CF allotment thief part 2: the Battle of Barbara and the Beansprouts

[YaMuvva]

Hi all, sorry I didn’t get a chance to post the link to this in the last thread, but it filled up too quickly.

So, another update

DH and I sat and had a looooong talk last night. We poured over every option, the pro’s and cons and the best and worst case scenarios. We thought of every possible situation that could arise from each option and we made a decision this morning.

it was actually the best/worst case scenario talk that clinched it.
Best case scenario for selling it to her was we get a little bit of money. Worst case is we have no allotment and the house possibly devalues.

Best case scenario for if we shared the land is that she is a pleasant plot neighbour and isn’t bitter that we are on the land that used to be ‘hers’ and doesn’t try to boss us about. But worst case scenario is that she remains bitter and makes our lives hell, interferes and our allotment space becomes an unbearable place to be.

Best case scenario for if we keep it to ourselves is we have the enjoyment of a long awaited allotment, one that makes a massive difference to DH’s MH and our general life enjoyment. Worst case scenario is that we make a neighbour - who is smart enough to find another plot or use her own generous garden - cross.

We figured that the worst case scenarios for all 3 weren’t worth risking the absolute best case scenario could bring.

So we are kicking her off.

We discussed letting her wait some months before making her leave or until the end of the growing season around about the end of September. But that when you consider the weather, that would mean we wouldn’t truly be able to enjoy the allotment in good weather for a whole year. I know it can still be enjoyed in horrible weather but the thought of missing out on a whole entire summer of gardening, relaxing and recuperating just feels too long. She has also indicated she will fight us - well she can try and she won’t win so I’d rather the ‘fight’ was a short one not a long one

We went to the plot this morning (no Babs in sight!) and took a soil test, took pictures, used that app to mark the plots (thanks to PP for the tips), and measured it and took pictures of the measurements/readings. From what we can tell she has root veg, fruit and a little herb garden patch, all growing fairly well considering the time of year. We didn’t disturb anything

Going to call the home insurers today to see if we can get legal cover and reclaim costs from the previous owner so solicitors can write her a letter - if not we will just instruct our current solicitors and make the reclaim too. I know we could do a letter ourselves but I really think a legal middle man would be worth the money. We will take solicitors advice on how much notice to give her - but it won’t be long notice. No point, may as well rip the plaster off now. We won’t be offering to buy the shed as I don’t want to be beholden to Barbara or have her make out to others that we stole the shed. We want a clean slate, to pick our own items.

I do feel bad that Barbara will be losing something that is so dear to her and that her ‘sanctuary’ will be taken away but the bottom line is it does not belong to her and she has known this for 10 years. She could have spent that 10 years, or even just the nine months since the house went on the market, to find another sanctuary. We are being selfish, we have been through unimaginable struggles and it’s time to just live for ourselves not a random neighbour. If that makes us a pariah in the community I can take it.

DH also messaged our police officer friend of ours this morning who said if the time comes to bin her stuff and dismantle the shed to call 101 and tell them “We are doing this, it’s our property and we will handle everything with care and bring it to her home” and then if she calls them saying we are stealing or damaging our property then we are one step ahead at least.

Well lots of people just not getting my post.
I have said that OP is likely to alienate herself from neighbours with intended course of action. tbh it's an attitude as much as intended action.
I'm not advising or advocating anything other than acting with a deeper level of consideration ffs.
I think taking soil samples in Barbaras absence and eyeing things up to conclude how much work has gone into it is a bit shitty.
Would be far more constructive to get some sort of dialogue going, whatever action follows, rather than casing the joint with a view to legalizing a land grab.

Barbara hasn't shown any kindness or understanding though.

If I'd been using a plot of land for years in the circumstances that Barbara has, I would be sad to lose it, but I would also not start telling the ACTUAL OWNERS that they would 'have to fight me for it'. I'd accept that it wasn't my land, I'd apologise for the misunderstanding and ask if I could have some time to think about what to with my shed, and I'd perhaps ask if we could come to some agreement about the planting that had already been done, etc. I would be sympathetic to the neighbours who have legally bought and paid for the plot of land I've been 'borrowing' for the past decade. What I would absolutely not do is kick off at the owners and tell them they would have to 'fight me' for THEIR OWN PROPERTY. Where's HER kindness and understanding?

The OP has already explained that Barbara HAS A LARGE GARDEN attached to her house. The OP is not preventing Barbara from enjoying the outdoors or planting fucking parsnips simply by asking for her OWN PLOT back so that she and her husband - the ones who literally bought and paid for it - can use it as they see fit.

If being in your neighbours' good books means having to let them literally occupy your property because they happen to fancy it, then I'd rather my neighbours hated me, thanks.

That seems the most likely scenario to me too

As for the ££££ it would cost you to buy another piece of land should you have been stupid enough to allow Barbara to keep this one ... well, if she's so keen to have a gardening plot she can spend that ££££ herself can't she?

You're not taking anything from Barbara. She can take her plants and shed to her own garden presumably. The idea that you, the actual owner, should prioritise Barbaras wellbeing over your own is so bizarre. She knew that the house and therefore land was for sale. Would people just put up with a random set up in their back garden?! So I absolutely wouldn't seek to secure anything else for her. And I am a walkover at the best of times

I wouldn't be surprised if after the fuss dies down everyone breathes a sign of relief that Barbara isn't lording it over the semi allotments anymore

How is strolling over to their OWn property "storming in" ??

