Are my neighbours being unreasonable?

[PawsAndReflection]

Hello!

We've recently bought a new house and our neighbours at the end of our garden are looking to redo the outside of their house.

They came by today to ask for permission as the work would require scaffolding in our garden, and were surprised to find seating and an olive tree in the area.

They've asked if we can move the olive tree and seating in order for them to have the work done, but I'm a little concerned about moving such a big tree. Does anyone have experience with this?

They were making out that it really wasn't a big deal but I've been researching it and it seems not quite as simple as they're making out.

Oh, wow! Classic projection, and in writing! It is they who are being "dreadfully selfish" and "taking advantage of your good nature'. The fact you were even considering their outrageous request/demand shows your good nature.

Just search "scaffolding" here for numerous stories of how scaffolding companies leave it up for weeks, months, and longer - basically using your yard as a storage unit until they have another job to move it to.

Don't faff about with any of this, just say No, and wish them well with their renovation. It is not your problem to solve.

Agree with the previous poster who says that tree is too close to the wall - if the roots damage their foundations you might have a problem down the line.

But in the short term, I wouldn't be surprised if that needs a party wall agreement, which they need to organise, will take surveyors (get your own) and which they are obliged to pay for. That will cover the amount of time they need access for, and their obligations if damage occurs. It's a legally binding document.

If it doesn't fall under the party wall act, a scaffolding licence is the way to protect yourself: www.ansteyhorne.co.uk/services/scaffold-licences-2

If they can’t be reasonable and accommodating I wouldn’t be meeting them in the middle and I would be flatly refusing all access. So are you the ground floor under them? Or your garden just ajoins? If you see any sort of contractor maybe speak o them and make sure they know your stance in case neighbours have said all fine go ahead!

Cheeky, cheeky fuckers!

They have acknowledged that their scaffolders can find a solution.

You are doing them a favour giving permission for your garden to be used for their scaffolding.

You will not be paying a penny to them for any additional costs they incur due to the position of the tree & seating area.

Block them on your phone after sending them a final message saying they should communicate with you via email from now and to stop harassing you.

I wouldn't say the reason for not paying any costs is because the work is cosmetic. It sounds like you would if it was maintenance and then the CFs would suddenly find something structural that needed doing and come round expecting you to pay. Don't give them any potential loopholes as we know they will exploit them.

Wow! They clearly aren't going to be reasonable. It would be a hard no from me.

Dear CF neighbours

Thank you for getting back to us so quickly on our queries. With those replies in mind, we're not in a position to agree to scaffolding in our garden or to allow any access, works, materials, workmen or passage through our garden, so please take this as our full refusal. We cannot take the risk of damage to any of our property or grounds.

They shouldn’t be asking in the first place houses have boundaries for a reason. Most home owners manage to plan any building works within their own boundaries and I think it would be setting a precedent by allowing them to do this, what would be next ?!

So they can work around the tree but expect you to pay for it?? 😂😂
Sorry OP, but that line alone has given me a good laugh! The utter cheek of it!

They're making it sound like they're the ones doing you a favour! Some peoples cheeky fuckery really knows no bounds does it.

Agree with everyone else. Firm "No" and I'd be telling them any more pressure on this and you'll be reporting them for harassment.

One thing to bear in mind if that if you might one day require scaffolding on their property for works to yours.

I'd say NO to the tree, but say you'd be happy to come to an agreement where they move the furniture and make good any damage to furniture/surface caused during the work.

I think OP may now have an inkling as to why the previous owners sold and moved on…

If you like the tree and want to keep it DO NOT MOVE IT. Trees can survive a move but more likely it’ll die

Wtaf just no
Direct them to this thread
Cheeky fuckers of the highest degree!

Well I actually think that response is a good outcome as it makes your decision easy. Just say no. Sorry, but you can't risk your property being damaged and scaffolding being up indefinitely preventing you being able to use your own garden. Get it in writing so that if they decide to 'be confused' and go ahead with it anyway you can prove they are trespassing and the scaffolding will need to be removed immediately.

just

just say no

OMG I’d be making this a police matter now! That’s harassment!

There was another thread on here where a woman was having to have scaffolding on the boundary line between her abs neighbours property. The neighbour told them they would charge her daily ( can't remember amount) for having scaffolding in their garden. The poster had said she couldn't afford it as it would be for at least 3 months. Perhaps this is the way to go .

Agreed
I’d also report them for harassment

From experience just say no. I’ve had neighbours scaffolding in my garden and my garden became out of use. I was cleaning huge pieces of rubble from my garden that were dangerously falling from a height, we also couldn’t open a rear bedroom window because of it. The scaffolding was up for about a year and left for months after the works had completed. I’d never agree to it again due to the lack of respect shown to my property and the inconvenience it caused.

Even before your latest update - ABSOLUTELY NOT

It honestly makes my head spin that there are people who actually think like this, and are so self-centred, out in the wild

I'd be replying and making it very clear that no scaffolding will be permitted on my property and that any further communication is to be via email, no calls or texts. Keep a paper trail - it sounds like you'll need it

Jesus wept. It would be a hard no here just for taking that tone, the cheeky cunts.

Oh dear!

No scaffolding for them then 😁

I would definitely just refuse to have the scaffolding if this is how they're behaving.

I’d be worried about a tree so close to a house also. Tree roots can damage houses foundations.