My elderly DM, who lives alone, has recently acquired new neighbours. Since moving in, the husband has done a few things which have irritated my DM off a bit (cut her hedge without asking, regular stinky bonfires on which he burns plastic etc) but my DM is a laid back sort of woman and has not been too bothered.
A few months ago, she looked out of the window and saw this man in her garden. My DM didn’t go out at the time (she is partially sighted and fearful of unplanned confrontation) but upon later investigation, she found he had accessed her garden so he could attach a couple of satellite dishes to the rear of his wall. This wall is where his property ends, so as they stand out from the wall, the satellite dishes are overhanging into my DM’s garden. Had he asked permission, DM would probably has agreed, but she was pretty cross as he’d just gone ahead and done it.
She then discovered that he has had a fence built which is a couple of feet into her land. This fence runs behind my DM’s hedge, so wasn’t visible to her at first, which I imagine he had been banking on.
DM has reported the encroaching fence to the council, who told her on the phone that it would be dealt with. This was weeks ago, and she has heard absolutely nothing. I am badgering her to chase it up.
She spoke to the neighbour and told him in no uncertain terms that he is not to enter her garden again without her permission. He denied doing it, and was surprised when DM said she had seen him. I think he may have mistakenly thought her blind rather than partially sighted.
Anyway, DM has now discovered he has accessed her garden again, as he has installed various pipes and electrical cables on the rear of this wall, which could only be done from DM’s property. It’s clear from the amount of work that it must have taken several hours. Like the satellite dishes, these pipes and cables all overhang DM’s property. There are several pipes which are positioned so whatever they are carrying will just spill out onto DM’s garden.
I’m going round on Sunday. I feel like wrenching all his encroaching crap off his wall and taking it round to him to make him realise it’s not just an elderly disabled lady he has to contend with. Presumably I’m not allowed to damage his pipes and cables though? My DM is worried about it turning into an official dispute in case she needs to declare it if she wants to sell the house. Any advice? Many thanks.