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Original poster

Can they really put scaffolding on my property?

157 replies

2Cats1Dog · 14/03/2019 16:35

One of the flats above us (leaseholders like us) have got permission from the freeholder to convert their loft and to do this they need to put scaffolding on our property, which would mean months and months of misery for us. Surely, they can't be allowed to do this??? I mean, it's not like it's necessary maintenance work, it's purely to improve their flat, it's not essential work! Has anyone else been in this situation? Help please!

OP posts:
FrancisCrawford · 14/03/2019 16:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
2Cats1Dog · 14/03/2019 16:59

@Silene Oliveira "Seriously, why do you think it takes 9 months to do a loft extension?"
Because that's what we've been told. It's a big job.

OP posts:
SheRaTheAllPowerful · 14/03/2019 16:59

But people are entitled to improve their houses. It would be the same if you lived in a terraced house as it would you living in a flat.

FrancisCrawford · 14/03/2019 17:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SheRaTheAllPowerful · 14/03/2019 17:01

The scaffolding would only need to be up whilst the roof was being done in the opening part of the build. It wouldn’t be there the whole time I imagine. How big is the ‘flat’?

10IAR · 14/03/2019 17:01

I think they've overestimated the time it will take, in case of delays or whatever.

Check out the legalities of what you can or can't do.

But I honestly think it's just one of those things when you share a wall with other properties. Flat, semi, terrace all mean compromises and at times, inconvenience.

FrancisCrawford · 14/03/2019 17:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

superram · 14/03/2019 17:02

I redid my whole house inc extension and lift conversion and it didn’t take 9 months. They need to give you a timeline and not leave it up for convenience.

FaithFrank · 14/03/2019 17:03

"Being neighbourly" is all well and good, if the neighbours treat you similarly.

Have they shown any consideration for you op? Or are they just expecting you to put up and shut up?

burritofan · 14/03/2019 17:05

It's probably just something you have to put up with, but incredibly rude and antisocial of the other flat and freeholder to not give you a heads up about it. Not sure why you're getting grief for being unneighbourly when the scaffolding neighbour is being just as bad.

The scaffolding will likely only be used for a short time, you're not going to have builders staring in at you at all times. And they should use safety netting and set it up so your access isn't blocked; plus any dust/damage incurred to your flat will be cleared up at their expense. Grim but you can't really do much.

bigbluebus · 14/03/2019 17:10

I think the banging and drilling will be the bigger problem if it really is for that length of time.
Unless they put scaffolding poles across your windows so that you can't open them, then you're just going to have to put up with it - one of the perils of living in a leasehold flat.

TapasForTwo · 14/03/2019 17:10

It would have been the considerate thing to do for the neighbours to let you know, but if you don't actually own the land you wouldn't be able to refuse the scaffolding anyway. Unfortunately permission comes from the freeholder not you.

Do you talk to your neighbours?

Original poster
2Cats1Dog · 14/03/2019 17:15

@Faith Frank "are they just expecting you to put up and shut up?" It seems like it, yes, unfortunately

OP posts:
Pez82 · 14/03/2019 17:16

I suspect they haven't received PP yet. As part of the process they would have had to give you notice of the application and time to feedback. I extended a leasehold flat last year and had to go through this process. I know from my neighbours that some solicitors specialising in party wall agreements also contacting them, which I wasn't too pleased about as I had already forked our nearly £5k in planning and legal fees to gain permission from the freeholder who required a licence for improvements. None of the neighbours objected or requested a party wall agreement thankfully.

NoSquirrels · 14/03/2019 17:16

Who have you got the information off, OP?

Did the freeholder send a letter? Or did the neighbour come to talk to you about it/drop you a note?

You cannot refuse it. But you can ask for some assurances - timelines, how the scaffolding is arranged so your windows are accessible, what extra security you will have/need (you need to inform your insurer) etc.

It is disruptive and a pain. I should imagine the flat above has probably come to a deal with the freeholder about replacing roofing, which will have been attractive to them. If the roof had needed replacing anyway, you'd have to suck it up.

Unless you have share of freehold you have no say. That's just how it is.

Pez82 · 14/03/2019 17:17
  • licence for alterations
thislido · 14/03/2019 17:21

I actually have had this for several months, twice. My cat thought it was marvellous, he treated the scaffolding planks at our level as his private terrace.

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/03/2019 17:22

Because that's what we've been told.

By whom?

Nat6999 · 14/03/2019 17:25

My block of flats is mixed council & private (bought from council) 2 years ago we had scaffolding up for 6 months while roof repairs were carried out. My flat is a ground floor one, I had scaffolding in front of all my Windows with platforms across all my Windows blocking out light & unable to open any windows. The actual work took less than 2 weeks in total. We had no way to complain or stop the scaffolding being put up, the council are the leaseholders & private owners had to pay towards the repairs whether they liked it or not. It's part of living in a flat, goes with the territory, flats are usually leasehold not freehold.

PickAChew · 14/03/2019 17:29

OP, you seem so highly strung that the reaction of the animals is the least of your worries.

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 14/03/2019 18:46

Are you sure it's not 8-9 weeks?

PepsiLola · 14/03/2019 18:51

Are your neighbours rich? I imagine 9 months of builder(s) salary would be ridiculous

DavetheCat2001 · 14/03/2019 18:54

I wouldn't want scaffolding outside my flat, it's a security risk as much as anything.

Having said that, unless there is something in your lease to say otherwise, they have the right to.

Ginger1982 · 14/03/2019 18:57

WHO has told you 8/9 months?

SheChoseDown · 14/03/2019 19:00

I love the hysterics