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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be annoyed at neighbour drilling into my wall?

52 replies

Bezm · 23/10/2017 13:26

I have just seen that my neighbour is having a plastic roof put in the back and is attaching it to my extension wall by putting up wooden battens. My extension is about 6 inches from our boundary. So not only has he drilled into our wall, but has put the roof over part of our garden. When I asked the joiners what they were doing, he came out and was very rude!
I pointed out that he'd not even bothered to ask about drilling into my wall or putting the roof up over my garden. He said he couldn't see a problem and didn't know I was in anyway!
I'm fuming!

OP posts:

GabriellaMontez · 23/10/2017 13:49

It will be much worse if you leave it. It causes a problem on your side eg damp and then you have to deal with it.

Go and say "I've had a think we definitely don't want this attached. It has implications for insurance please remove it now" don't discuss. "It will have to come down so I don't want you to waste any more time or materials "

MarklahMarklah · 23/10/2017 13:49

Agree with others, he needs to stop. It is not his property he's attaching it wholly to.

He's being rude because he knows he's in the wrong.

Justanothernameonthepage · 23/10/2017 13:50

Your neighbour is a CF. Tell them they do not have permission to attach to you wall, and do not have permission to build on your property.
Reiterate that there is no agreement, that you haven't been consulted and that you would like the name of their company. Then ring their boss ASAP, reiterating that they have no permission to connect your neighbours building works to your house, especially as the connection is within your property and not on the border. Explain that you would like all damage rectified ASAP.

Ifailed · 23/10/2017 13:50

also add that he has already potentially committed criminal damage and you are considering contacting the police.

A person who without lawful excuse destroys or damages any property belonging to another intending to destroy or damage any such property or being reckless as to whether any such property would be destroyed or damaged shall be guilty of an offence.

JeepersKreepers · 23/10/2017 13:51

What Gabriella says is bullshit. It gives you a great "excuse" (who can argue with insurance) if you don't want to juggle appear difficult

JeepersKreepers · 23/10/2017 13:52

Sorry Gabriella I meant "brilliant", not "bullshit"

And no idea where "juggle" came from. Perhaps you can juggle at them?

musicform · 23/10/2017 13:52

You need to do something now - if you allow them to finish the work its going to be more of a problem later

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 23/10/2017 13:52

Calmly ask them to stop, it's your land and they absolutely do not have permission to encroach on your property.

If he refuses or is intimidating or threatening then call the police on the non-emergency number about the threats.

CiderwithBuda · 23/10/2017 13:53

You need to tell them to stop. It may affect your insurance and cause you issues if you ever come to sell your house.

nocake · 23/10/2017 13:55

If the wall is yours they can't attach anything to it without your permission. The builders will know that so tell them now, and very clearly, that they don't have permission so must stop.

If the wall is jointly owned it is a party wall so they can't do this sort of work without giving you a party wall notice. The builders will also know that so again, you should tell them to stop.

If it's your wall I suggest a letter to him stating that all of the work must be removed and the wall returned to its original condition within 14 days or you will employ someone to do the work and sue him for the cost. Write it and keep a copy so there is a record.

GabriellaMontez · 23/10/2017 13:55

DancingLedge · 23/10/2017 13:56

If you see it happening, and don't make it clear that you want them to stop NOW, it could be tricky to get it sorted later, if they continue building such that the whole thing has to be later altered, involving much greater cost.

You need to be clear. I know that can be very difficult if people are intimidating, but you can say your piece" please stop now, I'm not sure if I'm ok with you attaching something to my wall, I want you to stop now, until we' ve resolved this matter, I'm taking advice, and will speak to you tomorrow." Then turn on your heel and leave.

Jaxhog · 23/10/2017 13:59

NO! Tell him to stop. NOW! Tell him if he continues, you will sue him for committing trespass and causing criminal damage.

Jaxhog · 23/10/2017 14:01

If you think he might deny you told him, record yourself saying this on your phone. (You could keep your phone in your pocket).

Don't get into a discussion until they stop.

flumpybear · 23/10/2017 14:03

Bloody hell tell them to stop now!! They’re not only in the wrong but they’re damaging your property - go out and tell them to stop or you’ll call the police! I’d call anyway and log a call with then in emergency line anyway

wowfudge · 23/10/2017 14:06

OMG - tell them to stop, remove the battens pronto and fill the holes. If he wants his crappy plastic roof, he needs posts on his side of the boundary that it is attached to. You can download the title plan of your house from the gov.uk Land Registry in minutes, costs £3. Tell him bugger off!

HotelEuphoria · 23/10/2017 14:12

You absolutely SHOULD mind them attaching anything at all to your property - they have caused damage to your structure and this is surely criminal damage.

You must go back round and tell him to remove everything make good the damage done or you will report him to planning with immediate effect.

Do not be a pushover.

wowfudge · 23/10/2017 14:16

No way Jose should you let them carry on, aside from the damage already caused to your wall , after ten years of this plastic crap being up, he'll have adversely possessed the six inches of land between the boundary and your extension wall as you haven't stopped him.

Original poster

Bezm · 23/10/2017 14:31

All sorted! Took the dog out for a walk then went round. He was very apologetic. The wood had already been removed and the roof is now only in line with the boundary. We actually had a good chat! Sometimes it's better to try and talk these things through before going in heavy handed, and this time politeness on my part worked. Thanks for the advice though. If I hadn't braved going round again, it would have been very awkward.

OP posts:

JeepersKreepers · 23/10/2017 14:48

Well done, OP!

WitchDancer · 23/10/2017 14:50

Brilliant, well done!

Supermagicsmile · 23/10/2017 14:56

Glad it's not attached to your extension anymore!

Jaxhog · 23/10/2017 16:03

Good job Op!

Hope they made good the holes in your wall as well?

Ttbb · 23/10/2017 16:16

That was a very satisfying thread. I'm glad it worked out so well!

Alicetherabbit · 23/10/2017 16:19

Tell him to remove it or get a solicitor involved ASAP. If you consent to this he can get a right of support from your house and may put off future buyers also once he achieve right of support, you are responsible for maintaining it.

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