Neighbour has changed the colour of jointly owned access gate

[RikkiT]

I live in a terraced house and my 2 adjoining neighbours have access via my garden to the street for things like taking their bins out. There is a single gate onto the street that connects to a alleyway in my garden for myself and my 2 neighbours to use.

Today my neighbour has painted the jointly owned gate without consulting myself or our other neighbour. The gate was white and has been painted black.

Regardless if it "needed painting" or "looks better" in principle my neighbour should have consulted me and my other neighbour first right?

It more the principle that they have done it without checking in first. If it had been kept the same colour I may have overlooked it as it it. something we are all jointly responsible for.

Would It be unreasonable of me to confront my neighbour and ask why they didn't consult me and my neighbour first?

My wife seems to think it will cause more hassle than it's worth.

gategate...

YANBU, black is awful. It would remind me of a headstone and make me feel unutterably sad every time I walked through it.

It’s a gate ffs, you can’t have much going on if you’re pissed off about the colour of a gate.

I think you are right to be a bit concerned about boundaries, but I don’t think a confrontational approach would be the best starting point.

I would double check it is actually jointly owned (as it sounds like it is an entry to your property and the others simply have a right of way, it may well be that you own the gate and are responsible for maintaining it) and then go round with a six pack or something and say you appreciate him being up for maintaining the joint access, it does need touching up from time to time, but could he please talk you all in advance next time so you’re all on the same page with what is happening, idea

Y while sharing the six pack and just before you move on to shared interests/filling him in on local gossip/etc. This lets him know what your expectations are so he can adjust. It may be he’s never been in this position before or his previous experience has been with neighbours who aren’t prepared to anything themselves so is used to just getting on with it. He isn’t necessarily trying to run roughshod over things to have his own way so approaching him in a friendly way would seem most likely to get a harmonious outcome.

Having gone through the replies it certainly seems that I’m in the minority here. For those that gave constructive criticism I thank you.

I still feel my neighbour should have checked in first however I’m going to buy my neighbour a bottle of wine/case of beers and thank them the next time I see them passing. I will bring up in the nicest/least confrontational way possible that for any future projects that involve our shared property that I would really appreciate being consulted on any changes and will happily help/pay/get involved etc.

For those asking here is a brief diagram

Idea

Y

Was supposed to be ideally!

You’re being unreasonable OP.
The gate needed painting you didn’t want to do it, the neighbour probably thought he was doing you a favour. Just thank him.

I'd be happy for someone to paint gate. Makes it look nice, black is neutral colour and less likely to look tired like white

Could you say to your neighbours something like "I recall when Prince Albert died that many railings and house adornments were painted black. Whilst I appreciate the effort you have put into painting our gate black in recognition of poor Prince Philip's early demise, if you plan on painting any other jointly owned property can you let me know. Many thanks. God Save the Queen"

Are you sure it’s shared property?

Well, excellent diagram. Had to wait 6 pages for it but there it is. Is it the neighbour to the left who painted it? Do they think it is their gate? Maybe they thought they were doing you a favour.

That is an impressive diagram.

Next time paint it yourself then.

Holy smokes that diagram!

Ahahaha. :o

OP you need to say something - only to make sure that ownership of gate is absolutely clear. Also check the deeds

When selling the house you don’t want there to be any squabbles about property you actually own.

A friendly chat can’t do any harm

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

Could you say to your neighbours something like "I recall when Prince Albert died that many railings and house adornments were painted black. Whilst I appreciate the effort you have put into painting our gate black in recognition of poor Prince Philip's early demise, if you plan on painting any other jointly owned property can you let me know. Many thanks. God Save the Queen"

Excellent diagram. I mean, you didn’t draw the alleyway (demerit) but it is beautifully labelled and in proportion so gold star.

OP please don't buy him a case of beer it would be really, really strange.

You really are best just letting it go.

An award for best mn diagram so far! Is it other house gate attached to who painted?

Yes have you definitely checked your deeds? If it’s actually owned by you you don’t want to go telling him it’s jointly owned...

Great diagram btw.👍

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles That has properly made me laugh

Does it match your house frontage?
It's rude really ....I'd be wondering what's next ?

Honestly op, are you just bored in lockdown and looking to fight your neighbour? Or are you generally quite petty?

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

Op great diagram and solution

It is just not important.

Your rights don't always have to be asserted. It might make you feel better to make a point. It won't make you a better person though.

If the paint job is of a good quality, there is not any real issue/damage. Just your pride dented because you didn't give permission.