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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think our next door neighbour is taking the p*ss

43 replies

rootatoot · 18/08/2013 21:40

We live in an end of terrace. Next door are ok superficially but they are selfish & impose on us, but the latest one takes the biscuit.

All the houses have kitchen extensions with flat rooves. We had a leak last year & builder came and sealed it up. Had another leak in torrential rain few weeks ago. Dh had a closer look today & found next door rerouted their downpipe onto our roof! Their roof is in worse condition than ours so bet they have a leak but have done this rather than pay for repair.

Dh is thinking of speaking to them but the bloke is a bully so wouldn't be productive.

Not so much aibu, more wwyd with neighbours like this? Argh moan! Aipbu to come on here for a whinge.

OP posts:
waltzingmathilda · 18/08/2013 21:42

Shove a tennis ball up his pipe Grin

RandomMess · 18/08/2013 21:42

Re-route it back over theirs?

slenderman · 18/08/2013 21:44

blimey how rude! i would approach him myself but am arsey about things like this.

can you not reroute it back to their side?

AndHarry · 18/08/2013 21:46

Reroute it!

Original poster
rootatoot · 18/08/2013 21:46

Can't reroute over theirs without going on their roof the way they've done it. I suggested that but seems they've wedged it from their side with bricks!

Liking tennis ball though! Grin

OP posts:
mumofweeboys · 18/08/2013 21:50

If talking doesnt work, Is there anyway you can put guttering under the downpipe and divert it back? Final step would be contacting a solicitor.

www.environmentlaw.org.uk/rte.asp?id=103

WorraLiberty · 18/08/2013 21:52

Dh is thinking of speaking to them but the bloke is a bully so wouldn't be productive.

Well you speak to him then. Someone has to Confused

CSIJanner · 18/08/2013 21:56

Have they used push fit pipes? Uncouple the last one that you can reach. Discreetly damage the end somehow (ramming a tennis ball then adding leaves to the end would work) so they can't push fit bother one on the end then leave the other bits on their roof as if recent weather has destroyed their pipe work.

Then cover the edge of our roof with anti-theft paint. Oodles of the stuff so if they try again, they'll get smothered. Don't forget to put a teeny tiny warning sign of ani-theft paint up just o cover yourselves.

KitNCaboodle · 18/08/2013 21:57

Bloody arseholes!
Easy for me to write but they need talking to. Could it be approached in a "did you realise" way?

McNewPants2013 · 18/08/2013 22:00

Looks like your only option is to extend to the down pipe away from your roof.
Rather annoying and expensive

Sparrowlegs248 · 18/08/2013 22:01

Just get a bloke to sort it. Pref when they are out. So that your pipes and roof don't leak. Sod what happens to theirs. It could flow off the edge of their roof /- what can they say? Agree re the anti theft paint tho as a precaution.

EagleRiderDirk · 18/08/2013 22:07

We had a similar problem with our neighbours draining onto our property and causing damage. We have had issues with them (they threatened to kill out kids), so we wrote to them informing them it broke environmental law and if they didn't make good by xxxx we would force the water back onto their land. They removed the offending pipe which we were shocked at. In your case, as the damage has probably cost a lot, you could threaten legal action to recoup costs. That will normally get those types to shift.

thebody · 18/08/2013 22:07

get a builder in to assess situation. did the neighbour do it or did a work man do a frig job.

see what the professional says and move from their advice.

if he did do that then he may have damaged your roof.

Dubjackeen · 18/08/2013 23:24

Ugh, sounds like something my neighbours would do. Thankfully, we don't have adjoining flat roofs, but I could just imagine them doing this, if we had. Angry
I don't know what is best to do. I think getting a professional in to sort it would be best, and get them to ensure that your roof can't be messed with again, someone suggested anti-climb paint. Sounds good to me.

Original poster
rootatoot · 19/08/2013 12:32

Thanks for suggestions and for link to environmental law. Didn't know that, mumofweeboys.

Apparently DH says he could turn it back round after all. I had misunderstood what he'd said I think. He just wasn't sure of best approach really.

We've decided to write them a letter as it's hard to catch him with his shifts. We'll do it in a 'chatty' way but it has to be sorted asap.

We can't do anti vandal paint though the way our roof is. I've attached a picture on my profile so you can see if anyone is interested and I've not bored you to death by now.

It's not the only issue but this is the most pressing one!

OP posts:
vtechjazz · 19/08/2013 13:19

If you just tore it down though, surely he'd have to admit to having done it if he was to say anything? Then ask why he thought it was OK to do this.

Original poster
rootatoot · 19/08/2013 13:26

Vtech I think that's what I would've preferred to do, but DH thinks telling them straight is better.

I'll sound DH out again tonight but obv we have to do something urgently.

OP posts:
farrowandbawl · 19/08/2013 13:30

I've looked at the photo and that takes the piss. DH needs to move it back to their side. Follow up with the letter stating what the link says.

farrowandbawl · 19/08/2013 13:32

I'd be tempted to rag the lot down too but your roof will still end up with water damage - however, keep it in mind as a last resort. Use the letter, the link and then solicitors first.

Original poster
rootatoot · 19/08/2013 13:38

Thanks farrow. Can even see where it was attached with hooks about a foot to the other direction on their side! We were so Shock when we noticed it.

OP posts:
farrowandbawl · 19/08/2013 13:43

Is that a waste pipe running underneath his window? Looks like it, please tell me it isn't.

Original poster
rootatoot · 19/08/2013 14:00

You know Farrow I have no idea what that is. I don't get up on the roof myself so I've never noticed it. Can't see it from ground level. :(

OP posts:
PenguinBear · 19/08/2013 14:03

I wouldn't tell them!! Will potentially cause problems. I'd just do it!

farrowandbawl · 19/08/2013 14:30

I hope to god I'm wrong on this:

The pipe running under his window looks to me like the pipe that attaches to the downpipe from the guttering. It doesn't look like a waste pipe from the bathroom because that would mean it should be going into the wall that's right between the two of you - the supporting wall that seperates his house from yours.

This looks as though the end of the grey bit should be attached to the black pipe that runs down, where the clips are...

If I'm right, then it could actually be classed as criminal damage if you have leaks in your kitchen.

Get DH to see (I assume you can't open any of those windows) if that grey pipe isn't attached to anything and DOESN'T go into the wall, DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING. The bastard has done it deliberately.

Original poster
rootatoot · 19/08/2013 14:43

I've had another look at the photo zooming in.( Easier than trying to see from squiting up from the garden.)

The grey pipe does go into the wall. I think that is his waste pipe from their bathroom toilet. However, clearly the black downpipe used to connect to it or else just drained onto his roof. The clips are in a line down to the grey pipe and looks like a new bit there. DH is going to see if he has any older photos from when we took some cos we were thinking of getting solar panels. Undoubtedly neighbour has done it himself. He does get tradesmen in, always does his own work. Not sure if this could be classed as a criminal act? He can just claim ignorance maybe? Police would just say it's a civil matter I'm sure.

God, what kind of does this to their next door neighbour! ?

OP posts:
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