Removing washing line

[akmum18]

I’m moving to a new house soon and will need to redo the garden from scratch. There is currently a tall metal pole cemented in at the end of the garden used as a washing line support. I want to remove it but a neighbour backing onto my garden has tied rope to it and attached it to their house to use as a washing line. They have been using it for years apparently. The current family living there don’t care even though the people didn’t ask and they don’t know them. Im not sure if they think it’s communal or not as between our gardens is a council ‘section’ for access so they might think it was put there for everyone not realising it was on private property. As it’s on ‘my’ property can I remove the rope and put it over their fence when I take the pole down without causing any drama?

You could take the pole down and offer it to them to put up in their own garden.

I would just tell them that the pole is being removed. They will possibly attach the washing line to the fence so check to see if it is your fence so you can head them off at the pass for that one.

That’s a great idea
Do you think knocking and telling them would be better? Dp thinks we should cut the rope because they’re being cheeky but I don’t want enemies before we’ve moved in! I don’t want it to come across like I’m asking permission to remove their rope from our garden

I think I might pop round and just ask them politely to redux the rope in their garden. Give them a date when you are removing the pole so they have notice. Just say you are sorry but the arrangement cannot continue. Take round the land registry plan for back up if it’s queried. People will take a mile if they are allowed to.

redux ??? Re fix

We've got a similar issue with our next door neighbours, except theirs is tied onto our fence posts, they have two lines. We will be replacing the fence at some point so they will have to find an alternative place to put their line ie not on our fence post!

I'd speak to your new neighbours and let them know what you are planning to do so they can make alternative arrangements. I wouldn't just cut the line down, especially if want to have a good relationship with them over the coming years.

Don't pick unnecessary fights with neighbours - remember you have to declare disputes if you sell!

I'd let them know what you're planning together with a date then say the pole will be surplus to requirements (if that's true) and offer it to them if they want to put it on their land.

This won’t be a “dispute” in the reportable sense. The op can control use of her land. The fact it’s her land is not disputable if land registry have it registered. If they don’t then there could be a dispute but repositioning a washing line is a very minor request and wholly reasonable.