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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
Oakmaiden · 27/07/2017 13:09

Floralnomad Thu 27-Jul-17 12:59:17
I don't see why them changing a window for a door needs planning

I would imagine it is a listed building or something similar.

SapphireStrange · 27/07/2017 13:09

I'd talk to the council first to get absolute assurance that they're not allowed to do this. THEN go round to speak to them. Otherwise I'd be worried that it might turn out that they are allowed to do it.

JumpingJellybeanz · 27/07/2017 13:09

I have to say you're very calm. I'd be exploding.

MeltorPeltor · 27/07/2017 13:10

I would pop round, be polite and state that the garden is private so you don't mind them having doors but they cannot actually use them.

Then report them to the council.

Also buy a large angry dog or a pet bull. (that's a bull as a pet, not a misspelling of pitbull!)

Bringmewineandcake · 27/07/2017 13:11

Have they just recently moved in? Could be a mistake that they thought it was a communal garden. You are absolutely NBU though to get the work stopped immediately and speak to your neighbours to confirm to them that it's your private garden and they have no right of access. And report. Might as well cover all bases!

sn1ce · 27/07/2017 13:11

Even if they didn't intend using the OPs garden the fact that they have fitted outward opening doors means that they will be unlawfully using the OPs garden every time they open them for air!

TheMerryWidow1 · 27/07/2017 13:11

weird people around lately, this one and the parking one, can't believe people can be so stupid and inconsiderate. Fair enough go round and enquire what they are up to, might be innocent if its not then give them hell. And ask them to clear up the mess in YOUR garden.

blueskyinmarch · 27/07/2017 13:11

They obviously plan to use these doors to access your garden. If you go round and they are all 'we were sure you wouldn't mind' and 'oh no we didn't realise, what shall we do?' will you be able to stand up to them and tell them they can't just access your private garden? It may actually be better just to report them and let the council break the bad news and sort it all out rather than you having to do it?

Jungfraujoch · 27/07/2017 13:12

There's some funny people about! Even if it was a communal space you'd surely mention the work to your neighbour out of courtesy!

They either think it's a shared space or are chancing their arm!

Floellabumbags · 27/07/2017 13:12

Like others have said, take photos and report.
Do they have their own private garden or any use of a communal garden?

Cuppaoftea · 27/07/2017 13:12

Go straight round with your deeds, show them to the builders as well and demand they stop work and put your garden right. They are trespassing on your property, remind them of that if they're difficult.

I'd also be reporting to the planning department and getting someone out as soon as possible. Your neighbours will know from their deeds they don't have rights to the garden, they're trying to establish them.

RippleEffects · 27/07/2017 13:12

Take photos to show that its new work before mess is cleared up.

Get google earth screenshots if you can to show its new work.

Possibly rightmove will have old flat particulars online still for their flat showing before images.

Think if you can stay calm talking to them because as an owner you're stuck with your neighbours and need to be able to get along.

They have just spent out a chunk of money (even if it was done stupidly) and are likely to be on the deffensive if you go round to see them. This can come across as agression and could escalate if your understandably strong feelings are not contained.

I'd go round with a note. Keep it brief. I've arrived home and i'm shocked, my land etc. Dont want to go in heavy handed and report as you are neighbours and will incur heafty fines for them. Please rectify asap and confirm within 24hrs how you are going to rectify.

RatRolyPoly · 27/07/2017 13:12

That is a BOAT LOAD of crazy, and we are all going to need UPDATES. Let us know when the neighbours are home, when you've spoken to the council, if you manage to collar the builders; cancel all plans for the day, we need to see the inevitable drama unfold!

alabasterangel · 27/07/2017 13:13

OP is 100% right. Window conversion to doors (be that direct ground floor acces, or Juliet balcony doors) need planning permission.

You'd be able to tell if it was a Juliet as the door would open inwards, otherwise the rail would impede the doors opening. If it's opening doors outwards then I can't see any other purpose other than to walk through them?

I'd be phoning the planning department if I'm honest. If it had been in for planning it wouldn't have got that far as the officer would have stopped that ridiculous scenario. They'd have wanted to see who owned that land as part of the application, which kind of proves it wasn't submitted. They won't get retrospective on that either.

Anecdoche · 27/07/2017 13:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

peachgreen · 27/07/2017 13:14

Absolutely shocking. I would be out there halting the work until they'd proven that they had planning permission (they don't!)

ColossalKalamari · 27/07/2017 13:14

There are some weird people about...definitely challenge

annielouise · 27/07/2017 13:15

Oh god, what a nightmare. I bet they say something like we just want access to feed the birds. Two months later there'll be deckchairs out there with them saying we're just on this little patch, we're no harm.

GutterStar · 27/07/2017 13:15

I think you should speak to the neighbours first, they may not have fully understood the situation. And you must stop the builders from doing any more work!
I also wanted to congratulate you on buying the flat, especially buying from your old LL. That's great, OP! You won the renting game!

viques · 27/07/2017 13:15

I wonder if someone has misled them as to ownership of the garden. Do you know who the agents were, have a look on rightmove to see if the flat details are still visible and read the property description.

ohfourfoxache · 27/07/2017 13:16

Think you're going to have to go down the official route with this one. I don't believe for one moment that they're going to be reasonable

2littlemoos · 27/07/2017 13:16

OP I am in a state of disbelief! Wine

Slimthistime · 27/07/2017 13:16

I'd ask nicely just in case it's a plan to have a door with a Juliet balcony.

can you see at the moment if the door opens out - because in that case it's in your garden immediately, which is different again.

Even if it's inward door plus Juliet balcony to get some air, they should have told you - they've basically dumped a load of builders' rubble in your garden.

BeardofZeus · 27/07/2017 13:17

Just wondering what it might have been like if you'd come home after work/short holiday to them sunbathing in your garden Shock Grin madness!!

Floralnomad · 27/07/2017 13:17

Surely if it's listed they may not get the retrospective planning , I thought councils were pretty hot on listed buildings , in which case I'd report . However , would the OP have had notice even if it had gone to planning , as the fact that it's a door and not a window doesn't really affect her privacy - she was already overlooked and as I said before , until they step outside we have no evidence to suggest they will .

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