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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask my neighbours to remove a cable on our roof?

83 replies

Mouse510 · 20/08/2016 20:58

We have just noticed that our new neighbours have run a cable from our TV aerial into their house. This would have entailed someone going up on our roof and running the cable along the whole length of the roof. We live in an old cottage and have had some leaks from our roof in the past. My DH has been on the roof and sorted them but now we may well have more slates moved/slipped.

We are now in the position of having to ask them to remove the cable, find out why they did it in the first place without so much as a by your leave, and I want to tell them that if any repairs are required then they will be liable!!

AIBU to think they have been a) cheeky and b) bloody rude? We don't want to fall out with them but I'm not happy to just ignore it.

OP posts:

Lunar1 · 21/08/2016 13:07

Are you in a semi attached to them?

228agreenend · 21/08/2016 13:12

I would go and talk to them to find out the backstory. Maybe a contractor said it would be fine (and legal?) so they thought it would be okay.

I wouldn't cut the cable because even though it's on your roof, it could be seen as criminal,damage (maybe wrong, but I'm a scaredy cat and wouldn't like to,take the risk). Also, I always think you should discuss things first before taking action.

They should definitely pay to remove it and for any subsequent damage (if any).

flanjabelle · 21/08/2016 13:12

I would cut it. And throw it on their lawn. I'm slightly territorial though.

Million2One · 21/08/2016 13:13

Please, please, please can we have a photo? .

I'm pretty sure you knew you were not being unreasonable to be pissed off by this. . It's about as unreasonable as you can get.

I'd cut the wire and tell them they have to pay to get the cable removed from the roof by a 'proper' company i.e. not the shower who installed.
I'd also ask for the name of the company who installed it and complain or report them.

I'd check your wifi, electric and water supplies too if I were you.

RortyCrankle · 21/08/2016 13:16

That's outrageous. I hope it was a contractor who did it or neighbourly relations are likey to be somewhat frosty.

228agreenend · 21/08/2016 13:18

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/236314/householdersguideantennas.pdf

Look on page 16. ...The landlord or building owner is responsible to decide whether a shared system is permitted.

Fluffyears · 21/08/2016 13:19

Cheeky bastards I'd be demanding it come down right now and billing them for any roof damage.

Strictlyme · 21/08/2016 13:30

If you have legal cover on your house insurance I'd call them for advice. It's incredibly rude & out of order. Someon has tress passed on your property to do that and made alterations to your building without permission. Good luck. Please come back & share how this ends!

legotits · 21/08/2016 13:33

Just in case anyone saying trespass or cheek lives in a new build semi or terrace, check deeds.

Communal ariels aren't that uncommon

insancerre · 21/08/2016 13:44

Bloody check!
But they might not realise
So, in the interest of maintaining good relationships I would go round and discuss it with them to find out their reasons
Hopefully, they will be embarrassed and sort it with a proper professional

BengalCatMum · 21/08/2016 13:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

chocolateworshipper · 21/08/2016 13:46

what next? they break into your house and raid the freezer?

Notthiswankagain · 21/08/2016 13:52

Of all the cheeky neighbours threads, this surely is the winner?! Wtaf?!

Yadnbu!!

RunnyRattata · 21/08/2016 14:00

I'd speak to them and say "are you aware there is a cable running along our roof from our ariel to your roof?" Gives them chance to explain but if they deny all knowledge then just say "well no problem we just thought we'd mention it and we're having it removed anyway" it will be interesting to see what they say at that point This from mimisunshine on P 1.
It would make sense to at least find out if they are aware in the first place.

WeAllHaveWings · 21/08/2016 14:08

I'd need to have some fun with it. Wait until they are outside and say hello and tell them you think you have a leak in the roof, then stand with your dh looking and pointing to the cable saying "it must be coming from around there, oh wait a minute, that cable wasn't there before................I'm positive it wasn't..........looks like its attached to our ariel..........that's strange, where does it go............"

MonsterZinc · 21/08/2016 14:19

Take photos before you remove it, document what they have done and any repairs needed

CafeCremeMerci · 21/08/2016 14:22

Are you leasehold or freehold?

MikeHat · 21/08/2016 14:24

Wow. Really?
It's just a cable. Not hurting you and costing you nothing.
I'd not get stressed about something like this or you will sour all possible future relations with neighbours who may well turn out to be good in every other way.

madgingermunchkin · 21/08/2016 14:41

MikeHat

Would you still say that if it was a wire siphoning off electricity, meaning the OP was paying for her neighbours?

Its just manners. You don't go around helping yourself to something that isn't yours. You ask first. 99.9% of people wouldn't mind as long as the neighbour had asked first

PovertyPain · 21/08/2016 14:44

They were on the op's roof, Mike! How would you feel if someone climbed up onto your roof, possibly damaging tiles? If they had asked,that would have given them an opertunity to discuss it and deal with any damage that may happen, but now the OP has to go to the bother of checking the tiles, to ensure they're secure, for winter. Roof tiles are extremely easy to loosen or damage. Who pays for that?

Atenco · 21/08/2016 14:45

I'm not certain, Mike, if people who would be cheeky enough to do that are likely to end up being good neighbours. However, I do believe and know from personal experience that nobody wins in a fight among neighbours.

mummymeister · 21/08/2016 16:05

Mikehat - why is it that the OP should be considerate of her neighbour and her future relations with them when the neighbour obviously doesn't give a shiny shit about her!

you don't trespass onto someone elses property and attach something to their aerial. This is not what good neighbours do.

also by allowing it to continue, if it does go on for a couple of years then you start giving people permitted rights. its like letting someone use your back gate and then you end up finding out that you have granted them a right of way because of continued unobstructed use.

why are people just so damned polite about trespass. they came onto your property without your consent, who knows what damage has been done to your roof and they have connected up to an aerial on your roof that you own.

if people are able to piss take over 1 thing then they do it again and again. don't know where the OP is but hope she has dealt with this utter cheek firmly.

Therealbumshady · 21/08/2016 17:28

Any news op?

justilou · 21/08/2016 19:55

Do you have cable tv? Sounds like they're stealing - Get someone to rip it out.

AHobbyaweek · 21/08/2016 20:10

Please let us know how you get on.

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