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Original poster

Cheeky neighbours want me to pay

435 replies

eggfairy1 · 12/04/2022 22:55

New neighbours bought a flat in my building. There are eight flats in total in the building.

I haven't met them yet but they're buying for investment and I found it posted online for rent already.

I came home the other day to find the main door to the building had been painted. It was shabby before and could do with a coat but this was surprising since I hadn't been consulted and it was a shared door. The new colour is black which I was always told was a bad omen. I really didn't like it but didn't want to make a fuss.

They have now emailed us saying they want the flats to equally contribute £25. Lovely to meet you too.

It may not sound like a lot of money but I am really budgeting right now and my weekly budget for fun is £30 and it would have to come from that which is miserable.

I just know if I send them the money I will be bitter about it and anxious that they may expect me to pay in the future without consenting me.

If asked, I would have reluctantly agreed to have it painted just not black.

Is there any way I can get away with not paying and not entirely ruin any relationship with them?

OP posts:
Kennykenkencat · 13/04/2022 11:46

I would have thought they would have had to pass it through the management company first otherwise they could be in breach of their lease.

I have redecorated communal areas (painted walls and new carpet and front doors painted) but first I have asked the management company, 2ndly I have asked the other leaseholders and 3rdly I asked if anyone objected to the colour scheme.
I also asked it they wanted their front doors painting and when was convenient for them to have their door open whilst it dried.

The communal areas were really shabby and the flat I was renovating meant that the work I did on the inside was then complemented by a really nice communal entrance to get to the flat.
The management company were only too happy that I was doing this. I didn’t charge anything (it didn’t even cross my mind to charge anything) as it was for my benefit more than anyone else’s. I really hate flats with shabby communal areas.
I should say that I have worked as a professional house painter in one of my many careers so I knew what I was doing.

I think these people are CFs and I wouldn’t want to pay as it would look like you were setting a precedent.
Who knows what other things you are going to be billed for if you pay this.

DelphiniumBlue · 13/04/2022 11:48

As fo the cost itself, the price is not unreasonable if they got someone in to do it - it would be more than a day's work to do it properly with sanding down, making good, undercoat, plus2x topcoat on 3 doors. I suspect that as you knew nothing about it as it was all done while you were out one day, that it was actually not done properly and was not a professional job. So if you do respond at all, definitely ask for quotes and the invoice! I wonder if these actually exist, as this smacks of cowboy to me!

BoredZelda · 13/04/2022 11:48

If the painter cam out just to do the doors, 200 quid isn’t a high price. It’s about average for that type of work. It’s a painter for less than a day, most of the cost of decoration is in Labour.

That said, they can’t decide to hire someone and then ask you to pay, they should have cleared it with you first.

WeAreTheHeroes · 13/04/2022 11:49

I would email everyone in response to overbearing neighbour's email and quote what it states in the lease. I would add that flat owners cannot be obligated to pay for work in these circumstances as it sets a dangerous precedent for any one of you to do whatever you like to communal areas then request payment from the others.

BoredZelda · 13/04/2022 11:50

I'm also in Scotland

All residential property in Scotland is freehold. We don’t have leasehold in property here. You either rent a property or buy it outright.

FancyAnOlive · 13/04/2022 11:51

Email back and say that you were wondering who had painted the front door as you had not been asked whether you would agree to it or consulted on the colour, you hate the colour and will only pay £25 if they paint it a colour agreed upon by all flat owners. Also look in your lease and quote them whatever it says re works and having to be agreed upon by all of you/decided by freeholder (whatever is rule for your building).

DameHelena · 13/04/2022 11:54

@WeAreTheHeroes

I would email everyone in response to overbearing neighbour's email and quote what it states in the lease. I would add that flat owners cannot be obligated to pay for work in these circumstances as it sets a dangerous precedent for any one of you to do whatever you like to communal areas then request payment from the others.
Exactly.
readsalotgirl63 · 13/04/2022 11:55

@chestofdraws
It is usual to get quotes or to see if anyone living in the block is willing to do the work. It's really not on to just do the work and then railroad people in to paying.

readsalotgirl63 · 13/04/2022 11:57

And please will people note that OP is in Scotland and that there is no such thing as leasehold or a lease. It will say in the deeds what the arrangements are regarding communal maintenance but this is often not especially easy to find or very clear - especially for a first time home owner

readsalotgirl63 · 13/04/2022 11:59

In any case it is usual practice to get the agreement of a majority of owners and get quotes before doing any work on communal areas. OP should not feel obliged to pay up

AlisonDonut · 13/04/2022 12:11

@VodselForDinner

The only response I’d give is “How did you get my personal email address?”

Other than that, I’d ignore them. A randomer asking you for money isn’t a summons. Ignore it, and block their address.

This.

You need to find out who is giving out your personal email address.

You also need to find out what the arrangements for a management committee are as you most definitely need one.

