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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think they could have asked first?

19 replies

scoobydooagain · 28/10/2013 18:02

Just popped outside to find next door neighbours have put scaffolding in my front garden (not up ).
I am a bit miffed and bemused that they didn't mention it first. Would you mention it to your neighbours before doing that?

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 28/10/2013 18:11

Maybe the delivery people did it and your neighbours are unaware?

gintastic · 28/10/2013 18:12

Sorry, I'd be phoning and telling them to move it. We have had issues like this before and it just took the piss eventually. They don't have the right to store it on your land.

Do you know which company it belongs to?

DevilsRoulette · 28/10/2013 18:13

Of course.

Don't they need permission to put stuff in your garden?

Are you going to go round and ask them about it / tell them that you aren't happy? Are they planning on erecting scaffolding in your garden and have you given permission for this? - if so, then that would explain why it's there. If not then they need to move it.

Or maybe the scaffolders have put it in the wrong garden?

Nanny0gg · 28/10/2013 18:14

We've just had to have scaffolding.

Went round to the neighbours with the builder to explain and ask permission.

Then took them wine and flowers when it was taken down.

They have no right to do anything without asking - it's your land!

FunkyFucker · 28/10/2013 18:14

Why not ask your neighbours why their scaffolding is in your garden first...probably a simple mistake.

BurlyShassey · 28/10/2013 18:18

Yes, Id go round and ask innocently 'oh is that your scaffoldings in our garden? think your builders had wrong house? would you mind moving it please?'

NotYoMomma · 28/10/2013 18:18

think you need to clarify that they know its there - we had some that had to gonnext door but we knocked and ask.

as it was tge delivery people brought it early anyway

digerd · 28/10/2013 18:19

There is an Access to neighbouring Land Act. It states that the neighbouring needing access must inform you at least 2 weeks before they are to do this. Legally they need your no objection in writing. If you don't do it they have to apply for a court order. They have to pay the court order costs.
To do it without even asking or informing you when they would need to access your land is illegal. They must also inform you of how long the building work will take .
Any damage done to your property during their building works must be made good.

Legality aside, it was selfish and inconsiderate of them to just access your land without your consent and without informing you.
Most neighbours would not be bemused but furious at their audacity!
They are BVVVU you being very tolerant.imo

digerd · 28/10/2013 18:19

neighbours

gintastic · 28/10/2013 18:29

Digerd, it depends what work they are doing. The access to neighbouring land act only applies to essential maintenance work, if you are doing a new build, you are entirely dependant on your neighbours good will...

Original poster

scoobydooagain · 28/10/2013 18:30

The neighbours got scaffolding up today, it's only a wee bit in my garden, assuming what will be put up in my garden.
Think i'll ask one ds has gone to bed, but don't want to make a fuss as I will say it's ok just think they should have asked first.

OP posts:

ihearsounds · 28/10/2013 19:11

Yes they should have asked, and tbph, if their intention is to now put it up, I would tell them where to go. I would also be telling them to get their stuff off my property tonight.

Jolleigh · 28/10/2013 21:57

Go round, be nice, ask them to get it moved. They should be decent enough about it, but if not, I'd move it for them and let them try to explain to the company who owns it that they didn't get permission to use your land.

I have to say, asking would have been a basic courtesy.

Original poster

scoobydooagain · 28/10/2013 22:17

Think I'm too laid back for my own good, decided not to go and see them, will say something if I see them but otherwise think i'll just leave it. Not even miffed now but still a bit bemused by not being asked and in classic mumsnet speak that people could be so entitled.

OP posts:

digerd · 29/10/2013 06:51

gin
They have extended the Act to include new extensions. The reason behind this is to allow people to enlarge their homes instead of needing to move.
However, DD's neighbour sold to a developer, who added an extension before selling for a profit. There was rubble everywhere even inside her conservatory. It is 2-story extension and scaffolding was erected in her garden. She had no recourse to stop it.
The only thing she could object to was the planning permission of a window on her side on the ground floor to be fitted with obsure glazing which was accepted.

Fontofnowt · 29/10/2013 06:59

I'm in your camp Scooby.
If it isn't really causing any problem to you make a mental note and leave it there.
Sure they should have asked but now they owe you a favour so if you have scaffold or need to block their drive for a day etc they have set the tone.
Still ask first to set a good example.
Maybe "I know you understand access when doing work like your scaffold but just letting you know we are having X done"

flyingwidow · 29/10/2013 07:11

You should say something. Don't ask for it to be removed if it doesn't bother you that much- but at least say that it would have been nice to have been warned.

Don't be a pushover!

FunkyFucker · 29/10/2013 07:16

It won't be the neighbours that decide where the scaffolding goes, it will be the scaffolders. Really, in none greater scheme of things, does it matter if it's an inch over on your side?

gintastic · 29/10/2013 08:30

The scaffolders shouldn't put the scaffold on someone else's land without permission though. I agree that an inch here and there is really no big deal, but it is polite to ask first. In our case, I asked to see their public liability insurance certificate before giving permission as I wanted to make sure I couldn't become liable if something went wrong - maybe something to look into?

In the case of the scaffolding at the back of our house, we got off on a very bad footing with the neighbours as their scaffolder told (not asked) us that he was putting his scaffold in our garden. To be fair, there was nowhere else it could go for the work that needed doing, but that got my back right up. They then refused to net it after slates started falling into my garden where the children play. There was a lot of bad feeling when I withdrew my permission for the scaffolding before the work had finished.

We are now happily friends again now after DH took their DH to the pub for a meal and a blether and clearly explained our issues. I don't think he had quite got it up to that point, but everything was swiftly resolved. We are friends again now, which is always good!

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