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.

As their work will cost you money then the answer is no. Why would you pay

send an email saying they do not have permission to access your property and if they choose to do so that you will pursue them for trespass

if you see any builders about then also tell them that there is no permission and lock your gate if you have one.

This is insanity OP.

How do these people navigate the real world when they can't get their own way ? Please do not move your tree, you will be enabling these entitled twits.

Wow!

It would be a very hard no from me now and a block on their number.

This is sound advice. Paper trails are extremely important and these neighbours sound difficult so you need to be cautious. Good luck OP.

Are you still laughing? I would be. CFN indeed!

Surely you don’t have to agree to scaffolding in your garden? It sounds horrendous. And definite no to the tree being moved, I didn’t even know they could be moved.
Some legal advice might be in order.

Put your absolute refusal in writing and note the 15 missed calls as unreasonable.
you are probably going to need a solicitor as they sound the type to go ahead anyway.

Wow, they have a massive sense of entitlement don't they!

That's a hard no.

Say you don't want or expect any money as it's not happening!

And I will 100% guarantee that your property (and tree) will be damaged

You don't

Especially when the work is cosmetic

Scaffolders are very good at finding altenatives

They sound like entitled arseholes
Just say no and leave it at that, you will never have a relationship with them anyway after all this!

Be neighbourly and reasonable but suggest you appoint someone qualified to move th tree and that they pay for it.

Established olive trees are so expensive to buy, so I absolutely wouldn’t be moving it - it will more than likely not survive. We moved a fig tree and it died. You would need to employ someone who knew what they were doing to relocate it and that would be expensive. I’d absolutely say no. I’m sure they can figure something out in their OWN garden.

No. Don't do it. Tree might die. It's their problem to sort out not yours

Flat No….
You have raised reasonable questions & they have shown their true colours in their response. Can only imagine it getting worse….. As others have said, send written registered written correspondence to the effect that you have considered their request for access for cosmetic maintenance work and you are refusing their request and they nor their contractors have permission to access your property.

They have no right to use your land for scaffolding if the work is cosmetic.
Tell them it’s a no from you and if they continue to call you that you will be reporting them for harassment.

I would also keep a diary as it sounds like this may escalate into anti social behaviour (you could argue that the 15 calls already has…) good advice here https://asbhelp.co.uk/gathering-evidence/ Just say no now to the scaffolding outright unless they can work around your tree and seating. You are not moving anything, paying extra and they will have to pay for any damage. Send your email address and say any correspondence has to be via email. Not in person, by text or phone.

As far as I’m aware you legally have to allow access for essential maintenance and repair. You can dispute that this isn’t essential.

As an aside, why can’t someone just paint it with a ladder? Maybe not a big company who would want scaffolding etc but there are lots of odd job people out there who would do it with a ladder.

Block their number and only communicate via email. They sound extremely unreasonable.

How are you trying to make a fast buck?!?!?! The mind boggles.

I would respond saying you don’t want to make a fast buck. Actually you don’t want any money from them as you categorically refuse them or their contractors any access to your property.

Then block them.

Scaffolding companies are renowned for leaving it up for much longer than is required. Unless you fancy it up for the next six months I'd say no, regardless of how easy it would be to work round the bench and olive tree.

What a laugh.

I would definitely flat out refuse, given all the shared experiences on here and especially given their latest email to you.

However, having seen your tree, I concur with the couple of pps who have pointed out it is not in a good position. I don't know whether it would survive a relocation, but its current position right against the high wall is not giving it the best chances. Another pp pointed out potential damage to the wall, from either the tree roots or the seating. I don't have any knowledge of that, whereas from the tree's pov I can see it could be better placed.

Is that wall south-facing, north or somewhere in between? For an olive tree is it a little bit tall and weedy-looking, as if it's searching for the sun? Maybe keen/professional gardeners can give their views?

If I were your neighbour I’d be more concerned about the roots damaging my house.

We had a decent neighbour who removed a tree for us as we were worried. It had grown a lot over a few years though.

I think you need to communicate nicely with the neighbours and ask them to explore whether different scaffolding options are available.
Realistically, they do need to repair and maintain this side of the house from time to time- they can't just never do it again and let it fall into ever more disrepair!
Incidentally, should a tree have been planted so close to a house? I thought they had to be at least 15 feet away so as not to damage the foundations of the house as the tree grows.