Neighbours

[Pr1mr0se]

This weekend a large piece of roofing felt came off the neighbours ancient wooden shed which is next to our garden and landed in our garden. Rather than ask for it back they have taken photos of it (whilst sitting on the shed). They may think we ripped it off when it was in fact the recent winds that did it.

Neighbours have form for not listening, antisocial behaviour and trying to escalate things so I am in a difficult situation. They can be quite rude, sweary and threatening as a first response to any communication at all.

I am quite worried where this seemingly small incident could lead if I even offer the felt back to them. I didn't sleep last night for worrying about it.

AIBU unreasonable to be worried this will end up legal? Any advice on how I should handle this to avoid escalation? What would you do?

I would also take some photos.

Then I'd text/email or pop a note through saying "a big piece of felt has blown in our garden, is it off your shed? Would you like to come and get it ?"

Just return the torn off section.

Just pop it back over the fence, no need for drama, why didn't you go speak to them when you seen them taking photos?

Don't know why you didn't just hand them it back over the fence, and say something innocuous about the terrible wind, especially when they took photos! Now you're working yourself up over nothing.

Only my husband saw them taking the photos - and told me later - so I couldn't speak to them about it myself.

I have photos of them on the shed and the felt in situ in our garden.

I do not have a mobile or email for them. I'll pop a note through the door.

Take photos yourself and take it back or chuck it back over, we had a similar incident whereby neighbours roof tile slipped and hit our car causing £1500 worth of damage (heavy clay tile and specialist car) their insurance company didn’t want to know as the tile slipping wasn’t caught on CCTV, the neighbours whilst initially accepted liability then refused to believe it was a tile from their house although quite evident as there was a tile missing. We ended up having to claim on our insurance to fix the damage. They blatantly had a roofer round to replace the tile, needed access from our drive. We don’t speak much now, they’re ‘nice people’ (their words) apparently. The insurance companies (ours included) were useless, they won’t be interested.

You are overthinking it. Just throw it back in their garden. If they are rude be short with them and let them see you are not a pushover.

@Wellpark

You are overthinking it. Just throw it back in their garden. If they are rude be short with them and let them see you are not a pushover.

This!

It's probably £20 or £30 of felt so just return it. No need to say anything. Take photos if you like. My ndn leaves her rubbish and recycling blowing about our front gardens into the road so I just toss it back. Why the hell she's still got bags of dog s$#t still there from a few years ago I don't know.

I'd just Chuck it back over the fence or pop it round if it would land on plants etc

Thanks for all your advice. I really don't think I am over thinking it at all. Previously we have offered to share cost and provide access to put up a fence and they refused to agree any quote and then got in a contractor who gained access to our property when we were at work and put up a fence (in the wrong place naturally) and then they billed us for not just the fence but the damage he had caused to their garden. However I will be brave and hand the felt back to them. PS. Felifox - this neighbour is a hoarder too so I can appreciate your frustrations.

and then they billed us for not just the fence but the damage he had caused to their garden

I hope you didn't pay!

Just put it back over the fence - no contact with them needed.
Likewise - hope you didn't pay the fence bill.