To break into my new neighbours house *THREAD 3: The Final Conundrum*

[Catsos]

I’m really not trying to drag this out 😩 but I seriously need some advice following on from my posts this weekend where my cat (who has a reputation for breaking cat-flaps in the neighbourhood) broke into my new neighbours vacant house while it is being renovated.

Here is the original post if anyone needs more context:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4881905-to-break-into-new-neighbours-house-serious-question-not-trolling

After not being able to get back out the cat-flap he was stuck in there for 48 hours over the bank holiday weekend and then finally released by the builder after various rescue attempts by me.

During that period however some damage occurred to my new neighbours property. I had hoped they would take it all in good spirits as fellow cat owners and we’d laugh about it and be new cat bessie mates but they we’re absolutely seething!!

They have proposed that I pay £1,600!!! for the following:

£800 to replace the rug my cat wee’d on

£400 to replace an area of laminate flooring as apparently the wee has gone into the underlay

I offered to pay £100 for professional rug cleaning, but the wife (who seems very neurotic) says her cats will still be able to smell my cats urine and they don’t want that to stress their cats out when they move them into the new home

£150 for repainting areas of muddy foot prints on the walls where my cat scratched to get out
(again I offered to just wipe them off but the wife insists it is repainted)

£50 to repaint window sils where the crabsticks & icecubes I dropped through the window has damaged the paint

£200 for a new bathroom window vent as I pushed thinly slice honey roasted ham through it

AIBU to think they are being very over the top? I could personally clean/repaint all of these things myself. Should I refuse to pay this amount? I don’t even have this amount available anyway, I would need to get an overdraft.

Agreed. I think it was faulty to begin with or that the cat got in a different way.

with crime you have to PROVE INTENTION

There is no proof or suggestion she intended to offend or harass someone

She might have been reckless in her actions - but not deliberate

Are you a lawyer?

£150 to re paint a wall?
£400 for a small section of laminate flooring?
£800 for a rug that could be cleaned?

I'm surprised how many posters think you should pay that much. But then I paint my own walls and dh put our flooring down himself, but still seems crazy money to me.

That sounds fair (and will likely be in the region of their insurance)

It's partly their fault for having a cat trap

But cats have a right to roam - so she has no legal requirement to keep the cat inside. The fact that the cat was out isn’t her responsibility

we don’t expect Cats to be kept indoors

I wonder if OP's cat is related to the postman attacker?

True, but most people I know in this situation tend to pay the money they would have paid as an insurance premium into a separate bank account so they at least had some sort of back up if there was an emergency.

i’m impressed a cat can manage to smash through numerous cat flaps though, my old cat couldn’t even figure out how to use the flap on the front of a covered litter tray

I’m surprised they are so keen to fall out with the neighbours.

It could have been far worse of it was a wild animal. Also far worse if your DCat was injured in their house. They imprisoned him in their house. Sue for damages yourself.

Do not admit liability! They really shouldn’t have had a cat flap open that allowed an animal in so they’re liable.
it would’ve been nice to pay for rug cleaning etc but seeing as the damage is estimated to be so high they must claim on their insurance.

Speak to the nice builder and get prices from him for all these items. Also, get at least one other quote, in writing, and ask to see written quote from the homeowners. Keep any items they claim need replacing - you should have a large rug, slightly scratched catflap, bathroom vent and some laminate flooring to sell towards your costs.
I think they should claim against their insurance and you offer to pay (evidenced) increase in premiums

My dog cost £6000 in the first month, now got glaucoma and it’s a fortune per month in drops. Soon surgery. It’s a game of luck

Don’t underestimate the increase in premiums. My insurance doubled permanently after a claim.

They are taking the P. Yes you should pay something, but not all of that. Agree in asking nice builder who let cat out for a quote

Plot twist: It was the nice builder who priced-up the damage for the neighbour. He's trying to fleece you, OP!

Also, cash in on your cat's fame and get them some modelling work.

I’d be absolutely furious with you if I was your neighbour. The cat getting in and creating mess is one thing… it’s a totally different level of crazy when the lady next door posts ham into a vent and crab sticks through a crack in a window 🤦🏼‍♀️

No way should they claim on their own insurance!!

I wouldn't pay it. Some of the damage could have already been there and if they had a builder lined up they obviously meant to do work on the house and I think they are just trying to get you to pay towards it. They should have secured the catflap. Your cat is beautiful OP 😍 so glad they got out okay.

I think you need legal advice before you agree to anything.

I don't think you can even get cat insurance with third party liability. That's for dogs.

I was in about painting over muddy footprints and as I said I feel they are being excessive. Neighbours didn’t secure their house properly which is why their insurance won’t pay out. Was suggesting something that might be a part way to paying excessive and not paying at all.
why do people get snappy and say peoples lives are jokes on here?

This.
Id go with offering the £400 end of. They’re taking the piss.

You should pay for the damage, but the amounts they quoted are not realistic. How much damage can a crabstick do, for instance?