To deny neighbour access to render extension?

Are they unreasonable requesting intrusive access? They should have considered this before the project got so far

From experience .... building that close to the boundary, they should have had a party wall agreement in place before any work started (too late to enforce now). The builders would have known this.

Our neighbours wanted to take the fence down so they could render paint the wall. They then went back on their word to replace the fence saying it was rotten anyway and we would need to replace. They also left a trail on render and paint on the patio and raised borders.

If scaffolding is required, get a timeframe in writing and add a reasonable time for delays. State that if scaffolding is still in place after agreed date, there will be a charge of £x per day / week until removed. Otherwise the scaffolders will leave standing for as long as they can get away with as they are not paying for storage.

Does their guttering overhang the boundary? If so they will need to ask you very nicely for an easement in writing (you do not have to agree) otherwise there will be issues when either of you come to sell. If you are not happy with the overhang, then you request that the work is redone ensuring the guttering does not overhang the boundary.

If you agree to any work being done and fences being taken down, take photos of the area affected and put it in writing that you expect your side to be returned to exactly how it was before (no paint/render on any surface and any borders/grass returned to original state). If there are dates that they cannot work (if you've something on or people visiting, put this in writing along with times they can work.

Where solicitors become involved, it gets expensive. Check your household insurance policy as that may include legal aid (if you need to go down that route or get an official letter sent).

A lot of this could have been avoided if your neighbours had popped in for a chat with a cake or bottle of wine to let them know what's happening.

My neighbours took down my fence and drove over my driveway with their digger, without saying a word to me! 🤬
The builder seemed to think that this was acceptable.
Their promise of fixing the fence never happened.
Several years later, it’s hanging on by a thread.
It’s MY fence btw.

Get it all in writing that they are moving your stuff and putting it back exactly the same. If not, they pay for damage. Have 'before' photos and rear camera pointed at the area. Do it only at a time that suits you. It will look neater for you if it's rendered. It's no accident they didn't mention it, they are not nice neighbours. My semi detached neighbours have an extension mm from my boundary too, it blocks light into my dining room. The wall is ugly and I can't grow anything there as never any sun on it.

I’d arrange it for a time that’s the least inconvenient to you, get it agreed that they will return everything to the exact state it was before and clear up ALL mess, and that it will take no longer than x days
Not sure how you hold them to this but maybe ask for legal advice cos my main concerns would be around a big mess and the work overrunning considerably so that I couldn’t use the space for weeks

OP - are you in Scotland? You mention a building warrant is in place which suggests you might be. If so there is no Party Wall Act or Agreement, as this only relates to England. (Not sure about Wales and N Ireland).

A Party Wall Agreement is needed. It doesn’t matter that they haven’t crossed your boundary to build. If the permitted development is digging foundations within 3 metres of your boundary, they need an agreement. This has to be submitted 2 months before construction begins and you have 14 days to submit objections. This process is in place for this very reason. You could have asked how they plan to maintain it, at which point you could have objected.

I would not agree to anything until they have paid for a PWA, then around that, you can dictate your terms. You do not have to allow anyone on you property but if you agree you need some very clear terms around remediation, should anything be damaged.

personally, I would engage with a solicitor as they appear to not have followed the correct process.

I fear we are all talking into the ether. The OP is not listening

This.

I think you have to unfortunately.

Get compensated . I had a neighbor access my property around 10 years ago it took 2 months for the same and then ages to remove everything. I was compensated £2000 for the disruption and a further £1000 for delays in removing scaffolding. Get a contract drawn . It was still disruptive as hell but at least I could take the kids out a few times . I won’t lie , I’m not sure I would allow it again , not for the same amount

I would get legal advice now - otherwise you may find it difficult to sell your house in the future. And the question I'd ask my solicitor is 'have they broken any regulations which will make it difficult for me to sell the house in future'. To be honest I can see lots of issues here and you may need to get them to alter their extension to make it smaller.

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Our new neighbours planned a massive extension and didn't want to listen to any of our concerns so we had a PARTY WALL agreement put in place. It didn't cost us anything, as the neighbours have to pay and they were much nicer to us after this.

What’s the party wall situation? Is the height within the single story restriction? (3-4m), Is there a gap for drainage? What is the drainage plan? While there be any roof or gutter overhang?

Have you checked your deeds? Lots of properties have rights to maintain their property from a neighbouring property.

OP would insist on an RICS party wall surveyor draw up an agreement and “manage” this part eg the fence render and so on. This person are visits to ensure all fair and done properly. Protecting both of you.

I thought you couldn’t build any closer than a metre from the boundary ?
Our old neighbour built exactly a metre from us in spite of having a huge plot to play with. Such a shitty thing to do. They also then asked us to let them put scaffolding in our garden to work on their build. I reluctantly agreed, but actually wished that I’d said no, as the scaffolding was there for well over a year, possibly two, and they trampled all over my plants.

Ahh thanks. We left a clear metre and that was next to a field. We still asked for permission to put the outriggers of the scaffolding in the farmers field and he agreed.

I think I would just allow it provided I had an agreement for the householder (not the tradesmen) to make good in the event of damage and took lots of photos of the 'before'.

You never know when you might need your neighbours goodwill. I have a NDN on the other side and if I saw his house was on fire in the night I wouldn't ring him. He pulled a prank showing off in front of visitors 20 years ago and nearly killed my dog in the process. He has never said sorry and I haven't spoken to him to this day and I have always made an effort to get along with my NDNs.

Life's too short to say no IMHO.

No they don't.You can build right up to the boundary, even under permitted development but you are meant to put a party wall agreement in place. But if you don't do o a party wall agreement there is literally no come back at all.

The Party Wall Handbook is an edifying read on the matter.

This exact situation with my neighbour nearly did for me. People can be utter cunts, I moved in the end.

Tender is essential for a house to make it waterproof!

I thought all building work had to have a clear meter for this sort of thing?

Is it worth checking the plans to see if they conform?

Good answer, me too

If they built it so close to the fence they should have used bricks that wouldn’t need rendering and ongoing maintenance. Inconsiderate and entitled!

Are you happy with how it looks now?

My dad said no to something very similar, and it’ looks awful. Things is they don’t see it their side only us.