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Original poster

Self build - being blackmailed - help!

35 replies

beingblackmailed · 28/09/2019 20:01

I would be so grateful for any advice!

We are trying to get planning permission for a self build but have one objection from a neighbour. This means it will go to committee. For a number of reasons committee would be a massive set back as we can’t have any delays. Neighbour is trying to blackmail us saying she will remove objection if we buy her something for her land (worth £10k- £5k). She is not mentally well at the moment due to something horrible that has happened to her recently. We’re really worried she’s also going to try to sue us by claiming she or her daughter have been injured on our site (she has made vague hints about this).

We don’t know what to do. Can we get a general site insurance that will protect us if something did happen to her or her child? Could she even sue against us as she’d be trespassing? Is there any point reporting the blackmail to anyone or is it something that would be too hard to prove?

We are completely broken people at the moment.

OP posts:
Knittedfairies · 28/09/2019 20:19

What a horrible position to be in. If your neighbour's objection is valid, I think you'll have to hold your nerve and see what decision the committee makes, and appeal if necessary. Unfortunately delays are common during building work. Perhaps you should speak to your solicitor about the trespass/possible injury. Do not give in to her threats of blackmail; that could be the thin end of a very long wedge. Good luck!

IWouldPreferNotTo · 28/09/2019 20:24

Get the extortion recorded (it's not blackmail) and go to the police and planning board. She's escalated so the only option is to go all out

TokyoSushi · 28/09/2019 20:28

Are you definitely sure you want to build and live next to her...?

Original poster
beingblackmailed · 28/09/2019 21:14

Sorry extortion not black mail.

Her objections are not valid at all but planning have said it still needs to go to committee. The objections are complaining about things that were not doing for example “I’m worried they might build roof lights” which we are not doing.

Our design actually had planning permission until a few months ago when planning told us we could do something which we did and then said oops actually you shouldn’t have done that you’ll need to reapply (and pay the fee again).

The neighbour was not living their when we bought and is renting. If she stays we are considering building the house and selling it as we don’t want to live next to her. Other things have happened such as her blaming us for damage to her property (as a result of works carried out) and asking for repair money.

OP posts:
CadburysCremeSmeggs · 28/09/2019 21:17

You report her to the Police for Blackmail and if it does go to the committee at least you will have evidence of her objection is only there to push through blackmail.

CadburysCremeSmeggs · 28/09/2019 21:19

Forgot to add, any damage to her property her Landlord pays for repairs. Go speak to the Landlord about her scam.

Original poster
beingblackmailed · 28/09/2019 21:32

The landlords are friends of hers. We spoke to them and they said theyre getting a pretty good deal with her (her rent is insanely pricey) so asked dh to please go round and offer to repair for her. They don’t want to lose her and asked if we would be prepared to cover her rent if they lost her because of us...they are currently living abroad.

Think we will email solicitor a detailed email about what has happened so far so we have it on record.

OP posts:
longearedbat · 28/09/2019 22:23

If you are thinking of building it and then selling it, why bother to be honest? Don't engage with this nutcase, get pp (or not, as the case may be), sell the site and move on. You just know that the whole build is going to be a constant pain in the butt while this person is next door. Life's too short for this kind of shit

Africa2go · 28/09/2019 23:07

That sounds odd - have you damaged next door? If not, why is neighbour and her landlord / the owner saying you should repair?

Original poster
beingblackmailed · 29/09/2019 07:05

We are very unlikely to sell the site as it is. As I said we originally had pp so have started and the site is a bit of a mess. We would lose money if we just sold the land but if we build what we have designed we are likely to make a decent profit.

In an ideal world tenant will move out and we will still get to live there - this is still a possibility we just don’t want to move if she stays.

As I said we have not damaged next door she is claiming we have. Landlord is worried she’ll get fed up and leave and he’ll lose the money he’s getting - this is why he pleaded with dh to repair things and smooth things over. He tried to spin it that this would be better for us in the long run.

OP posts:
wowfudge · 29/09/2019 07:22

Why on earth are you getting caught up in all of this? Just stick to the facts and stop trying to appease people who clearly think you are a soft touch. Make sure the site is secure.

MarieG10 · 29/09/2019 07:47

Sorry if I correct in this, but I did t think that tenants had the right of objection. Doesn't it have to be the owner whose property would be affected?

