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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
ASDismynormality · 27/07/2017 13:35

I think you need to talk to your local planning officer first so you are clear in your position. They didn't have the courtesy to speak to you first so why should you speak to them before the council!
If they are allowed to build a door (seems very unlikely) ensure it opens inwards and not put into your garden.

frenchfancy17 · 27/07/2017 13:35

We need a diagram! Grin

user1471528245 · 27/07/2017 13:35

Planning permission is irrelevant, if the boundary to your garden runs up to the wall of the property with the window/door, then the wall is a party wall and as such they cannot hang anything on that wall without your prior consent, no pipes no vents no balcony's, they should not even have a window opener if it goes out onto your property, the builder is trespassing and you need to tell him to stop immediately, and then you need to go and explain the position to the occupiers, if they don't remove the door and make good get a solicitor on the case

iamdivergent · 27/07/2017 13:36
Shock
PyongyangKipperbang · 27/07/2017 13:37

I was just thinking about the searches and a pp mentioned it.

I wonder if they were sold the flat with the implied promise of use of the garden, and havent actually checked their deeds, it could just be a misunderstanding. An expensive one though.....

MrsSchadenfreude · 27/07/2017 13:37

My Gran had this with her flat. The neighbours knocked a door where their bathroom was, on the very narrow passage between the block and the house next door's fence so that they could access the garden. The first she knew of this was the arrival of a very large, rigid paddling pool. The freeholders of the block lost no time in making the neighbours remove the pool and block up the door.

Greyponcho · 27/07/2017 13:38

I'm normally easy going, but get on to the council about this as (apologies for being blunt) it impacts your property's resale value - full length windows or doors would (IMO) make your garden feel more 'overlooked' than just a kitchen window & would be something I would consider if I were purchasing your property & would expect the price to reflect that.
I know you've just purchased and might not be thinking about selling, but now is the time to take action about it.

Polter · 27/07/2017 13:39

This needs legal advice asap, can you call your conveyencing solicitors?

MimsyFluff · 27/07/2017 13:39

Can I claim some of your garden? DH was far to nice to arse neighbour pretty sure if he had been as equally rude he wouldn't of carried on been rude. Go in guns blazing

Greyponcho · 27/07/2017 13:40

Planning permission is irrelevant, if the boundary to your garden runs up to the wall of the property with the window/door, then the wall is a party wall and as such they cannot hang anything on that wall without your prior consent, no pipes no vents no balcony's, they should not even have a window opener if it goes out onto your property, the builder is trespassing and you need to tell him to stop immediately, and then you need to go and explain the position to the occupiers, if they don't remove the door and make good get a solicitor on the case
^^true.
Anything external on that wall overhanging is trespassing

Sparkletastic · 27/07/2017 13:40

How incredibly thoughtless and rude!

Hedgehog80 · 27/07/2017 13:40

Agree with asking the builders to stop work immediately and if it comes to it I'd get a fence/wall to block the doors if they persist

YogiYoni · 27/07/2017 13:40

Wow. Some people.

terrylene · 27/07/2017 13:40

You can go round and ask nicely and still talk to the planners and solicitor so that you know what you are talking about and what not to agree to.
It is educating yourself.

Also if you wait until you have talked to them, it will be tomorrow before you can do anything and that will be Friday, so nothing will happen until Monday.
If they are cf like the parking thread you could spend far too long trying to get them to talk to you in the first place.

Newtothis2017 · 27/07/2017 13:42

The absolute cheek.😮

ClothEaredBint · 27/07/2017 13:42

are there doors there already? padlock them from the outside so they can't use them!

JenziW · 27/07/2017 13:43

Diagram certainly wouldn't hurt Grin. Have the builders or owners returned yet?

Definitely need a CF page MNHQ.

InfiniteSheldon · 27/07/2017 13:44

Don't ask, tell the builders to stop work. Any good builders oukd cease immediately on being told he/she is trespassing. I would call the police if they put one more foot on my property once I'd asked them to stop.

My phone won't let me attach a picture of said gnomes but they are three feet tall and you can acquire an entire family Grin

BrokenBattleDroid · 27/07/2017 13:44

I'd go straight to reporting as I can't see a conversation going anywhere helpful.

If noticed as the builders arrived then maybe, as you could have explained to them and they may not have gone ahead. But now... the council I think, and the quicker the better.

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/07/2017 13:45

I would definitely make them reinstate the window exactly as before including the same size, specification and openers (opening in/out). Do not put a fence of 1m away from the property as you will effectively be giving them a parcel of land and a tiny courtyard garden, which could cause all hell and manner of problems for reselling. Giving that parcel of land would require a surveyor to call, measure up, create new plans and this would have to be done professionally so there would also be solicitors fees. It will cost you at least £1k for the privilege. I know as I'm attaching a parcel of land to a house ATM. Not to mention the nastiness that they will likely spurt about you putting up a fence, spoiling their view etc.

SilverBirchTree · 27/07/2017 13:45

Oh I am so angry for you!! Angry

I agree with PPs- take photos of the work today to show the mess & that the work is new.

Tell the builders they are trespassing. They need to stop the work immediately.

Don't give an inch when you speak to the neighbours. Allowing them to keep their doors devalues your property- it is the same as handing thousands of pounds to them!

And please keep us updated! I want to hear what the cheeky buggers have to say.

Cookiesandcake · 27/07/2017 13:45

I hope it's a misunderstanding otherwise your stuck with some very rude neighbours

yumyumpoppycat · 27/07/2017 13:45

MrsS - so you have seen this all played out before, in your Gran's case what was the neighbour's logic in thinking they could use her garden without permission Confused Shock

instrifeagain · 27/07/2017 13:45

I agree with telling the builders to stop work, clear their rubbish and leave your land. They will presumably contact the other flat owners.

ArcheryAnnie · 27/07/2017 13:46

Shameless placemarking here. Do tell the builders that they are illegally on your land, no doubt because of an unfortunate misunderstanding, etc etc, but they have to leave as soon as they have cleared up the rubble.

Take lots and lots of pictures.

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