Background. Neighbours almost continually do stuff to the house; often at weekends and late into the evening (we've had to abandon the house due to noise on occasion!). We've had boundary issues (over about an inch of garden - their issue not ours!) and privacy issues (they shaved their trees so there was effectively no fence between gardens, we gave them over a year as they said they would put up fences, then offered to pay to do it ourselves - the woman was very arsey about it and refused - we eventually put a fence up on our side and left it at that.)
There is a small 3m x 2m brick wall that borders our back garden before the fences start. Some on our side, some on theirs; they wanted it knocked down as they say its subsiding and said they would pay (asked us for permission in writing). No problem we said just let us know when your going to do it - they never responded and this was Feb. We know know it's a party wall so I'm guessing they have realised they need something more formal.
Fast forward to now. We are planning a single story extension and almost a month ago asked them if we could take the wall down and rebuild at the time of building the extension ad would cover the cost. They verbally agreed.
Last week we had our building surveyor round and he suggested that instead of rebuilding the wall then our extension next to it that we simply make the extension wall the wall iyswim. Neighbour responded to my txt and popped down, seemed ok with it but obviously wanted to check with his wife. His only concern seemed to be that it would limit light onto his patio for a few hours (which is true but this will happen regardless) so we offered to pay him to take his trees down completely as this would let shed loads more light into his garden all day. This was Friday.
Monday evening I txt him to say I would drop found our sketches and could they let us know their thoughts. We cannot get the drawings for building control / quotes done until we know re the wall and trees.
We haven't heard anything... I don't want to appear pushy so how long would be reasonable before prodding them?
What can we do if they choose to ignore us? Our surveyor is keen we make it worth their while to take the trees down (as it affects foundation depths) and keep them sweet but I can't see what more we can do, they want the wall replaced, it would be. They are concerned about light so we've offered a solution and financial incentive.
Over to the oracle of mumsnet!