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Original poster

I could spit I'm so angry and embarrassed

38 replies

brains · 11/09/2006 12:23

I was just lying on our bed, naked as we've just been in the bath together, breastfeeding my baby when someone stared right in through the window.
I had the fright of my life and am a bit upset about it. We were just basking in the lovely warm sunshine, then I ended up jolting us both and dashing to close the cutains as they are still out there.
It looks like our neighbours are having their facade painted and they have climbed onto our kitchen extension. I hadn't been told this work was going to happen or that they would be climbimg on our roof to do it. I am so angry but want to make sure I'm not being unreasonable before I phone them to complain.
I'm sure you can't really offer advice I just wanted to moan really.

OP posts:
ilovecaboose · 11/09/2006 12:25

That is a horrible invasion of privacy.

What the heel were they doing looking through your window let alone climbing on your property without permission

Tutter · 11/09/2006 12:25

damn right i would complain. they are trespassing at the very least.

grrr - i'd be furious. poor you.

NotQuiteCockney · 11/09/2006 12:25

Yes, being told someone would be clinbing on your extension would be nice!

(I do sympathise, I had a nudity adventure with the builders when they were in - got soaked in the rain, stripped off, and was getting ready to sprint to my bedroom, thinking they were in the other half of the house, and then, whoops, there was a builder. Gah.)

ilovecaboose · 11/09/2006 12:26

And no I don't think they can climb on your property without your permission.

CarlyP · 11/09/2006 12:26

Complain, they should have told you if they neede access to your property at the very least.

tissy · 11/09/2006 12:26

I wouldn't phone to complain, I would go round!

They are trespassing by climbing onto your extension- and anyway how do they know the roof is safe without checking with you?

SpaceCadet · 11/09/2006 12:27

if they are climbing onto your roof without permission then effectively they are tresspassing.
i would be furious, especially as your neighbour did not ask permission for the company to climb on your roof, also the contractor did not need to stare in your window..i bet he had a shock though!
not nice though..i would speak to your neighbour, just say, oh, i didnt realise you wewre having work done, as someone was on the roof and looked in the window..see what response you get.

SpaceCadet · 11/09/2006 12:28

they may apologise profusely or may be casual about it, if they are casual about it i would then kick off.

Original poster
brains · 11/09/2006 12:29

We gave them permission to use it last year when they were having their windows redone, as it's an odd shaped building so their upstairs sort of overhangs our downstairs, iyswim. This was to save them the cost of scaffolding, but I really think we should have been asked this time.
I'm still spitting mad, and don't want to go over in case I see the builder who just got an Oh so elegant view of me.

OP posts:
Tutter · 11/09/2006 12:30

he should be more embarrassed than you brains.

keep your chin up - you've done nothing wrong.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 11/09/2006 12:33

Call the police. Say you think it was a peeping tom....let the neighbours deal with the fall out........

SpaceCadet · 11/09/2006 12:34

they cant just assume that becvause you said yes once, then they could do it anytime they fancied..bloody cheek!

SoupDragon · 11/09/2006 12:34

He may not recognise you with your clothes on...

I'd be fuming. Definitely go and complain to your neighbours - you can do this when the workman's not there.

Original poster
brains · 11/09/2006 12:35

Does it definitly class as trespassing< ven though they can get to it with a ladder without entering our garden?
We don't have a good relationship with the neighbours at all so I have no qualms with really letting rip on this one. FGS they have ruined lovely relaxing morning for me.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 11/09/2006 12:37

I think neighbours have limited rights of access for the purpose of doing work to their property but I may just have made that up...

tissy · 11/09/2006 12:37

of course it's trespassing, they're on your property without your permission!

SpaceCadet · 11/09/2006 12:39

i think they have rights of access, but with your permission..im not sure, but standing on a roof is a bit different imo.

fruitful · 11/09/2006 12:41

Is some cases I think it is in the deeds that neighbours can have limited access to do work etc - but it is only ever "by arrangement" - they need advance permission each time and you can refuse if it isn't a convenient time. And if it is an extension on Brains's house it won't be in the deeds like that anyway.

Definitely definitely trespassing. Not trespassing on your garden, trespassing on your roof!

Blu · 11/09/2006 12:41

They should have asked and they should have warned you. You are absolutely right to be cross - I would go round and tell the neighbours that you had a very disressing experience - and give thema chance to apologise. They were probably being a bit thoughtless, but it had very upsetting consequences for you.
If I was your neighbour I would bring you a very big bunch of flowers!

Original poster
brains · 11/09/2006 12:44

I just phoned her and she said that her husband wrote a note which they must have forgotten to post through our door, and could I please excuse her as she was quite busy. No apology, nothing.
I'm fuming.

OP posts:
fairyjay · 11/09/2006 12:46

Call your neighbour and say that you're just warning that there is a peeping Tom in the neighbourhood, and that you've called the police.

mazzystar · 11/09/2006 12:46

You are not being unreasonable and you should definitely complain. I'm sure your neighbour will be very, very sorry. I'd go round in person, though. With the baby.

cooperflykiller · 11/09/2006 12:46

To be 100% sure about the legality of it you would have to look at your house Deeds/Charge Certificate to see if a right of way was granted to them when the houses were built.

But it probably wasn't. It is trespassing - particularly over your precious privacy. They need your permission for access, and need to inform you of date and time of work just out of manners and politeness. They can't just scramble up to your bedroom window! .

How upsetting to spoil that Mummy moment for you and your baby - grrrrrr.

Once you are perfectly serene and outwardly calm and gracious-like I would go over, explain what happened and make it clear it is not to happen again! Honestly!

mazzystar · 11/09/2006 12:49

Oh what? If I were you and go round and find out why she is too busy to ensure that workmen in her employment are working within the law and in respect of her neighbours privacy.

Original poster
brains · 11/09/2006 12:52

Thankyou everyone. I need to go and get ready to go out now, but will have a look at all our paperwork on the house when I get back. If it was a nice neighbour I'd let it go as a 'mishap' but her attitude really stinks.

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