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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!!
OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
KickAssAngel · 04/06/2020 02:04

What are you planning to do to make sure that weeds, wildlife and leaves etc don't build up under and behind the deck? I would strongly recommend that you put something down to keep things under control and make sure that you clean down the back of the deck about once a month.

BillBaileysBum · 04/06/2020 02:05
  1. Cor that’s an annoying layout. Why do builders do this shit nowadays??
  1. Her garage isn’t in your garden, it adjoins your garden. You’re fine in what you’ve done though - they don’t have a leg to stand on, so don’t muddy the waters by using incorrect wording would be my advice.
  1. Hope you enjoy the decking :)
Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:05

@mumsy27 they have double fenced there side so I’m happy about that.

I feel frustrated as Iv not touched there garage

OP posts:
BlueBirdGreenFence · 04/06/2020 02:06

Will OP be liable for any damage to the garage because of lack of maintenance/it affecting their damp proofing etc? Genuine question!

IncrediblySadToo · 04/06/2020 02:07

Their garage is NOT in your garden. Visually it looks like it's in your garden, but technically it's not.

There are laws about what you can do near borders & you need to find out what your rights & restrictions are in your legal documents.

He was pretty rude just taking his Dad in your garden without knocking to check it was ok.

You need to check your legal documents instead of just saying 'it's my garden!'

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:08

@BillBaileysBum yeha I get the point it’s not in my garden but i still have it too look at and work around it. Some neighbours would say sod it id so what I want put trellis hanging baskets etc etc but I respect my neighbours and I like to get on

OP posts:
Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:10

@BlueBirdGreenFence good question. This has taught me that I’m very laid back I wouldn’t care if someone wanted to drill decking to my garage wonder if drilling it on would I have been better for damp etc

OP posts:
Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:11

@IncrediblySadToo yeah it’s technically not in my garden but it looks like it is and still have to deal with it I’m so upset.

OP posts:
IncrediblySadToo · 04/06/2020 02:12

@ZombieFan

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.

She doesn't have shite neighbours! They're worried what she's doing will give them problems in their garage. Their garage which they have just bought. They have a right to protect their asset from damage.
Mintjulia · 04/06/2020 02:13

The neighbour put up a garden shed close to the back wall of our house, but on his property, leaving a small gap. At some point, ants nested under his shed, creating a mound of earth that filled the gap, breached our damp course and caused damp to seep into our house causing quite a lot of damage.

I was about 8 when it happened. My dad and the neighbour were still hissing at each other like rival cats when I left home at 18. Honestly, it isn’t worth the grief. Hmm

BlueBirdGreenFence · 04/06/2020 02:14

I would check that out before proceeding. Imagine if in 5 years time you were called to small claims over some minor breach that's resulted in damage. That's the sort of thing that would be expensive.

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:17

@IncrediblySadToo I get what your saying but what are we suppose to do. We haven’t touched the garage they have done nothing but complain about everything to the housing developers so I know it’s not just a one off.

OP posts:
IncrediblySadToo · 04/06/2020 02:17

Some neighbours would say sod it id so what I want put trellis hanging baskets etc etc but I respect my neighbours and I like to get on

They would be breaking the law and so what? Obeying the law doesn't give you any right to do a different thing that could damage their property

If you 'like to get on' why didn't you discuss your plans with them? Plans that have the potential to do damage to their property?!

If you object to the brick wall so much, why didn't you buy a different house, it's a new build I'm sure you had other options!

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:19

Just thinking if I did put a fence around like some have suggested wouldn’t that be the same problem as the decking with leaves muck etc?

OP posts:
IncrediblySadToo · 04/06/2020 02:22

[quote Lifeisconfusing]@IncrediblySadToo I get what your saying but what are we suppose to do. We haven’t touched the garage they have done nothing but complain about everything to the housing developers so I know it’s not just a one off.[/quote]
They're entitled to complain to the developers. New builds are notoriously full of things that haven't been done properly or fully finished.

Are you a first time buyer?

What are you supposed to do ?

Start off by checking your paperwork! There will probably be information in there about what you can/can't do on the boundaries, if not, the council I guess.

It's not all about 'touching' the garage, it's about potentially causing dansgebti their property.

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:23

@IncrediblySadToo I’m just saying some people wouldn’t give a nick but I do. I never had a problem with the brick wall yes it’s not the prettiest but I’m ok with it. I told the neighbours I wasn’t going to drill or touch there property and I haven’t. How will it damage there property I will be keeping that gap spotlessly clean and I will make sure of it.

OP posts:
Nancydrawn · 04/06/2020 02:25

The decking really is awfully close to their garage. I wouldn't want that if I were them, and I wouldn't want that if I were youa six inch gap would make it much easier to do repairs and put down the rat traps when they show up-- .

