My neighbours have knocked down my wall!

[virgil]

Our house is a long way from our neighbours house and we have only briefly net them to say hello to in passing since they moved in six months ago. When we left home this morning we saw that our garden wall has been knocked down. This is not a wall that separates the two properties but it goes along our driveway over which they have a right of way. The wall itself was fine but a pillar had fallen down and we just hasn't got around to having it fixed. They are clearly now getting it fixed ! I am torn about whether to go to their house and point out that the wall is ours. This will no doubt cause tension since they must surely think it is theirs. We wouldnt have had it fixed for months since it was very low priority on our list of a million jobs. On the other hand it looks like they are trying to widen the access or something which I don't want to do. What would you do?

You need to go round and tell them its your wall (politely) and say you expect them to sort it out asap.

I'm really worried about having a dispute with them. Surely no rational person would do this if they didn't think they owned the wall which then means we are going to get into an argument about who owns that bit of land

Are you sure you own the land? Have you got your deeds to hand?

It doesn't have to be a conflict - pop round and nicely say that you're worried they've misunderstood the boundary. It'll be more of a conflict if you let them build the wall, maybe in the wrong place and then tell them. Especially if you then want that new wall taken down and rebuilt in a different place.

Maybe it's because it doesn't look good fallen down? Maybe the previous owners led them to believe it was their wall? I'm sure there's nothing sinister about it but go and ask them what they are intending doing as it's your wall.

Do you think they r fed up with it looking broken and thought they should get it fixed? I'd go round and have a chat they might be willing to share cost to sort it out

Go and chat to them...tis the only way to find out

I completely agree that it would look better fixed but it's a ten foot high and two foot wide stone pillar that has broken in two, not a cheap and easy fix and certainly not something we can afford to do at the moment. That isn't the point though surely.

I have the deeds but it wouldn't surprise me if there is confusion with the plans. The properties are large and rural. Our driveway come
Off the main road and then the neighbours have to travel up it by about four metres before they turn off onto their driveway. Our plans show the entrance off the road as being ours and they simply have the right of way. Otherwise our property would be landlocked.

Dh has gone over there ( or at least to buzz on their gate intercom). I'm a bit worried!

Good luck!

And?

Phew no dispute or falling out. They apologised, they thought it was theirs. They are going to carry on fixing it anyway and invited us over for a drink! So all is well and I can stop panicking about imaginary stressful situations!!