Neighbour putting up extension

[BigPaperBag]

Ok, our neighbour has informed us that they are going to be putting up an extension. No problem with that, their house and all that. What really riled me was when he just said ‘and we’ll be putting the scaffolding on your patio so we can rebuild the wall’ (in total it will be there about 6 weeks) Please don’t anyone ask me why it’ll be there so long as I genuinely don’t know, this is just what he said.

Anyway, AIBU to say that he can put scaffolding up but only if he rents my patio space? Do people do this? It’s my first owned home so I have no idea, just asking for opinions really.

Just googled and it looks like they need permission if for non essential extension work. Law appears to be different for essential maintenance. Please note I have no legal training on this and sure someone better will be here soon!

I don’t think he can dictate that he uses your patio.

He needs to ask your permission, he can't just 'tell' you. What a knob!

Are attached? I believe you would need a party wall agreement.
If not attached I think you need an agreement that if any damage if done they will fix it.

Hell no. Your property OP.

You

You also need to discuss how they would access your land to put the scaffolding down, particularly if it’s at the back and there’s no side entrance.

Have you considered whether you need a party wall surveyor?

Dont they need planning permission and your permission for anything on your land

Funnily enough my neighbours need scaffolding up in their garden next month and have asked permission for the poles that need to go my side already. Only for a couple of days but I was asked I wasn’t informed!!!

He can’t just use your patio , go round tomorrow and tell him that he cannot put his scaffolding on your garden at all .

We’re attached as we’re a semi and he’d need to access it through our back door. He doesn’t want to get a party wall agreement as it will be ‘costly’ but I don’t think it matters. Surely it’s not my problem. We’re not benefitting at all from this. In fact we will probably lose a small bit of light in the corner of our garden.

Darn right he cannot just assume he can use your patio 😂

I’m so glad that most people on here don’t think I’m crazy! I’m also a bit protective over my patio as it was £6k only 18 months ago!

He absolutely needs a party wall agreement op. Otherwise you can stall his work (ultimately there’s no point in that because they’ll take even longer doing it) but at least get something in writing from him.
Honestly I’d tell him you need the party wall agreement

When is he planning to do this? No way would I want to have restricted access to my patio during spring/summer because of someone else's scaffolding.

No. That doesn't work for me.

Repeat as necessary.

You need an 3rd party agreement which states a start and end date and if for any reason the scaffolding is on your property for longer than they say the builder with have to pay you xyz a day.

This is what a friend had to do, the good thing is no builder wasn't to pay out their own pocket so the job won't drag on.

@WonkyCactus That’s the other thing, it looks as though it’s going to be over the summer which I’m not happy about.

I allowed a neighbour to do this and regretted it, it was more intrusive than I expected it to be.

I wouldn't rent my patio, as I think it's not terribly neighbourly, but id be p**d off he didn't ask if they could use the patio- he shouldn't be dictating. You should also have it writing that they agree to pay for any damages given that its newly laid and and take good photographs beforehand for proof if necessary.

Id also check with your insurers - i know someone who was burgled when they gained access to the house via scaffolding so id be more concerned about the scaffolding invalidating the policy.

Sounds like he needs your permission and a party wall agreement

You absolutely do not have to agree to him using your patio. To be honest I’d just say no. Pleasantly. Rather then rent it which seems mercenary. I’d just say that it doesn’t suit you for him to do this as it’s a new expensive patio that you don’t want to risk getting damaged, that you don’t wish to give access through your garden and that he will have to make other arrangements. But do tell him forthwith so he is not left with the impression you agree.

A party wall agreement doesn’t cost if you both agree to it. Only if you dispute it. It’s got nothing to do with the scaffolding anyway. Just Google it all and it’s all there

I’m pretty darn sure he can not use your patio for his scaffolding.
Call citizens advice asap