Original poster
beingblackmailed · 29/09/2019 07:55

wowfudge - when she first moved in she came to talk to us every time we were at the site which was regularly. She approached us not the other way round as was always trying to sound really helpful and supportive. She asked for dhs number so she could discuss any concerns and we agreed as she seemed so pleasant. Things gradually changed and became what they are now. We did not see this coming and are now stopping communication since she’s been trying to blackmail us.

This is not our fault we did not ask for any of this. Just came for advice. The site is as secure as we can make it but she’s already claimed her dog managed to get on to site (he’s too big to get under the fence) and hurt himself and she had to take him to the vet. We want to know how we can avoid have to pay out on any future incidents like this (we did not have to pay on this one). Insurance company won’t give advice as site is currently vacant.

OP posts:
Original poster
beingblackmailed · 29/09/2019 07:56

Marie yes they have as much right as owners.

OP posts:
VeThings · 29/09/2019 07:58

Don’t pay for anything. You’d be admitting liability even if not your fault.

Why are you appeasing the landlord. Keep things professional and tell him/her about the build, get the party wall agreement etc. No need to get into any discussion about them tenant.

Aus84 · 29/09/2019 07:59

I would be putting cameras up on your site. Our builders did this to protect the property from theft, damage and trespass during building works.

Original poster
beingblackmailed · 29/09/2019 08:03

Aus - yes! This is something we’re looking into.

Vethings - we are not trying to appease the landlord. We had a good relationship with him as he sold us the land in the first place. He called us directly to talk about the tenant. Very good point about not paying for anything as it would be accepting liability this is exactly the type of thing we need to be aware of.

OP posts:
LazyFace · 29/09/2019 08:09

It's her responsibility to keep her dog on her property, not yours.

AJPTaylor · 29/09/2019 08:11

You need to stop engaging with either of them. Record her extortion demands.
Draw up a schedule that now factors in this delay.

CalmFizz · 29/09/2019 08:14

Her dog should also be insured for public liability if it causes any damage.

PurpleWithRed · 29/09/2019 08:15

She sounds a bit batshit. But self-building is quite a task (I've done it) and rarely runs smoothly.

So she is making objections that mean the plans have to go to committee. You aren't worried about losing permission at committee but can't afford the delay.

If you do £5-10ks worth of work on the property she is renting she will remove her objections and no planning committee.

You are also concerned that she will make false allegations about you in the future, and want to insure against that happening?

On the planning issue I think you're a bit stuck - she has the right to object, even if her objections are nuts or malicious, and the planners are obliged to consider her objections. Planning issues are par for the course in self-build and until you've got the paperwork in your hand making firm plans is risky. Can you revert to the first plans, the ones that they passed? Otherwise I can't see any alternative to calling her bluff or paying her off.

On the issue with insuring yourselves against malicious claims in the future, I have no idea if that's even possible but do you have legal cover included in any existing insurance properties eg contents insurance? I would imagine it would be really hard to insure that as a standalone issue.

Original poster
beingblackmailed · 29/09/2019 08:23

Purplewithred - yes I’m worried it will be hard/impossible to insure against too.

The design is the exact same as the one which was approved.

OP posts:
Grumpyunleashed · 29/09/2019 12:25

@beingblackmailed
Our design actually had planning permission until a few months ago when planning told us we could do something which we did and then said oops actually you shouldn’t have done that you’ll need to reapply (and pay the fee again).

If the planning department gave wrong advice that you followed, then ”oops”, I would be instructing my solicitor to be inviting the council to fast track reinstatement of original permission and and pay compensation for lost time and costs etc.

EvenPhilip · 29/09/2019 12:38

This whole thing sounds bonkers.
The council messed up the planning and you are liable for costs, your neighbour is Batshit and her landlord wants you to cover rent if she leaves?????
You need legal advice pronto.

longearedbat · 29/09/2019 12:50

I think if you are embarking on this you need to grow a thicker skin. I'm afraid you come across a being a bit wet. The correct answer, when someone suggests you may have to fork out for the rent if their tenant leaves, is 'fuck off', but you could be more polite if you wish. Why are you letting the council mess you around? If you have got pp and are building to that pp they can't suddenly change their minds. Did you change the build without informing them or something? I really think you need some legal advice, and don't engage with the nutter next door until you have.