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Original poster

CF Neighbours plans

472 replies

Arewe29 · 14/09/2024 13:54

I need to rant!

Got a letter from the council to say that my neighbours are building an extension, went around to ask for a full copy of the plans, as where we live (hill) will cause issues to our house. They said that they did not have any and that they did not know planning was even sought, bullshit!

I went online and yep there plans show that they are trying to build on our bloody land. Fuck me they must think I am stupid.

OP posts:
Original poster
Arewe29 · 19/09/2024 14:29

SinnerBoy · 19/09/2024 14:13

Is it not fraudulent to claim knowing full well it's not, that the land is under joint possession? I hope it costs them a fortune and that they are miserable on their undersized patio!

It's going to cost them a fortune as the neighbour on the other side of them is now having a boundary survey done, and will be using the same party wall surveyor as me. Although as we are not the same clients so they will have a double bill coming their way.

All because they did not ask us before applying to planning, or thanks to @Marmaladelover aka Paddington put the right certificates in place.

Then they have got both sides party wall agreements to deal with, when they think that they do not have to do anything.

Oh how silly these CFC are.

OP posts:
Pudmyboy · 19/09/2024 14:31

Oldraver · 15/09/2024 21:26

Yep my cheeky fucker neighbour put up four 6ft fence panels, first two along the boundary the second two encroaching into my land so that that final panel was 6ft inside. All while their house was up for sale so effectively selling my land

They seemed totally oblivious to the potential legal ramifications if we wanted to sell at a later date and it never occurred to them a boundary dispute would probably stop them selling

Show quote history

Did you get them to shift it back to the correct boundary?

MarkWithaC · 19/09/2024 14:33

OP, I'm firmly on your side, but I need it explaining to me like a five-year-old: how did building 'nine inches' into your garden become 'five metres'?

montelbano · 19/09/2024 14:34

Hope you and your other neighbour are sharing, as far as possible, copies of all paperwork so that you are both absolutely clear about all the legal in and outs. Nothing like a well researched two-pronged attack.

crumblingschools · 19/09/2024 14:34

@MarkWithaC I'm assuming nine inches wide and 5m long

LolaJ87 · 19/09/2024 14:35

MarkWithaC · 19/09/2024 14:33

OP, I'm firmly on your side, but I need it explaining to me like a five-year-old: how did building 'nine inches' into your garden become 'five metres'?

So it's 9 inches wide over her boundary line, along a stretch of 5 metres in length along her garden.

Pudmyboy · 19/09/2024 14:35

Movinghouseatlast · 16/09/2024 10:56

And just to add, my neighbours actually went ahead and did this. They built a wall in my garden. My boundary was also clearly marked and they built over it.

And there wasn't a single thing I could do apart from.spend £30k upwards taking them to court. I didn't have £30k. Of course I would probably have been awarded costs but there is no guarantee.

I moved house, hence my user name.

That is shocking, I am astonished at how little protection there is for the legal owners in these situations, I hope you are in a better place now

montelbano · 19/09/2024 14:35

MarkWithaC · 19/09/2024 14:33

OP, I'm firmly on your side, but I need it explaining to me like a five-year-old: how did building 'nine inches' into your garden become 'five metres'?

9 inches = width
5 metres = length

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 19/09/2024 14:35

What’s the betting these CFers will be moving soon?

Pudmyboy · 19/09/2024 14:37

LolaJ87 · 19/09/2024 14:35

So it's 9 inches wide over her boundary line, along a stretch of 5 metres in length along her garden.

Show quote history

And if it goes ahead an entitlement to claim for the whole length of the garden, not just the 5 metres (according to previous poster)

MarkWithaC · 19/09/2024 14:37

Thanks everyone, for explaining to the easily bewildered Grin

Surprise50 · 19/09/2024 14:42

Oh @Marmaladelover you are fantastic! OP I’d love to be a fly on the wall when CFC get all their calls and letters 😁😁😁

Original poster
Arewe29 · 19/09/2024 14:45

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 19/09/2024 14:35

What’s the betting these CFers will be moving soon?

Edited

Lets hope so, as when we moved in, we were told that they were difficult, think parking issues......

That is why we have not had anything to do with them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Arewe29 · 19/09/2024 15:04

Trobealone · 19/09/2024 14:13

@Arewe29

Make sure you screenshot and keep a record of the abusive message.