Is it too late to think about a patio?

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:26

@IncrediblySadToo no this is my 3rd house and yes new builds can have problems of course but there are talking about major problems damp in there garage as app the builders didn’t damp proof it right and it caused their car seat to be thick of mould the house behind them is too close blah blah blah compulsive complainers.

OP posts:
Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:27

@Nancydrawn just spent £1000 on wood so no.

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Floralnomad · 04/06/2020 02:27

I would just put a fence around the garage , obviously not touching it and then you can hang stuff on the fence and do what you please . Their boundary is the garage wall so whatever you want to do on your side is none of their business . I would also make sure I put locks on the gates so they cannot access your garden without permission .

TheCraicDealer · 04/06/2020 02:30

They were completely out of line entering your garden without asking. I would be furious about that.

However I can see why they are worried about the proximity of the decking to the garage. As someone else pointed out, it's easy for leaves and other debris to get trapped in between the decking and the garage wall which could over time create issues. Luckily trees etc are usually thin on the ground in new builds estates (no shade, I live in one myself!) but it's something you should maybe take into account with any planting in the future. You'll get weeds coming up through that gap as well, especially in the summer months. It'll either look incredibly untidy or you'll ruin your strimmer trying to keep on top of it with the wire hitting off the brick. Tbh I wouldn't put too much store by what the joiner is saying, they probably just want the job done and paid for as quickly as possible. He won't give a shit if there is an issue in five or ten years, he'll be long gone.

Extending the patio would have been a better choice and would be much easier to maintain (one level, no chance of rotting, no treatments to maintain it or prevent it turning into an ice rink with algae, no chance of pests underneath). Whilst you're entitled to use your garden and decking is hardly an unusual feature, you have to be careful to avoid causing damage to your neighbours' property which could have been reasonably foreseeable.

IncrediblySadToo · 04/06/2020 02:30

[quote Lifeisconfusing]@IncrediblySadToo I’m just saying some people wouldn’t give a nick but I do. I never had a problem with the brick wall yes it’s not the prettiest but I’m ok with it. I told the neighbours I wasn’t going to drill or touch there property and I haven’t. How will it damage there property I will be keeping that gap spotlessly clean and I will make sure of it.[/quote]
I know some people wouldn't give a damn, but it's irrelevant to this situation.

How exactly do you intend to keep the full width of the gap spotlessly clean it's 5cm wide. You're not going to be able to access most of it.

It doesn't take much to screw up the damp course. Building right up next to it just isn't good for it and may well be against the regulations.

ZombieFan · 04/06/2020 02:35

She doesn't have shite neighbours! They're worried what she's doing will give them problems in their garage. Their garage which they have just bought. They have a right to protect their asset from damage.

Of course they are shite neighbours, this is not how you deal with these issues.
If it was sooo important to them they:
should not have bought a house with a garage abutting someone elses garden, or
should have insisted a fence was built as a condition of sale, or
insisted a condition was put on the property determining the closest distance anything can be built to their garage, or
made sure their damp proof course was built a LOT higher, or
offered to pay the op to have the garage wall 'maintained' regularly, or
baked a cake for the op and politely asked if they could pop around occasionally to maintain the wall themselves.

What neighbours good DO NOT do is:
destroy good neighbourly relations in a hissy fit, and
get 2 men to go around to the garden and intimate a woman, and
make it all the ops fault, and
dictate what she can and cant do in her own garden.

If it ever does become a problem you deal with it then, politely and through the proper channels. Its ONLY temporary decking near a brick wall.

IncrediblySadToo · 04/06/2020 02:36

Their boundary is the garage wall so whatever you want to do on your side is none of their business

Not true. There are regulations you need to be aware of and abide by.

IncrediblySadToo · 04/06/2020 02:37

@ZombieFan

She doesn't have shite neighbours! They're worried what she's doing will give them problems in their garage. Their garage which they have just bought. They have a right to protect their asset from damage.

Of course they are shite neighbours, this is not how you deal with these issues.
If it was sooo important to them they:
should not have bought a house with a garage abutting someone elses garden, or
should have insisted a fence was built as a condition of sale, or
insisted a condition was put on the property determining the closest distance anything can be built to their garage, or
made sure their damp proof course was built a LOT higher, or
offered to pay the op to have the garage wall 'maintained' regularly, or
baked a cake for the op and politely asked if they could pop around occasionally to maintain the wall themselves.

What neighbours good DO NOT do is:
destroy good neighbourly relations in a hissy fit, and
get 2 men to go around to the garden and intimate a woman, and
make it all the ops fault, and
dictate what she can and cant do in her own garden.

If it ever does become a problem you deal with it then, politely and through the proper channels. Its ONLY temporary decking near a brick wall.

Rubbish