New neighbour using my private garden...

[Wattyyyy]

...

If this is a leasehold flat it is unlikely planning permission would be required but freeholder permission (I am a freeholder) would definitely be required as it is changing the fabric of the building.

You need to get in touch with your freeholder (this may be through a managing agent as a lot of freeholders don't self manage) and see if permission was granted. If it was you need to them take legal action about them using your garden as it is a private garden. If permission was not granted from the freeholder then your neighbour will have another fight in their hands as I would go nuts if a neighbour did this to us.

I would think they'll also need building regs for that work. You can phone building control to find out if they have that, and planning permission, and also make it clear you're not happy about it at the same time.

People's cheek is just amazing.

Unfuckingbelievable!!

I'd plant a load of leylandii just in front of the window. Or some topiary

I'm too shamelessly placemarking. I would definitely go round and tell them it's your private garden.

Can you find the sales listing for their flat? Could it be that the previous owner told them the garden was communal/theirs?

Shameless placemarking

I think they are most likely daft (and made an incorrect assumption) rather than Machiavellian. Don't go around all guns blazing - no point in starting a war with neighbours. Just be friendly and swallow down your irritation - explain to them about the deeds and that it is your private garden, and that unfortunately it seems that they weren't aware. This may end amicably with them apologising and feeling foolish about their error - at least try for that outcome?

If however they are not in the mood to listen / are adversarial and defiant, then you should take further action

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Bloody awful! My (semi-detached) neighbours built a conservatory right on the boundary with our garden with a window looking directly into the garden. I paid a surveyor to come out to see if we had any legal grounds to oppose it. He told us that we couldn't oppose the window, but would be within our rights to cut off the window sill and gutters. In the end, we decided that would probably be more hassle for us than them, so just built a massive ferret run right in front of it instead....

Placemarking shamelessly. The cheeky f*ckers!!

How incredibly infuriating!

Hope you get this sorted, OP.

Please put a fence up!!!

Wow some people are just nuts. Do they live in a parallel universe?

I agree, tell the builders to stop, clear up and be prepared to put right any damage they have created.

then you will need to look at contacting freeholders and find out about planning consents etc and report if necessary

What goes on in some people's minds?

What planet do some people live on

OP, you need to stop this before they nip down to Homebase and purchase the petunias for their hanging baskets.

Blimey this is bad! I would definitely go the calm route first although the cheek/ignorance of some people is astounding!! 😳

if you dont get any answer i would leave a letter with all your contact details and asking them if they realise it is a private garden and not a communal one.

then id get on the phone to the council to ask re planning etc. id also phone a solicitor.

Not placemarking.

Placemarking shamelessly

place lots of tall bamboo (in pots) right in front of the cheeky feckers doors

I am wondering if it might be a fire safety upgrade?
Not for access and use of garden as such.

I would most definitely record it if you do go and ask/tell them about it (discreetly, phone in pocket etc) then if they acknowledge it or say they will change anything, get aggressive etc etc then you have proof from the word go and they have no proof you did anything wrong, it's surprising the amount of times people try and turn the tables by saying you have been aggressive or harassing.
Plus it avoids the temptation to throw a hissy fit so you always stay sounding calm and reasonable.
Take photos of the debris, building work and rubble while you can, you can never have enough proof.