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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New neighbour using my private garden...

999 replies

Wattyyyy · 27/07/2017 12:47

...

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
AnnaleeP · 27/07/2017 14:28

Phone planning now and make them aware of what's gone on. There's no value in being nice at this stage, get it stopped before your neighbours come home and start having a go at you.

mrsRosaPimento · 27/07/2017 14:28

Fish pond!Grin

Morphene · 27/07/2017 14:29

Oh yes of course! must be a family job!

Oh dear oh dear...there will be Words Said over the turkey this Christmas....

myusernamewhichisthis · 27/07/2017 14:29

is the whole building listed including theirs? surely they can just start putting doors where they want if so?

WizardOfToss · 27/07/2017 14:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/07/2017 14:30

They have ripped a window out of a listed building?! I would NOT like to be them when the council get to hear about this.

I wonder if the builder is a relative or friend of theirs? Or perhaps they had to get someone so far away because other builders who are closer are annoyingly reputable and wont do the work without the right paper work so they had to find a cowboy.

AhhhhThatsBass · 27/07/2017 14:30

Make sure you document everything.

Miserylovescompany2 · 27/07/2017 14:31

Oh shit, that agitated builder knows fine well he's in the wrong!!!

If its a listed building then even more so!

I'd stick a copy of your deeds to their new door with cellotape. They'll have to put it back exactly how it was!!

Babyiwantabump · 27/07/2017 14:31

Oh my god the cheek! Have the builders finished the job though OP? And if there was only a window there before is there a supportive joist above that will support the weight of having doors instead (I am imagining French doors?) .

They could have caused structural damage the the building above .

Original poster
Wattyyyy · 27/07/2017 14:31

I was in shock as I am NOT a confrontational person at all so I didn't even get the chance to ask them if they would be clearing up the mess! As it stands my garden is now in a state, everything is covered in a thick layer of dust including my lovely new BBQ Angry

I don't know whether to start clearing up or leave it as evidence - I have taken loads of pics though.

OP posts:
ASDismynormality · 27/07/2017 14:32

I reckon it's family too and there are so many because they wanted to get it all done before you had a chance to stop it and then just say tough it's done now!

ASDismynormality · 27/07/2017 14:33

Can you open the back doors and return the rubbish to their flat? Would be a bit mean but they have been seriously cheeky!

8misskitty8 · 27/07/2017 14:33

Speak to your neighbours. Perhaps they thought it was communal and could use it. ?

Regardless of it being a listed building or not, changing a window to a door would need either planning permission or a building warrant. Neighbours do not need to be informed if it is just a building warrant but it will be available to view online on your councils website.
If your neighbour gets shorty with you and doesn't reinstate the window then I'd report to council.
Since it's your land you could put a fence right on the edge of the garden beside the wall of the building, low enough that it would sit underneath the height of the original window but obviously it would be high enough should they refuse to remove the door to stop them getting out of it. If they do open the door onto your fence then they would therefore be committing a crime - criminal damage to your fence. Plus trespass as it is your land.

choccoffeegeek · 27/07/2017 14:33

Let your neighbours clear up or they should pay for it to be cleared.

Stormwhale · 27/07/2017 14:33

Bloody hell. There is no way I would be dealing with this calmly. They would have got both barrels from me as a mild warm up to what the neighbours would be getting. There is no way this is an accident op. It's time to get angry.

RaspberryOverloadsOnRainyDays · 27/07/2017 14:33

I agree with PP, get into the planning department now. You need to be totally armed with the facts before the neighbours return.

I also agree it's likely to be a family job, so your neighbours will undoubtedly know by now. Don't expect those builders to return right now.

Original poster
Wattyyyy · 27/07/2017 14:33

myusername yes the whole building is listed.

I have no idea how they could not know this!! Or maybe they just don't care and think I'll just put up with it. Not happening!

OP posts:
neveradullmoment99 · 27/07/2017 14:34

I reckon it's family too and there are so many because they wanted to get it all done before you had a chance to stop it and then just say tough it's done now!

I thought this too. However, how can they ever possibly use it? Unless it is the balcony idea???
Its an absolute cheek either way!

TimeFliesWhenYoureHavingGin · 27/07/2017 14:35

Definitely leave the mess for the neighbours to clear up! Unbelievable!

WizardOfToss · 27/07/2017 14:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Morphene · 27/07/2017 14:35

I would leave the mess till neighbours get back (assuming later today) and ask what they will be doing to sort it.

If they aren't back today or are off on holiday I would put all the rubble back into their house, and clear up the dust.

neveradullmoment99 · 27/07/2017 14:35

They definetly wont have planning permission if it is listed!

loulou0987 · 27/07/2017 14:35

do you own your flat?

8misskitty8 · 27/07/2017 14:36

Just read the update, phone the company (might not be owner who was there) and tell them to come back and remove the rubbish. If they refuse report them to council for fly tipping.

viques · 27/07/2017 14:36

well done op for scaring off the builders, they didn't put up much resistance so must have thought the situation was a bit iffy, what with having to climb out of the window and all.

at least there is need to explain the situation to the neighbours now, the builder will have phoned them. all they have to do is to arrange to have everything restored to its previous state