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Original poster

New neighbour wants to own the entry?

367 replies

danilyon · 28/04/2011 11:46

Hi,

A new neighbour bought the house next to us about 3 weeks ago. She knocked and introduced herself and said she wanted to pop around the following week to talk about the back gardens. She came round and spoke about putting a fence in the back garden between our house and hers, which is fine as it's something we've been meaning to do but not had the money for. She also asked about putting a gate on the entryway that runs between our house, which is also fine with us.

She then went on to say that she would sort all of this out and that she would like to legally own the entryway that runs between our houses and that she would maintain the entryway. Our house is a terraced house in a row of 4 and our house and the neighbours are in the middle. Above the entryway is one of her bedrooms and her bathroom I think. The entryway is shared between us both and as far as my hubby and I are aware the boundry line runs straight down the middle of entryway. It is the only access we both have to our back gardens. When she mentioned getting her solicitor to send us the paperwork to have a read through hubby made a few non-commital comments but I think she thinks it's a go from us.

We've had no paperwork from any solicitor as of yet, but after me and hubby have had a chat (obviously couldn't do it whilst she was here), we are wondering why would she want to have ownership of the entryway? Obviously a part of our problem would be if she fell out with us for whatever reason and denied access as it's our only access to the back garden? Also what would happen when we sold our house - we think this could hinder a sale if we agreed and told the new owners that actually the neighbour owns the entryway?

I'm worrying what to say to her now as we are not keen to sign anything to give her the entryway completely. We only use the entryway to take the wheelie bins from the back garden out to the front on collection day anyway so it's not like we have all kinds of people coming round the back to see us etc. Does anyone have any advice on what we could say to her? Obviously we don't want to 'sour' relations with her because we are refusing to give her the entryway legally.

Any advice would help. Thanks! :)

OP posts:
Ponders · 30/04/2011 22:17

gosh I am enjoying this thread Smile

nothing helpful to add but dying to know how she responds when she finds out it ain't going to happen

Julesnobrain · 01/05/2011 18:10

Any response from the neighbour? Watching with interest.

Original poster
danilyon · 01/05/2011 21:38

Not as yet. Been keeping my eye out for her car and the notes are already posted and waiting for her anyway. Will update as soon as I hear from her!

OP posts:
nometime · 01/05/2011 21:52

Glad you've decided it's a no go. Can you imagine if she got her own way you would have to take every wheelie bin full of rubbish through your house!

We lived on the end of a terrace and two of our neighbours had right of way across the back of our house and down the side passage. The three households agreed to the gate being padlocked and each household had a key. This may be the solution if she is worried about people gaining access to her garden.

Good luck.

caramelwaffle · 02/05/2011 02:06

Post any letter for her Solicitor by Recorded/Registered delivery (make photocopies)

Keep us all updated Smile

Grin
MaggieW · 02/05/2011 13:20

Do you know who owns the alleyway? You can contact land registry either online (costs £4 for deeds of property/land) or by phone, you'll find out who owns it and whether there is a right of way for your property existing. If whoever owns it is prepared to sell it, then your neighbour could buy it, but you need to protect your right of way.

We had same situation and the alleyway is owned by the house next door, but we have a right of way which we use daily. We then registered our part of the alleyway as our land but didn't have to buy it, as it had been abandoned by the church organisation who previously owned it, and so we only had to pay land reg fee to get it put in our name.

BTW, we had new neighbour who was sweetness and light when she moved in but has proved to be a proper PITA over a number of issues, so tread carefully and protect your own interests. As others have said, she clearly has something in mind, and it won't be for your benefit, but for hers.

befuzzled · 02/05/2011 13:35

she sounds like she is up to no good!

thelittlestkiwi · 03/05/2011 00:04

The way she is trying to get you to sign without your solicitors being involved makes me very suspicious. I don't understand why she thinks you would give her ownership just cos she wants it! All sounds very odd.

scaryteacher · 03/05/2011 14:24

Just remember that 'No' is a complete sentence; and that 'this is not my problem' is another. Both have worked beautifully on my ex neighbour; I thought he was going to have apoplexy when I uttered the latter.

said · 03/05/2011 17:58

Am on tenterhooks waiting to see how neighbour reacts/wondering what she'll do next?

CointreauVersial · 03/05/2011 18:08

Agree with everyone else it's a bad plan. Why don't you ask her if she'd like to do it the other way round, and gift it to you? [evil grin]

Vix1980 · 04/05/2011 10:49

Ive been fuming just reading this, the cheek of some people who just think the world owes them something and everyone will get in line with their plans. Im also dying to know what happened when she found out..

This is more gripping than the "who shot phil mitchell plotline" Smile

MrsKwazii · 04/05/2011 10:58

Wow, this is one seriously pushy woman who is relying on you to be polite and just go along with what she wants. Definitely dig your heels in, definitely put your own fence up asap and hold your own.

thenightsky · 04/05/2011 14:06

Any news OP?

microserf · 04/05/2011 19:40

marking my place!

i missed this post the first time around. what a cheeky mare. sorry OP, she sounds like a nightmare neighbour. glad to see you've taken the good advice here and pushed back.

caramelwaffle · 05/05/2011 13:43

Do you have an update?

Do Not give up your Freehold of this shared alleyway.

kylesmybaby · 05/05/2011 21:54

I'M WAITING FOR HER REPLY TO.

I'D LOVE THE op TO REPLY - WE WILL SAVE YOU THE PROBLEM AND YOU SIGN YOURS OVER TO US AND WE WILL DEAL WITH EVERYTING - YEAH RIGHT SHE WOULD!!

CANT WAIT TO HEAR WHAT THE CHEEKY MARE WILL SAY - SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS ON TO A WINNER.

opps so sorry got a bit excited and didn't realise caps was on!

HRHPrincessZombiePlan · 06/05/2011 12:30

Have you written back to her solicitors to tell them that you never agreed to this? I think it would be a sensible move. You don't have to explain why not, just tell them it isn't happening.

PatientGriselda · 07/05/2011 14:58

Oh please come and update us, danilyon! I don't know why i'm so interested - probably the sneaky cheek of the woman - but I'd love to know her reaction when she realised she wasn't going to get her way.

thenightsky · 07/05/2011 22:19

OP promised faithfully to update this thread so where is she?

I hate it when this happens.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 07/05/2011 22:34

Somebody needs to PM the OP and ask her to update. I'm not pushy enough though so I vote thenightsky does it! Grin

trixymalixy · 07/05/2011 22:42

No no no no!! Do not give this to her.

Please update on what's happening!!

thenightsky · 07/05/2011 22:47

I tell you what ABF if she ain't back by Monday I'm gonna PM her for sure! We need to know.

caramelwaffle · 07/05/2011 22:47

oh I will so do it do it amazing

caramelwaffle · 07/05/2011 22:50

Done.

We soooooo would like to know...