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(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!

210 replies

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:18

What’s you opinion.
Moved into new build property in December detached house with a detached house on both sides. We unfortunately have our neighbours garage in our garden no big deal (right)???
we had nearly completed the sale and the woman in sales office said ‘oh before I forget you can’t hang attached anything to your neighbours garage I.e hanging baskets basketball hoop etc etc. We said oh that’s fine we totally respect that.

Moved in thought both sides where lovely both respectable, both sides have young children ideal I thought as I have 3. I gave my neighbour clothes from my little girl that she had grown out of Iv bought her a gift when she had a baby Basically got on well and everyone was happy.

With lockdown like most people we decided to get garden done. We chose decking to go along the back where we get the sun to put the chairs on etc. When the workmen came I advised that we didn’t want to attached any of the wood to the garage wall and to leave a gap this was all agreed all good to go. When the workmen started putting the posts up I thought I’d just txt next door to say btw we are getting decking but we totally respect you and we haven’t drilled or screwed anything to the garage. She hadn’t seen my message as literally minutes later she knocked to say she had Hurd drilling (it was a saw) and that she was wondering what we where doing? I explained that i had just txt and said not to worry we have left a gap!! We chatted about other bits and pieces then she left. 10 mins later she came to the door with her dh and 2 little ones and the dh asked if he could have a word with the lads!!!! I said yeah go round the back so off he went round the side he was asking the workmen what they where doing and how etc and then said that the decking is too high and would affect the damp proof in the garage the workmen said if they do it to this height all the rain water will run onto the grass not his garage wall. He then said if he needs access to maintain it he couldn’t!!! the workmen said he could get into point or damp proof or what ever he thinks he may need to do can’t see much maintenance on a brand new house, but anyway!! He then left and I thought that was that.

I was looking out the window a few minutes later and I seen a man I’d never seen before along with the dh in my garden,I immediately got my back up as he’s complaining about Me touching his property when he’s just walked on my property without even knocking on me first to explain that he wanted to bring his dad round to have a look.

The dh and the dad was grilling the workmen again and the same thing was repeated,I told the dh that I was upset he’d came into the garden with his dad knowing my dh is working away and I thought it was intimidating I advised I was guttered as I thought there where a lovely family and there basically causing unnecessary trouble!! I got myself upset and went into the house.

His dw Txt and said it wasn’t there intention to upset me but that We basically should have told them that we were getting Decking done and made sure they where happy with our plans.
My argument is we haven’t touched there property we have respected that from day one, we only advised them of this because we are courteous but I don’t feel the need to run over my plans with them. I said that unfortunately there garage is in our garden and we have to make the best of the garden working round the garage!! Her reply was which pissed me off was ..... technically your garden abuts onto our garage which is our land not your garden!!!

It doesn’t matter how she try’s to dress it up the garage is in our garden.
Right if you’ve got this far what is your opinion Iv been as fair as fair can be,I’m so upset that we have fallen out but I haven’t done anything wrong.

(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!
(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!
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Thread gallery
9
thegcatsmother · 04/06/2020 01:29

As long as you haven't attached anything to their garage wall, then there isn't a problem. It's your garden, on which you pay the mortgage.

When the NDN and his Dad actually pay for your decking, then they can question your workmen, and not before. I've had similar with a male neighbour, and my stock response to him wanting me to move my shed and my oil tank, was 'ask before you walk onto my property', and 'not my problem' when he complained about my audacity in having positioned my oil tank in a place he didn't like, before he even owned the property next door.

Tell them to keep their noses out. Your garden, your choices, as long as you don't hang anything on their garage. I'd have stuck a fence in front of it already to hide it as it doesn't look pretty.

Pipandmum · 04/06/2020 01:31

So by saying her garage is in your garden you own the land under her garage? That sounds very odd, especially on a new estate. Does the land registry actually have your property line extend around the garage? If so why don't you own it?
If the garage is on your land, what rights do you have? If the garden is flooded and damaged their garage to they have any claims? Or is it that a mistake has been made and the garage increases on your land by a foot or so?
Anyway, despite this potential oddity (which I would get sorted if I were you by amending the deeds), if the deck is only a few inches high I don't see any issue - but I probably would have left a slightly bigger gap. They were being unreasonable though and should have accepted your first explanation. It's not like a deck is a permanent structure.

ZombieFan · 04/06/2020 01:34

Not sure I get this. If they own the land their garage is on then their garage is NOT in you garden although I get it might 'look' this way. So essentially you are saying your garden goes right up to their garage and you have no fence in between.

Anyway they are being idiots its your garden its none of their business what you legally build in it (as long as its not attached to their garage). So they are being idiots, dont let them back on your property. Ignore them and get used to the unfortunate situation that you have got rude neighbours.

biglittlemedium · 04/06/2020 01:38

I’d have put the tallest fence possible in front of that the week after I’d moved in.

mumsy27 · 04/06/2020 01:39

the garage forms a boundary between your property and theirs.
yes, you can not hang anything or drill to the wall.

their garage isn't in your garden.
however, you are within your right to build that decking and it doesn't look that high to affect their garage.
don't let them bully you.
for now don't give them any access.

