AIBU to dob in the neighbours?

[ButterMelonCauliflower]

At the risk of sounding all Hyacinth Bucket...
Our fairly house-proud neighbours have rented their house out for a year while they work abroad. The people renting it are in the middle of constructing a wooden extension, with bolts drilled into the back of the house and into our side wall. It looks fairly temporary, but it is definitely ... there. They haven't mentioned it to us, so I'm guessing they haven't asked the owners for permission either. Do I:
a) stop being a miserable git and let them get on with it
b) ask them what the frig they're doing
c) tell the owners

If I do b, I can't then do c. Otherwise they'll know I told on them and will hate me.

Thoughts please?

Ah, missed the bit about your wall. Definitely need to ask what they are doing.

B then c the ring the council and check they have appropriate building regs etc

Oh thanks heavens Just I thought I was turning into a curtain twitcher.

(I am a bit of a curtain twitcher though, it has to be said....)

C! We're due to rent our house out soon and am really hoping the neighbours will tell us if the tenants get up to anything.

Which wall are they drilling into, the side of your house, or a boundary wall? If it's the latter, are you sure it's yours and not theirs?

The wall that sits on the boundary between the two plots of land is a party wall for this purpose and needs a Party Wall Award. It's not a case of agreeing to do without one or not minding or being a good neighbour, it's a legal requirement.

Thank you all, we went with b! It's just a rain shelter thing and can be taken down quite easily. Also turns out , ahem, that they're not drilling our wall so I feel a bit of a pillock. Still not decided whether to tell owners... Think I'd like to know but (v friendly) neighbours have assured us they'll take it down before they leave

Council plannning dept.

I'm pleased you've had clarification.
I was going to say if it doesn't effect you then why on earth are you getting involved.
You may need a favour from them one day

Anyone drilling into your property without the necessary legal permissions needs stopping asap.

^^ op states above that they are not drilling into her property

If it's not affecting you then seriously, mind your own business.
I mean that in the nicest way xx

ButterMelonCauliflower
"Also turns out , ahem, that they're not drilling our wall."

Please check.

C. Something like hope you having a good time out there. Must be good to be away whilst the extention is being built......

as someone who lives overseas but has left a property in UK, I would love my neighbours to tell me of things like this- even if I had given them permission.

I would be furious to return and find they had damaged the property with an illegal (possibly) extension.

Totally useless information but you need a Party Wall agreement even if you haven't actually got/ are not 'touching' a party wall .Next door built a new house at the bottom of his garden ,next to ours. It's several metres away, with a fence in between. Had to have agreement (also full survey of our house) at his expense .

Please be advised that when property is conveyed either by lease or freehold, ANY informal agreements become set in stone. See White v. Macadam, The Half Crown Coalshed War.

B and then C

D: Contact the council. See if they have any planning permission and maybe speak to their building control department?

I'd still want to see, to be honest. I'd be worried about drainage. Any splashing off the shelter when it rains could cause damp in your house if it's too close. If it's flush against the wall, I'd be even more concerned.