Oh I have and I also have kept the message saying its joint land, so they knew that they should have asked.

OP posts:
MrRobinsonsQuango · 19/09/2024 15:06

@Arewe29 @Marmaladelover great work!

These people are something else. Their brass neck is next level! Loving that they blocked you. Oh well, it saved you blocking them!

Original poster
Arewe29 · 19/09/2024 15:10

MrRobinsonsQuango · 19/09/2024 15:06

@Arewe29 @Marmaladelover great work!

These people are something else. Their brass neck is next level! Loving that they blocked you. Oh well, it saved you blocking them!

They blocked me with the parting words of your (exact word) not an architect.

No but I know the law and the drawings are incorrect CFC

OP posts:
titticaca · 19/09/2024 15:13

Hopefully their imbecility will cost them a lot financially. It's too much to hope for any improvement in their attitude.

Maybe this is where the saying comes from, a fool and their money....

icouldholditwithacobweb · 19/09/2024 15:23

Movinghouseatlast · 16/09/2024 10:56

And just to add, my neighbours actually went ahead and did this. They built a wall in my garden. My boundary was also clearly marked and they built over it.

And there wasn't a single thing I could do apart from.spend £30k upwards taking them to court. I didn't have £30k. Of course I would probably have been awarded costs but there is no guarantee.

I moved house, hence my user name.

But how does this happen? They didn't do it while you popped out to the shops for 20 mins, surely you would have just told the builders or whoever to get the f off your land and not come back? Also, why couldn't their wall have mysteriously been destroyed in a freak accident nobody witnessed and cannot explain?

Edited to add: I am genuinely asking, because your story has horrified me and I'm sorry you lived next door to such CFs who would do this to you.

everythingcrossed · 19/09/2024 15:50

Arewe29 · 19/09/2024 11:33

It just gets better.

I have now been blocked by the neighbours, after I was told I was a stupid thick cunt! As they do not want to admit they are wrong or that they have to pay for a party wall agreement.

I have now objected on the planning portal and have emailed the planning officer as they can certainly see that they want to build in our garden and as we will not allow this they will not be able to build to the plans.

I have now appointed a very expensive party wall surveyor who is writing to them today with everything that they need to do, and that they are liable for his costs.

Isn't it the case that a neighbour is only responsible for party wall costs if theydecide to build? If they withdraw the application or if they get permission and don't act on it, then you may not be able to get your money back.

Doggymummar · 19/09/2024 15:56

They are horrendous

Trobealone · 19/09/2024 16:00

@everythingcrossed

In a later post it says the surveyor has sent the letter for free. I think it’s a standard letter/info - and many party wall surveyors send them out letters anyway - once they see planning on the council planning site, trying to get business.

GiantHornets · 19/09/2024 16:04

everythingcrossed · 19/09/2024 15:50

Isn't it the case that a neighbour is only responsible for party wall costs if theydecide to build? If they withdraw the application or if they get permission and don't act on it, then you may not be able to get your money back.

Show quote history

I agree - planning could be refused so no party wall award is needed. Or your neighbours might decide not to proceed (both my neighbours and I have been granted planning permission which has lapsed after 3 years as no works were commenced)
Unless and until your neighbours issue a party wall notice OR commence works without an award, no party wall surveyor is required.

Secradonugh · 19/09/2024 16:05

Arewe29 · 19/09/2024 15:04

Oh I have and I also have kept the message saying its joint land, so they knew that they should have asked.

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I don't want to scare you, but it may be worth putting in cctv. There have been quite a few occasions were neighbours have taken the law into their own hands and although you are in the right, I can see these cfc doing petty vandalism to your cars or your fencing. If they believe that they are in the right and you force them to pay a lot of money on the party wall dispute, then they may well be stupid and do something stupid. Especially if you have pets.

Spirallingdownwards · 19/09/2024 16:12

timenowplease · 14/09/2024 14:59

It's possible to apply for planning permission over land someone else owns.

Really? Can you give an example of the kind of thing you mean?

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If you are thinking of buying a property with a view to demolishing it and building something else there is a prime example.

LetsSeeHowFarWeveCome · 19/09/2024 16:40

I hope it costs them a bundle to have to redraw and resubmit everything and fund a party wall agreement amongst both sets of neighbours. Utter arseholes.

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