Barbara has likely had 9-plus months to be aware the property is changing hands, and to plan accordingly. She's a homeowner herself with a huge garden, not some displaced waif.

A land grab? How stupid. Ridiculous comment. You can't steal what you already own.

Some replies on this thread begger belief.

Babs is in the wrong here, not OP.

I am again confounded by the way people buy and sell real estate in England.

How is it a land grab by OP? More the other way round surely?

I think taking soil samples in Barbaras absence and eyeing things up to conclude how much work has gone into it is a bit shitty

Yes, imagine taking a sample of soil and taking in interest in the land YOU LITERALLY OWN, rather than waiting for permission from someone who shouldn't actually be there in the first place and has told you she will 'fight you' for your own property. How 'shitty'.

Also, the OP is not 'legalising a land grab'. Barbara is the one who has grabbed the land.

The OP doesn't have to 'legalise' anything because she and her husband are already the legal owners.

You really, really don't seem to understand how any of this works.

She couldn't have been that good a friend to your previous home owner if they hadn't talked about this. She must have known she was moving - if she says she didn't, then she's clearly an even worse friend! She could have put in for a council allotment years ago and would have one by now.

I'd give her a month's notice and enjoy being on the allotment over the summer. It's easily explained to anyone - you could say that's why you bought the house.

"rather than casing the joint with a view to legalizing a land grab."

Nope. They are checking their own property. No 'casing' & no 'land grab'.

They've bought land and entitled to do with it as they please. Now. Not at some future date.

I want a post to read “I’m Barbara…. “

Im Barbara.
Beansprouts do not grow on allotments actually, they grow on window sills.
Thanks.

Very well put.

Good luck Op and please keep us posted with any developments!

Why would she do that when she could just sell it to her friend?

How much notice does she need to pot up some plants? I could do that on a Saturday. Hire removal men to dismantle the shed, again a half-day job. Job done.

Why the hell should OP sacrifice one of the best months of the year for some CF squatter who greeted her belligerently and has a nearby garden of her own?? The mind reels.

well done OP. I'm glad you are going to get your land back.
Please don't feel you are being selfish, it is yours, paid for by you and you were looking forward to using it

I just feel I need to say it again - Barbara knew the house was for sale, she lives on the same road and was friends with the seller. She knew it had been sold. She has had 9 months since the house went on the market to check with the seller if the land was hers to keep and ask for that in writing. And given that she didn't, she has had 9 months to move her plants to her own (decent sized) back garden. Instead she has chosen to brazen it out with OP.

So can we please stop feeling sorry for this person who thought they would just do a land grab?

We once bought a house with a garden full of stuff left behind by the seller (eg old cars). We were told by the solicitor that the stuff does not belong to us, despite them promising vacant possession. The stuff belongs to the seller. There is a set way to approach it, it is really common problem, it is something like a letter stating that it must all be removed by xx date or you will dispose of it. The time frame was about 28 days. That may have changed, it was a while ago, but basically you have to give them a reasonable chance to remove, even though they were supposed to give you vacant possession.

So you can't just chuck out her plants and shed, you have to give notice that you will chuck out the plants and shed.

I’m so overinvested in this thread! @YaMuvva you must promise to keep us all updated on the allotment takeover.

@YaMuvva you are not being at all selfish!! the sanctuary belongs to you and your husband. the sanctuary was never hers to begin with! she obviously planted here veggies after the house had been sold so she really should have been expecting this!! get her off and out of your allotment. this is a major selling point for the future if you decide to sell the house. if you actually want to keep the allotment when you sell then you can contact the land registry and have it separated from the house. you go for it, you are being very generous allowing her to stay till the end of the season!!!

If Barbara lived in a flat without access to a garden, then perhaps the situation might be different or handled differently. However, when they visited the plot, they were taken aback to see Barbara there complete with shed and plants. They were well within their rights to say that they are the new owners of the plot and that Barbara will have to leave. Being told that they will 'have to fight for it' does not put Barbara in a good light. She has a house and large garden so is not landless.

This had to be a parody.

Who gives a shit about alienating neighbours? I'd want to be alienated from the kind of people who use other people's property without consideration. They can alienate off.

Babs is the one doing the land grab. OP is merely protecting her asset.

I've worked it out. There are only three possible scenarios here...

1. This is Barbara's 'sanctuary' as she is boning Fred from the allotment next door 3x a week in her shed. She can't move her allotment to her garden as her husband, Sid will find out. she occasionally offers massage to some of the other residents as well so they wont tell on her. (have you looked through the windows of the shed OP?)

Or 2. This is Barbara's sanctuary as she used the allotment to help her get over the fact that her husband Sid left her 10 years ago and emigrated to an unknown island in the Philippines. Only, Barbara actually killed Sid and buried him in the allotment 10 years ago. She is terrified that giving it up means that his remains will be discovered. This is why she will fight you all the way.

1. Barbara runs a cult and they practice the blood spilling on the new moon wearing sheep skulls and cloaks. The other residents are part of the cult and a heart is buried in each allotment each time to pray for rain and a good harvest.....up until recently the blood spilled were from animals but they have recently upped the ante and Sid was sacrificed. He now resides under Barbara's plot with his heart in Fred's......

Land grab of your own property. This place is batshit sometimes.