Neighbours unhelpful. feeling grumpy, though it's their right.

[Treaclewell]

I'm having roofers today - long story involving insurers. They came to assess the other week and got access via the end of the terrace, couldn't ask as they were out. I wrote a note to ask if they would allow access for the work as people in their house had allowed it for houses beyond me in the past. Had to do a note, 'cos I'm CB due to broken arm. I added my phone number. Nothing back, so I assumed OK. But they nipped out this morning and denied access. We've found an alternatve, but they could have talked to me. Previous occupants I let their fencers trample down the lovely loam of my veg patch. I feel aggrieved. They're within their rights but could have called.

I don't know what CB is, but surely a broken arm doesn't stop you from going to talk to your neighbours?

They probably think you have a cheek for not speaking to them directly. Then you could have mitigated their fears.

Also - yep, as you say, they are within their rights to not allow access, PLUS they had a bad experience in the past.

You didn’t speak to them either, speaking in person wouldn’t have changed their answer unless you were going to try and guilt them into it, you’ve found an alternative so no problem.

Also asking what CB is and why you couldn’t ask and why you assumed they have permission when they didn’t respond? Maybe it was because you allowed people to trespass on their land the first time without asking?

Previous occupants I let their fencers trample down the lovely loam of my veg patch. I feel aggrieved.

So the previous occupants' contractor treated your garden disrespectfully, and now you feel the new occupants somehow owe you for that? That makes no sense. They're different people.

You asked for permission to access their property, then you incorrectly assumed that no response means 'yes', and now you think it's their fault?

I understand it must be embarrassing in front of your contractors to have told them they can access someone else's property and then for the neighbours to refuse, but it sounds like this whole situation could have been avoided had you followed up with them the day before to confirm.

CB confined to barracks, I can't get dressed, Clothes can't be persuded over the cast. I am on the 2nd floor and if I go down I need help to climb the stairs. There isn't always someone here. FtF woudn't be an attempt to guilt them. Just to be amenable.

Why should they make themselves wait around the house to allow your roofers access. They might need to go to work? When you couldn't be bothered to politely ask them face to face. They didn't say yes. They ignored your request, so you should have taken it as a no.
It's not really their responsibility to help you out sadly.

I wouldn’t want roofers tramping through my garden either.
There’s an alternative, problem solved.

I didn't tell the contractors it was ok. They accessed the roof via a public area and did not requre them to be in. People here have allowed access variously, I don't regard the fencers as a quid pro quo, just aas an example, along with other roofers who accessed at the end and carefully passed my panels to a third roof. When this neigbour needs to have their roof done, I expect their roofers to walk on mine.
Granting permission has been usual round here. And I don't have their phone no, I had offered them contact with the roofer, with his detai;s and through me. I expected that a no would be innediately after my note.

You expected a bit much, I’m afraid.

They had a think and decided no, they don’t want roofers in their garden. There was no need for them to phone you if they’re happy saying no to the workmen when they arrived.

If you aren’t going over to see them, and you’re the one wanting the favour, why would you expect them to come to you? I don’t think an arm in a cast is the free pass you think it is.

The roofers can still work, so it’s not really an issue, is it?

You mentioned several times that “previous occupants” allowed access, and that you said that in your note.

What’s that got to do with the price of fish? It feels a bit manipulative.

Contractors aren't known for their care and sensitivity towards people's property, especially those who aren't paying them. You really should let go of any sense of annoyance at your neighbours.

I'm also skeptical that one arm in a cast prevents you getting dressed or climbing stairs...

Are you topless until the cast comes off? I know that's not the point of your thread, but I'm curious.

why do you need help climbing the stairs with a broken arm?

To be fair to them they may not know that you are confined in doors and to be honest if the notes is as you say it comes across as quite cheeky particularly saying that the old residents allowed it for other households. That would get my back up to be honest.

They were not giving permission so they really had to take no action.

Ah ha. Neighbour phomed the roofer company, not being sure of the state of her roof, company phoned me. Further expense on the common gully, or my bit of it. 800 quid on top of 3600.
Please excuse one handed typing.
Politeley bothering to go ftf would involve legthy and painful dressing after thrying to find, also painfully, somewthing that will go oover the cast, descending awkwardly 2 flights of stairs and then having help to climb said flights and again cha nge. I preferred in this intance to politely bother to handwrite a letter, instead of my usual way of popping round. It wasn't my best handwtriting due, I think, to diabetic neuropathy.

I’d have said no as well. I’m still furious to this day that I came home from work to find neighbour’s scaffolding on my kitchen roof. To be fair I don’t think my neighbours realised they would do this, but I’ve had no end of problems with leaks since (and they broke a load of slates and never replaced them!). Also the last scaffolders we had broke our wall, and denied it. Never trust a scaffolder, they don’t care. They will put scaffolding up the easiest way regardless of whose property it’s on. The onus is on you to prove it was them which they know is extremely difficult without concrete evidence (you usually won’t have). “It was broken when we arrived Guv”.

You shouldn't have taken their silence as an agreement, that is sooooo wrong. If you couldn't get downstairs to speak to them face to face then you should have asked a friend to speak on your behalf, or thrown a blanket around your shoulders instead of clothes, or put off the roofers until you were able to get dressed. Personally I would have gone with the blanket option. I suspect your neighbours now call you CF.

Their garden was not involved.
I need to hold the banister rail on the stairs, It is on the cast side coming up.
My legs aren't as sprightly as they once were.
I asked them to phone me to discuss.I don't have their numbers or email.

How did you deliver your note to them?

It would have been kinder of them to call you yes.

I have a feeling this is going to be one of those threads where you just get really unpleasant responses for no reason.

I’m sorry about your broken arm. It’s been mentioned on another thread about the problems of a broken arm and I’m amazed how many people don’t realise how problematic it can be. Wish you a speedy recovery 💐

@CatamaranViper good point!!

Must admit I'm curious too about this, no clothles fitting over cast, the stairs being very difficult and on 2nd floor.

The fact that previous occupants allowed access...which was a favour, not a right... does not mean the current occupants should.
And mentioning in your letter that the previous occupants always allowed access comes across as passive aggressive.

I asked them to phone me to discuss.I don't have their numbers or email.

Some nice neighbours with the time/inclination would do this. Others have enough going on and don't need additional tasks allocated to them that only auger more potential hassle.

My son had both arms in full casts and still managed to wear clothes and go out. Not saying you had to do that, but just that if it was important to you, then it would've made sense to see them about it not put the onus on them to contact you, because why would they, when they can just refuse the access and aren't going to be drawn into agreeing. They might also not want you having their number, not knowing how much help you're going to be asking for in future.

OP do you have someone who can help you at home? If you're effectively trapped on the 2nd floor it sounds like you could do with someone there. Couldn't that person have spoken to the neighbours?