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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to refuse access to neighbours builders?

62 replies

JensenAcklesUndercrackers · 13/05/2017 09:53

we live in a row of terraces, there is no direct access to neighbours back garden so they sent their builders round to us to ask if they could use our side entrance and garden to take stuff through and pass over the fence. (We are the end house)
The last time they did this we agreed and the builders were climbing over the fence, moving the kids garden toys to boost themselves over. They took down the washing I had out leaving it on the patio ground, ripped the trampoline netting and broke part of the fence. They took hours doing this so I was unable to let my dog or toddler into the garden to play.
They've knocked to ask again but AIBU to say no? It's a weekend and my kids want to be able to use the garden not be cooped up all day. They've already trashed stuff and I just don't want them in my garden all day again. I've told them to take the stuff through the neighbours house as there is a straight passage from front to back. I don't want to fall out with the neighbours but why should I be inconvenienced every time they want to do some home improvements?

OP posts:
Chloe84 · 13/05/2017 10:12

Neighbours have just been round to ask, I've said no again and they called me a selfish cock.

Charming. Do they what the builders did last time? No way would I say yes.

When they were chucking your washing on the patio floor, did you or DH not say anything then? I would have told them to fuck off then.

MoreThanUs · 13/05/2017 10:12

Good on you! Of course your neighbours would prefer the builders to trash your garden rather than their house. Stands to reason.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 13/05/2017 10:13

Oh so it's fine for them not wanting builders traipsing through their house but selfish of you to not wanting them traipsing through your garden Hmm silly twats.

Don't back down to these tits.

mummymummums · 13/05/2017 10:15

Well, with the neighbour's calling you names that was hardly going to help their cause. I hope they know why - if you didn't complain at the time they might be unaware of what their builders did.
But YANBU - clearly these builders have no idea how to behave.

louisejxxx · 13/05/2017 10:15

Did the neighbours even have any kind of justification for all the damage caused the last time?

Original poster
JensenAcklesUndercrackers · 13/05/2017 10:17

DH was at work last time, he just likes an easy life bless him. He's in agreement today though as they've called me names.
They took the washing down so they could get through as it was in the way, I did tell them they could have asked me to move it but they didn't want to bother me apparently Hmm
I've told them why they aren't being allowed access this time, builders are ok with it (I think) neighbour not quite so much. The last lot of damage hasn't been put right despite repeated promises to do so.

OP posts:
ptumbi · 13/05/2017 10:17

Never ever do anything you don't want to do, for an 'easy life'. All too often it just means people will take it as 'walk all over you'.

You have no obligation to, they are taking the piss, and just NO!

helterskelter99 · 13/05/2017 10:17

Did you tell them about the damage ? If you did and they did nothing yanbu if you haven't told them so the have no idea the yes Yabu

EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 13/05/2017 10:18

YANBU. Definitely.

PaintingByNumbers · 13/05/2017 10:19

oh are you renting? hmmm dont know then. it could well be a right of access in the deeds but I guess they'd have to take that up with the owner.

user1493630944 · 13/05/2017 10:20

Your neighbours obviously belong to that group of people who expect to be able to protect themselves from bother/inconvenience at someone else's expense. Their builders do have access to their garden - through their house. Just say no, again. Did you take photos of garden on previous occasion?

MrsJamesMathews · 13/05/2017 10:22

I've told them why they aren't being allowed access this time, builders are ok with it

I should so too. Much easier to walk through your cheeky fucker neighbours house than climb over your fence!

MrsJamesMathews · 13/05/2017 10:23

I should think so

TheMaddHugger · 13/05/2017 10:25

Why ask you, when your neighbours place has direct passage ?

DarkFloodRises · 13/05/2017 10:25

YANBU but bear in mind that if you need a favour from your neighbours in future they are unlikely to be forthcoming.

TheMaddHugger · 13/05/2017 10:26

Just seen then update. Your Back neighbours are Pricks

Billben · 13/05/2017 10:29

Neighbours have just been round to ask, I've said no again and they called me a selfish cock.

They've just reassured you that you've made the right choice by not letting their builders use your garden now or ever :)

EweAreHere · 13/05/2017 10:30

You should ask your neighbours why they haven't paid for/fixed the damage from the last time their builders used your garden as access. Have the list ready.

YANBU. Let them trash their own house with their own builders' carelessness and disdain for other people's things.

Chloe84 · 13/05/2017 10:32

The last lot of damage hasn't been put right despite repeated promises to do so.

I would knock on their door and say the builders need to fix the damage now or you will call the police.

StaplesCorner · 13/05/2017 10:41

There may be a right of way across the gardens, but your landlord should have told you if that was the case. Did you specifically, clearly tell your neighbour's and their builders about the damage and problems caused last time? Did you let the landlord know?

Ultimately they can apply to the court for access, but by the sounds of it its not essential, they have caused all sorts of problems and been anti-social so the court would take that into account. I reckon keep saying no (after all, what future favour would you want from that sort of entitled twats) but let the landlord know about previous experience just in case.

HappyFlappy · 13/05/2017 10:56

Suggest that if they don't want the builders charging through their house like a herd of rampaging buffalo, then they can take down THEIR OWN back fence and the builders can get access that way.

expatinscotland · 13/05/2017 10:59

YANBU. Fuck them.

wowfudge · 13/05/2017 11:07

No is absolutely the right thing to say. After calling you that I would never do anything for them ever again. No one in their right mind backs down when they've been insulted by a bully.

It doesn't matter that you rent. The neighbour isn't trying to enforce a right a way, they are asking a favour for convenience. Let them have the mess and disruption in their own house. Then they might have an ounce of empathy.

Builders are buggers for doing what is convenient for them so I am not surprised by the lack of consideration. Make sure you are not on the hook with your landlord for any damage caused to the fence, etc.

ADishBestEatenCold · 13/05/2017 11:09

Is there a gateway/pathway between your house and the next (and so on, along the row of terraces)?

If so, it is very, very likely there is a legal right of access, whether it is on your rental agreement or not.

AmberStClare · 13/05/2017 11:13

If people live in middle of terrace properties they need to understand that they don't have a right to use end of terrace house's side entrance for access. (If in deeds obviously different). Let them go to the council whining if they want to, they have access through the house.

Selfish Cock eh, your neighbour sounds like Cunty McCuntface to me and I would be addressing him or her as that in future.

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