Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbour has built their wall half in our garden.

226 replies

Poppingmad123 · 25/04/2021 18:38

Thus the wall that is theirs is now a shared wall as its half on our house and half on theirs. Trouble is this now means if we want to make our driveway bigger, we have their wall in the way and can’t just build in our own grounds. Not sure if we can move their wall back to their side. Just don’t understand why they did this (other than greed for more space on their side) but they had plenty anyway.

I am so upset and angry about this. It doesn’t even match our other walls! It’s actually stressed me out so much that I can’t sleep and I’m thinking about this all the flipping time. I see it every time I step out my house so can’t just ignore it. I feel they have ruined the look of my house. I feel really resentful towards them now which I hate but just can’t help it! They never applied for a shared wall (party wall) or went through the process. They just acted as though they didn’t know what they were doing , didn’t seem to understand boundaries etc despite having professional builders. I can’t believe they wouldn’t have advised them. Also what kind of builders build walls not knowing where the boundary between houses is?

I just need some perspective as this is making me somewhat ill. Am I unreasonable for being so upset, is this normal that I’m letting it get to me this much or should I let it go? I know it’s just bricks and mortar but it’s my house! What would you do in my shoes?

By the way, we want to sell our house in the future so don’t want to be in dispute as that would put potential buyers off.

OP posts:
ChocOrange1 · 25/04/2021 18:41

Speak to a solicitor. If they didn't apply for a party wall agreement and have just built on your property, then they are in the wrong surely.

Aprilx · 25/04/2021 18:42

What do you mean by “it’s half on our house”? I think a diagram is required. 😊

RachelRavenR0th · 25/04/2021 18:43

If you plan on moving you cannot let it go.

Theunamedcat · 25/04/2021 18:43

So half a brick over?

Atalantea · 25/04/2021 18:44

Have you spoken to them?
Did you see them build it?

Youdontknowwhatyoureonabout · 25/04/2021 18:44

Why did you not stop them when they started building it? Or did they knock it up whilst you were out?
I’m afraid I’d have sent DH straight round to say they have encroached on our plot so they need to take it down and rebuild it on their side.
How long has it been built? It doesn’t need a to be a dispute, they may have just thought that, as a dividing wall, it needed to be equal both sides. They may not realise they have caused you an issue. Some people are just clueless rather than CF.
How long has it been up?

HerMammy · 25/04/2021 18:45

Diagram! no idea what half on our house means.
Why didn’t you speak up when the wall was being built??

Aprilshowersandhail · 25/04/2021 18:45

Well get a solicitor to tell them to knock it down .. Or charge them rent for it..
Grin

cushioncovers · 25/04/2021 18:46

Photo? Do you mean they have built it partly on your side of the driveway instead of on their side, meaning you have now lost a few inches of ground?

SeasonFinale · 25/04/2021 18:47

When they started building it why did you not say to the builder "hang on you are too far over, that is on our land?"

NoSquirrels · 25/04/2021 18:47

Can you draw a diagram? It sounds like a wall dividing the front gardens - is that right? It can’t be very much over your boundary if it’s built right on the boundary line - not enough to stop you widening your drive?

I won’t vote because yes, it’s unreasonable of them to have done a shit thing on the boy dart without consulting but you do sound a bit overly anxious/obsessed with it. How bad can it be?

MinecraftMother · 25/04/2021 18:49

The builder does what they're told. They won't advise their customer that they're perhaps in the wrong...

Show us what you mean with a diagram/photos. I'm a property solicitor.

An0n0n0n · 25/04/2021 18:49

Why didn't you say something when you saw them building it?

campion · 25/04/2021 18:53

Sounds like you need some legal advice.

No one can build on your land and they're being massively cheeky. Some builders,unfortunately, will take liberties if they think they can get away with it but your neighbours are equally at fault.

You are DNBU

rothbury · 25/04/2021 18:54

Where were you when the offending wall was erected? Confused

SteveBuscemisRheumyEye · 25/04/2021 18:56

You know the rules: diagram or it didn't happen!

therocinante · 25/04/2021 18:58

Cheeky bastards.

You probably should have pressed them more at the time cos it's going to be a massive hassle to sort out, but you absolutely should follow it up or you might have trouble if you ever want to sell.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 25/04/2021 18:59

👆

SecretIdentitee · 25/04/2021 19:00

How thick is the wall that it narrows your garden so much? If it's on the boundary a normal wall should be more than 6inches into your side?
I suppose you could get them to dismantle it and build it again on their side but without dimensions/diagram it doesn't seem to warrant your reaction.
Having not raised the issue either when wall was being built or since I wonder is anxiety the real issue?

Comefromaway · 25/04/2021 19:00

You really should have said something when it was being built rather than waiting until afterwards but they should not have built over the boundary line without a party wall agreement.

MadeForThis · 25/04/2021 19:01

Diagram needed. Please.

Overdueanamechange · 25/04/2021 19:02

You need to deal with this quickly. Did you say anything at the time?

notapizzaeater · 25/04/2021 19:03

Legal cover with your house insurance ?

Charlieiscool · 25/04/2021 19:05

Don’t involve a lawyer or that is a dispute that you’ll have to declare. If you end up in court it will be thousands of pounds, will take a couple of years and it just isn’t worth it for this. You need to find a way of resolving it with your neighbour or do something to make it look better on your side.

Whammyyammy · 25/04/2021 19:05

Diagram please. But if they have built on your land, I'd be getting a solicitor to instruct them to remove it. Or just take a sledge hammer to it....