we share a driveway situation (duplex setup) so I see him literally everyday and cant really avoid the guy.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 10
    He texted me asking again about the pressure washer cause his deck is "disgusting" and needs it.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 11
    How do I tell him no without making things super awkward? Or should I just let him borrow it once and be super clear about bringing it back?
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 12
    I'm honestly tired of being the tool library but also dont wanna start neighborhood drama since we're gonna be living next to each other for a while.
    via TheForegoingBingo

  • The real point I seem to be missing is why would someone try to stay polite through it? I know saying no is a skill a lot of people don’t seem to have, but at some point, you just gotta learn how to put your foot down. Because there’s no clean line between friendly and fed up when both sides are attached to the same patch of concrete. And seeing the guy every morning pretending he isn’t five tools deep into your inventory seems pretty tiring to me.

    At some point, a person either becomes the local hardware supplier or learns that silence is cheaper than replacing another drill.

  • 13
    Tough_Spirit7641 Stop people pleasing my friend. Ask for your tools back if he still has any, and say no on the washer and cite your reasons. He's just using you.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 14
    Plane_Low_7467 no reason to not be honest. Just tell him you don't want to have to come track it down. tell him you'll show him how to set it up if he gets his own
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 15
    DrBurnerAcct No is a complete sentence
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 16
    No. Secret_Celery8474 Or: No, because you never return my stuff.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 17
    Fun_Ground_5771 Tell him straight up, "this is a brand new pressure washer and its always been on me to make sure i get back the things i lend you. If you wants to use one you can pay by the hour for mine or buy your own". Neighbors does not mean you rights to each others belongings
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 18
    Rumblecard Tell him another friend borrowed it but hasn't returned it yet and how much you hate that.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 19
    five_by5 Literally say no. Grow a spine. "Unfortunately, since I have lended tools in the past and never received them back, I do not lend out items anymore". You can keep it general if you don't want to be super direct about it.
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 20
    TootsNYC "I've decided not to loan tools out anymore; it's too much trouble."
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 21
    Jimmy JoeMick Is your name Ned Flanders
    via TheForegoingBingo
  • 22
    Fluffy_Ice_5202 Tell your neighbor it not for borrow but if he wants to throw you some money you will do his deck for him
    via TheForegoingBingo

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neighbors neighborhood-drama power tools parking entitled people
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