CF allotment thief part 3: The ‘plot’ thickens and auditions begin for the west end musical

[YaMuvva]

Just creating one now before t’other fills up. Will post updates when I have them

Last thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5048540-cf-allotment-thief-part-2-the-battle-of-barbara-and-the-beansprouts?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

It’s a shame, Babs really spoiled things with her initial aggressive push back and failure to approach you about the situation after she’d had time to get over the initial shock.

Really depends which way you want to go but for a musical something like this could work to give a sense of the other allotment holders

If more crime focused we are obviously meeting more suspects.

28 days plus letter writing time is fine. You can start trays of things now for planting out as soon as she's gone - some stuff like courgettes and tomatoes and runner beans are better not planted outdoors until mid to late May anyway in case of late frosts, salads will grow quickly, purple sprouting broccoli for next spring - and other brassicas, and leeks can go in at that stage too. Salad things generally take 6-8 weeks.

I think once she's got the letter, wandering by every couple of days to take notes (literally, have a notebook, write in it) on things like aspect and sun path and what is already growing where so that you can rotate crops would be a good idea. Chat to other plot owners, ask advice (you may be offered plants, take them) stress how much you've been looking forward to getting started, how disappointed you are about the delay, but how you felt you should be kind to Barbara.

Stress how noble and put-upon you are. Without actually criticising anyone outright.

Hopefully they will have posted the letter today and with any luck, she'll receive it tomorrow or Friday 🤞🏻

Let’s hope she goes without too much drama! I would absolutely pay regular visits too, be extra nice with nearby plot owners as she will definitely have sullied your name.

I'm sure Babs and Stella the Seller will be in hot communication once letters have been received. Oh to be a fly on the wall or a 'bug' in the phone!

I'd stake my mortgage on this.

I'm sure you are able to go down there with your foldable-seat, open it up and just enjoy the ambience as you own the plot whenever you like... Maybe do it multiple times over the weekend if you get the chance - and when you know she is likely to visit?

I'd suggest that the letter is sent by recorded delivery, so that she can't claim she didn't get it.

They are answerable to a governing body - law society, ombudsman, suchlike @YaMuvva - report them for malpractice

It will be!

It’s so fucking bad isn’t it, and I although it probably isn’t their fault if she lied I think a massive fuck off apology is very much in order

Oh don’t be ridiculous! The regulator is called the SRA, but all firms have a complaints procedure in their letter of engagement that should be followed before running off to a regulator. In any event OP’s own solicitors have done nothing wrong!

Sorry, not following- you think your solicitors should be apologising to you for the fact that the seller lied to her own solicitors, who then passed on the information to yours in good faith. How so?

Words to use in conversation 'silly' 'wishful thinking' 'no legal entitlement, of course' 'silly' (again) 'chump' 'irritating' 'magnanimous' and . . . 'silly'

Things people are unlikely to want to identify with (except magnanimous, which is the OP of course).

I think my biggest worry, once Babs is removed, is hostility from neighbouring plot holders. If Babs has a solid friendship with any of them. (Possible if she's been there 10 years) then I wouldn't put it past one of them to damage your plot in solidarity to Babs. What do people do to protect allotment plots these days?

And reimbursement of fees ......

OP’s legal fees for “evicting” Babs are being paid for by her home insurer.

Nooo I’m talking about the seller’s solicitor’s for being shit at getting back to me/my solicitor

Reimbursement of fees from the initial conveyancing .... since they'd missed such a crucial thing

Why on earth? They did everything that they were required to do to transfer title in the house and the allotment to OP and her DH. That is why she now has rights against Barbara!

Do you think that the solicitors were supposed to go round and physically check that the allotment was vacant when they had been told by the seller’s solicitors that the sale was with vacant possession?

In any event, the allotment was allowed to be in use until the day of completion. Really not sure what you are suggesting here.

They can’t reply until they have instructions from their client. It’s not been long, and it is a tricky situation when you realise your client has lied to you (she will have filled in a form saying vacant possession of whole property was being given).

They could send a holding letter pending instructions to be polite (regulations do require courteous interaction with other solicitors), but we are way outside anything that would constitute professional misconduct at this early stage.

Fair enough but it would be good to know if they’ve contacted her and if they have if she’s responded! She has answered the phone quickly to use twice now so she doesn’t have a communication problem

I imagine the sellers solicitor is aghast at their clients foolishness in creating this mess.