Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 13 14

Original poster

AIBU or can i tell neighbours where to shove their gates?

341 replies

cheekybean · 28/03/2017 03:57

We moved to our house 6 years ago. We have a shared drive with our neighbours which has never really been a problem. However, 6 months ago, neighbours asked us if we wanted electric gates on drive. We said no, we didnt see the point. Security is not an issue, i am in all the time, they work away during the week, so opening and shutting gates is not really an issue. They said it was for them.

They asked us again, we said no because we could really afford it. They said they would pay and we could owe them. We said no because that didnt sit well and we dont want gates.

Got up saturday morning and a pair of 6 foot security gates were being fitted. We knew nothing about it. Given a bill for £600 and told dh is to wire them up. Plus we have to power them from our house

AIBU? Surely if we have said no, that should be the end of the matter! They are not here all week. Its only because they can't be bothered to open and shut the gates manually.

The gates are bloody ugly, TBH our drives looks like the entrance to a scrap yard. I dread coming home and having to look at them. DH is stressed becaused we have yet to confront neighbours as they arranged installation whilst on holiday.

WWYD. I dont want to fall out with neighbours and end up on channel 5. Husband dosent want to fall out as they are our friends apparently. But friends dont spend your hundreds of pounds and dont tell you what on. Feeling v. Pissed off due to being walked all over and DH's kind nature being taken for granted.

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Wheelycote · 28/03/2017 07:47

I'm buying a house with shared drive - watching this thread closely

MsJolly · 28/03/2017 07:47

😵😵😵

HelenaGWells · 28/03/2017 07:47

Don't for a second think it's coincidence this is happening when they are away. They know they have no planning permission and no consent from you. It's also why her dad is installing them as a decent company would check the planning and permissions.

As others have said deeds, legal advice on house insurance and council planners.

They are basically hoping that because it's "done now" you will just roll over and play nice to keep the peace.

Your DH must NOT install the electrics. This could be viewed as consent.

Spadequeen · 28/03/2017 07:48

Tell them to remove the gates. Stop being so bloody nice about it all. The reason why people like this get away with things is because everyone else is too damn. Ice and polite to say anything. God forbid anyone ever causes a fuss!

Mrsemcgregor · 28/03/2017 07:49

Firstly, we need a diagram.

Who owns the land the gates are on?

KatyBerry · 28/03/2017 07:50

Provided they don't own the land the gate is on at the top of the shared drive (in which case, tough - you have new gates but no obligation to wire them up), Send a recorded delivery letter notifying them that you require immediate removal and making good. At the same time notify local planning department and ask if consent was required/ given - send photos

AQuietMind · 28/03/2017 07:51

I would be insisting the gate is removed from your side immediately and any damage to the pillar is repaired or you will be contacting the police about a criminal damage charge.

AQuietMind · 28/03/2017 07:52

And can you post a diagram or Photo?

Newtssuitcase · 28/03/2017 07:52

I think people are making massive assumptions here.

You need to find out the following

which property actually owns the driveway. It might be that it is owned halfway down the middle with each having the right to pass over the half belonging to the other house but it is more likely that one property owns the driveway and the other property has the right of way.

if your property owns the driveway then you can insist on the removal of the gates and refuse to pay. however the company will probably bill the address they have been given and so you might have a battle on your hands

if your neighbour owns the driveway then they can put gates on it as long as you have the codes to access it but clearly you do not have to wire them up or pay for the electricity. the running of the gates would be their sole responsibility unless there is a clause in the deeds about both contributing equally to the maintenance and upkeep in which case I think you'd need legal advice about whether the gate operation would be included..

if you both own the whole driveway (unlikely) then they are unlikely to be able to erect the gates but you need to see the house deeds to check the rights

I sympathise. We are the owner of electric gates but they were at the property before we purchased. Be aware that electric gates are expensive to run (we have four sets of the bloody things - farmland). Our neighbours have the right to pass and repass with vehicles over the driveway and apparently tried to stop the gates being installed (many years ago) but failed because they only have the right of access. They do however have various rights over the land e.g. to trim hedges etc if they are restricting access.

Inertia · 28/03/2017 07:52

Sounds like you need a strongly worded solicitor's letter and a report to the planning dept.

Vegansnake · 28/03/2017 07:53

I think yr neighbours rightly assumed you were a pushover...you both need to grow a pair..

Hissy · 28/03/2017 07:54

Send them a solicitor letter instructing them to remove them immediately, or you will and you will bill them for it.

This is insane.

If their dad turns up again, ask him to leave and if he doesn't, call the police

The only way to get through this with bulldozing people like them is to bulldoze them back.

Get the rules/law/fact established in full force and by whatever means necessary

They want a house with gates? Tell em to look on Rightmove

Original poster

cheekybean · 28/03/2017 07:55

The gates were put in on sat morn while i was in bed after being violently ill and up with the baby. Husband had popped out with kids. We live next door to a small industrial estate so thought nothing of the noise when i woke up.

According to the deeds we are responsible for the drive and fences which is about the length of a tennis court. They are responsible for the bit of land their cars are on. Seems a bit bloody one sided but that was the deeds.

Do we need planning permission? I didnt know that. Will check that asap

OP posts:

skerrywind · 28/03/2017 07:57

OP who actually owns the driveway? You?

Bettyspants · 28/03/2017 08:01

Remove the gates. You are being a pushover. Either way you will fall out over this, you clearly said no! You need to ring a solicitor today.

Iwant2move · 28/03/2017 08:01

If they are taller than a metre high and next to a public highway, they need planning permission.
I have electric gates. They are expensive to maintain. They need annual maintenance from a specialist gate/security company and they still regularly break (impatient visitors pushing them because they open slowly). Repairs have been as high as £1000.
I leave them locked open now.

peukpokicuzo · 28/03/2017 08:01

Sorry you can't keep silent for the sake of a quiet life in a situation like this. They are not your friends they are your neighbours and you know the phrase "good fences make good neighbours" well this incident shows they have no boundaries at all when it comes to putting their selfish desires over your convenience and basic rights on your property.

wifeyhun · 28/03/2017 08:03

It sounds like a similar set up to us, we own the drive way we just have to allow next door access to their patch.

No way should they have done this. I would be contacting a solicitor.

They could devalue your home by putting up such monstrosities

Glossolalia · 28/03/2017 08:06

Why are you saying "we" if they have done this without you then there is no "we"

SillyMoomin · 28/03/2017 08:06

Seeline · 28/03/2017 08:07

Yes - if over 1m adjacent to a public highway, then planning permission is required. If over 2m high anywhere, PP required.
Be careful though - if they are on your land, then you will be the ones receiving an Enforcement Notice from the Council if they are unauthorised.
I really think you need legal advice as to what rights your neighbours have over the land involved.

mtpaektu · 28/03/2017 08:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IvyLeagueUnderTheSea · 28/03/2017 08:08

Of course this will now have to be called Gategate.......

rollonthesummer · 28/03/2017 08:14

I think yr neighbours rightly assumed you were a pushover

Yep!

Do the gates currently not work then if you haven't wired them in? How are you getting on and off the drive?

Hissy · 28/03/2017 08:15

gategate 🤣

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 13 14