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:40

Her garage abuts my garden meaning they share a common boundary. Her land ends where my garden starts however the garage is still in my garden as that’s where the boundary ends. As I say Iv respected there wishes and won’t attached anything to it, the workmen said a bigger gap wouldn’t be good with little ones. I feel like I won’t be able to breath on that bloody garage now.

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Mintjulia · 04/06/2020 01:42

Tbh, I can see the neighbours’ point. A gap of only an inch can get bunged up with wet leaves and weeds quite quickly if it isn’t constantly maintained. , Yes, it could cause problems if the top of the decking in above the level of their damp course. I wouldn’t be thrilled either.

If their damp course is breached as a result, they could reasonably require you to cut back your decking away from the wall.

BlueBirdGreenFence · 04/06/2020 01:43

I think if your work could make anything potentially harder for them now or in the future, a heads up would have been the polite thing to do.

Sounds like they're a young couple that were taken by surprise and panicked because they didn't know if it would be a major problem for them so asked dad round to check. Whilst you haven't technically did anything wrong, you would have saved yourself bother if you had spoke to them beforehand and able to explain what was going on.

Based on all that I think YABU but inadvertently so.

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:44

Here is another look at the garden so you can see it from another angle.

(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!
(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!
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Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:45

@Mintjulia what to you suggest I do with my garden bloody hell there’s always one

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Jojo19834 · 04/06/2020 01:47

Personally don’t think you have done anything wrong. They will own the land their garage sits on, but you have left a gap and there will be no damp issue etc as a result. They really shouldn’t need to do any maintenance on it. Your boundary will be up to their garage wall. If the developer wanted it elsewhere they should have put a fence up to protect. They didn’t and they never do as this is common on new build estates. Shame this has happened with your neighbours though.

SingingSands · 04/06/2020 01:48

That is a bizarre design from a new build!

Putting that aside, you are fine to proceed. You are not touching the garage, the decking is being constructed on your property.

As for their needing access to maintain it - wouldn't they need to ask your permission anyway, as they would need to access via your property?

I'd be tempted to get some chalk out and write WANKERS on the garage wall. I know it's childish, but it would make me feel better. Grin

mumsy27 · 04/06/2020 01:48

the garage isn't in your garden, the boundary is virtual line.
as you said where the garage ends your property starts

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:49

@BlueBirdGreenFence no there not a very young couple late 30s. I absolutely didn’t mind the dad coming round but he just came in the garden without even telling me knocking on me !! I respected them said I wouldn’t drill there garage so why isn’t he respecting me. Why should I have to ask what I can and can’t do in garden when I’m not touching there property. ? They have complained to the housing company about numerous things there just think there above everyone else.

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HeddaGarbled · 04/06/2020 01:51

I think it highly unlikely that their garage is in your garden. It’s more likely that she’s correct in saying that their garage and your garden abut each other.

I also don’t think that they are unreasonable to be concerned about a structure close to their wall. It’s probably OK, because it doesn’t actually touch their wall, but they’re not being unreasonable to be concerned about that and to get it checked out.

The only thing I think was unreasonable was for them to come onto your property without asking you first, but he was probably very alarmed about what had just been sprung on him and not in the mood to be diplomatic.

I think you’re mostly in the wrong here and you need to get a professional opinion (not from the deck-layers, who obviously want the business), as to whether your structure will have any detrimental impact on your neighbours.

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:51

@SingingSands absolutely honestly people like this think there above everyone else. Next they will prob tell me I can’t paint the inside of my own fence Angry

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Mintjulia · 04/06/2020 01:52

Your only requirement is not to cause damage to their property, so just make sure either your decking remains below the level of their damp course, so there is no breach, or be sure to check that gap is clear frequently throughout the year and clear away any weeds, ant hills etc.

Sorry to be “one” but my df took someone to court for precisely that reason when I was a kid, He won compensation but the drama and arguments went on for a decade afterwards. Sad

ZombieFan · 04/06/2020 01:53

The new pictures show it better but their garage is still NOT in your garden it just looks like that because no one built a fence.

Once you have it built you will forget all this when your sunbathing on a lovely deck. Sad that you have shite neighbours.

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:54

People keep saying the garage isn’t in my garden yeah fair enough as Iv said before it’s a joining boundary but if I look at my garden I can still see an un attractive garage wall in my garden. If you look to the left I have a square of garden with a small fence at the back so the garage appears to be in my garden although yes technically it’s just where there land ends

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mumsy27 · 04/06/2020 01:55

actually you can't paint your side if you don't own the fence, if it is shared you need their permission.

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:55

@ZombieFan I totally get it’s not in my garden technically but it’s where my garden ends so still have to deal with it and yeah terrible about the neighbours got nasty quick

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Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:57

@mumsy27 the fence is ours Luckily we have the posts and I have checked. But it’s like What next

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Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:59

@Mintjulia why what happened did the neighbour damage the garage

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mumsy27 · 04/06/2020 01:59

if it's inside your property, then it's yours they can't hang plants and anything else for that matter.

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:59

Another pic

(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!
OP posts: