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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:
TheGrumpalo · 11/05/2011 08:35

Me too! Grin

AmazingBouncingFerret · 11/05/2011 09:36

It's going to be one of those threads.

In a few years time someone is going to post a thread asking people to share their favourite mumsnet mysteries and this one will be at the top with everyone still wondering. The optimistic of us will be thinking that the neighbour just let it go and they heard no more of her. The pessimistic will think that OP gave in and is now having to lug her wheely through her living room. The downright depressing will think that the neighbour got mad, papercut the OP to death with the solicitors papers and holed her up in the now bricked up entryway.

caramelwaffle · 11/05/2011 14:59

yes ^

(sniff)

PelvicFloorsOfSteel · 11/05/2011 20:14

Oh no, I'm going to spend ages wondering about this and then the ending is going to be as boring and unmemorable as the fabric swatches in the wedding invite! Why do I get sucked into these things Confused?

PatientGriselda · 11/05/2011 20:20

Every time there's another post, my heart leaps in anticipation. I don't know how much longer it can take the excitement.

Original poster
danilyon · 12/05/2011 18:44

Hi ladies (and gents!)!!
Sooo sorry I haven't been online, we are in a temporary house whilst getting our redecorated inside and therefore have no Internet! Also, have only just heard back from the neighbour. She rang my mobile and left a voicemail as i missed the call.
Basically I posted a letter through her door to say it wasn't mentioned we would be giving up full rights of way when she spoke to us, plus we dont want to do anything that may devalue our home and that we were happy with things the way they are and don't want to change anything.
In her voicemail she wants to meet up with us again to discuss it as apparently some things in the letter are 'wrong'. She wants to speak with us and dhs dad (who is guarantor on the mortgage), dhs dad will not come up here to speak to her as he doesn't see a problem and feels there's nothing more to discuss. We don't feel like there's anything to discuss either...we've said no and she still seems to be pushing for some strange reason. She did sound slightly peeved off. Sounds like it could turn out to be a bit of a nightmare and she will be keeping an eagle eye out for us. I'm not ringing her back now as I'm not in the mood for a potential argument and we made it as clear as possible where we stood! Will try update this more frequently as I'm sure there will be more to add! Ty for allthe replies ladies xx

OP posts:
trixymalixy · 12/05/2011 18:46

Hurrah, an update!! Good for you, tell her there's nothing else to discuss.

ChristinedePizan · 12/05/2011 18:49

Thank goodness you're not under the patio :o and thanks for update. Keep on telling us what's going on - this is not going to be the end of it I suspect ...

CointreauVersial · 12/05/2011 18:49

Thank the lord; we all thought you were 6 feet under the patio. Grin

Maybe it's worth having a last face-to-face meeting with her, even if it allows you to say "no" firmly. Don't be influenced; you don't have to do anything you don't feel comfortable with.

MollysChamber · 12/05/2011 18:53

Be firm. You are under no obligation to discuss this any further with her. You've made your decision.

TheCrackFox · 12/05/2011 19:06

Tell her to piss off - the cheeky mare. How patronising can she be asking to speak to your FIL? How does she even know he is guarantor of the mortgage?

Original poster
danilyon · 12/05/2011 19:14

Well I have no idea what else she wants us to say. Shes trying to tell us that some things we put in our letter to her were wrong.... Hmm maybe it was the bit where we put we didn't want to change things...maybe she thinks she knows us better than we know ourselves ^^
Tbh I'm surprised she hasn't got back to us sooner, though us meeting up anywhere with her this weekend (her suggestion - keen to get us to try change our minds I suspect) is highly unlikely. Hubby and my dad will be up at the house on Saturday but only to ripout the carpets and kitchen. Going back to MILs on Saturday evening as Hubbys grandad is unwell in hospital so need to visit him. Hubbys dad has pretty much said to hubby to tell her where to go (in the nicest way possible ofc lol) and that he has nothing today to her. On the plus side we've sorted out someone to give us a quote for the fence as your all right in terms of us just sorting it ourselves...we may not have a garden left if we let her put it up Grin
We are definitely standing firm in our decision - we've told her all our reasons and they don't seem to be good enough apparently. Very puzzling to why she's still pushing so hard for the entryway!

