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.

@PawsAndReflection

what is the work they want to have done?

is it essential or just cosmetic?

Anyway, I'm sure the contractors can do it without your garden, it'll just likely cost the home owners more.

'No, I'm sorry, that doesn't work for us. Oh & please make sure your contractors don't damage the fence/patio/tree from your side either, we'd hate to have to take them to court for damages'

I wouldn’t have their scaff in your garden, either!

Huge mess, huge inconvenience, damage to your lawn / flower beds etc. How would they get it in and out? Also the building materials that go up and down the scaff? Through your garden??

Don’t let scaffolding be put up on your land.
Once the work is done it can take ages to get rid of it. I once had roofers use by drive to keep there scaffolding. They took it down 3 months after the work on my gable end was finished … and there is nothing you can do. My drive was free storage for them.

Nope. They will either have to work round the tree or not encroach on your land. I would be loathe for them to do it at all.

They can get cantilevered scaffolding which would mean it would all be in their garden. It is more expensive than the standard scaffolding.

In your position I would refuse point blank to have scaffolding for work on their house in my garden.

You cannot move a tree just say no

They could have been told a line by the scaffolders in the hope they can steamroll you for their convenience. I would have no qualms about saying no.

I expect they’re asking because the last owners said no!!
You can’t move the tree- it will die. Don’t let them convince you that it’ll be ok.

That would be a no from me. Moving establishes trees is a really specialist job, and even when using very experienced people, it's not a given that the tree will survive.

They will need to find another solution, such as paying for a more expensive scaffold system.

They aren't being unreasonable to ask you, just like you're not going to be unreasonable when you say no.

If the tree is in a pot I would be willing to have it moved, if it's in the ground, not a chance.

If you don't want to speak to them just put a letter through the door saying no . They can't expect you to move a tree .

No you can’t move a mature olive tree that’s in the ground. It won’t survive and will cost at least £1800 to replace with a pot grown mature tree.
Scaffolders will have bypassed similar problems before.
check insurance before you let them out anything on your land. Theirs, the builders and your own.

We moved a medium sized olive tree when I was in Italy. It was a major job. A huge hole had to be dug around it, metres wider than the tree, and a small crane lifted it to its new hole, which was again much wider than the tree - you’d be digging up a huge amount of your garden at a lot of expense, which you’d then have to landscape.. Plus olive trees don’t always do well in the U.K. If you’ve found a sheltered spot it’s thriving in I’d not move it.

Also your neighbours are already sounding selfish and thoughtless, and probably won’t give a stuff about you if something gets broken or messed up. So I would definitely be saying no.

That’s a ridiculous request. Say no and be very careful they don’t cause the tree damage.

OP, I'm really interested in why you didn't say 'No, sorry, we can't move a tree!'. What was your thought process? Because as you can see from the responses, most people wouldn't countenance it, so I'm wondering whether your (I speculate) fear of others' anger / belief that others' needs are more important than yours is impacting the rest of your life? Or are you able to speak up for yourself in other contexts?

Just say no

They don't need to scaffold your garden

I have no idea why anyone would say yes to this

No, cheeky buggers. A professional will get round it on their side.
If your olive tree is large, it’s taken years to get there and would cost a great deal to replace.

I wouldn't allow scaffolding on my land if I could avoid it, and I certainly wouldn't let them move a tree!

However, it depends what you mean by redoing the outside of their house. If it's home improvements, they won't be able to force access; however, if it's for reasonable maintenance they may be able to apply for access under the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992.

Even if that is the case, I would want it all in writing, start dates, end dates, compensation, work to be carried out and preferably penalty charges for overstay. Companies are notorious for "storing" scaffolding by just not taking it down until they need it.

A mumsnet phrase is no is a complete sentence and it is totally appropriate here! They are being CFs.

If it is in the ground then moving it will kill it. It would also leave you with a large hole at the end of your garden. If it’s in a large pot (they sometime are) then a special digger with a flat plinth attachment should be able to lift the whole pot. However, given that this is clearly a feature of your garden den that you would otherwise be using, the request is not something you she feel obliged to agree to. I would politely decline. Say that, unfortunately you can’t help them. It is usually possible for builders to find alternative ways of working. They should not be building above the ground floor within a metre if the boundary of you are in the U.K. (the olive tree suggests you might not be).

This will end badly. For you. No is a valid and appropriate response. No need to explain your answer, just smile and say "no, your scaffs will find another way not involving our garden" don't explain your answer. The neighbours are entitled and will cause you no end of stress and upset with the scaffold. Don't forget, you don't know them at all and don't owe them your consideration. I would suggest they are taking advantage of the fact you are new to YOUR home.

This is spot on. They are chancers. I would say emphatically that this is not possible.

Yes, they are being unreasonable. You're under no obligation to have their scaffolding in your garden, let alone move a tree for it. I would do the former, for the sake of neighbourly relations, but not the latter. Their builders will find an alternative solution.