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Original poster

Dispute with neighbour...what would you do?

26 replies

PandyCuff · 31/03/2019 16:40

My neighbour has pulled down his dry stone garden wall and replaced it with concrete. Because the dry stone wall runs the length of our terrace, it has caused my garden wall to fall down, and the neighbour on the other side. The terrace of houses/gardens which adjoin our gardens/share the wall are at a higher level and so the DS wall was a retaining wall. There are now 2 patios with the potential to slide into my garden.

He says he will build a replacement but so far it is not to the same height, doesn't extend to the end of my garden and hasn't been back filled.

In addition, he removed his patio and as a result both garden fences fell down. He is replacing the fence that I share with him. But neighbour on the other side replaced theirs. Their garden/flower beds have subsided.

Been going on about 6 weeks now and the dog is having to stay elsewhere.

OP posts:
Knittedfairies · 31/03/2019 16:46

I'd be looking at my insurance to see if I had legal cover. Removing a retaining wall doesn't seem a very good idea to me...

TheQueef · 31/03/2019 16:47

It sounds a fucking nightmare.

Original poster
PandyCuff · 31/03/2019 16:53

I have checked my insurance, I'm not covered 😭

He thinks we should be grateful that he has removed the old wall as he said it wasn't built properly (it predates the houses, is at least 150 years old) He is very pleased with the wall he has built in its place. Doesn't seem to understand why we want it built to the same height and width, or back-filled. He has left a big hole in the neighbours on the other side. I have been insisting he repairs mine, as he said he would. But actually, I feel like I want someone else to do the work. Properly. But I can't afford that

OP posts:
Original poster
PandyCuff · 31/03/2019 16:55

queer, it IS a bit of a nightmare

OP posts:
ElloBrian · 31/03/2019 16:56

I would employ a surveyor to come and have a look and advise on what to do. If it’s a retaining wall then the council might be able to get involved.

Amongstthetallgrass · 31/03/2019 17:00

Absolutely on the surveyor. He could be causing structural damage which could cost thousands

GreenTulips · 31/03/2019 17:02

The council may have a neighbour disputed team
Worth a google

I hope you have photos

strathmore · 31/03/2019 17:04

ooh. this happened to a friend of mine. Middle of nowhere- dry stone wall removed. Basically there was then heavy rain- 3 properties flooded and he had to pay tens of thousands and replace the wall.

It was a court case.

strathmore · 31/03/2019 17:05

so all 3 insurance companies took legal action against him

NicoAndTheNiners · 31/03/2019 17:06

The council might get involved if there's potential for a patio to slide into your garden. They sent me an official letter once giving me legal notice to repair my old brick garden wall. I wasn't a council house and neither was my neighbour, I assume my neighbour reported my wall.

GreenTulips · 31/03/2019 17:14

The council services aren’t just for council tenants

What do you think you pay council tax for?

ElloBrian · 31/03/2019 17:15

You can find a qualified local surveyor by going to the RICS website. Just email a few or give them a ring, explain in general terms what your problem is and see if they cover that area of work.

Original poster
PandyCuff · 31/03/2019 17:18

Do you know how much they cost Ellio?

I am totally totally broke

OP posts:
JaneEyre07 · 31/03/2019 17:23

I'd ring the Council and explain, initially I'd try the building control team.

He sounds a bloody nightmare, OP.

ElloBrian · 31/03/2019 17:38

Perhaps you and your neighbours can hire one together ? It’s a lot cheaper than letting your house slide down a hill.

ElloBrian · 31/03/2019 17:40

But phone and ask. You really need professional advice and lawyers will escalate things and in my experience generally make it more expensive and painful than it needs to be. Surveyors are cheaper and generally the first line of defence. Only legal up if you really need to. But nobody here can advise you. You need professional advice.

Sexnotgender · 31/03/2019 17:42

That sounds hideous, does he not understand the purpose of a retaining wall?

Original poster
PandyCuff · 31/03/2019 17:58

sex when my wall and fence first fell down around 6 weeks ago; he came round and said he would replace it all, that it would be better than it had been. I took him at his word, as he is a builder!! I haven't paid much attention as I have been in hospital having major surgery. I had just assumed that by the time I got home it would have been all done.

But I'm home and my wall hasn't been started. He has finished HIS wall to a height about 2 ft shorter than original and hasn't back filled. That prompted me to speak to other neighbors. And when I asked him how long it was going to take to do my wall, his answer was 'bloody ages'.

Some good advice thanks about using surveyors and council and sharing costs with neighbours

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 31/03/2019 18:11

I’ve checked our local council

They send a surveyor and asses the damage and who’s responsibility it is

You have by the looks of it one neignour to join forces with and possibly a few others?

Can you do a diagram?

The surveyor passes the information on to those responsible and asses when complete

I think you neee to do this in order to make an insurance claim against him if necessary.

He should have liability cover which your insurer will deal with.

You aren’t covered for the damage as you didn’t cause the wall to collapse but they should help you fight for costs and repairs

larsanator · 31/03/2019 18:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Amongstthetallgrass · 31/03/2019 18:22

DONT CLICK ON THAT SPAM LINK

Original poster
PandyCuff · 31/03/2019 19:59

What was that??

OP posts:
Toothlessismyspiritanimal · 31/03/2019 20:06

Do you have legal cover on your insurance? They might be able to help

Original poster
PandyCuff · 01/04/2019 07:02

Bumping, to see if the morning crew have ideas. Thanks x

OP posts:
CoraPirbright · 01/04/2019 08:44

Are you in a conservation area? If the wall was so old, the conservation officers at your local council may be interested that he is merrily demolishing it. Also building control.

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