Chestofdraws · 13/04/2022 12:13

I’m obviously in the minority but really don’t get the angst, black is a good colour doesn’t show mucky finger prints, the doors needed doing, it’s twenty odd quid, and it’s done for a good few years. Other than making it clear to ask in future and gain agreement, I’d be saying thanks for sorting, here is the money, and forego my fun for that week. 🤷‍♀️

RincewindsHat · 13/04/2022 12:15

I would not be paying without a conversation about it - you were not consulted and did not agree to pay for the work to be done. As PPs have said, make those points and ask to see the invoice. Others will be thinking the same way as you, it's just a case of who comes out and says it. You could have painted the doors yourself for under £50!

Just1moreq · 13/04/2022 12:18

Reply and ask who was involved in the decision to have to doors painted as you hadn't been asked or included in any decision making process

readsalotgirl63 · 13/04/2022 12:21

It is really worth being clear that no-one in the block is entitled to do work on communal areas without prior agreement. I agree it looks like a residents committee is needed but it could well be that there is a factoring arrangement in place and that the owners need to be more active in making the factor do their job.

The issue of inadequate factoring in tenements in Scotland is not new but it does require owners to be on top of things - but that doesnt mean 1 person unilaterally deciding to do work and then railroading people into paying

hellcatspangle · 13/04/2022 12:21

Reply "I wasn't consulted about the door painting and had no say in the matter. Therefore I will not be contributing." That should do it.

DameHelena · 13/04/2022 12:21

@Chestofdraws

I’m obviously in the minority but really don’t get the angst, black is a good colour doesn’t show mucky finger prints, the doors needed doing, it’s twenty odd quid, and it’s done for a good few years. Other than making it clear to ask in future and gain agreement, I’d be saying thanks for sorting, here is the money, and forego my fun for that week. 🤷‍♀️
'black is a good colour' In your opinion, but the OP doesn't agree and she lives there, not you. I'm sure if asked and agreed in advance the OP would have either been happy to forgo that week's fun money or budget for it. Having not been asked in advance is the point here. Paying on this occasion probably negates your suggestion of making it clear to ask in future and gain agreement – anyone as bullish as to do this will likely nod along and then, when it comes to it, get unauthorised work done again and then hassle for money afterwards.
Wintersgirl · 13/04/2022 12:22

Cheeky sods, they can't just change what they like on a leasehold property, my understanding is they would have to have got permission from the Freeholders and don't you pay a yearly maintenance fee for this sort of stuff? So you're technically paying extra?
Ok £25 might not seem a huge amount, but when you're on a budget it is a lot. I wouldn't pay out of principle because they'll then think they've got free range to do what they like to the property. I'd be tempted to contact the management company and see what they have to say on the matter.

JauntyJinty · 13/04/2022 12:24

@Chestofdraws

I’m obviously in the minority but really don’t get the angst, black is a good colour doesn’t show mucky finger prints, the doors needed doing, it’s twenty odd quid, and it’s done for a good few years. Other than making it clear to ask in future and gain agreement, I’d be saying thanks for sorting, here is the money, and forego my fun for that week. 🤷‍♀️
To me it would be more about setting precedent - you can't have these people thinking they can do what evert the think is best and everyone else will just have to cough up

I'd do as many others have said and reply that you weren't consulted, wouldn't have agreed to black if you were and won't be paying. I wouldn't say about quotes and invoices or you're implying you're willing to pay if they're produced. It might be worth adding that you're not against improvement to communal areas, but it needs to be done with the knowldge and consent of all occupiers.

I do think it is a fair price if it was professionally done

Wintersgirl · 13/04/2022 12:24

Sorry just saw you're in Scotland...

readsalotgirl63 · 13/04/2022 12:26

Agree@JauntyJinty - OP really doesnt want to set the precedent. All work on communal areas needs to be agreed in advance.

readsalotgirl63 · 13/04/2022 12:27

And @JauntyJinty's wording is really good

MRex · 13/04/2022 12:29

OP - as well at the follow-up email suggested, it sounds like you need to check on buildings insurance and who your factor is. Check the file your solicitor gave you, and ask them about both initially; if you've been there a year then one year's fees might have been paid up-front and the next year due soon. They should have advised you of the arrangements.

SoupDragon · 13/04/2022 12:34

you weren't consulted, wouldn't have agreed to black if you were and won't be paying

It's irrelevant whether she would have agreed to black. Everyone else might have done in which case it would have been black. The only thing that is relevant is the lack of consultation.

DameHelena · 13/04/2022 12:37

@SoupDragon

you weren't consulted, wouldn't have agreed to black if you were and won't be paying

It's irrelevant whether she would have agreed to black. Everyone else might have done in which case it would have been black. The only thing that is relevant is the lack of consultation.

Scuse me, I'm sure, for including a little detail Hmm
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