OP posts:
kylesmybaby · 12/05/2011 19:15

what a cheeky mare asking to speak to you FIL - like it will make a difference. its your house and your the one to make any decisions. that would have really annoyed me. who the hell does she think she is. good luck and well done.

Original poster
danilyon · 12/05/2011 19:20

TheCrackFox - we said in the letter that he was guarantor and we'd spoken go him in regards to it (which is true) Hubby wanted it in the letter in the hope that maybe she would just leave it but it seems that she may think that it's him who is stopping her, even though we made it clear to her that it had been our decision and that he had offered his opinion that it wasn't a good idea. Told hubby we shouldn't have to put it in the letter but hey ho lol :) No chance she's getting him up here anyway, he lives anhours drive away and has said he's not coming up. But yes I agree she is being a cheeky mare :)

OP posts:
said · 12/05/2011 19:22

She's outrageous! I love that your letter is "wrong" Grin Just make a tape recording of you saying "Sorry, there's nothing further to discuss" and play it on a loop through her letterbox

Original poster
danilyon · 12/05/2011 19:23

Apologies for any typing that makes no sense, am on my iPhone and it likes to autocorrect me GrinBlush

OP posts:
TheCrackFox · 12/05/2011 19:23

Just remember "no" is a complete sentence. Yyou don't have to justify yourself. She sounds like a steamroller type person.

Original poster
danilyon · 12/05/2011 19:24

LOL I like your thinking said!!! If only there was a like button lol Grin

OP posts:
PatientGriselda · 12/05/2011 19:27

I'm so glad you're back, danilyon!

If you do end up stuck in further discussions with her (eg if she pounces while you are at the property), don't let her bounce you into anything, just because you are good natured and she is pushy. If she suggests anything different, like paying you a nominal sum, for example, make sure you just say you will go away and think about it, rather than making any sort of positive sounds. And then come and discuss it with us so we can be all protective on your behalf!

ExitPursuedByALamb · 12/05/2011 19:28

Ooh marking my place - I love a good rights of way dispute me.

She will say you are wrong because you have misunderstood the bit about giving up your right of way, betcha.

microserf · 12/05/2011 19:35

ooh, the sheer front of her! i can't believe she'd have another go. but then again, i can. it's got to be a really clear firm NO - bet she harps on a bit about it for a while.

i really hope she doesn't turn out to be a nutter neighbour.

microserf · 12/05/2011 19:35

ps thanks OP, keep us updated!!!

domesticslattern · 12/05/2011 19:40

Pushy cow. Bet this isn't the last you hear of it.

When you go back to the house make sure you are wearing this T-shirt

Original poster
danilyon · 12/05/2011 19:42

Aww bless you PatientGriselda! It's more likely hubby she will catch there as he's doing the majority of the stuff (being 32 weeks pregnant does have it's advantages, I just get to pick everything Grin)
Exit - I bet your most probably right, though if its to say that we wouldn't be giving up right of way then I'd ask her why her solicitors letter says that we would (grateful we have proof of this in the solicitors letter) and if it's that she told us that we would be giving up rights of way then she's lying, unless there's something wrong with our hearing Grin Either way, sounds like we've potentially thwarted some plans.
LOL domestics! She might claim to not be able to read then lol Grin

OP posts:
PelvicFloorsOfSteel · 12/05/2011 22:19

danilyon - I'm glad you're back and sticking to your guns. Can I suggest you phone the solicitor as well and just make sure they know you are saying 'no' too. I'm not sure how it works legally but if they've drawn up the documents then a lack of response might be considered consent 10 years down the line. This neighbour sounds more than a little odd and I think it would be sensible to cover your back.