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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New neighbours away to start building

28 replies

Bubbly8382 · 07/08/2023 16:20

Hello everyone.

Just looking for some advice really, and if anyone else has been in a similar situation.

sorry bit of a long post……

in April we managed after waiting for a long time to finally get to rent an estate cottage in a rural location (they don’t come up often and we had been waiting two years on the list)

The property is a small cottage up a narrow farm track in a very isolated and rural area and next door to us is a derelict steading which has been sold for development.

We knew this and didn’t have an issue and don’t mind having neighbours.

About a month ago, a man and a woman appeared and were walking around the plot. My partner was in our garden and noticed them and because we don’t currently have neighbours went to ask them if they were ok and to enquire who they were. They ignored him and didn’t engage.

They came up a few times after this and again when we have tried to speak to them, they have ignored us.

One time I had just arrived home from work and I had parked my car in the lane briefly whilst I was getting stuff unloaded and sorted in the house. There was a knock at the door and a man appeared and said he owned the plot next door and if I could move my car, which I did no problem and apologised and he said thanks.

About 2 days later I received a call from landlord who said there had been a complaint from the land owner next door that I had blocked his access!! I was quite taken aback by this and to be honest a bit annoyed.

Surely someone has basic communication skills and social skills to be able to speak to me if there is a problem? I just think going straight to the landlord is a bit cowardly.

last night there were two people (not sure if it was the same man and woman) walking about the track and lurking around the perimeter of our property and the building next door about 2230 at night.

Partner obviously went out to challenge them to ask who they were as the dog was going nuts and we also have our daughter at the house, again they ignored him and walked off down the track.

No one has come to speak to us or inform us about building work starting, which is has today.

Now I know they don’t have to but I have read it’s common courtesy to do so if it’s going to cause a lot of disruption.

For context I work for the emergency services and work shifts, so if my rest is away to be disrupted by building etc, I would like to know so I can plan in advance to be as rested as I can, as this could be detrimental and dangerous to my job.

The new neighbours seem a bit rude and entitled tbh, and I get the impression they aren’t going to be too approachable or friendly.

is there anything I can do? Would I be entitled to approach the builder to ask for a schedule of works so I can minimise disruption to myself and my family? Or would this be unreasonable?

OP posts:
trulyunruly01 · 07/08/2023 16:30

It's not very neighbourly but I don't think there's much you can do really. Check that there are no party wall issues? Although that doesn't sound likely.
You could look at the local council planning portal to gauge some kind of scale of the works and how long it's likely to take. Also, find out the permissible working times in your area and ensure they stick to them.
Invest in good noise cancelling earphones.
Start growing noise dampening high hedges now - they dont sound like the sort of people who will be engaging in social niceties over the fence. And ask your landlords permission to establish better off road parking to head off any future complaints.
Then ignore, ignore, ignore. (I've lived with awkwards next door for the past 10 yrs and my 9ft hedges help a lot!)

ImATrain · 07/08/2023 16:33

They sound like arses ignoring you each time!

Yes, ask the builders when the big noise will be so you can sleep

DinnaeFashYersel · 07/08/2023 16:35

Unfortunately there's really nothing you can do.

It's certainly very rude behaviour.

They've made it very, very clear they have no intention of engaging with you.

You can ask the builder but you have no entitlement to information.

Good luck.

jeaux90 · 07/08/2023 16:46

What do you want to know OP? If they have had to get planning permission then you can see what the plans are on most councils planning portals.

Other than that I hope whatever they have planned doesn't disrupt your peace too much but don't hold you breath.

ThreeLittleDots · 07/08/2023 16:51

There's nothing you can do and I'm afraid they'll laugh at your request for a schedule.

Just hope that the people you've encountered won't be the occupants.

ThreeLittleDots · 07/08/2023 16:52

This is probably why the previous tenants moved out!

FlamingYam · 07/08/2023 16:55

They sound incredibly rude and entitled. Who ignores another human when spoken to? As if you are beneath them!

I'd be setting expectations with any management company (I.e not being weird at 22.30 at night) or leaving. Yes it's their property but they have to understand common decency and respect.

Original poster
Bubbly8382 · 07/08/2023 17:00

ThreeLittleDots · 07/08/2023 16:52

This is probably why the previous tenants moved out!

The steading was only sold this year (January) and our place had been empty long before that so no.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bubbly8382 · 07/08/2023 17:01

jeaux90 · 07/08/2023 16:46

What do you want to know OP? If they have had to get planning permission then you can see what the plans are on most councils planning portals.

Other than that I hope whatever they have planned doesn't disrupt your peace too much but don't hold you breath.

Just a rough time frame I guess for completion, don’t fancy meeting a lorry on the narrow track and then having to reverse all the way down a track 😞

OP posts:
fuckmyuteruslining · 07/08/2023 17:10

They bought it in January and you moved in in April? I think you'll find they were hoping no neighbours would ever appear!
Hence the aggro and call to landlord as they're hoping they can put you off!
I'd be super nice tbh. Keep talking at them, make friends with their builders. They will be arseholes to the builders too you know,

WonderingWanda · 07/08/2023 17:13

The new neighbours sound pretty rude. Not much you can do but I assume it will mostly just be builders on site? I would befriend them, offer them a cuppa and find out what's going on. Say that you'd tried to say hello to new neighbours who ignored you and would love to know how long works will be going on etc. If these people are as snooty as you describe they will likely piss their builders off too.

