To deny neighbour access to render extension?

[Amberlynnswashcloth]

Semi detached neighbours are building extension within millimeters of the shared fence allowing no access from their own property for maintenance. Predictibly, they now want access to my garden to render the outside and to do this they would need to remove the fence and everything near the fence like my seating area, storage box, potted plants etc. I don't want to agree to this. There's the inconvenience of not being able to use our garden, DCs wont be able to play outside and I'd have to keep the dog in. My main issue is that the layout of the houses means the wall is literally right outside my kitchen/livingroom window which feels really close and intrusive and when people are working on it they are literally looking right at me sitting in my house. I don't want workman coming any closer into our space - we are trying to enjoy the nice weather and it's been quite disruptive as it is.

Anyone had experience with this? Its really stressing me out as I don't like to be deliberately obstructive but I strongly don't want to agree to this and feel it's not my problem to solve. I accept that refusal might mean forever looking at an ugly wall but I plan to grow something climbing to mask it.

They are waiting for an answer.

AIBU to say 'no'?

Edited to add that they don't want access right now - just at some point.

With these things you always have to take the long view. When we took the back off a former house for an extension, planning permission required, we liaised with the owners next door and went up to the party wall, so thay if they or future owners also wanted to extend, it could be done flush. Far better for all concerned.

@Amberlynnswashcloth allow them access but do it with a proper agreement in place.

It will look better if they render it. Take lots of photos and share them, make them liable for any damage, and give strict timeframes, ie Tuesday and Wednesday.

I think denying them access to do so would be unnecessarily mean spirited. It could be more trouble then it's worth.

Presumably it's physically necessary. If they are legally allowed to place the extension that close to boundary without planning then it is what it is. If they did need planning you should've objected.

I guess they need you to agree so you could ask for payment of some sort. But cordial neighbourly relationships are worth more than money sometimes.

I would not allow this inconvenience into my garden. They should of thought about that, before enclosing the space.

Well, surely they should have thought about this before they built. What happens if you build an extension in the same way and there’s literally 2cm or whatever between the two walls? Surely any work they need to do now relies on your space. You might want to build similarly, or put a shed there, or a pond, or a massive statue! They sound very entitled and I’d say no!

Taking legal advice, going to court for a start ?
It's a bit of rendering on a wall, not full on earthworks with possible subsidence to OP's house. It doesn't take long to do.
I get that OP is pissed off about the extention but as suggested she could grow climbing plants up her fence along side it when it is finished.
It's not exactly a hardship to endure, ad I say that as someone who found a previous neighbours conservatory right to my fence as a pita.

I would want to know the following, in your shoes

When is this work likely to take place? As if its the summer months - then I would like to defer to the autumn

Will you provide a privacy screen? whilst the work is being done a privacy screen to allow us to continue having privacy in our home

How are you going to contain my dog? if you want to take the fencing down, the dog is out in the garden and needs to be kept secure

How long is this work gong to take place? I don't want the fence taken down and then nothing happens for 3 weeks, id like the work to take place in as short a time as possible and be concentrated, the fence rejected and we can all get on with our lives again

If you set out your concerns, then they have a chance to put into place actions to have the least disruption to you.

If it's a new wall with finished brick why does it need rendering?

I'd likely just say I'm sorry it's not convenient to provide access.

There is a lot to be said about just doing the neighbourly thing.
Some day you may appreciate their help with something.
So what if you are inconvenienced for a week, its worth it for neighbourly harmony.

Sounds like you are jealous of their extension TBH.

I will add on both occasions I have helped neighbours, this has saved me greatly

The first time the neighbour wanted to repoint her wall, the scaffolding had to go up in my side alley for them to do this - they repointed parts of my wall at the same time and it was free.

The other side had extensive works done by the builder that had done our roof - the builder used our electric at times as a favour and he repointed the chimney stack, when I went to pay him he refused as id allowed him to use out electric

Probably saved me near on £2k getting a builder in to do the work at another time for both jobs

it's the CF neighbour who should have done the neighbourly thing, and go for harmony!

Bit rich to expect the OP to pick up the pieces and deal with the bad planning (or intentional planning because they are CF in the first place)

She’s not being deliberately awkward. Her reasons for refusing access are perfectly reasonable.

Where does the OP say this?? Or are you talking about a different poster?

I've had this exactly, yes. We did allow it as it would have looked awful from our side if they hadn't rendered it. They killed lots of plants then refused to pay. We moved in the end, I hated living cheek by jowl with such cunts.

If you do it draw up an agreement and make them pay for a solicitor. It

Do you want to look at an unfinished wall for the rest of the time you live in your home?

You can make up all the rules you want. They can and probably will be ignored.

I’d let them apply for a court order. If the rendering is non essential then they probably will give up.

If not at least then you have everything in writing

Yr perfectly entitled so say No, am sorry but removing my fence and well established plants is not an option.

They should have had this conversation with you before building so close to the shared fence....Doesn't mean you have to fall out.

Just let them get on with it , you will then have a nicer wall to look at rather than a dogs dinner
Think of the long term

My neighbour allowed us access - it took less than two days in total to prep, render and get the fence back up. Request it’s done when you aren’t home. Don’t be a pain just for the sake of it.

Says someone who's not suffered the way some builders leave chaos and mess behind them and took weeks to do some work they claimed would take a couple of days!

You just know all the let them people have been fucked over by their neighbour.

Neighbour should have done a party wall agreement and had all this hammered out prior the fact they haven’t shows they are the type that just do what they want regardless.

I think you want them to have a rendered wall otherwise it will look an eyesore

If I were you, I'd agree to it but only after both parties sign a party wall agreement, all done professionally by a surveyor who acts independently of both parties but that your neighbours have to pay for. That way you're fully covered.

if they don't want to go down the PWA route, then they don't get their rendered wall. You'll then see how much they actually want this wall rendered - money talks.

While you can't grow anything up their wall you can get a trough with trellis. I have several and currently they are full of roses. One is up to first floor window in nothing more than a 3 foot wooden trough. Neighbour? I'd probably let them but I'd be present and watching like a hawk.

Another consideration is how respectful their builders have been to the OP during the process to date, i.e. have they been a pain in the neck with their parking, noise, swearing, loud music, etc. If so, I think it gives a fair impression as to their general attitude and they won't suddenly improve when it comes to the rendering.

However, if the OP has barely noticed them, and they've politely moved their van if it's blocked them in, then again, probably a fair impression of how they'll be to do the rendering.

I think there's a lot of truth in "you reap what you sow" and "respect has to be earned" etc. If the builders have been a pain in the arse, then they can't really expect any "goodwill" when it comes to them wanting favours in return!