Original poster
Bubbly8382 · 07/08/2023 17:16

fuckmyuteruslining · 07/08/2023 17:10

They bought it in January and you moved in in April? I think you'll find they were hoping no neighbours would ever appear!
Hence the aggro and call to landlord as they're hoping they can put you off!
I'd be super nice tbh. Keep talking at them, make friends with their builders. They will be arseholes to the builders too you know,

Funny my partner thinks the same thing 😂😂 but they knew there was an estate house that is rented when they bought the land so 🤷🏻‍♀️

I was speaking to the guys who are up setting the boundary fence today, they were really nice and when I explained the situation, they suggested I contacted the builder to ask them and they probably would let me know when the big works would be happening.

Our landlord has kindly got some big heavy duty gates for us that we can have at the end of our driveway area so it enclosed us a wee bit, makes it more secure and stops my very nosy but lovely friendly collie from going to see the builders 😂😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Bubbly8382 · 07/08/2023 17:17

WonderingWanda · 07/08/2023 17:13

The new neighbours sound pretty rude. Not much you can do but I assume it will mostly just be builders on site? I would befriend them, offer them a cuppa and find out what's going on. Say that you'd tried to say hello to new neighbours who ignored you and would love to know how long works will be going on etc. If these people are as snooty as you describe they will likely piss their builders off too.

I will do exactly this 🙂 I may even make the builders some cake 😂

OP posts:
LovingLalo · 07/08/2023 17:21

I'd just be careful with these kind of people. Don't bother the builders too much with cake etc or the owners may just twist the situation and tell your landlord your harrasing them. If they want you out they will make your life hell.

Leave the builders be and keep yourself to yourself.

LovingLalo · 07/08/2023 17:23

Some people view people who rent like this. Just don't give them anything to complain about. Those type always will.

Original poster
Bubbly8382 · 07/08/2023 17:24

LovingLalo · 07/08/2023 17:21

I'd just be careful with these kind of people. Don't bother the builders too much with cake etc or the owners may just twist the situation and tell your landlord your harrasing them. If they want you out they will make your life hell.

Leave the builders be and keep yourself to yourself.

I’m not going to constantly make cake 😂 would be a one off with a cuppa just to say hello, and that will be that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bubbly8382 · 07/08/2023 17:25

LovingLalo · 07/08/2023 17:23

Some people view people who rent like this. Just don't give them anything to complain about. Those type always will.

I’d love to be able to build my own property and have my own land, unfortunately I’ve never been in a position financially and I probably never will. Doesn’t mean people who rent are less.

OP posts:
LovingLalo · 07/08/2023 17:27

@Bubbly8382 thats fine. Your choice, you asked for advice and I gave you mine. They have already been two faced about the car situation. I've seen things like this escalate so many times.

Original poster
Bubbly8382 · 07/08/2023 17:29

LovingLalo · 07/08/2023 17:27

@Bubbly8382 thats fine. Your choice, you asked for advice and I gave you mine. They have already been two faced about the car situation. I've seen things like this escalate so many times.

No I appreciate your advice 👍 we tend to keep ourselves to ourselves anyway

OP posts:
Whinge · 07/08/2023 17:34

Leave the builders be and keep yourself to yourself.

I agree. As much as you would like to know a schedule I think bothering the builders is going to be counter productive and will give the couple another reason to complain. You've only been there since April, and already have one complaint, and there are bound to be more moments where they get in touch with your landlord. I predict the dog will be the next thing they complain about. So as much as you want to find out details I think keeping to yourself is the most sensible course of action.

Whatswhatwhichiswhich · 07/08/2023 17:37

From their point of view it is you harassing them, repeatedly approaching them when they’ve made it clear they have no interest in speaking to you. They probably put a call into the landlord to ensure access wasn’t blocked in future, they likely don’t want to be pissing about knocking your door to get you to shift from a place you shouldn’t be parked in in the first place.

Unfriendly neighbours can be a godsend. It means you don’t have to interact with them at all. Keep out each others way, don’t go demanding to know what they do on their own land and don’t go blocking the track and you’ll probably be fine. Leave their builders alone, that’s extremely weird and intrusive.

Agree with the PP that suggested looking at the planning permission section to get an idea on timeframes. Buy some decent ear plugs for the duration too if you’re on night shift. Enjoy your home and forget about the neighbours.

longtompot · 07/08/2023 17:48

I would look online and see what planning application or building control has been applied for and what has been granted.
It's a shame they aren't being friendly, especially seeing as you are going to be neighbours.
I hope the main builder can give you some info for when some of the big works are going to happen, just so you can plan your sleep schedule around them.

Blueblell · 07/08/2023 17:55

Unfortunately they see that you are renting the property and don’t feel they have to engage with you. They sound like right shits! Keep your landlord informed of any issues and get them keep on top of these people. Don’t give them an inch!

drpet49 · 07/08/2023 19:34

FlamingYam · 07/08/2023 16:55

They sound incredibly rude and entitled. Who ignores another human when spoken to? As if you are beneath them!

I'd be setting expectations with any management company (I.e not being weird at 22.30 at night) or leaving. Yes it's their property but they have to understand common decency and respect.

This. Who do they think they are? Rude twats.

Gcsunnyside23 · 07/08/2023 20:12

Have you contacted your landlord to ask if the neighbour has been in touch about the works? I would mention your worries about them also e.g the rudeness, skulking around your house late at night setting the dog off. Just incase they try and turn things on you